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
thomas@primalacademy.ca
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. Having dedicated himself to his passion, martial arts, Justyn has competed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Boxing tournaments across Ontario.
Kalon has been physically active for most of her life: For almost 20 years, Kalon rode horses and was a competitive eventer and show jumper on the provincial circuit for the last 5 years of her equestrian career. When not at the barn, Kalon fed her energetic spirit by joining her high school swim team and became an avid salsa dancer in 2013. Today, Kalon is in full training as a semi-professional hip hop dancer with several international performances under her belt. Though she’s dabbled in other forms of weightlifting (CrossFit, Olympic Lifting, etc.) her true passion lies with Powerlifting. She is coached by our very own, Raphael Charles, and is looking to compete in the next couple of years as his athlete. Eventually, Kalon also hopes to fulfill her academic background in education (B.Ed.) and biology (B.A.S.) by attaining her personal training certificate. A loud, fun-spirited, laugh-loving lady, Kalon has a clear adoration for all things health and wellness (and Primal!) that you just can’t teach.
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
mike@primalacademy.ca
Anna has been actively involved in health and fitness for almost a decade. As a competitive figure skater, Anna was just as excited to train off the ice as she was on the ice. Once it was time for her figure skating career to end, she began to focus her energy onto different styles of training in the gym.
At the University of Windsor, Anna studied theatre. There, she continued to grow her passion for both theatre and athletics. While focusing on physically demanding theatre genres, Anna studied to become a Personal Training Specialist with Canadian Fitness Professionals (Can-Fit Pro) and began her personal training career at the university gym “The Forge”.
Anna believes in a holistic, functional and enjoyable approach to training. Her main goal is to help you reach yours! With focused, effective, safe and sustainable training, Anna believes in taking your training to the next level.
647.782.4555
anna@primalmovement.ca
A former competitive athlete in numerous sports including; Hockey, Football and Baseball, fitness has always been a huge part of his lifestyle. Experiences working in a sports medicine clinic, boutique studios as well as fitness testing for the NHL scouting combine over the past five years have equipped Darrel with practical knowledge to deal with a wide variety of clientele ranging from elite athletic training to post rehab and fat loss.
647.297.0233
darrel@darrelmancini.com
www.darrelmancini.com
PJ Palacpac is a graduate of the Fitness and Health Promotion Program at George Brown College. He was able to enhance his knowledge and skills both in Personal Training and Group Exercise Leadership and receive his certificate as a trainer through CFES. PJ’s passion and love for fitness started at a very young age having participated and trained in multiple sports. He grew up as an athlete competing mainly in swimming and basketball and that drive has led him into his new passion, calisthenics and movement training. With his knowledge and skills his goal is to help clients attain their fitness goals as well as empower them to live healthier lives. PJ started off as an intern here at Primal and is now honoured to finally become a part of the team.
John is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach and Fascial Stretch Therapist. He uses a combination of training and therapy techniques to correct movement patterns and promote healthy pain free movement. Training with John, you can expect to gain new ranges of motion and get stronger and more powerful while moving with less pain.
John also offers sessions of pure Fascial Stretch Therapy out of the treatment room. FST is an assisted table stretching system that will release tight tissues in your body, increase fluid movement and break up adhesions in your joints. Ask John for a free demo to feel what FST can do for you.
647.782.4555
john@theathletedeveloper.com
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
info@primalmovement.ca
Mike began training jiu jitsu in the notorious 10th Planet system. After 6 years he travelled much of the US going from gym to gym and learning from many incredible black belts and coaches. The trip ended in California, one of the jiu jitsu meccas, the final stop before returning to Montreal. From there Mike began studying and living at the famed Tristar gym, spending time and learning from some of the top mixed martial artists and coaches in the world. He now calls Toronto home and proudly represents and teaches at Body of Four under Professor Marco Costa and their affiliate Primal MMA under Egor Radzik. Over the course of 10 years Mike has trained exclusively No gi Jiu Jitsu. This has afforded him the opportunity to refine the details and learn the nuances that make or break no gi techniques. His love for grappling and passion for sharing and exchanging techniques is what drives him to become the best competitor, coach and(one day) mentor he can be.
Landen has been involved in sports and athletics from an early age, playing hockey, football, rugby, volleyball, swimming and track and field. While attending Queen’s University, Landen was a member of the Varsity Wrestling team and competed for 2 years in tournaments across Ontario. After trying one Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class, Landen became addicted to the sport and dropped wrestling and all other athletic pursuits to focus solely on BJJ, and to developing himself as a martial artist and a competitive grappler. With several BJJ competitions under his belt, he has earned his Blue Belt under our own Egor Radzik and is continually working to improve every aspect of his game. To compliment his BJJ, Landen actively trains long distance running, kettlebells and various body weight exercises. You can find him on the mats almost any day of the week or at the front desk of Primal Academy ready to greet you with a big smile and encouragement to help you meet your goals in physical fitness and martial arts.
