Our coaches will help you FEEL Amazing
Meet the team that’s dedicated to making your goals a reality.
meet your support team
BEN DEZWART
Level 5 Trainer & Head of Personal Training
With over 11 years’ experience Ben de Zwart has been training Personal Trainers how to be their best and helped grow over 100 trainers to become successful. From starting as a brand-new trainer in the industry with zero experience, he quickly became one of the highest-level Personal Trainers in Western Canada and is an award-Winning Fitness Manager. Ben has helped every sort of client, from dramatic weight loss, pre/post injury prevention/rehabilitation, weight-gain/bodybuilding and athletic performance. Ben takes a methodical approach to building the fundamentals in the program and teaching the why behind the movement. He does this, so that the training becomes very practical and the clients can change the way they move on a day to day basis. When clients move better 24 hours a day, success comes much quicker and easier with less chance of relapse. Ben would be very excited to sit down with you to discuss the next year of success and goal setting.
CERTIFICATIONS
- Fitness Manager of Excellence Award 2016
- 6x Winner of Goodlife Top 500 Award
- Functional Movement Assessment & Gradual Exercise Methods
- Level 1 & 2
- Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certificate
- DTS Striking Fundamentals Part A Certificate
- Can-Fit-Pro Nutrition and Weight Loss Certificate
- Can-Fit-Pro Personal Training Specialist
- DTS Kettle-Bell Fundamentals Certificate
- Advanced Power Training Certificate
- TRX R4 Trainer Certificate
- TRX RIP Trainer Certificate
- My Boot Camp Certification
- Body-Fit Certification
- DTS Level 1
- DTS Intro to Olympic Weightlifting
- YMCA Personal Trainer
- Trigger Point Level 1 & 2 Certificate
- CrossFit Level 1 Certificate
- Pat Rigsby’s Online Coaching Specialist Certificate
- Brett Bartholomew’s Apprenticeship Program
- Mike Reinold’s IASTM Certification
RÉNALD VOURIOT
Group Coach/ Level 2 Trainer
Ren’s passion for fitness took shape right here at North Star Fitness. From weightlifting and gymnastics to kettlebells and clubs, his love of movement has propelled his journey from CFW member to personal trainer. He is dedicated to helping clients become stronger and healthier – physically, mentally and emotionally. He breaks down the mental barriers to change, and proves that with hard work and dedication you are capable of anything. He will help you take fear out of the equation, so even the most challenging goals and movements become attainable. Ren strongly believes that if you don’t move it, you’ll lose it. That movement is life, so why not make it fun? If expert coaching and support is what you’re looking for, Ren’s your man. He would love to sit down with you to discuss your fitness goals and ways to help you achieve the seemingly impossible.
CERTIFICATIONS
- CrossFit Level 1
- Agatsu Joint Mobility and Movement
- CrossFit Level 1 Gymnastics
- Agatsu Kettlebell Level 1
- Agatsu Assessment Course
- Agatsu Indian Club and Mace Level 1
GARY MCLEOD
Group Coach/Level 4 Trainer/Massage Therapist
Gary McLeod has been in the Health and Wellness industry for 14 years as an Advanced Remedial Massage Therapist. Gary’s never-ending thirst for knowledge has expanded his expertise of the musculoskeletal system to include all the inputs and corresponding system considerations that have helped in his thousands of hours of clinical experience. Gary’s clinical Massage Therapy practice entails recommending lifestyle changes such as sleep hygiene, dietary considerations and prescribing exercises that get his clientele the best results possible.
Early in Gary’s life he watched his parents suffer from chronic lifestyle conditions, heart disease and diabetes. This is where Gary gets his passion to help others. One of Gary’s success stories, a man who weighed in at 412 lbs and lost 212 lbs following Gary’s lifestyle recommendations and exercise prescriptions, states, “Gary saved my life, I would be dead if it wasn’t for him showing me how to live.”
CERTIFICATIONS
- 2200 hour Advanced Remedial Massage Therapy Diploma, Orthopaedic Assessment course
- Sports Injury Management course, Principals of Manual Medicine Study, Visceral release certificate
- Functional Active Release Technique Practitioner, Myofascial Release, CrossFit Level 1, Agatsu Kettlebell Level 1, Agatsu Movement & Mobility, Agatsu Mace & Clubs, Program Design, Sleep Masterclass, Hydration Masterclass
- Nutrition Masterclass, Stress Management Specialist, Motivational interviewer, Crisis intervention & Conflict Resolution Specialist, Health and Safety Rep, Regenerative Agriculture Environmentalist
KLEIN ELEGADO
Level 2 Trainer
Klein has a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach (NSCA-CSCS). He has a background in competitive basketball & football and has worked with athletes at all levels. A serious shoulder injury ended his sports career, but the knowledge he gained through surgery and rehab has proven invaluable. Klein specializes in shoulder rehab, prehab and athletic training and works with clients of all ages and backgrounds.
Klein believes that “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Experience, creativity and empathy are just a few of the ways that he helps people overcome physical and mental barriers to reach their goals. Whether it is health, fitness or performance you’re after, Klein can help you reach your full potential one step at a time.
If you need help rebounding from injury or need that extra push to become the best version of yourself possible, Klein can help you put a plan in place to set and crush massive goals.
CERTIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology
- Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach (NSCA-CSCS)
- CPR-C
- Emergency First Aid (EFA).
JARED FUNK
Level 1 Trainer
Jared believes that whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve. Bullied as a young kid, Jared took up wrestling at age 10 to learn to defend himself. He branched off into Mixed Martial Arts at age 14 and has since trained with national level trainers and various MMA athletes, pushing himself to the physical and mental limit.
After winning an amateur MMA title belt at age 20 he shifted his focus to helping others reach their fitness goals. Fighting and training both take incredible mental strength, commitment and discipline – we are excited for Jared to bring these values to North Star Fitness.
Jared specializes in aerobic and endurance training, helping clients burn fat, gain strength and learn to throw a solid punch. If you’re looking for a fun spin on traditional strength and conditioning training, Jared will help you triangle choke your goals into submission!
Joel Toews
Group Coach/Level 1 Trainer
As a Pastor for nearly 2 decades, Joel honed skills of listening, compassion, encouragement and challenge. Eventually it was time for a change and after a stint in retail sales he joins us at North Star Fitness where those skills learned over decades will help you reach your fitness goals. Joel enjoys running and since he started in High School has run track, road races and in the past 8 years almost exclusively trail races, completing distances up to 100 miles. His most notable finishes include Superior 100, Bighorn 100, Canadian Death Race (125k) and Voyageur 50. But Joel isn’t just a one-trick pony. Working out at North Star Fitness for the past year, he’s fallen in love with kettlebell, barbell and can be found “enjoying” time on the rower fairly regularly. You’ll also find him on his bike, sliding across the snow on cross-country skis in winter, or paddling a canoe in summer.In addition to getting strong, Joel believes that moving well and pain-free is important for people at all stages of life. He understands that you are the hero of your own story, and that every hero needs a guide along their journey especially when working through crisis or challenges. He would love to be that guide for you so you can reach your goals, stay active well into your older years and have fun doing so.
CERTIFICATIONS
- Brookbush Institute – Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
- SSA – CPT
- Agatsu Lower Body Movement and Mobility
- CFA-BLS with AED
ADRIAN THÉROUX
Strength Club/ Powerlifting Coach
Level 2 Trainer
Adrian has worked in the fitness industry since 2010 after having been introduced to fitness and strength training during football in high school. Since then he has worked with clients of all ages and skill levels, has competed in powerlifting (getting the podium at Provincials in 2018 and 2019), and has run his successful Strength Club since 2014.
Adrian specializes in full ROM strength, adjusting techniques to fit the individual, and having his clients develop a confident mindset in the gym.
As someone who truly loves fitness and the gym atmosphere, Adrian wants to share his passion with you and help you develop that same love for the gym.
Degrees and certifications:
- Bachelors of Kinesiology
CSEP - Certified Personal Trainer
- Crossfit Level 1 Trainer
- CPU Powerlifting Coach
- Agatsu Level 1 Kettlebell Instructor
- Crossfit Level 1 Gymnastics
- Agatsu Lower Body Mobility
JASON PAUL
Group Coach
Level 1 Trainer
ALEX PAUL
Client Services
JOSÉE DEEZAR
Physiotherapist
Josée is a licensed physiotherapist providing services in French and English. She attained her Bachelor of Sciences degree from the Université de Saint-Boniface. Following graduation Josée travelled, volunteered in the Dominican Republic, and worked in the French school division in Winnipeg before continuing her studies at the University of Manitoba to complete her Masters of Physical Therapy. Josée is dedicated to lifelong learning and continues to develop her skills through post graduate coursework and mentorship. She has regularly trained at North Star Fitness since 2014, partaking in fitness, powerlifting and Olympic lifting classes. She uses a combination of manual therapy, acupuncture and exercise-based treatment techniques to help manage pain, improve function and achieve individualized patient goals.
Education/Certifications:
-MPT – Masters of Physiotherapy (UofM)
-B.Sc. – Bachelor of Science (USB)
-Certified in Acupuncture
-Sports First Responder Certification
QUENTIN RAVAL
Physiotherapist
Quentin has competed in high level sports and continues to play a wide variety of them, including volleyball, basketball, hockey, soccer, racquet sports and golf. This gives him great insight into how athletes move and what is required to achieve optimal performance in sports and activities. Quentin also spent four seasons as the assistant coach for the Université de Saint-Boniface men’s volleyball team and has also coached multiple basketball and badminton teams.
Quentin takes pride in his hard-working nature, and his excellent interpersonal and communication skills. He is always striving to advance his knowledge of exercises and manual therapy to offer the best care possible. He is dedicated to his patients and will provide all his efforts in helping them reach their personal goals.
Education/Certifications:
-MPT – Master of Physiotherapy (UofM)
-B.Sc. – Bachelor of Science (USB)
-Certified in Acupuncture
-Orthotics Training
-Sports First Responder Certification
