Personal Trainer and Founderof Tealfitpro.

Meet Casey – a Personal Trainer and the Founder of Tealfitpro. Casey holds several qualifications like a diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion, honours degree in Recreational Therapy, zumba gold, canfit and CSEP certifications.

We really enjoyed sitting with Casey this month and discovered many interesting things about her. We are sure, you all will enjoy reading the interview too.

Tell us about your education.
I have my diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion and an honours degree in Recreational Therapy. I hold my zumba gold, canfit and CSEP certifications and plan to keep continuing courses.

Can you tell me when you first developed an interest in health and fitness?
I grew up as a dancer and a track sprinter and have always loved movement. I remember at 16 years old saying my dream would be to run my own gym.

How long have you been a personal trainer?
I’ve been a certified trainer for 9 years but I only returned to full time training a little over 2 years ago when I started Tealfitpro. After graduating from recreational therapy, I worked as an Instructor Therapist and Movement Therapist with autistic children and after a few years, switched paths to work on cruise ships. When covid hit I was actually on board on a contract and had to come back to Ontario, that’s when I decided to seriously get back into training.

What is the difference between working with a personal trainer compared to exercising alone?
Working with a trainer helps ensure that you are doing things SAFELY and with proper form. Some people have great form working alone but often it’s not the case. I have so many clients who had no idea they were doing things incorrectly and kept hurting themselves training until they started working with me. Accountability and motivation is another HUGE difference. When you work with a trainer you commit to a schedule and create a routine where training is a part of your weekly life.

How would you describe your philosophy about being fit and healthy?
TEAL, is actually an acronym for Training, Eating, Affirmations & Lifestyle. To be truly healthy you need to address all 4 categories and have BALANCE!!!! You should want to be fit and healthy because you want to live a long healthy life, not for aesthetic reasons. Too often people go to extremes with fitness and make themselves miserable, when you should just do your best when you can to make good choices. Being healthy and fit looks different for everyone, stop comparing your journey to others.

How do you make sure each person’s training plan is truly personalised?
A big part of this is getting to know the individual. I put clients through physical assessments where I can learn how their body moves, if they have injuries or limitations, etc. I also like to know how they live their daily lives, I need to make sure I can make it work for their everyday so that they have the highest chance for success.

What are some tips you have for people looking to get into shape?
I know it sounds so click but START. You can’t grow staying in your comfort zone. It will be SO scary to put yourself out there and it’s okay that right now you may not feel comfortable or confident, you may even feel embarrassed and all these feelings are normal. YOU right now reading this are good enough. In “shape” or not.
Fitness and joining training can be SO intimidating, find a trainer or class that makes you feel joy. Yes the workout itself may not feel like joy BUT if you like the people or the trainer, it will help you to come back. Make yourself commit to something, I always tell my clients to book a month of sessions so you HAVE to keep coming back. Do your best and remember to be compassionate with yourself, change is hard and process.

What are some mistakes people make when working out?
NOT BENDING WITH THEIR KNEES! My clients know this is my biggest pet peeve. When you pick something up or put something down, DON’T bend with your band. This causes so much strain on your back and can impact posture. Other big common mistakes would be not breathing properly, locking your joints or using weights that are too heavy.

What’s your favourite quote or mantra?
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. I live my life by this, if you don’t try you don’t get it anyways so you might as well just give everything your best shot.

Who or what gives you the most inspiration?
What keeps me inspired is my clients. I know this sounds super cheesy but their goals are my goals and I take my goals seriously. Watching my clients grow and thrive inspires me to keep growing so I can help more people and really just make a difference. Life is really short, I want to make a positive impact while I’m blessed to be here.

How do your workouts differ from other workouts out there?
My workouts are always changing, I pull a lot of inspiration from football coaches and pro trainers. This biggest thing that differs would be how I personalize my classes. When I do semi private training, you are in a group environment but FULLY working at your own pace. I usually don’t have the entire class doing the same thing because everyone has different needs and capabilities. This allows the session to be the most beneficial it can be for every individual in the group.

Who are your fitness idols?
Dwayne Johnson first and foremost. That man is such an amazing example of hard work, dedication while still enjoying life. I love Whitney Simmons and Jennifer West as well.

Fuelling your body and living lean takes work. Please share your typical meal for…

First thing upon waking: I drink a bottle of water
Morning: Coffee & usually a granola bar or some kind of fruit
Lunch: UltraFitmeals meal prepped food, I’m literally obsessed. Tealfit10 for a discount! Usually for lunch I’ll have the pad thai or the roast beef panini
Supper: If we have time to cook, it’s usually beef or chicken with a salad and some sort of vegetable or carb. I LOVE sweet potatoes. If we don’t have time it’s definitely another ultrafit meal though
Snacks or sweets: I loveeeee ice cream but If I am healthy snacking then i enjoy dates with almond butter, It tastes like a snickers
Favourite beverage: I live off water, coffee and the occasional dirty martini. I am a huge water drinker though, I carry a bottle with me everywhere I go.

Tell us about some of your achievements you are proud of?
Tealfitpro won best Personal Training in Stouffville for the 2021 readers choice awards! Also we opened our first studio location earlier this year which is SO exciting!

If people have 10 minutes a day, what can they do?
Walk stairs, do push ups, find a youtube video! With the internet you can get so creative with 10 minutes and there are tons of videos specific for workouts under 10 minutes.

Your message for our readers.
Get out of your comfort zone! Whether it’s with fitness or something else in life! Life is way too short to keep wishing you were living the life you want for yourself. Little steps each day turn into BIG CHANGES, start small, stay consistent and compassionate.

Your message for us at TorontoPages (TOPS) magazine?
Thank you so much for reaching out to me!