Canada’s Top Fitness Trainers 2026 – British Columbia

After months of review, debate, and careful consideration, we are proud to unveil Canada’s Top Fitness Trainers, Class of 2026!
Every year, this project reminds us just how extraordinary our industry truly is. From coast to coast, nominees continue to raise the bar, not only in technical excellence, but in leadership, integrity, and community impact. The depth of talent this year was remarkable. In fact, the scores were so exceptionally close they were separated by literally the slimmest of margins, reflecting just how strong and competitive this year’s field truly was.

Because of that razor-thin margin, we will be formally recognizing the finalists at this year’s AWARDS GALA and Canadian Fitness Industry Conference on May 30, 2026 while celebrating the official Canada’s Top Fitness Trainers, and presenting Finalist Honours.

New this year, we will present Achievement Awards and Rising Star Awards, celebrating both established leaders and emerging voices shaping the future of Canadian fitness.

Now in its ninth year, this national recognition program continues to spotlight professionals who exemplify what it means to lead in fitness today. Each year we have invited you—our readers and industry peers—to nominate trainers and instructors who are making a measurable difference. The 2026 nominees delivered inspiring stories of resilience, innovation, education, and service. Their combined experience spans decades, disciplines, and diverse communities, yet they share a common purpose in elevating others and empowering Canadians to live healthier, stronger lives—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Our evaluation process remains thorough and independent. Nominees are assessed on education, certifications, tenure, philanthropy, leadership, and community contribution.

Personal philosophies and written submissions are blind-scored by our expert panel to ensure fairness and integrity. Social media following and popularity metrics are not part of the equation. Substance matters here.

At their best, fitness professionals are mentors, advocates, safe spaces, and catalysts for confidence. They shape culture inside their facilities and far beyond their walls.

To every nominee, finalist, award recipient, and member of this year’s class—thank you for the work you do and the lives you change. We are honoured to celebrate you. The stage is set. Let’s begin.

Sean Allt | 39

Founder and Head Coach at Backcountry Strength; Instructor and Mentor at The PT Academy
Chilliwack, B.C.
Instagram | Facebook

Sean Allt’s 15-year career in fitness is defined by a deep-seated commitment to addressing the “whole person,” a philosophy born from witnessing his mother’s struggle with inadequately treated health challenges. Today, he has guided dozens of fitness professionals while also helping his own clients build the resilience needed for high-level outdoor pursuits. Through his work at Backcountry Strength, Sean integrates lifestyle coaching and mental skills training to ensure his clients are as mentally sharp as they are physically strong. “I became a trainer to become the person my mom would have benefited from most during her most challenging times. My mission is to empower people with the skills, tools, and habits to lead a fulfilling life.”

By focusing on purposeful movement and mental clarity, we build the confidence required for any quest, inside or outside the gym.

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Logan Dube | 42

Director of Fitness Education at Pain-Free Performance Specialist Certification
Victoria, B.C.
Instagram | Facebook

Logan Dube draws on a diverse background that spans professional soccer, club management, and two decades of fitness leadership. Since beginning their second career in 2005, Logan has trained a vast spectrum of individuals, from elite athletes and performers to young gymnasts and veterans. Their approach is uniquely informed by their own experience growing up with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis; after being told they might struggle to walk. Logan discovered that intentional, adapted movement was the key to physical and mental resilience. “My path into fitness was shaped by growing up with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis; I discovered that staying strong and training with intention made an enormous difference in my confidence and sense of possibility.”

I’m committed to equipping trainers with tools to adapt movement for every body, because strength isn’t just physical—it’s empowering.

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Hannah Fletcher | 42

Owner of Hannah Fitness
Vancouver, B.C.
Instagram | Facebook

Hannah Fletcher is an award-winning fitness leader known for her positive and illuminating coaching style. Her perspective on resilience deepened significantly in 2018 following a diagnosis of aggressive inflammatory arthritis; this personal journey transformed her understanding of exercise from a performance tool into a vital source of healing and empowerment. By meeting clients exactly where they are—mentally, physically, and emotionally—Hannah helps them dismantle the “adulting” barriers of wellness, making the path to strength both inviting and joyful. “My goal is to listen and honour my clients’ needs in the present moment while helping them step into their fullest potential. Since my own diagnosis, I have seen firsthand that we possess the resilience to overcome even the most formidable challenges.”

Exercise is a hero for our bodies, and when paired with a positive mindset, it unlocks our inner superpowers.

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Dawn Joseph | 50

Kinesiologist and Core Specialist at Simply Core Fit
Vancouver, B.C.
Instagram |Facebook

Dawn Joseph has over 25 years of experience dedicated to the mastery of core training, functional movement, and injury prevention. Based on the belief that traditional sports are not the only path to fitness, Dawn draws from her background in “alternative” disciplines like gymnastics, rowing, and baton twirling to offer a unique perspective on athleticism. She is widely known for her “tiny tweaks” —precise anatomical adjustments during one-to-one and online sessions that unlock significant gains in strength and performance. “I became a trainer because I wanted to change the narrative that fitness only belongs to those who succeed in traditional sports. Everyone has the capacity to learn and succeed.”

My mission is to teach the basics and watch people excel at what they love because they are strong from the core out.

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Louise Green | 53

Founder of Size Strong Strength Training
North Vancouver, B.C.
Instagram | Facebook

For over 18 years, Louise Green has been a trailblazing advocate in the fitness industry, dedicated to dismantling weight bias and reshaping exercise culture. She is internationally recognized for creating accessible, strength-focused programming that prioritizes the needs of people in larger bodies. “I became a personal trainer after watching larger-bodied participants struggle to make classes fit their bodies instead of the other way around. I realized that adherence was low, not because people lacked motivation, but because the environment wasn’t built for them.” Louise has authored Big Fit Girl and Fitness for Everyone, establishing herself as a global leader in fostering environments where movement is defined by joy and autonomy rather than appearance or stigma.

My goal is to make fitness a place of
possibility and autonomy, not pressure or shame.

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Rafal Matuszewski | 34

Owner, LIFT Collective
Langley, B.C.
Instagram | Facebook

Rafal Matuszewski’s path into fitness was born from his own personal struggle with weight and depression, a transformation that fueled his mission to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and high-level performance. Specializing in Kinstretch, functional movement, and nervous system-based training, Rafal focuses on joint integrity and foundational patterns. Today, he channels his two decades of experience into mentoring new trainers, ensuring they have the skills to build successful, empathy-driven practices. “I became a personal trainer because I wanted to give clients more than workouts. I wanted to give them the tools, autonomy, and long-term physical freedom to understand how their bodies work and build strength that supports their real life.”

I believe that when people learn how to move with intention, strength, and awareness, every part of their life improves.

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Jenn Moore | 51

Program Architect at You Got This With Coach Jenn
Vancouver, B.C.
Instagram | Facebook

As a personal trainer and lifestyle transformation specialist, Jenn Moore has dedicated her career to helping individuals navigate the complexities of chronic illness, injury, and life-altering transitions. Her professional focus is deeply rooted in her own recovery journey through Ulcerative Colitis, multiple surgeries, and cancer—experiences that led her to become a prominent advocate and Ambassador with Ostomy Canada. “I became a personal trainer after rebuilding my own life through multiple surgeries and an ostomy; movement helped me reclaim my body, my energy, and my hope.”

I believe strength is not defined by appearance, but by resilience, function, and the confidence to live fully.

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Victor Nuñez | 35

Coach at Level Up Performance
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Instagram | Facebook

Victor translates a decade of experience and a background in NCAA football into a coaching practice centred on sustainable, high-performance movement. His evolution from a competitive athlete to a functional movement specialist allows him to guide clients through rebuilding their bodies for long-term capability. A dedicated community volunteer, he balances his time between the fire department and the weight room, always leading with a “people-first” mentality. “I focus on teaching proper movement and creating programs that grow with each client
over time.”

My goal is to help people move well and feel strong for the long term.

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Michelle Petrovic | 31

Co-owner, Nori Athletics
Port Moody, B.C.
Instagram |Facebook

For the past decade, Michelle Petrovic has dedicated her career to helping women reclaim their strength and sense of self through purposeful movement. She supports a diverse community of career professionals, business owners, and mothers who are ready to reprioritize their own well-being. “Women give so much to others, often at the expense of their own well-being; I’m here to help rewrite that story.” Michelle’s coaching style is both holistic and sustainable, moving beyond simple workouts to focus on the long-term habits that improve energy, lifestyle, and overall confidence. “The gym changed my life when I needed it most, and that experience inspired me to become a personal trainer so I could create that same impact for others.”

I want every woman who walks through our doors to feel more like herself—and leave ready to thrive.

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Scott Salling | 41

Founder at F.I.T. Academy
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Instagram | Facebook

Scott Salling, an Athletic Strength and Conditioning coach and certified Personal Trainer, has been a pillar of the fitness industry since 2010. A pivotal moment in his career came at age 23, when he helped a close friend navigate an early-onset Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis through strength training —an experience that saw them eventually complete a triathlon together. Today, Scott views health as a person’s greatest asset. “I believe that mindset is everything. It is a simple phrase, but it is driven by what I call ‘The Big Three’: effort, attitude, and gratitude. Gratitude is the fuel we need to keep going when times get hard, helping us centre ourselves and appreciate the journey even amidst life’s challenges.”

My goal is to help clients see their health as a true asset, empowering them to achieve successes they never thought possible.

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Daniel Salazar | 27

Personal Trainer at Innovative Fitness and House Concepts
Port Moody, B.C.
Instagram

A Kinesiologist and Olympic weightlifting athlete with nearly a decade of experience, Daniel Salazar specializes in bridging the gap between high-performance coaching and clinical care. His approach is deeply informed by his volunteer work with Fraser Health’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program, where he helps patients rebuild physical trust after life-altering health events. His methodology is rooted in the belief that preventive care and disciplined movement are the ultimate tools for long-term health and self-mastery. “I became a fitness instructor after witnessing how health (or the loss of it) can shape a person’s life. My mission is to create an environment where people feel supported, challenged, and empowered to discover strength they didn’t think was possible.”

Fitness is a lifelong journey of mastering your habits and your mindset.

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Uli Webster | 52

Founder of Forever Active Personal Training
Vancouver, B.C.
Instagram

For over a decade Uli Webster has helped individuals navigate the transition into their 40s and beyond with a renewed sense of vitality. Specializing in fitness for adults over 40 and seniors into their 70s and 80s, Uli provides a bridge between medical referrals and lifelong physical independence. Her programs prioritize functional strength and balance, ensuring that her clients possess the physical resilience to remain active in their communities and confident in their own homes. “I became a personal trainer because I wanted to help people discover their potential, especially those who thought their best years were behind them. Movement is one of the most powerful tools for living a full, healthy life.”

I am passionate about showing my clients that it is never too late to feel strong and capable again.

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More 2026 Features
Canada’s Top Fitness Trainers – East
Canada’s Top Fitness Trainers – Prairies
Meet the 2026 Panelists