Get to know our Personal Trainers!

Trixie is a 2nd year UBC Kinesiology student and an American Council of Exercise (ACE) Certified Trainer. She has always had a passion for sports growing up and eventually this passion evolved into a deeper understanding for the body. That’s when she discovered the gym and the importance of strength training.

Trixie specializes in strength and hypertrophy training, including weight loss. She believes that fitness is a lifelong journey, and approaches client’s goals with a transformational perspective,
implementing techniques and educating them so they can live a healthy lifestyle.

Fun fact: She only listens to 2016 rap in the gym.

Saran is a certified trainer and nutrition coach with ISSA, and is currently a second-year student in UBC’s Natural Resource Conservation Program. His introduction to fitness and weight-lifting started with running track and field in high school. Eventually he moved onto calisthenics, higher intensity exercise, and yoga as a way of optimizing his gut, circulation, and respiratory health.

He uses an adaptive approach beginning with emphasis on fundamental movement and core strength, and seeks to
challenge his clients to usurp their own self-expectations.

Fun fact: He uses an anime opening playlist specifically for workouts where he really needs motivation.

Randy is a 4th-Year Kinesiology student at UBC, aspiring to be a Physical Therapist. He began his fitness journey in Junior Varsity rowing which propelled him into a dedicated relationship with physical activity and training, allowing him to realize the capabilities of his body.

Randy aims to help others establish a positive relationship with their bodies to discover their own physical capabilities. He believes that doing so will allow them to internalize the benefits of exercise and build the discipline to stay devoted to their goals.

Fun fact: He highly recommends Fairlife Chocolate Milk from Costco for a post-workout snack!”

Pixie is a CanFitPro personal training and group fitness specialist since 2014. She became a specialist due to her passion in aerial yoga. Soon after completing her designation, she became certified in Antigravity Yoga, as well as BOSU Extreme, Hard Style Kettlebell, Axle Barbell, Aerial Silks, NCCP Lv 1 Trampoline, and Biomechanical Deficits.

She strongly believes in a holistic approach to functional training. There are multiple ways to train, and she will find something you are good at and enjoy, while introducing new movement styles to help you live life with confidence and strength.

Fun fact: She is an aerialist at Vancouver Circus School.

Pawan’s a 4th year Political Science Major and an ISSA certified personal trainer. His fitness journey was unique as growing up, weight management was incredibly difficult. This has changed substantially however as Pawan has lost 120+ lbs since, and has managed to incorporate sustainable and lifelong habits alongside his passion for sports.

Pawan specializes with weight loss and emphasizes easy and sustainable approaches to fitness, so as to lower the bar of entry for anybody.

Fun Fact: He is currently training for his black belt in Goju-Ryu Karate, while pursuing various other Martial Arts.

Marcus is currently in his 4th year of Kinesiology. He began going to the gym in high school for football, where resistance training quickly became his passion alongside other various sports.

Although Marcus has experience in various types of training, such as Olympic lifting, he specializes in strength, hypertrophy, and weight loss. Marcus aims to give clients the appropriate tools they need to continue living an active life outside of sessions.

Fun fact: At one time, Marcus had memberships to 3 different gyms within a month.

Mallika is a 4th year UBC Kinesiology student and a BCRPA (BC Recreation and Parks Association) certified personal trainer. She also works as a head coach for Caprice Artistic Swim Club with her level 1 coaching certification. Mallika competed as an artistic swimmer for 9 years at the provincial and national level. She found her passion and love for fitness while training with high performance strength and conditioning coaches to supplement her training.

She now wants to aid other individuals with their goals in fitness, using the knowledge and experience she has gained. She specializes in strength and resistance training by using a holistic approach, and values individualization of programs. She hopes that her training empowers individuals and that they are constantly learning and growing while in her program.

Fun fact: She’s never taken pre-workout.

Kennedy is a 3rd year UBC Arts student and a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified trainer. Her passion for strength training developed through home workouts during the lockdown, where she gained an appreciation for the social and mental benefits of exercise.

Kennedy’s areas of expertise includes strength and resistance training, as well as endurance training. Kennedy takes a bodyneutral approach, focusing on non-weight focused metrics during training. She aims to support her
clients in achieving their greatest athletic abilities through evidence-based fitness planning.

Fun fact: You may see Kennedy running around campus as she trains for various half and full marathons!

Ghazal is a 2nd year UBC Biomedical Engineering student and an American Council of Exercise (ACE) certified trainer. In high school, Ghazal saw the gym as an intimidating place, but upon starting her fitness journey she quickly fell in love with the confidence and energy boosts that fitness gave her.

She strives to motivate her clients into developing healthy long-term habits, and empower them to feel confident and comfortable in the gym as they progress to achieve their goals. She specializes in strength & functional training, as well as body recomposition (muscle gain & fat loss).

Fun fact: Top hits from the 2000s is her favorite era of music!

Gayatri is a graduate student pursuing her Master of Kinesiology at UBC. As a professionally trained classical dancer and an active participant in multiple sports, she is working towards her dream career in the sports and fitness industry. Upon completing her Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise Sciences, she had the opportunity to work with National and International athletes in India.

Gayatri believes that everyone must be able to enjoy physical activity and being “Active for Life”. Hence, apart from her specialization in high performance training, she is also passionate about helping people from different walks of life in their personalized fitness journey.

Fun Fact: Indian classical music is her workout jam!

Evan is a 5th-year Kinesiology Student at UBC and played various sports growing up, both at a recreational and competitive level. He loves to stay active by enjoying a wide array of physical activities, as he is always keen on trying new things! He worked independently following high school, and gained experience working with a diverse group of clients with varied backgrounds. His passion to teach others led him in pursuing a CFES personal training certification.

He has supported and guided his clients in each of their respective goals. For example, some of his client’s goals are weight loss, strength-based exercises, hypertrophy, and sport-specific skills.

Fun Fact: his workout playlist consists of anime theme songs and his favourite pre-workout is a 4-shot espresso latte and an apple.”

Connie has been a certified personal trainer through NASM since 2020. She started weight training in the gym at12 years old, weighing 200lbs. Connie met her first trainer in 2016, Jenna, who changed her life completely; her relationship with food, approach to weight loss, and self-confidence.

Connie enjoys using scientific research conducted by well-known coaches across the globe into her training plans for clients. This way, their goals can be achieved by pulling from many different bases of knowledge.

Fun fact: Connie’s favourite post workout snack is SmartFood cheddar popcorn!

Cecilia is a UBC Land and Food Systems alumni and an American Council of Exercise (ACE) certified trainer. She pursued personal training because she firmly believes that one’s health is their greatest wealth, and fitness has the power to transform lives. She aims to inspire her clients to tap into their inner strength to achieve their goals and make the lifestyle changes they want.

Cecilia specializes in strength, weight loss & resistance training using a client-centered approach, focusing on client’s goals
and needs to ensure an effective, sustainable, and fun experience.

Fun fact: If she is not at the gym, she is usually asleep.

Ava is a first-year student studying public health and a NASM certified trainer. Growing up as a classical dancer, she developed a passion for human movement and learned the importance of proper training. Throughout her life, she’s trained in various disciplines, including running and weightlifting. She draws from her diverse athletic experiences to inform her practice to build a wholistic training experience.

Ava specializes in strength and performance training for people of every fitness level, with an emphasis on mindfulness and body neutrality. Her goal as your trainer is to help you build a relationship with your body and exercise that empowers you to reach whatever goals you may set.

Fun fact: She has hit every single lifting PR while listening to Nicki Minaj!

Ankish is a 4th-year Political science student and an International Sports Science Association (ISSA) certified trainer. His passion for fitness began in early childhood as he was very involved in sports. Although he excelled as an athlete, he lacked physical strength and confidence, which initially got him started in strength training. After beginning strength training, it quickly became his passion. Currently, he competes in powerlifting with the Canadian Powerlifting Union (CPU). Ankish specializes in strength training & weight loss.

By teaching his clients proper form & technique, and motivating clients to push their limits, he aims to empower his clients to build their confidence and help them reach their goals.

Fun Fact: His favourite exercises in the gym are the bench press and the squat.

Amir is a 1st year Neuroscience student and an American Council of Exercise (ACE) certified trainer and dotFIT certified nutritionist. His athletic career started with Taekwondo, where he earned a black belt at the age of 10. He then excelled as a semi-pro soccer player in Vancouver’s HPL division. He then went on to compete in natural bodybuilding competitions at the age of 17.

Amir specializes in weight training with a focus on strength and hypertrophy. By using a holistic approach, he tries to motivate his clients to excel both physically and spiritually throughout their fitness journey!

Fun fact: He has watched ‘The Office’ 12 times!

Alonso is a recent UBC Psychology Graduate, with a personal training certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Personal training for Alonso has always been about searching for evidence-based information to help others. When he first started his strength and conditioning journey 5 years ago, he found conflicting information online and wanted to better understand the topic of strength and resistance training.

Alonso’s main approach to personal training is providing his clients with education and tools to help them understand how to reach their goals, whether they are body
composition, strength, endurance, or becoming more confident navigating the gym.

Fun Fact: You can usually find Alonso around the BirdCoop listening to loud Latin music!

Allen is a 3rd year Kinesiology student and ACE-IT Program graduate. His journey started in high school, looking for a unique athletic identity in the weight room, in comparison to his friends’ pathways. It was in the weight room where he found confidence, taking ownership of his progress and making himself proud of his efforts. Allen specializes in body composition, coupled with strength and resistance training.

Through tested approaches of exercise, accompanied by the right attitude, Allen aims to guide clients to their goals through mentored instruction and providing examples.

Fun Fact: Allen says that punk rock music from 2005 is still a thing!

Alex is a 4th year student studying Cellular, Anatomical, and Physiological Sciences, and is a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified trainer (NASM-CPT). Alex was introduced to the gym through competitive swimming and workouts with her father. Exercise became a pillar in her life, providing an outlet for stress and a place for growth. Alex began teaching fitness classes to older adults and now trains here, at UBC. Alex specializes in resistance training, and aims to find a fitness routine that
motivates each individual client, facilitating sustainable fitness practices.

Fun fact: Her favourite hike is Opal Hills in Jasper!

Aisha is a 2nd year UBC Psychology student and National Academic of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Trainer. Playing basketball at a very high level growing up is what sparked her passion for the gym. This allowed her to develop a sense of ownership, and build relationships that made her understand the impact exercise can have on not only her physical fitness, but overall well-being as well. Aisha emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach, that focuses on developing beneficial fitness habits
transferable to external everyday contexts.

Fun Fact: Her favorite way to stay active outside the gym is dance!

Adam is a 4th year Kinesiology student and a British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) certified trainer. Additionally, Adam will be pursuing a Master’s degree in physiotherapy in 2024.

The overarching goal that Adam has for his clients is that they are able to walk away with an understanding of the guiding principles of training, and are able to implement these tools independently. He works to help empower his clients through education of training principles, physiology, nutrition and healthy habit formation.

Fun Fact: He played for Great Britain in the Men’s Ball Hockey World Championship in 2019, held in Slovakia!