At MOVATI, our people make the difference. From inspiring workouts to supportive communities, it’s our instructors and team members who bring Service Excellence to life every day. This year, we’re proud to celebrate incredible milestones at our Guelph and Brantford clubs. These anniversaries are more than a number, it’s a story of passion, growth, and the meaningful impact our team has on the lives of countless members.
MOVATI Athletic Guelph – 20 Years
Sophia P. – Group Fitness Instructor
What is your favourite workout and/or class?
I love weight training, but my favourite class to teach is Saturday morning Advanced Step.
What is your “why” for fuelling your healthy way of life at MOVATI?
I love the physical and mental health benefits of working out. Taking care of myself first allows me to better take care of others.
Why did you choose to work at MOVATI?
I love the team and the members! We have some incredibly talented and supportive fitness instructors who have become my good friends. The members bring so much energy and positivity. We support each other through our good and bad times.
How do you bring Service Excellence to life in your role?
I know my class members by name and have gotten to know them over 20+ years. The connection we have with one another is truly incredible.
Gillian L. – Group Fitness Instructor
What is your favourite workout and/or class?
My favourite workout is weight training—it’s number one for maintaining and growing muscle, followed by any mobility class! All this being said, I adore my Pilates classes and leading members through a Pilates flow!
What is your “why” for fuelling your healthy way of life at MOVATI?
My “why” is to maintain a healthy lifestyle as I age, live independently, and stay healthy for as long as possible. Mental and physical well-being are both important to me.
Why did you choose to work at MOVATI?
I was blown away immediately after being given a tour of the club when it was being built. MOVATI’s values of being committed and caring speak deeply to me. I truly view MOVATI as a “second home.” The connections I’ve made over the past 20 years and the friendships I’ve developed run deep!
How do you bring Service Excellence to life in your role?
I bring Service Excellence to life by being authentic with members and developing deep and sincere relationships with them. I listen to their needs, make suggestions, and then follow through.
Julie H. – Group Fitness Instructor
What is your favourite workout and/or class?
My favourite workout is Aqua Bootcamp.
What is your “why” for fuelling your healthy way of life at MOVATI?
MOVATI provides top-of-the-industry equipment to train on, has a huge variety of classes that I can participate in as an employee, and has amazing group fitness instructors who bring the best experience to everyone.
Why did you choose to work at MOVATI?
When I started, it was a beautiful, brand-new building. I knew it would be exciting to work there, and MOVATI has not disappointed. Over the years, there has been great supervisory support that provides me with ongoing encouragement and mutual professional respect for my love of teaching.
How do you bring Service Excellence to life in your role?
I have been teaching group fitness for 30 years. I have had loads of opportunities to develop and train in many types of class formats. I bring my love, passion, joy of fitness, and genuine sincerity to ensure that members get the best experience.
I’ve developed sincere relationships and connections with participants who come to my Aqua Bootcamp classes, and they are always very kind with their compliments about my teaching style and playlists.
I believe I inspire, motivate, and encourage each of them to be their best and enjoy their journey in wellness while keeping it fun and enjoyable.
Jeff T. – Group Fitness Instructor
What is your favourite workout and/or class?
Over the years, I have updated my skills and taken more certifications in order to stay current in the field. Each class I teach is my favourite.
I am currently teaching Speed & Power, Rave Ride, Hi Lo & Sculpt, and Bungee Workout. I’m also certified to teach Rhythm & Beats, Core, Balance & Stretch, as well as classes within the Active Agers Program, including Line Dance & Sculpt and Functionally Fit.
What is your “why” for fuelling your healthy way of life at MOVATI?
It is hard to believe that 20 years have passed since MOVATI Guelph opened and I was hired to teach group fitness classes. Being certified to teach a variety of classes, along with my desire to follow a healthy lifestyle myself, I wanted to share my knowledge and skills with a newly developing community.
How do you bring Service Excellence to life in your role?
Members are the foundation and shall be treated as such. They appreciate the one-on-one connection I make with each class participant when they enter and leave the studios.
Often, gatherings in the café follow classes, where discussions further develop relationships. Members mention and enjoy my playlists, the costumes I wear, and the treats I bring to celebrate holidays.
Katherine B. – Group Fitness Instructor
What is your favourite workout and/or class?
Yoga, yoga, yoga. It’s been a constant in my life for a long time. Every class offers a chance to move, breathe, and simply be present. I never get tired of it because it continues to teach me something new.
What is your “why” for fuelling your healthy way of life at MOVATI?
For me, it’s the people. The genuine connections I’ve made over the past 20 years have brought so much meaning and joy to my life. Sharing a practice, supporting each other through challenges, and seeing familiar faces week after week fills my heart in a way that’s hard to put into words.
Why did you choose to work at MOVATI?
I continue to choose MOVATI because of the people. I’ve always appreciated being part of a team of talented yoga instructors who care deeply about members and are generous in supporting one another. Teaching alongside people who share a passion for learning and growing has been a gift, and it’s something I continue to value.
How do you bring Service Excellence to life in your role?
I still look forward to teaching every single class. I never take for granted the privilege of guiding people through their practice. My goal is to create a space where everyone feels welcome, seen, and supported.
I’m grateful to be part of a yoga community where there’s so much kindness, respect, and appreciation for one another, and I hope every person who walks into my class feels that.
Rachel F. – Group Fitness Instructor
Why did you choose to work at MOVATI? What is your “why” for fueling your healthy way of life at MOVATI?
My fitness journey with Movati began when I was 23 years old as a weekend Kickboxing and Power Barbell instructor while attending university out of town. Today, I’m a proud mom of two busy girls, Evie and Leah, and I’ve been fortunate to spend the past 24 years working in the health and fitness industry.
My passion for movement started with a challenge. As the first known survivor of Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a rare form of leukemia, I was once told I wouldn’t be able to do much physically. Instead, that experience inspired me to prove that limits don’t have to define us. I discovered my love for athletics through competitive soccer, basketball, skiing, and kickboxing, and I haven’t looked back since.
Building a strong foundation in agility, aerobics, strength, and stability training fueled my desire to help others discover what they’re capable of. In 2005, I became a Canfitpro Certified Fitness Instructor, where I found my passion for leading high-energy group fitness classes. In 2009, after earning my Ontario Teaching degree, I also became a Certified Canfitpro Personal Trainer.
What is your favourite workout and/or class?
While I enjoy the personal connection of one-on-one training, there’s nothing quite like the energy of a group class. Over the years, I’ve expanded my expertise to include TRX, Indoor Cycling, Boxing, Yoga, and Water Fitness, allowing me to create fun, challenging, and inclusive workouts for all fitness levels.
How do you bring Service Excellence to life in your role?
My biggest goal is simple: I want every person who walks into my class to leave feeling stronger, happier, and proud of what they accomplished—regardless of where they’re starting from. Every workout is an opportunity to celebrate what your body can do, and I can’t wait to help you discover your own strength along the way!
MOVATI Athletic Brantford – 25 Years
Kim M. – Group Fitness Instructor
What is your favourite workout and/or class?
I love teaching anything with a strength-training component.
What is your “why” for fueling your healthy way of life at MOVATI?
When I first started working at MOVATI, it was about me and working on my own health and well-being. I quickly discovered that helping people discover their own strengths made me thrive—not only as an instructor, but also as part of a community.
Fitness is not just about physical abilities; it’s also about how people feel during and after a class.
Why did you choose to work at MOVATI?
Twenty-five years ago, I walked into a gym that was full of energy from both coworkers and participants. Since then, I have developed many friendships and skills that enable me to feel comfortable teaching and working with my MOVATI community.
How do you bring Service Excellence to life in your role?
Part of my job is to make sure people feel not only successful but also comfortable while exercising. Making sure to offer options is important, but being available for questions can go a long way toward helping people succeed.
Brantford Calendar of Events
