Interesting Facts

When you live a healthy lifestyle and participate in regular physical activity you become a role model and positive influence in the lives of the people you care about - your family and friends!
FACT: Children of active parents have a far better chance of being healthy. 

Do you ever notice how tired you feel when you get up after sitting for a long period of time...funny huh? You feel sluggish and stiff eventhough your body required very little energy during that time. Keeping your body moving periodically throughout the day will increase your blood flow and will make your muscles feel supple, rather than stiff. 
FACT: Exercise will give you more energy, even when you are tired.

Great Places for a Run or Walk

Shubie Park - Running, or walking, in Shubie is great! It is conveniently located in central Dartmouth, with various entry points. There's a route for all levels - flat areas, hills, wide paths, shaded areas, and dogs off leash areas. With over 18 kilometers of trails, you'll never "run" out of things to see and enjoy!

Point Pleasant Park - A beautiful park in the south end of Halifax. The trials are very wide so no worries about crowds on the weekends. A great place to run or walk with your dog. Some areas of the park offer amazing views of the Halifax Harbour.
We are very lucky to have these wonderful parks so close by - I suggest you take advantage of it!

Great Places for a Bike Ride

Shubie Park - Shubie Canal Greenway Corridor Info & Maps
Trans Canada Trail - Trail Maps for Nova Scotia
St. Margaret's Bay - Trail Info & Maps

Here are the links to some bike trail maps in our local area. If you haven't been on a bike in a few years, give it a try...it will make you feel like a kid again!

My Favorite Books

Some of the books I have read over the years have become sources of ongoing inspiration for me. Here are a few that I highly recommend for anyone who wants to take control of their own health and to live a better life, or if you need some inspiration!

Mindless Eating - "Why We Eat More Than We Think" - author Brian Wansink, Ph.D.

Voices of the Food Revolution - authors John Robbins & Ocean Robbins - 21 life-changing conversations with experts and leaders on matters of food, health, and our planet. 'You can heal your body and your world-with FOOD!'

The China Study - author T. Colin Campbell, PhD - 'The most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted'

Whole - author T. Colin Campbell, PhD - 'Rethinking the science of nutrition'                                           

Younger Next Year - author Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge, M.D. - 'Live strong, fit, and sexy - until you're 80 and beyond'

Thinner Next Year - author Chris Crowley & Jen Sacheck, PhD - 'A diet and exercise program for living strong, fit, and sexy'

Eat To Live - author Dr. Joel Furhman, M.D. - 'The amazing nutrient-rich program'

Salt, Sugar, Fat - author Michael Moss - 'How the food giants hooked us'

The Long Run - author Matt Long - 'A New York City firefighter's triumphant comeback from crash victim to elite athlete'

Unbroken - author Laura Hillenbrand - 'A World War II story of survival, resilience, and redemption'

Now Eat This! - author Rocco Dispirito - '100 quick calorie cuts'

Your Questions, My Answers

Where does the personal fitness training take place?

Where you workout is your choice. We can meet at the Pura Vida fitness studio, in your home or private gym, around your neighbourhood, or in a local park - where ever you are comfortable. Many of the workouts in the programs that I design can be adjusted to fit a particular location depending on your training needs. For instance, an in-studio interval circuit can be done outside in the park on a beautiful sunny morning with just a few changes. Just contact me. I am sure we will find a solution that works for you!

Are you a professional fitness trainer?

Yes. I am fully qualified as a Certified Personal Trainer. Please check out the “About Me“ page for more details about my biography.

Why should I spend money on a personal trainer?

Each session you spend with me focuses on you! My main purpose is to motivate you and to develop a customized fitness training program that corresponds to your requirements, problems and goals. I am also your advisor. I can detect when your posture is not quite right, I can teach you how to target specific muscles, I can help you with your form, and most of all, I will take the information you give me and design the program that gets you results. I will also offer extra support beyond the fitness workouts, that focus on the complete program of fitness and healthy eating. Your success is my goal!  

How often should I train with you?

That is entirely up to you and depends on how committed you are. We should all be physically active on a regular basis, but because a lot of us either sit at a desk all day, or find we are too busy to just go out and have fun playing in the park, we have to schedule our workouts. Training with me 2 or 3 times a week is recommended for best results. However, this is also an individual choice.