Personal Trainers Who Care Podcast

In this episode, business coach Emilie Wilcox shares how high productivity led to nervous system dysregulation and physical pain. What looked like ambition and drive on the outside was quietly overwhelming her body on the inside. We discuss how stress directly impacts the nervous system, why pain is not always purely structural, and how chronic activation can heighten inflammation and pain sensiti...

Sleep doesn’t start when your head hits the pillow; it’s a 24-hour process that shapes how you feel, perform, and recover each day. In this episode, we’re joined by Andrew Holmes, a sleep technologist, to break down how sleep really works and why so many people struggle with it. We explore sleep stages, whether bedtime consistency matters, and what “sleep hygiene” looks like in real life. Andrew a...

Menopause is often misunderstood, and far too many women are told to simply “push through it.” In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rebecca Chase to have an evidence-based conversation about women’s health during perimenopause and menopause. We break down common myths around hormone therapy, why suffering is not inevitable, and how stress, insulin resistance, and lifestyle habits play a major rol...

In this episode, we sit down with our very own Patrick Gorrell to break down the essential terminology behind strength training: sets and reps, programming, and even muscle soreness. This crash course will help you better understand the language trainers use every day, strengthen communication between you and your trainer, and ultimately help you train with more confidence and clarity.

In this episode, we sit down with Etienne Asselin, The Exercise Mechanic, to explore one of the most misunderstood topics in fitness: pain. We dive into pain science, why pain doesn’t always mean tissue damage, and how understanding the difference between hurt and harm can transform the way you move, train, and live. Etienne explains: Why pain doesn’t always mean tissue damage Why it’s possible (a...

Join Osteopath Liam Graham-Morton from Glebe Wellness for an approachable discussion about how to keep your body moving freely and feeling its best. Learn what osteopathy is, how it differs from massage and chiropractic care, why fascia plays such a key role in movement and recovery, and the small daily habits that make a big difference in pain, performance, and overall health. -------------------...

We sit down with Registered Dietitian Debora Sloan and Dr. Behn from the Cardiac Longevity Clinic—our trusted partners in delivering full health assessments. Together, we dive into the science behind healthy aging and strength, covering key topics like the differences in men’s and women’s health, navigating menopause, building lasting habits, and the role of preventative healthcare. We also tackle...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Valerie Lamarre, chiropractor at Movement Co., who specializes in helping patients reduce or eliminate pain, recover from injuries, and enhance athletic performance. Valarie is a passionate advocate for healthy living through sport and athletics, and her holistic approach treats the body as a whole rather than just addressing symptoms. In this episod...

In this episode, we chat with Ryan , founder and head coach of Dynamis Athletic , about the tools and strategies that make dieting and nutrition sustainable . Ryan explains why applying bodybuilding principles can help anyone—not just competitors—improve their health, lose fat, and maintain muscle along the way. Since 2012, Ryan has worked as a personal trainer and coach, earning the Movati Person...

In this episode, CEO Ashley Lawrie and her husband, personal trainer Michael Farant, share a behind-the-scenes look at Free Form Fitness. From running a business to raising a family, they open up about the challenges and rewards of building a life around health, balance, and community — and how they maintain their own fitness along the way.

He was doing everything “right”—eating well, training consistently, staying active. But something still wasn’t adding up. In this episode, we sit down with Guy, a client who thought he had his health figured out—until persistent pain and a hidden heart issue forced him to take a deeper look. Joining the conversation are Cameron, our head trainer who’s been guiding Guy through a personalized streng...

After 11 incredible years at Free Form Fitness, one of our most welcoming, friendly, and dedicated trainers has retired. In this episode, she reflects on her journey, the biggest lessons she's learned, fitness myths she’s seen come and go, and what it’s really like to spend over a decade in the industry.

In this episode, we sit down with Aakrist, a Sports Performance Coach who specializes in one of the most underrated tools for better health, focus, and athletic performance: the breath. Aakrist shares how learning to control your breathing can enhance stamina, accelerate recovery, and reduce stress—both in sport and in everyday life. From elite athletes to busy professionals, his approach to breat...

In this episode of Personal Trainers Who Care , we sit down with Dr. S. Behnam Banihashemi, founder of the Cardiac Longevity Clinic, to talk all things heart health. As a leading cardiologist with a passion for prevention, Dr. Behn shares practical, science-backed advice on how to reduce your risk of heart disease—starting today. From the role of stress and sleep to the importance of movement and...

As a multi-sport athlete and dancer from the time he could walk, human movement and performance have always been a part of Mark Wilkinson's life. Equally at home on the court and on the stage, he became fascinated by the limitless possibilities for the human body and the dedication to health required to sustain a body-centred career. After years as a top junior tennis player, he focused on act...

Risa Mallory is a retired psychotherapist who, as a result of a recent cardiovascular event, has become passionate about women's heart health advocacy. She believes that knowledge is power and that every person can impact their health through education, conversation and self advocacy. https://cwhhc.ottawaheart.ca/ - Canadian Women's Heart Health Centre https://www.ottawaheart.ca/coronary-a...

Dan has been a personal trainer for over 10 years. He recently re-joined the Free Form Fitness team after spending a few years working with patients with developmental disabilities. He was a graduate of Algonquin College's Fitness and Health Promotion program. Dan believes that a healthy lifestyle can be implemented in anyone's life one step at a time. Want to achieve your health and fitne...

Dr. Brian Lynn is a medical General Practitioner who has specialized in psychotherapy for the past 32 years. Over the last 7 years, he has focused his practice on the treatment of chronic insomnia using the treatment of choice: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). He has treated over 4000 people to date for chronic insomnia. Dr. Irina Lepadatu and Dr Marie-Claude Gagnon have joined...

Azba and Diego joined our Wellington team for their two week co-op placement. They are students at Algonquin College's Fitness and Health Promotion program. In this video, they talk about what they learned, what surprised them the most about personal training, and they share a few stories about the clients they saw. 0:00 - Intro 1:20 - Biggest lessons learned about training clients 2:00 - Any...

2022 was a wild ride! We began the year with another closure due to a third round of lockdowns and disruptions from protests in Ottawa. Through it all, we were able to persevere and continue helping our clients reach their health and fitness goals. Whether you were looking for weight loss, strength gains, or general improvements to your fitness and mental health, our trainers were there to guide y...

We introduce the newest member of our Byward Market team, Irakli Parunashvili. Irakli talks about how his 100 lb weight loss led to him becoming a personal trainer. He also talks about how he was able to stay motivated throughout his weight loss and how his training changed over time. Finally, Irakli talks about the things that drew him to the Free Form Fitness.

n today's episode of the Personal Trainers who Care Podcast, Vania interviews Dr. Luc Mahler. Dr. Mahler is a Chiropractor and owner of The Movement Co. in the Glebe neighbourhood of Ottawa. Dr. Mahler takes Vania through his assessment protocol and they discuss the rehab process, chiropractic myths, and Dr. Mahler's experience being in Tokyo as the chiropractor for Canada's cycling te...

With a passion for helping others and a love of learning, Anna is a personal trainer who is not only focused on physical health, but also places an emphasis on mental health and personal development. Having come from a background where she was once obese, Anna knows what is like to embark on a weight loss and fitness journey. She plans to use this perspective to help similar individuals reach thei...

Byward Market location trainers, Ryan Brown and Jesse Campbell, talk about the role of metabolism on weight, how their clients' health fared over COVID, and more.

Victoria Jung is a personal trainer that embodies a holistic lifestyle. Victoria believes that balance and mindset are essential to creating lifelong changes. As someone who has experienced toxic diet culture and misinformation, she has made it a priority to help her clients achieve their goals through evidence-based training and nutrition. Aside from being in the gym, you can find Victoria stayin...