Lifestyle Specialists

Leah Bell, BSc. Kin, Certified Exercise Physiologist

Leah has been working in Health and Fitness for over 5 years and has gained valuable experience working with people of all ages from young children to senior citizens. Leah currently works as the Coordinator of the Calgary Be Fit For Life Centre - a non-profit Active Living Agency dedicated to the promotion of Active Living. Leah is passionately involved in the promotion of health and wellness to the surrounding community and has a deep dedication to the future health of people today. Leah also consults privately as a Personal Trainer and as a Kinesiologist at a Calgary Physiotherapy clinic. Leah was privledged and honoured to be an ambassador for Lululemon during the 2007/2008 year in which Lululemon recognized her as a Personal Trainer and Certified Exercise Physiologist.

"One of the most rewarding things in my job is being able to help someone reach goals that are going to improve their quality and longevity of life".

 

Ashley Jensen, BKin, CSEP-CEP, NCCP

Ashley Jensen has a Bachelors of Kinesiology degree majoring in Mind Sciences from the University of Calgary and is a Certified Exercise Physiologist with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology.

She currently works at the University of Calgary with the Be Fit For Life etwork promoting Active Living and helping Albertans of all ages adopt healthy active lifestyles. Ashley is also a lead trainer for TrymGym a University of Calgary weight loss and lifestyle program, which encompasses physical activity, behavior change and nutrition. As science and research continue to drive the field of health and wellness Ashley is pleased to have the opportunity to work as the exercise physiologist doing fitness field tests for a study on the Exercise Capacity and Physical Fitness of Pediatric Kidney Transplant Patients taking place at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Ashley has delivered many fitness and lifestyle sessions in schools as well as programs such as TeenLeap and Jumpstart to children and youth. She has worked in various realms with adults implementing training, testing and education on lifestyle management. Ashley is also an exercise trainer with the University of Calgary Honolulu Marathon program. She believes that by investing in your health and wellness you will truly add to your quality of life. Ashley can often be found reiterating what Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod used to preach in the 80’s – “Keep Fit and Have Fun”.

In her spare time Ashley competes in ½ marathons, marathons, teaches skating to children and adults, participates in yoga and enjoys shopping!

 

Judy Atkinson, M.Ed. - Professional Drum Circle Facilitator

Judy Atkinson is CEO of Circles of Rhythm, a new professional development company based in Calgary Alberta. Judy is part of a new and growing international movement of Drum Circle Facilitators, bringing a fresh new approach to Team Building and Wellness in the Workplace. With a masters degree in Education, DCF Certification and Health Rhythms specialization, Judy’s focus is inspired leadership and encouraging people to bring a deeper meaning and purpose to our work.

She received the Woman of Vision award from Global TV and the Calgary Herald, and is well known in the Calgary workplace, in corporate Calgary as well as in the Government and non-profit sectors.
An adult educator for over 25 years, Drum Circle Facilitation is Judy’s passion. She and her clients repeatedly report that it is the most powerful form of Team Building and Workplace Wellness professional development they have ever experienced.

Judy and her workshops are joyful, playful and profound. Participants walk away with lifted spirits, closer to each other as human beings, inspired about life, and full of joy. She is excited to be a part of the Boomerang team, a partnership which is in good alignment with her community approach to work and life.

 

Morag Ritchie: BPE, Certified Executive Coach, Accredited practitioner of Insights Discovery ™ and Situational Leadership II

An executive coach, facilitator and consultant with integrity and drive, Morag makes a difference in people’s work and lives. With over 15 years of experience in leadership development, she has contributed to the private, public and not-for-profit sectors through a variety of roles. Morag's diverse experience has taken her from roles at Mount Royal College, to ING Canada, to her own coaching and consulting practice with its own diverse client list.

A skilled coach and facilitator, Morag customizes her approach in order to meet the needs of each unique client. She brings not only her experience and training, but a warm mix of focused questioning, powerful insight, intuition, and effective facilitation of learning to every relationship. Morag’s fundamental aim is to make learning “stick" through effective meetings, workshops, coaching and ongoing client contact and support. Her ability to provide customized solutions, from one-on-one and team coaching, to facilitation of a variety of meetings, from leadership to strategic planning events enables individuals, groups and teams to recognize, utilize and further develop their talents to increase positive results. Morag’s areas of expertise include leadership development, team and personal effectiveness, strategic planning, communication, and leading change.

Morag is a Certified Executive Coach, International Coach Federation/Royal Roads University and holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Calgary. She is an accredited practitioner of Insights Discovery ™, and of Situational Leadership II. Morag values fun, friendship, and most of all family and personal wellbeing, and strives to live an active and healthy, balanced lifestyle, encouraging others to do the same.

 

Julie Walker BPE

Julie Walker is the Owner and Director of Full Circle Adventures, a new outdoor education company that not only provides outdoor programming in the mountains and foothills of southern Alberta, but also provides educational nature adventures in the City of Calgary.

The focus of her company is to re-awaken the relationship of stewardship between people and nature, to enhance the health and wellness of both. Julie is the creator of the unique, “Nurtured by Nature” lunch hour walks that are being offered to staff in downtown corporations and at the University of Calgary, she has over 20 years experience guiding and educating about the natural history of Calgary and the surrounding area.

Julie also provides a physical fitness opportunity in the outdoors with the latest trend in cross-training fitness for summer and winter outdoor sports, Nordic Walking. Walking is the most simple, yet effective, physical activity to promote as a beneficial activity in the work place. This social and fun fitness activity is helping to create healthier and happier employees. Nordic walking burns up to 120 calories more per hour, than regular walking does.

Julie has a Physical Education degree with a major in outdoor pursuits and has been guiding Albertans in the natural world for over 20 years. Her inner city walks have been written about in the Calgary Herald and she has been featured on CBC Radio.

 

Carolyn Bedford, DPE/DRT

Carolyn Bedford is a 25+ year veteran in Health and Fitness and is the coordinator of Workplace Wellness and Personal Fitness Training at the University of Calgary. Carolyn lives her health and fitness values and love of the outdoors with a passion. She has shared her inspirational message of living well as a Fitness Instructor, Fitness Trainer, Yoga Instructor, Life Coach and Guest Speaker.

Carolyn is an expert in people/business management and “Best Practice” implementation. Her background includes ownership of several businesses, hotel management, Fitness Centre planning/design/management and Recreation Facilities Operations Management at the University of Calgary. Carolyn has wrapped up her diverse practical experience, along with her formal education in Recreation Therapy and Physical Education to provide a high energy, inspirational package of seminars, workshops and keynotes.

Denise Beatty
B.Sc. Exercise & Health Physiology
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist C.S.C.S.
Medical Exercise Specialist
Certified Fitness Consultant C.F.C.

Denise has her B.SC in Exercise physiology, is a Medical Exercise Specialist, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Certified Personal Trainer. She has been CEO of her own business, "Life Works Fitness" for over ten years, working closely with physiotherapists, physicians, and chiropractors, helping to create various fitness conditioning and post-rehabilitation programs for youth to adult, injured to elite.

For the past seven years Denise has been featured monthly on the Saturday edition of Global as a Fitness Expert, speaking on fitness, nutrition, sports conditioning, and wellness. Denise is also a presenter of Health and Wellness topics throughout western Canada and writes articles for IMPACT magazine and other local publications. She recently released her functional fitness DVD's "The Fitness Fix", recommended by health professionals and voted as the Gear Award DVD of the year 2007! Denise's goal is to bring fitness and nutrition into every lifestyle in a fun and non-intimidating fashion.

 

Georgina Forrest

Georgina Forrest is Your Organizing Expert!
She is a fun, friendly and creative Professional Organizer who shows you easy ways to get yourself organized - one pile at a time.

Georgina’s background includes over 25 years in various administrative and office management functions, which was a great training ground for becoming organized. However, that is not her ‘claim to fame’ – it is the fact that she struggled with organizing and time management herself.

Why is this important?

Georgina gets how difficult it can seem, however, she has learned some simple ways of approaching daily situations – whether it is in your home or your office. The good news is there really is an easier way to do it. She will show you different ways to implement just a few simple systems so you can have peace of mind and, on top of that, you will increase your efficiency.
Georgina puts the ‘fun’ in function in her workshops. Her presentations are peppered with real life situations (sometimes her own fumbles) and how they can be solved. She is continually exploring and researching better ways to do stuff. Her personal test lab (her own office and home) are a testament to those results.

If a former ‘messy’ can learn how to get organized - and even turn it into a successful business showing other people how to get organized - then you can do it too.
Disorganization is just a dilemma that needs to be solved – it is not a character flaw!