Vikes
Recreation

Vikes Athletics and Recreation - Personal training at Vikes Active Living

Trainers

Our trainers

Brendan Connell

Brendan is currently offering limited availability.
About

Brendan Graduated at the University of Victoria with his Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology and is now a practicing Kinesiologist and CSEP-Certified personal trainer in Victoria. Throughout his life Brendan has played many sports competitively including hockey, basketball, soccer, rugby and golf. Brendan’s passion for fitness is easily seen as he enjoys finding better ways to tailor a training program dependant on individual needs, have that be sport specific or for personal health.

Currently Brendan is an active Kinesiologist in Victoria.


Training Philosophy

Training should never feel like a chore but instead a time to work on personal growth both physically and mentally. Everyone is different, which means that finding a way to make training fun and specific is always a goal of mine. By including a science-based evidence approach I can help to make new progress while also understanding how this is affecting our bodies.


Certifications / Credentials
  • Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology (University of Victoria)
  • CSEP-CPT – Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, Certified Personal Trainer including Functional Movement Testing (FMS)
  • BCAK member – British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists, practicing member
  • CKA member – Canadian Kinesiology Alliance, practicing member
  • Canadian Red Cross - Standard First Aid and CPR-C

Monica Elliott

About

Monica is currently full and unable to take on any new clients.

Monica has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and works full time in a protein chemistry lab. She has been involved in the fitness industry for the past ten years and enjoys personal training because she loves watching people reach their goals and physically accomplish things that they never thought possible. Training with Monica is like having your own cheerleader, she will motivate you through every single exercise! Monica strives to deliver the safest and most efficient workout with her clients. She stays up to date with her fitness knowledge and training techniques by taking courses and regularly attending fitness conferences, including an annual trip to the World Fitness Conference.


Training Philosophy

Being active changes your life and it is never too late to start. Exercise improves your immune system keeping you from getting sick and it also releases endorphins so that you always feel really good afterwards.

"When you feel good about yourself, you can do anything!"


Certifications / Credentials
  • BCRPA Group Fitness Instructor
  • BCRPA Personal Trainer
  • Nutrition Specialist

Greg Foster

Greg is currently offering limited availability.
About

Greg is currently a student at Camosun College completing a Bachelor of Kinesiology, after receiving a Diploma in Exercise in Wellness in 2019. He has over 12 years experience in martial arts and holds a third-degree black belt in karate. Greg is passionate about inclusivity, development of the body and mind, and living life with enthusiasm and purpose.


Training Philosophy

Fitness is a lifelong journey, and every person’s path is different. I want to help people thrive for life, in a fun, empowering, and inclusive environment that brings out the best in them.


Certifications / Credentials
  • CSEP Certified Personal Trainer
  • Diploma in Exercise & Wellness from Camosun College
  • Standard First Aid CPR/AED

Chris Graham

About

Chris is currently full and unable to take on any new clients.

Chris has a Bachelor of Sport and Fitness Leadership degree from Camosun College and is a certified personal trainer through the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiologists. He is a research assistant in a kinesiology lab at UVic and will be starting a masters degree in the fall. As a paddling coach and personal trainer, Chris has worked with a broad spectrum of individuals from children to seniors, including competitive athletes and people living with chronic health conditions. As a teenager, he developed his interest in fitness through competitive paddling, hiking and weightlifting.


Training Philosophy

I have a passionate belief in the importance of strength training as a key component to long-term health for everyone. Whether you are 18 or 80, a lifelong athlete or a complete beginner, I believe there is a place for you in the gym and I aim to give you the skills and confidence to achieve your goals. Many people underestimate their capabilities, but with support and training they can achieve much more than they thought.


Certifications / Credentials
  • Bachelor of Sport and Fitness Leadership Camosun College
  • CSEP Certified Personal Trainer
  • Entry Level Competitive Coach Canoe Kayak Canada
  • Standard First Aid CPR/C

Mark Kopij

About

Mark is currently full and unable to take on any new clients.

Mark is a first year graduate student at the University of Victoria who recently moved from Ontario and is new to British Columbia. Growing up Mark always enjoyed being active, exercising and competed in multiple sports. Now he continues to stay active through playing sports, working out and exploring the island. He has been working as a strength and conditioning coach for the past few years. Mark has worked with clients from all ages and skill levels comprising nearly every sport including professional athletes.


Training Philosophy

What is your passion! I believe that exercise is individualized and finding out what really motivates a person is the key to finding out how to pursue training.


Certifications / Credentials
  • Bachelor of Kinesiology -Brock University
  • Master of Education (Coaching Studies)-University of Victoria
  • CSEP- Clinical Exercise Physiologist/ High performance Specialist
  • Standard First Aid and CPR-C

Kieran Phillips

About

Kieran is currently full and unable to take on any new clients.

Kieran is in his final year of his Bachelors of Kinesiology at UVic with a special focus in research and athletic performance. Growing up, Kieran played many sports including rugby and Aussie rules football, but 8 years ago, his passion for fitness was really sparked in the weight room, because of how accessible it could be to people like himself with different ability levels or confidence. Now Kieran also volunteers as an assistant strength and conditioning coach to several Vikes teams, and in his spare time, Kieran is beginning an exciting new journey in competitive Olympic Weightlifting.


Training Philosophy

My goal in fitness education, whether it’s research, coaching, or training, is to encourage people to become the best version of themselves that they can. Of course, this will look different for everyone, whether your goals are health, confidence, or performance. But it’s my passion to provide you with whatever tools and knowledge that you need to not only reach those goals, but help you to continually improve into the future!


Certifications / Credentials
  • Bachelor of Kinesiology
  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach – NSCA
  • CSEP - CPT
  • NCCP - Olympic Weightlifting Introduction
  • NCCP - Safe Sport Training
  • Standard First Aid and CPR-C

Jenny Pictin

About

Trainer bio will be coming shortly.


Training Philosophy

Certifications / Credentials

Angie Schaaf

Angie is currently offering limited availability.
About

Angelina completed her Bachelor of Arts in Sport, Health, and Physical Education at Vancouver Island University in 2020, and is currently at the University of Victoria working towards her Master’s in Kinesiology. Throughout her education, Angelina became interested in pursuing research in traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions, and understanding how neuro-mechanics influences human motion. As a practicing Kinesiologist, Angelina has a passion in injury prevention, and coaching individuals with physical and neurological impairments. In her free time, Angelina enjoys weightlifting, hiking, and martial arts such as boxing and tae kwon do.


Training Philosophy

Angelina believes that exercise is medicine and within her practice, she believes that with the application of individualized strength and rehabilitation programs, anyone can achieve their health and wellness goals.


Certifications / Credentials
  • MSc Kinesiology Candidate
  • BA- Health, Sport, and Physical Education

  • BCAK

  • FMS- Level 1