Kelsey’s Perspective
My health journey over the past year has been transformative, and I owe a huge part of it to Nathan, my trainer. I initially connected with Nathan through a referral from my physiotherapist, hoping to find relief from the discomforts that had begun to limit my day-to-day activities. When we first started working together, I was dealing with plantar fasciitis, persistent heel pain, a “clicking knee”, and a frustrating herniated disc that was compromising my quality of life. I loved that Nathan and the team worked directly with my physio (The brilliant Tim Lee from Calgary Core Physio), to craft a personalized and safe plan to “put me back together”.
Nathan approached each session with a deep understanding of my injuries, focusing on exercises that were both safe and effective. Slowly and steadily, we worked through these issues, always prioritizing my safety and ensuring I was progressing without setbacks. Thanks to his expertise, patience, and personalized guidance, I’ve been able to rebuild my body and strength in ways I didn’t think possible. Now, a year later, I’m finally getting back to the life I love, feeling stronger and more capable than ever!
Trainer (Nathan’s) Perspective
As a trainer, one of the most essential principles is meeting people where they are, and recognizing that every individual’s needs, challenges, and goals are unique. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution; the “best program” is one that adapts and evolves to match each person’s abilities and aspirations. Training isn’t just about physical improvement—it’s about empowering people to realize their strength and potential, both mentally and physically. Few things are as rewarding as helping someone discover the joy of lifting heavy, finding new confidence and resilience as they accomplish feats once thought impossible.
When Kelsey first came to me, she was struggling with persistent back pain and a clicky knee that made even basic movements feel daunting. Exercises that many might take for granted—like glute bridges or hamstring curls—caused intense flare-ups in her back. This highlighted the need to return to the fundamentals. Rather than pushing through the pain, we focused on rebuilding her foundation, starting with core stability. Teaching Kelsey how to properly brace her core was essential, creating a solid foundation for pain-free movement and setting her up for long-term success.
This approach allowed us to identify and work on the root causes of her pain. Each small step forward built her confidence and brought a new understanding of her body. Over time, Kelsey developed a deeper connection with her strength, and we could introduce more challenging exercises. Movements that once felt impossible, like weighted hip thrusts and eventually even heavy deadlifts, became achievable and enjoyable.
Watching Kelsey’s progress was inspiring—not only for her physical gains but also for the way she embraced her journey and took ownership of her body’s potential. With patience, persistence, and a program tailored to her needs, Kelsey not only healed but rediscovered her love for lifting. Her rehabilitation became a transformative journey of learning to move pain-free, feeling stronger, and reconnecting with the joy of lifting. Through every milestone and breakthrough, she realized the empowering feeling that comes with achieving what once seemed out of reach.
