Celebrating the leaders making a difference in our industry.
By Fitness Education Online
The fitness landscape in Ontario is filled with incredible talent, but some professionals stand out not just for the workouts they lead, but for the lives they change. We are thrilled to present Ontario’s Top Fitness Trainers 2025, a list dedicated to the coaches, instructors, and educators who are making a massive impact in their communities.
At FEO, we believe that being a “top trainer” goes far beyond a social media following. It is about dedication, education, and the genuine desire to help others live healthier, happier lives. The professionals on this list represent the best of our industry—those who lead with empathy, innovate with their programming, and consistently show up for their clients.
Whether they are running inclusive bootcamps, specializing in rehabilitation, or mentoring the next generation of coaches, these trainers are raising the standard for what it means to work in fitness. They remind us that our job is about more than just sets and reps; it is about empowerment and connection.
We are proud to shine a spotlight on these leaders. Read on to meet the trainers shaping the future of fitness in Ontario.
FYONNA VANDERWERF
Founder of Bees Knees Wellness Muskoka, Bracebridge, ON
Fyonna Vanderwerf has been in the business of accountability, results, and community for over 30 years. Her personal journey in fitness is a testament to resilience and determination: she went from failing grade 10 gym to finishing second in her age group at her last Ironman. This transformation fuels her coaching philosophy, which is built on the belief that everyone is “good enough” to pursue what excites them, regardless of what others say.
Based in Muskoka, Fyonna is a leader who champions a culture of accessibility and adaptability. She is currently building a platform focused on palliative wellness and caregiver movement, ensuring that fitness supports those who need it most.
“I coach community, a culture of accessibility, and thrive on shenanigans because there’s fun and laughter in everything.”
STEFAN SKYWOLF
Powerlifting Coach, London, ON
For over 12 years, Stefan Skywolf has been a fixture in the fitness industry, spending the last five years carving out a niche as one of London, Ontario’s premier powerlifting coaches. As a high-level athlete himself, he uses his deep understanding of biomechanics to help clients rehab injuries, target weak points, and smash through training plateaus.
Stefan’s inclusion on this list is defined by his incredible resilience. In 2025, he faced a life-threatening battle with the autoimmune disorder Ankylosing Spondylitis, which left him hospitalized for weeks. In an inspiring display of grit, he went from his deathbed back to the rack, and is already squatting 600 lbs again. A former Canadian National Record holder in the 90kg class, Stefan is currently prepping for a meet this February to reclaim his title.
“I feel what makes me unique is the knowledge I have accumulated over 12+ years of hands-on training. I have had to overcome many different injuries and weaknesses myself… so we never hit plateaus.”
TESSA VILLA
Owner of The Villa Method, Ontario
With 19 years of experience, Tessa Villa has evolved from a top-performing personal trainer at one of Canada’s largest commercial gyms to the founder of The Villa Method. A five-time award-winning team training coach, Tessa brings a nationally recognized standard of excellence to her remote coaching business. She focuses on sustainable, evidence-based systems that move beyond simple workouts to teach clients how to fuel, train, and build habits that actually fit their lives.
In 2025, Tessa reached new heights by significantly growing her remote coaching community, helping more clients than ever create their “proof daily.” She has guided countless individuals through long-term fat-loss transformations and strength milestones, proving that consistent, repeatable habits are the key to changing lives.
“I hold people to high standards in a sustainable way, removing the guesswork so they can build confidence—not only to crush their goals, but to maintain the lifestyle they truly desire.”
FINTAN CASSERLY
Personal Training Educator & Coach, Ontario
With a career spanning three countries—starting in Ireland, moving to the USA, and immigrating to Canada in 2016—Fintan Casserly brings a global perspective to the Ontario fitness scene. Over his 15 years in the industry, he has amassed over 10,000 client hours and managed six facilities, mentoring over 150 personal trainers along the way. His technical expertise lies in pain management and working with special needs populations, ensuring fitness is accessible to everyone.
Fintan’s major milestone in 2025 was realizing a lifetime goal: becoming a Personal Training Educator. He now certifies the next generation of coaches through the canfitpro certification, a shift that has redefined his career path. His approach blends clear, solution-focused instruction with a signature sense of humor, creating an environment where learning is both effective and fun.
“My sessions are adaptable to what the client needs most on any given day. I truly care that each person I see finds happiness and enjoyment in fitness—which ultimately leads to a healthy and successful life.”
EKATERINA OSTROUMOVA
Women’s Hormone & Wellness Coach, Ontario
For nearly a decade, Ekaterina Ostroumova has been a powerful advocate for women’s wellness, a career path born from her own battle with thyroid disease as a teenager. Turning her pain into purpose, she has dedicated her professional life to supporting women who feel misunderstood or dismissed by the traditional medical model. Her mission is deeply personal: to guide women back to themselves, helping them heal from the inside out.
2025 was a year of massive expansion for Ekaterina. In addition to being nominated as a Top Fitness Trainer, she was honored with North America’s Woman of Inspiration Award. She took her message to national television and major stages, partnering with organizations to help hundreds of women manage hypothyroidism, PCOS, and hormonal imbalances. Her coaching goes beyond simple workout plans, offering a “full lifestyle shift” that integrates nutrition, mindset, and 24/7 accountability.
“It’s never just fitness with me. It’s a full lifestyle shift: nutrition, movement, hormones, sleep, mindset, emotional resilience, and daily routines that support the woman they’re becoming. And that’s why my clients don’t just see results, they keep them.”
NICKY NOCK
Co-owner of The Nock Academy, Stouffville, ON
With a dynamic career spanning 24 years and three different countries, Nicky Nock brings a wealth of global perspective to the Ontario fitness community. Her journey has seen her take on multiple roles within the industry, allowing her to blend deep educational knowledge with a unique ability to inspire her clients and peers alike.
2025 was a standout year for Nicky, marked by her recognition as a finalist for the prestigious canfitpro Sharon Mann Inspiration Award. This accolade highlights her enduring commitment to the industry and her influence as a leader. For Nicky, the true highlight was the community aspect of the recognition.
“Being nominated alongside many other female fitness professionals of whom I admire and look up to was an honor.”
ROBERT VILLA
Doctor of Chiropractic & Co-Founder of The Villa Method, Ontario
With over 15 years in the health and fitness industry, Dr. Robert Villa offers a powerful dual perspective as both a Doctor of Chiropractic and a strength coach. This unique blend of clinical reasoning and real-world application allows him to bridge the gap between healthcare and high-performance training, ensuring clients build strength safely and effectively.
In 2025, Robert’s major achievement was refining The Villa Method from a service into a comprehensive, data-driven system. By tightening client education and objective tracking, he has created a framework that prioritizes sustainable execution over short-term intensity. His approach removes the guesswork, giving clients a principled structure to rely on rather than fleeting willpower.
“I don’t believe progress comes from motivation or extreme programs — it comes from clarity and consistency of execution.”
BLENDA CHAN
Personal Trainer, Ontario
With three years in the industry, Blenda Chan has quickly established herself as a coach who prioritizes longevity and practicality. Her approach strips away the complexity of fitness to focus on what matters most: strong foundations. By mastering the basics, she helps her clients navigate their daily lives with greater ease and fewer aches, proving that fitness is about more than just the hour spent in the gym.
In 2025, Blenda’s primary focus and success lay in successfully integrating movement into the daily routines of her clients. Rather than treating exercise as an isolated chore, she has helped her clients build habits that keep them moving consistently, leading to sustainable lifestyle changes.
“I work on foundations with my clients, which makes everyday tasks easier.”
TREVOR PICKETT
Owner of Offbeat Fitness & canfitpro Pro Trainer
With 13 years in the industry, Trevor Pickett has dedicated his career to making fitness accessible for everyone. As a canfitpro Pro Trainer, he focuses on education and mentorship, but his true passion lies in working with clients who face movement limitations. Trevor thrives on the puzzle of biomechanics, helping individuals with unique challenges find safe, effective ways to exercise when they previously thought they couldn’t.
2025 was a milestone year for Trevor, as he was recognized with the Top Earner Award by canfitpro for his exceptional work as a Pro Trainer. This accolade underscores his influence not just on his own clients, but on the industry at large as he helps certify and shape the next generation of fitness professionals.
“I especially love it when I’m able to help someone with limitations be able to have access to exercise. Every individual has unique challenges and helping them overcome them is amazing!”
CONNIE BEAULIEU
Owner of Sweat Inc. and Founder of Activate Academy, Ottawa, ON
Approaching her 26th year in the industry, Connie Beaulieu is a true veteran of the Ottawa fitness community. As the owner of Sweat Inc. and founder of Activate Academy, she has influenced thousands of lives through a philosophy that transcends the gym floor. Connie believes that sustainable results come from looking at the big picture; she doesn’t just train bodies, she addresses lifestyle and mindset alongside physical strength.
For Connie, 2025 was a year of triumphant return. Her most significant achievement was seeing her sessions completely sold out once again, marking her “greatest rebuild” since the challenges of the pandemic. This resurgence stands as a testament to the enduring trust, quality, and community she has cultivated over a quarter-century in the business.
“I focus on coaching the whole person, not just training.”
The Future of Fitness is in Good Hands
Reading through these stories, one thing becomes abundantly clear: the fitness industry in Ontario is thriving, driven by professionals who care deeply about the humans behind the metrics.
From rehabilitation and palliative wellness to high-performance powerlifting and hormonal health, these trainers prove that fitness is not one-size-fits-all. It is a diverse, evolving field where success is measured by the confidence built, the pain reduced, and the communities fostered.
Thank you for setting the standard, for pursuing education over trends, and for showing up every day to make a tangible difference in your clients’ lives. You are the heartbeat of this industry, and we are honored to tell your stories.
Here’s to another year of health, strength, and making an impact.
