Testimonials

As a personal trainer myself, I can be really selective about who I receive coaching from.  Vanessa is one of the few fellow coaches who I trust to coach me (if you know me, that is saying a lot).  She's been my main Olympic weightlifting coach for the last year or so and she has this incredible ability to watch me do a lift and immediately know which cue to give me to make it better. A lot of coaches know what a good lift should look like, but not as many know what cues to give you to make you do it better and Vanessa does both.  Working with her has not only made me a better weightlifter, it's also made me a better and more confident Olympic weightlifting coach for my own clients.  Train with Vanessa, she is just great. 

Adriana Javier, ACSM CPT

Vanessa is one of the best coaches I have ever worked with in my 15 years of training. She watches my lifting with thoughtful care and often offers a seemingly small adjustment which then transforms my technique, making me a better, stronger lifter. Her knowledge of human body mechanics is vast and she generously shares her wisdom with her clients with kindness, patience and a great sense of humor! I have also been deeply impressed with how well she can coach people of any body size and mobility. Not once have I felt ashamed for not being able to do a certain exercise, because she immediately has 3 or 4 alternatives that work for my body. Do not hesitate to work with Vanessa because she is truly one of the best coaches working today. ~ Tristy Taylor

I have had Vanessa as a coach in both group and one-on-one settings. I feel very lucky to have found someone like her with the skillset and considerable experience she has in Olympic weightlifting, as well as her orientation toward trauma-informed coaching. When we work together, I can count on clear descriptions of what isn’t working (weightlifting is nothing if not fussy) and creative strategies to improve. I am growing into this sport bit by bit, and learning so much from Vanessa’s eagle-eyed approach. I am a trainer myself, and I know how much patience, knowledge, skill and energy it takes to provide coaching like Vanessa does. I would not hesitate to recommend her! -Rachel Henneck

Working with Venessa has been a truly transformative experience since I started Olympic weightlifting not too long ago. She has helped solidify my passion for the sport through her guidance and unwavering support. Her keen attention to form is spot on; even the tiniest of adjustments can become a tremendous improvement. She creates a positive, energetic, and motivating environment for you to learn and to grow. Needless to say, I highly recommend Venessa. -Daniel Blake

I’ve been taking classes with Vanessa over this past year and really appreciate the welcoming and encouraging environment that she creates. As a trans woman, finding workout spaces that feel comfortable and safe is so important, and in Vanessa's classes, I find that I can just relax and focus on my workout. Vanessa provides a good balance of general instruction and focused, personalized instruction on technique to help me improve my lifts. It is so good to have a coach who prioritizes lift safety, especially after coming from other lifting backgrounds. I appreciate Vanessa's watchful eye in classes to ensure I learn safe and effective movement. Cassidy G.

There are so many ways to approach fitness and Vanessa takes advantage of every one of those to build something that works for you. Unlike other trainers I've encountered she is attentive and meets me where I'm at, but also challenges me to perform at my personal best. Vanessa has created a safe environment to show me that my body is stronger than I thought it was and through work with her I've gained more energy and excitement to see what else my body can do. -Heather P.

Through the contagious joy and enthusiasm that Vanessa shares so generously, I have been able to find my own confidence in the path of shaping a healthy physical and mental life. Even in a large class setting, she has an inimitable skill to be able to pay full attention to what I’ve been working on and suggest creative and fun ways to train. She coached me a strong sense of patience and I have complete trust in her honest assessments, because I can clearly see the improvements. I’m forever grateful and honoured to be part of a community that she tends to with overflowing love and care. -Takaaki O.

Vanessa is the best!  I've been working with her consistently for about 6 months, mainly olympic lifting and HIIT classes.  One of the many things I love about Vanessa is that she has the ability to be my greatest champion and humble me all in the same moment.  I always feel encouraged and challenged by her coaching style which is very motivating for me.  Her knowledge of physiology and her commitment to good form make for a successful workout.  I've personally advanced my lifting faster than I ever thought I could.  She has several creative mnemonics to get me to understand what she needs me to change/do.  

I look forward to going to the gym and seeing Vanessa every week. I'm looking forward to working with her for as long as she continues coaching.

-Carrie Engle