A former elite middle distance track athlete, Thomas has taken his passion for athletics and fitness and molded it into a vessel for helping others achieve their personal fitness, health and athletic goals. Thomas has worked in the sports and recreation industry since 2002, as an athletics coach and strength trainer. In 2009, he began training full time in London before returning to Toronto in 2011. After years of working in a big chain gym, disenchanted by the work environment and training methods, he opted to open Primal Gym and forge his own vision for a fitness facility that puts it’s members and clients first. Since it’s opening Primal has seen two expansions with the addition of Primal MMA and Training Studio / Clinic in 2014.
Thomas believes in a wholistic approach to training, encompassing all aspects of fitness and wellness, both body and mind. He views the human being as an athlete inherently, and trains his clients following this mantra. Thomas trains clients of all ages, with a wide spectrum of goals. From young athletes looking to gain an edge with their strength and conditioning, to individuals who simply want to look and feel better through weight loss, lean muscle development and a change in body composition. His specialties include Hypertrophy (muscle development), Fat Loss, Injury Rehabilitation, Athletic Conditioning and Strength and Conditioning for MMA.
416.899.9183
[email protected]
Having grown up playing high level competitive sports, specifically elite level Hockey, Justyn was immersed in athletics and strict training regimens from a young age. After hanging up his skates, Justyn transitioned into coaching hockey teams in the GTA. Having taken his knowledge of training in competitive sports, he transitioned into the fitness industry learning the ins-and-outs of strength training and nutrition. Through years of thorough research and first-hand experience, Justyn has a deep understanding of how nutrition plays a pivotal role in athletic performance, recovery, strength training and bodybuilding.
A strong believer that the mind is our most powerful weapon, Justyn continually pushes himself beyond his physical limitations to prove that our bodies are capable of exceeding our own expectations. Justyn is a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and having dedicated himself to his passion, martial arts, Justyn has competed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Boxing tournaments across Ontario.
I have always been passionate about sports and athletics. Since playing rugby and lacrosse in high school, I have become increasingly interested in different training methods and improving my athletic performance. Recently, I have become interested in functional resistance training and mobility work to gain an edge in the competitive Jiu Jitsu world.
I am hoping to share my jiu jitsu, health and exercise knowledge with others. It has had a huge positive impact on my life and I love seeing the how it positively impacts others as well.
Having always been a highly driven and competitive individual, Terrence became an avid fan of Mixed Martial Arts at the onset of the sport. He started training MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2009 in Niagara before moving to Toronto to build his career as a video producer and commercial editor.
Terrence returned to the sport in 2014 where he trained under Professor Shah Franco, before moving across town and joining the Primal family. He has since been an active BJJ practitioner and competitor, with numerous tournament successes to his name on the local and provincial circuit; he plans to compete internationally in the very near future.
After receiving his purple belt from Primal Head Instructor, Professor Egor Radzik, Terrence took on the role as Primal’s Kids BJJ Coach, where he shares his expert knowledge and positivity with the next generation of practitioners.
I consider myself an evidence-based, client-centered coach. In an industry filled with misinformation and gimmicks, I’ve built my practice around integrity and a willingness to keep learning.
Everyone can benefit from working with a trainer but no one should feel like they need one forever. To that end, I always do my best to teach clients how to train themselves.
My path to personal training wasn’t a direct one. While I was an active kid growing up, I never considered myself an “athlete.”
I found my way to weight training as an adult in a search for confidence and relief from the aches and pains of sitting all day.
I quickly realized that there are few things as rewarding as seeing yourself get stronger. It’s the clearest sign that you’re on the path to changing the way you look, feel, and move. That’s the experience I aim to share as a trainer at Primal.
I am certified Personal Training Specialist (PTS) with a passion for powerlifting and strength training. Whether you’re interested in losing weight or gaining lean muscle mass, body toning or increasing strength, I’ll help you achieve your goals with practical programming involving basic barbell movements and efficient conditioning. Growing up, my athletic interests were geared specifically towards hockey, but in high school, I joined the wrestling team. Weighing in at 155 lbs, I wanted nothing more than to become bigger, stronger, and faster to gain a competitive edge. My coach introduced me to the weight room, and I was hooked. With four years of intensive barbell training, I have gained 90lbs of mass, and my comparative strength has increased more than threefold. My focus has typically been powerlifting, but I also have experience with Strongman and Olympic weightlifting. I still strive to get bigger and stronger everyday, and I’m working towards powerlifting competitively in the near future.
647.782.4555
[email protected]
I grew up in the east end of Toronto and have always had a close relationship with sports and athletic training. When I was 7 years old, I began competitive swimming for the Toronto Swim Club, and continued for the next 10 years. Over the years, I fell in love with racing and all of the preparation that goes into it. That love lead me to Halifax, NS, where I obtained a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Kinesiology at Dalhousie University. In my final year, I worked in the Kinesiology department as a teaching assistant for an Injury Assessment/Prevention course, where my knowledge of the human body grew tenfold.
Now, I strive to apply my knowledge to each and every one of my clients, while also continuing to learn more every single day. I consistently work to make sure that I don’t leave potential on the table, and I’m dedicated to making sure you don’t either. Life’s too short to live sub-optimally, so let’s change your life today.
Ryan has eleven years of personal training experience and has had success with countless clients. He has a deep understanding of the sciences that guide exercise, which he developed while studying at George Brown College, and pairs it with an art he has been shaping since age 12, when he first discovered weight training.
He believes the key to achieving results lies in identifying needs through thorough assessment, creating a strong foundation and practicing flawless fundamentals. This allows you to maintain constant progress and avoid injury, leading to your highest level of physical fitness. Personal training isn’t just about reaching your goals, but also understanding your own body and building confidence and independence in and out of the gym.
He takes pride in having a diverse skill set and being able to work with a wide variety of clients. Specializing in assessment, Fascial Stretch Therapy, mobility training, strength and conditioning, nutrition and kickboxing; he has all the tools necessary to ensure your success and the highest level training experience. Within a few short sessions his clients are able to move better than they ever thought possible and are on their way to a life changing experience.
416.660.3457
I’m Lou Berkovits, a practicing yogi and Power Yoga teacher committed to sharing my love and passion for yoga. I teach a vinyasa or flow of movements based on the Journey Into Power series created by Baron Baptiste. I have consistently found this series to be the most challenging, rewarding and beneficial. Regardless of how many times I have practiced this flow, no two experiences have ever been the same. Each practice is as unique as that day, as that time, and as that moment. Get ready to work hard, get sweaty, get messy, and create the possibilities that lie within you to evolve into your grounded and true self.
647.752.4555
[email protected]
Growing up in Barbados I’ve always had a love of fitness and sports. At the age of 13 I was introduced to organized basketball which led me directly into the gym.
Over the years I have had my battle with my self image and feeling comfortable in my skin, and it is this experience, plus my love of fitness, that made me want to become a trainer. After becoming a NASM CPT It has been my goal to help others rediscover themselves and achieve their fitness goals one rep at a time.
I know how it feels to be new to this space! Despite having always been active and athletic, I didn’t step foot into a gym until I was in my early twenties. My enthusiasm for education drove me to learn as much as I could about the science and practice of exercise. I fell in love with strength training and powerlifting because of how rewarding it was for my body to become more strong and capable. I came to understand that a sustainable, positive relationship with exercise is built on autonomy and self-efficacy. My goal in this industry is to simplify fitness and build your confidence.
I’m passionate about connecting you with ways of moving and achieving your goals that work for you. My role is to make sure you feel safe, seen and supported as we work toward your potential together.
– Bachelor of Design – OCAD University
– George Brown College Fitness and Health Promotion with Honours
– CFES Certified National Personal Trainer
– Competitive Powerlifter
– GGS Pre- and Post-Natal Coaching Certification In progress
– CPR + AED
I grew up as a competitive dancer which instilled my strong work ethic and passion for competing. It wasn’t until faced with serious adversities, I decided to pursue CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting. I won consecutive provincial championships along with best female lifter and in 2021, I was able to win my first national championship. I’m a certified personal trainer, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athlete, @hannahrolleman on IG and creator of 976 Athletics.
You can expect to be pushed hard with epic playlists and energy through the roof. I believe that you should always be proud, but never satisfied. Keep showing up, and let me take care of the rest.
Anastasia practiced gymnastics growing up and then shifted into competitive swimming and jogging. She found yoga in 2016 and she maintained her practice throughout the years as she fell deeper in-love with the traditional sequence of Hatha yoga. In 2019, Anastasia spent the next 2 years living in Indonesia, Bali, where she studied sequencing of yoga and explored variations of Hatha such as Ashtanga, Yin yoga, and fly yoga. She was trained by a traditional Hatha yoga practitioner, following the lineage of Sri Vidya, earning her 200hr YTT. She has completed multiple Ashtanga emersion trainings and continues to explore different styles of yoga. She has a tremendous passion for Hatha yoga practice and would be thrilled to share her knowledge with you.
Seamus is a dedicated trainer who combines sound program design with an excellent ability to motivate. When you work with Seamus you get a program designed specifically to meet your own individual needs and goals and Seamus is right by your side to push, encourage, and teach you proper technique. After your goals have been discussed with Seamus, he will take you through an assessment to determine the emphasis of your program and how best to achieve your goals.
Seamus spent much of his youth competing in hockey and track and field. He then went on to compete in track at the University level with York University where he graduated with a BA in Kinesiology and Health Science. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), as well as a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP). He is also a professional kinesiologist with the Ontario Kinesiology Association (OKA) and a certified hockey trainer with the Hockey Trainer Certification Program (HTCP).
Seamus has a wealth of experience working with many different types of people of various exercise backgrounds. He has trained athletes as young as eleven and all the way up to hockey players at the OHL Major Junior level. This has led him to a role as team trainer for the Mississauga Reps AAA hockey club. Despite his athletic focus, his work with the general population and non-athletes looking to lose weight, build muscle, recover from injury, or just get stronger and improve their overall health is a major part of his practice and equally rewarding.
647.280.1919
[email protected]
Coltrane is a dynamic and enthusiastic member of the team embarking on a new chapter in the fitness industry. While relatively new to the field, Coltrane’s unwavering passion for health and wellness, coupled with a commitment to continuous learning, drives him to provide engagement and enthusiasm that inspires others to surpass their fitness goals.
With a genuine desire to make a positive impact, Coltrane’s fresh perspective and dedication to growth make him a promising partner on the path to a healthier lifestyle.
Having participated in a variety of individual and team sports all throughout her life from dance to hockey, Maddie turned to strength training after high school to stay active. Maddie is a recent Kinesiology graduate from the University of Western Ontario where she developed a passion for anatomy, physiology, and the science behind getting stronger!
In her degree, Maddie specialized in Clinical Kinesiology where she learned the incredible value of viewing exercise as medicine and believes that it should be a part of everyone’s life, regardless of their health status.
Maddie is currently working towards getting her Registered Kinesiologist license, with which she hopes to help people manage lifestyle and chronic diseases through exercise!
Education:
BA Honours Clinical Kinesiology University of Western Ontario
