Meet the trainer!
I am an International Sports Science Association (ISSA) certified personal trainer and manager of the Iron Haven Gym at the Credit Union Place facility in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. I am also the mother of two children – and I am a fit, strong, healthy role model for them.
I have helped countless people to embrace a healthy lifestyle – my energy and enthusiasm for health and fitness inspires clients to achieve in an environment that fosters hard work and delivers results. This isn’t boot camp. This is achievable fitness and it is driven by you.
My story ….
I was born in the UK in 1972. I was always in great shape as I was growing up, but as I became successful in my career I began to neglect my health, eating poorly and getting scarce, if any, exercise. I worked long hours as a 
university lecturer and high school teacher, often working late into the evening and snacking on unhealthy foods. Then, in July 2000, I gave birth to my second child. I was overweight after my second pregnancy and for the next 6 years I thought my body was in the shape it was going to be forever.
Not one more day ….
My life changed when I moved to Prince Edward Island in 2006. I had come to a new country and I was at a crossroads, both in terms of my career and my personal life. I was out of shape, hungry all the time and fed up – fed up with going to my closet and looking at the clothes I could no longer fit into. Fed up of feeling unattractive. I hated the person that glared defiantly back at me in the mirror. You can see in the picture the classic “hide my belly” pose. And how many chins can you see? I look older than I am now in that picture! Not one more day. I looked at that angry woman in the mirror and I decided that I was not going to have one more day of this. The time is now. I made a commitment to myself that I was not going to complain about being out of shape any longer. I didn’t want to be one of those people who made excuses. I knew I had to make the change if I wanted to live a long, healthy life and enjoy my children as they grew up.
Saved by the gym …
A friend of mine recommended that I speak to a trainer at the local gym and see what happened. No strings. Just a chat. That meeting changed my life. I spoke to the trainer and I left with a feeling of hope. He believed in me. He told me I could change my body. He was right.
6 months after my initial meeting with him I was walking through the gym when one of the members stopped me. “You have abs!”, she exclaimed. I halted dead in my tracks. Then I looked in the mirror. It was true! I wouldn’t dare move. Was it a trick of the light? Was she just being kind? No. I had torched 20lbs of fat from my body and I could see my abs!
That was in 2007 and I have never looked back. The gym that saved me hired me. I decided to seek education and become certified as a personal trainer so that I could help others to change their bodies – and their lives – as I had. I am always learning! (Click here to see my courses and certifications ). I have since become the manager of their newest facility at the Credit Union Place in Summerside, PEI – and am enjoying the thrill of helping regular people like you and me to achieve spectacular results!
The future …
In April 2009 I competed in my first figure show – it was a nerve-racking experience – but I had the time of my life! There I was, a former fatty taking my place on stage next to some of the fittest, healthiest athletes I have ever seen! If I did it, I know you can.
As for my closet and that angry woman in the mirror? Let’s just say that now when I open my closet, I choose clothes based on my tastes and my mood – not whether they fit me or hide me. And the woman? Trust me, she is smiling a knowing smile and she is expecting you.
What next? My mission is to get you into shape – starting now! What is stopping you? Your best body is waiting for you!
Be strong. Be Brave. Be who you are.
Vicki
