The two things I have loved the most since I can remember are Fitness, and Wisdom. After my OAC Philosophy class, I knew that’s what I wanted to study in university. And after receiving my B.A. in Philosophy, I continued on towards an MA degree in philosophy.
But the road to where I am now has definitely not been an easy one, to say the least. Where I grew up and the circumstances surrounding my early life in Lebanon have definitely shaped who I am today. I feel that a lot of my free time is spent reflecting on where I’m from, where I am, how I got here, and everything in between. I think that it’s important for anyone to understand these things about themselves. Not just as introspection and self knowledge. But also in order understand how to best contribute to helping others, family, friends, clients, and even strangers.
CERTIFICATIONS:
-CSEP-CPT 2012-Present (Certified Personal Trainer with the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiologists)
-EXOS-CPT 2016-Present
-MAT JumpStart 1,2,3 (Muscle Activation Technique)
-RTS 1,2,3 (Resistance Training Specialist)
-OWA Instructor (Ontario Weightlifting Association Trained)
Education
I wrote my thesis on “Human Freedom and Technological Rationality”, exploring how freedom is stifled under Capitalism. After successfully defending my thesis I graduated with an MA in Philosophy from the University of Windsor in 2007.
After graduation I wanted to pursue a PhD in Philosophy, but that proved difficult. I had to compete with other students to get into programs with limited space, and funding. Finding a supervisor to study with was another challenge. Still I tried. I attended many conferences where I would present my work and try to establish connections.
With dwindling funds and willpower, I began to look for a different path. After much searching, trial and error, I came across a program at Humber college that immediately spoke to me.
In 2011 I enrolled in the Health and Fitness Promotion program at Humber college. I immediately found a home for my passion. I met some amazing people, some of whom I am still in touch with today. The instructors were passionate, helpful, and very knowledgeable. I powered through a 2 year program in 1 year, without taking a break.
With enough education, a certification from the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiologists (CSEP), I was ready for the next step. In 2012 I began my career as a fitness specialist, at a small but mighty gym called Cardio Go.
Career
After about 3 years of grinding at Cardio Go, I applied at the Toronto Athletic Club. As of January 2015 I accepted a job as a personal trainer at the TAC. It was here that I learned more in my first 6 months that I did in the past four years. Being surrounded by so many knowledgeable fitness and health pros opened my passion and curiosity ten folds.
If steel sharpens steel, the amount of experience I gained at the TAC made my skill razor-sharp! Critically engaging with other health and fitness pros took me to the next level. We had study groups, professional development seminars, we would train together and dissect different exercise.
The broad spectrum of clients, and the challenges they all brought in, made for great learning opportunities. Being able to discuss those challenges with other trainers, physiotherapists, and chiropractors opened my mind like never before.
Now that I am 40, I can feel the result of a life that revolved around fitness and performance. Each day I understand more that health and fitness can be mutually exclusive.
It is possible to be fit but not healthy, and vice versa. As such, the care and attention we give to physical and mental well-being is more and more apparent. The goal is to figure out how much of your health you can invest into fitness, without injuring yourself. And something amazing happens when you successfully cultivate health and fitness together: Naturally, both the quality and quantity of life also grow.
My Mission
My goal is to reach adults who are 35 and over, and/or fairly new to health and fitness. This includes three key points:
1- To decolonize fitness and health, by contributing my thoughts and my voice to that of the marginal.
2- Teach people how to invest in themselves by providing them with the knowledge to increase their health and fitness literacy.
3- To treat each client as an individual with their own goals, challenges, and interests.
My Vision
To decolonize the industry and make the basics of fitness and health more accessible to those that can’t afford it.
My Promise
To provide you with relevant information about health and fitness trends, that is evidence based and backed by science.