matHEW benvie

I grew up in Hilden, Nova Scotia and had the best upbringing with a great family who taught us hard work and supported all the things we were involved in. Our childhood was spent outside playing sports and I don't think my parents ever missed a game.

My whole life I wanted to be a gym teacher and coach so I could be like the amazing coaches growing up. It would be my way of paying it forward.

Thankfully, while at St.FX taking Human Kinetics, I discovered a passion for helping people with their fitness goals, which is a different type of teaching/coaching. September 1st 2009 I started Evolve Fitness with a small personal training studio in downtown Halifax.

It would be way too much for a bio to talk about the fate that was involved in starting the business and the progress that has been made in the last 12 years. I've had ups and I've had many downs but I always felt supported and always had a great community around me to push forward.

2009 was just me offering one on one training and we have progressed to two locations, a virtual gym, with group fitness being our predominant offering. The last thing that is important is that I am Canada's biggest country music fan. Music and giving back to the community are my equal passions to helping people with their fitness!

MITCH BENVIE

Hello. I am Mitch! For those of you who don't know I have a twin brother and his name is Matty. I graduated from Dalhousie in 2008 with a BSc in Kinesiology and have been with Evolve since January 1st 2012! The gap between graduation and starting at Evolve was spent teaching English in South Korea and working out enough to make sure I was bigger than Matty by the time I got home (turned out to be pretty easy).

The two things I love most about Evolve and being a personal trainer are working out everyday with the best clients in the world, and also helping to educate people on nutrition and healthy living. Nutrition has become a huge passion of mine with a main focus on weeding through the BS and contradictory information we see on social media and digging into what the research says works.

Favorite trip--Lebanon 2019

Favorite TV show--The Night Manager

Favorite Food--Pizza

Favorite Brother--Tyler

Alan dalton

Alan has been a personal trainer at Evolve since 2014 and is currently the Head Instructor for the Evolve Fitness Forever program (although he still dabbles in leading the occasional boot camp).

He completed his BSc. (Honours) in Kinesiology at Dalhousie University in 2009. During his time at Dal he played varsity soccer, was the tiger mascot, and began to gain a keen interest in adapted physical activity. In his 3rd year, while taking the “Physical Activities for Persons with Disabilities” class, he created a wheelchair sport which won the Motrin “My Game, My Pain” National competition, and began to play (and later coach) wheelchair basketball. These experiences also shaped his honours thesis topic, which tested different change of direction and speed tasks for use in wheelchair basketball player assessment.

In 2011, Alan moved to Newfoundland to complete his MSc. Kinesiology at Memorial University. His thesis project centered around simulation technology for the training of offshore workers. It was during the long hours behind multi-screened computers that he realized he was not built for the “desk life” and moved back to Halifax in 2014 shortly after graduation.

Since starting with Evolve, Alan has worked with clients of all fitness levels but has found a niche working with the aging population. Certified with the Functional Aging Institute, he is determined to help everyone who walks through the door have a great but safe workout and keep them moving strong through their golden years.

SCOTT HIPPERN

Scott graduated from Acadia University in 2019 with a bachelor of Kinesiology and is certified with standard first aid and CPR. He grew up in Bedford playing golf, football, and spent a lot of time at the ski hill. He made some big changes in his life, lost a lot of weight and started focusing on health and fitness. “I love the opportunity to express and hopefully share my thirst for a healthy lifestyle with others.”

Scott loves the small community feel of Evolve and the opportunity to create social bonds with clients and make a big impact on their day-to-day lives. “The intimacy that Evolve, and especially the Bedford gym provides, is a very rewarding experience that makes me proud of not only the members, but also myself. I want to be able to show members that a healthy, happy, and fun-filled life is very possible with the right balance, and that a stringent routine isn’t always necessary.”

Scott spends most of his time teaching boot camps at the Bedford location, but can also be found filling in at Strawberry Hill.

VICTORIA SHUPE

Victoria has been working as a personal trainer for the last 10 years and exclusively in small local businesses. She primarily works with small to medium sized groups and knows how to deliver individualized, boutique-style training. Victoria actually worked with Matt and Evolve Fitness back in 2011 running some bootcamp classes!

At Evolve, you can find Victoria in the small group training room or Saturday morning bootcamps. Her small group training involves coaching up to 4 clients at one time as they work through their personalized program in a shared space. She is focused on getting her clients moving well and developing strength so that they continue to live long, healthy lives. Victoria has worked with individuals experiencing chronic pain, recovering from injury, youth athletes, teams, professional athletes, and people looking to stay fit and healthy.

Victoria completed a degree in kinesiology at Dalhousie University and has a Certified Personal Trainer certificate from the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology (CSEP). She is a Precision Nutrition Level 1 coach and is currently pursuing a degree in Applied Human Nutrition (dietetics stream) at Mount Saint Vincent University. Victoria enjoys working with clients to see how food and nutrition fit into their lives and coaching them on how to build habits that support their goals, health, and general well-being.

Victoria is a native Haligonian who enjoyed playing competitive hockey and soccer growing up. She likes to cook and one of her specialties is making rice bowls – loaded with veggies, some sort of protein, and a tasty sauce! Her all-time favourite way to relax is reading on the beach (often in Siesta Key, FL), and she plays recreational tennis in the summer.

BECKY LYTLE

Becky has been a long time and loyal member at Evolve since 2016. Since beginning her fitness journey with the team, she has passionately sung the praises of this gem of a gym to any and all who would listen. Together with her sister Laura Little, Becky has helped add to the fitness program Evolve offers its clients, by instructing regularly scheduled Cardio & Core sessions. She also subs in for the occasional boot camp (A task she particularly enjoys).

A high school Drama teacher by day, fitness motivator by night, you can always count on Becky to bring the enthusiasm and positive energy! Becky strongly believes in the community Evolve has built, and works diligently to support and contribute to that community in any way she can.

Growing up, Becky was always much more involved in the arts as opposed to athletics and struggled to see herself as an athlete. Evolve and it’s trainers have offered Becky an opportunity in adulthood that has helped to change the way she sees herself. Becky has learned to “trust the process”, by setting fitness goals, and working hard to achieve them. As a result of her own personal journey, she is committed to supporting the other clients at Evolve by helping them to build self-confidence while realizing their own potential.

LAURA LITTLE

Along with her sister, Becky Lytle, Laura currently teaches Cardio classes at Evolve Fitness Halifax and promotes a welcoming community atmosphere through her positive energy and friendly personality. Laura learned early on that a positive attitude will take you far and brings this mentality to her instructional style. A firm believer in making fitness accessible for all, Laura is always ready to suggest modifications to different exercises.

Laura joined Evolve as a client in 2016 and has been attending boot camps ever since. With a background in government policy and administration and an unnatural love of spreadsheets, Laura’s involvement on the business side of Evolve began with providing administrative assistance for the popular Evolve Fitness Challenges. She began teaching, alongside her sister, the original Cardio/Core classes in 2018.

Growing up, Laura was not involved in organized team sports yet showed promise in individual sports such as gymnastics and track and field. Ultimately, she didn’t pursue either of these paths due to a lack of self-confidence and poor body image. Instead, she followed her other passions of singing, musical theatre, and academia. It wasn’t until her mid-twenties that Laura decided to revisit individual sports such as running, fitness, cycling, and kickboxing that she ultimately found the confidence to complete a Sprint Triathlon in 2015.

As a new mom, Laura understands how challenging it can be to find time for yourself while balancing work, home, and family. While her schedule may look different now that she’s a mom, Laura now prioritizes health and fitness not only to stay strong and healthy but also to model healthy habits and body image for her daughter. Laura is proud to be helping others realize their own potential by supporting their progress, embracing balance, and living by example.

“It’s not brave if you’re not scared”

FRANK “THE TANK” HOWELL

Frank is a native of Cape Breton who now calls Fall River home. He joined Evolve Fitness in May of 2013 and never looked back. 

Growing up, basketball and cycling were his passions. He was always active even throughout university. However, one fateful day in 2008 changed his life, as he was involved in a near fatal car accident. 

Fast forward to 2013 when he found Evolve Fitness. His passion for physical fitness returned, and his body got stronger again!

Since then, he has become a dedicated part time trainer at Evolve, while working full time as a medical device rep. He is passionate about food and fitness, and tries to motivate others as much as possible. Not to mention he has a killer playlist! 

JOHN TRAMBLE

From Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, John is currently a teacher and director of basketball at Armbrae Academy. He is also a Basketball Nova Scotia High Performance coach, Halifax Hornets coach in the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association, tipping off their inaugural season in April 2022 and former Assistant Coach with the back-to-back AUS Champions Acadia Axewomen.

In his spare time, you can find John at Evolve, filling in part-time when the Benvie Boys are off gallivanting to paradises unknown, or on your screen for Virtual Evolve at home workouts.

John is a graduate from St. Francis Xavier University, where he became great friends with Matt Benvie and witnessed the beginnings of Evolve Fitness. He brings his energetic passion for living a healthy and happy lifestyle to every class, along with a “pump up the jams” playlist to wake the space and pick up the pace.

Let's take a ride on the struggle bus together and Get ER Done. Can't wait to meet all of you and best of luck on your Evolve Fitness journey!

JESSICA DOUCET

Originally from Cape Breton, Jessica moved to Halifax in 2016 to work as a Land Surveyor. Growing up, her family was big into organized sports but she had no interest in it herself.

After deciding to make some changes in her life she was introduced to Evolve through their 6 week challenges and quickly fell in love with everything they had to offer. Since becoming a member at Evolve in 2018, Jessica’s outlook on fitness and nutrition has completely changed.

She has completed her Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification and her ISSA Personal Training Certification. You can mostly find her at our Bedford location, where she teaches boot camp, cardio & core and spin classes.

Jessica draws from her personal experience joining Evolve to help relate to and help others who are feeling overwhelmed and are struggling to get started.

ANDREW MACSWAIN

Andrew was born and raised in Charlottetown, PEI and moved off the Island after completing his bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Education at UPEI in 2010. Andrew then spent a few years traveling the world for contract work in both teaching and modelling until settling in Iqaluit, Nunavut in 2016 to teach. Andrew and his wife moved back to Halifax in June 2019.

In addition to classroom teaching, Andrew has experience in coaching athletic teams. Andrew coached provincial soccer teams and developed a soccer goalkeeping school while completing his undergraduate degrees at UPEI and playing for the UPEI soccer team. Andrew also has a passion for yoga and completed his yoga teacher training in Goa, India during the winter of 2019.

Andrew joined our Evolve team in the fall of 2019 as a bootcamp fitness instructor and in late 2019, he also began teaching yoga.

Andrew loves the fitness community at Evolve and is driven by the energy from each client and colleague he works with. He appreciates the challenge of tailoring his fitness classes to each individuals' comfort and skill level. He enjoys training in an environment that exposes him to individuals with a wide-variety of fitness levels and goals. He has a passion for life-long learning and overall mental and physical wellness and he feels that Evolve is the perfect place for him to grow in his experience as a yoga and fitness instructor for many years to come.

ZOE INGRAHAM

Growing up in the small town of Lunenburg, Zoe knew what it meant to involve herself in the community, so it felt completely natural to join the Evolve team! Throughout high school, she played every sport possible, which kick started her keen interest in fitness and nutrition. When she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition at Acadia University she knew that she wanted to work in an upstream wellness environment.

Zoe’s personal journey has provided her with a unique understanding of the struggle associated with food and body image. She takes a holistic, strength-based approach to helping clients, and believes that healthy eating combined with a positive attitude is fundamental to physical and mental well-being. Zoe is a certified mindfulness and meditation teacher.

Outside of Evolve, Zoe loves spending time with her two cats, and has recently begun using her organizational talents to help others declutter their lives.

JEN HARBIN

Jen is a certified yoga and mindfulness instructor with a personal and professional focus on resilience and connection. Jen's philosophy is that success is achieved when you uncover your unique talent and use it to create change.

Her professional background includes an extensive career in government, non profit and entrepreneurship, however her true passion is supporting others to recognize their ability to have an impact and live with purpose. An active advocate for Cystic Fibrosis and regulatory change, Jen draws on her experience to bring motivation and mindfulness to each of her sessions.

When she's not instructing yoga and mindfulness for our Evolve at Home and corporate clients, Jen is also Evolve's Business Manager and all-around rockstar on the admin side of things.

AMY MUENCH

Amy’s time at Evolve began as a client in 2017. After a very successful 50lb weight loss, she fell in love with strength training and naturally transitioned into the sport of competitive powerlifting, where she now holds multiple national records with WPC Canada Powerlifting for her squat, bench, and deadlift.

In 2020, Amy decided to move into a coaching career and help others reach their goals. She uses nutrition and training strategies along with her own experience to guide others through weight loss, strength building, and improving performance. She is passionate about helping others work through physical and mental blocks and discover what they are capable of.

Amy is certified with the International Sport Sciences Association as a Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Sports Nutritionist, and Personal Trainer. She is also a Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach.

Outside of the gym, Amy can usually be found in her cake studio running her other business, Cake Babes, most likely with some classic 80’s & 90’s country playing in the background!

CHRISTINE INGHAM

Christine joined the Evolve team at the end of 2020 to help with the additional administrative tasks that come with adding a virtual fitness offering to a busy boutique gym.

Originally from Pictou County, Christine moved to Halifax in 2014 to attend Saint Mary's University for a Bachelor of Commerce. She had initially planned to move to a bigger city after getting her degree, but after spending a semester studying in Spain, she realized how much she loved Halifax and is here to stay.

Christine thrives on being able to wear multiple hats, working on an array of projects at once and making her colleague's jobs easier, which is what drew her to working in an assistant role. Evolve's tight-knit community and love of giving back were how she knew this position would be a perfect fit.

At Evolve, you can find her answering questions for clients, organizing the space, planning challenge parties or uploading content to the member site. In her free time, you can find her hiking with her dog, baking mediocre cakes or attending bootcamp. Christine's favourite exercise is deadlifts, and her favourite post-workout snack is a banana!

DEMETRIUS “MEECH” FERGUSON

Demetrius Ferguson, known as Meech, was born and raised in the islands of the Bahamas, and has been a Haligonian for the past 6 years. He is a former dual student athlete at Saint Francis Xavier university, playing both Football and Track & Field. Fitness and sports have always been a huge part of his life for as long as he can remember. Meech loves connecting with people in his community and enjoys networking. You can also find him exploring the great outdoors, he’s an avid hiker, and enjoys adventuring with his dogs as much as possible.

You’ll always find him moving.. if it’s working out, trail running, or still competing in numerous recreational sports around the city including, football, basketball, softball, and volleyball.

Here’s a fun fact about Meech, he’s also a trained volunteer Doula, and is only one of two trained male doulas in Canada. One of his favourite phrases he says on a daily basis is; “Try to take over the world” which is a quote from his favourite cartoon Pinky & The Brain.

SARAH WAUGH

Sarah joined the Evolve team in 2021 after being inspired watching her husband successfully lose approximately 75lbs and adopt a much healthier lifestyle through challenges and mentoring with Evolve. She graduated from Acadia university in 2007 with a degree in Kinesiology, she went on to the University of Western Ontario to gain a Masters of Occupational Therapy. Since moving back home to Nova Scotia in 2010 Sarah has pursued her passion of working with young children and babies at the IWK, where she continues to work part time.

Sarah grew up just outside Halifax and as a youth was competitive swimmer which she continued in university and then as a masters swimmer for many years. Since welcoming two kiddos she has become an avid runner, including a few marathons and half marathons. She can often be found at Evolve leading early morning boot camps both virtual and in person and jumping in on cardio classes when needed!

Sarah has a passion for helping other find that fine balance in life which includes enjoyable exercise and healthy eating choices. As a mom she is constantly seeking great new foods and recipes to share with her family.

Sarah can often be found at Evolve leading early morning boot camps both virtual and in person and jumping in on cardio classes when needed!

HENRICK STRAIT-HINNERICHSEN

My journey started with having a natural enthusiasm for life and the outdoors, which evolved into a passion for competitive running, endurance obstacle course racing and triathlons over 10 years ago at regional, North American, and World Championship levels.

I’ve learned that your mind will quit before your body does, so I get excited helping others see and experience what their bodies are capable of with just enough hard work.

Active as a volunteer trainer in the HRM for the past 7 years, I love to celebrate people’s successes; from your first pull up, to your 100th, your goals are worth celebrating.

I make it a goal to help you achieve a happy and well-balanced lifestyle, and have a lot of fun along the way. Remember: Be kind to yourself. It’s the long haul that makes the difference in your life, and it’s worth it. You’re worth it!

MARY VEINOTTE

Mary grew up in Guysborough, NS playing and watching every single sport you could possibly imagine and translated that passion of physical activity into a 20 year (and counting) career as a Junior High Phys Ed teacher in HRM. Inspiring young people to make physical activity part of their life was the catalyst to inspire Mary to do the same for herself and her family. Although she is still a fanatic of all things sport, she “evolve”d to realize that the benefits of functional fitness has more of an impact on quality of life than a pick up baseball game.

After a traumatic accident (at the age of 42) that rendered her bedridden and immoblie for months, Mary found Evolve and increased her strength, confidence and belief in the benefits of strength training especially to women of her “vintage” and hasn’t looked back. Mary is an active client of Evolve (still trains 4-5 times per week) and you can now find her teaching evenings/weekends in Bedford and filling in periodically at Strawberry Hill.

Mary’s passion and enthusiasm for training shine through in her classes. Always inspiring a never-give up work ethic with an eclectic mix of 90’s jams and current hits, her classes have a tendency to make you work up a sweat while wearing a smile.

It’s never too late to start, your body can do more than you think it can, and singing while sweating is a vibe that can’t be beat.

AARON SMALL

Originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland, I grew up as an athlete playing a wide range of sports. After high school, I pursued a degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Memorial University. While in university, I played junior hockey and began to fall in love with training and seeing how strength and conditioning translates to athletics and performance.

I moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2019 where I graduated from the University of Manitoba Kinesiology Athletic Therapy program in 2022, certifying as an Athletic Therapist in July 2022. During my education at the UofM, I gained valuable clinical experience working with a wide variety of varsity athletes, including basketball, volleyball, hockey, track and field, football, swimming and even golf.

While pursuing my degree, I became a Personal Trainer through the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. In 2021-2022 I worked as a student athletic therapist with the Winnipeg Ice of the WHL where I had the ability to learn the profession while working with elite athletes.

As a trainer, I base my teaching and coaching on proper form education, biomechanics and anatomical movement to ensure that clients are training at their most optimal level to get as strong and healthy as possible.

My goals are to show the power and importance of movement and exercise in everyday life to restore function and to get you back to the sports and activities you love to do. By developing strength and healthy movement patterns, we unlock the freedom to push ourselves more than we ever thought we could, to be the best athlete of life that we can be.

DONNY MOSS

Bio Coming Soon

BOBBY PEDERSEN

Dalhousie University: Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology – CSEP-CPT
NCCP – Hockey Canada coach certification
Titliest Performance Institute (TPI) - Level 1

Growing up playing competitive sports I always knew when my playing days were over I wanted to stay involved in athletics and make my passion into a career. After graduating from Dalhousie University, I worked for three years as the Director of Athletics and Head Off ice instructor at a private school in Nova Scotia, then began working with clients and athletes full time.

I have been a Strength & Conditioning Coach for the past 17 years and currently work with general population, rehabilitation clients and athletes /teams at all levels. Working with young athletes to achieve their goals is an extremely rewarding profession. I take pride in providing programs for my clients using science-based training to allow them to reach their full potential. I like to use those same training principals with general population clients to improve balance, strength flexibility, and overall health.

Outside of work I enjoy being outdoors, spending time with my family, and getting out on the golf course as much as possible.

RACHAEL PENNY

Rachael Penny is a creative vinyasa teacher from Halifax, NS. With a background in aerials/circus arts, she brings creative pathways to challenge and explore mobility and strength in every class she teaches.

You'll often find her bending over backwards or balancing on her hands. She aims to provide options for beginners through advanced movers and believes yoga should be accessible for everyone!

COURTNEY DONOVAN

I am a “come from away” transplant who found myself in Halifax in 2009, having moved with my now adult son.  I had been active and passionate about life long healthy living since my childhood and began to dabble in road running and triathlons after my son was born and I needed an outlet.  When I moved to NS from ON in 2009, I found myself kind of floundering to find a “community”.  I was introduced through friends to the Benvie Brothers and the beginnings of Evolve and have continued to have that community in my periphery as I found my own way here. 

My everyday background is in Occupational Health and Safety and has been for over 20 years.  As I developed friendships, I eventually made the leap and took the passion I put towards a workout tribe we’ve had going since 2015 and joined Evolve Dartmouth in the winter of 2023.  I get as much joy and satisfaction in watching clients come in for the first time, working towards and surpassing their goals as I do when I set them for myself.

Nickname:  Honey Badger

Favourite time to workout:  EARLY AM!

Other passions:  Time with friends having coffee and chats, hikes, cycling, running, swimming and reading (when I find the time!)

Favourite drink: Coffee

NINA BRIEN

Nina started at Evolve right as the pandemic of 2020 hit and she hasn't looked back!

Originally from Bedford, Nina graduated from MSVU in 2014 after playing 5 years of basketball as a Varsity athlete. She was never the most talented player on the court but what kept her going was her ability to last the longest! This love for fitness is now instilled in her as she started to see success on the basketball court and in her personal life.

Basketball is a passion for her so she continues to coach in the community. First with Citadel High School Phoenix and currently with her alma mater MSVU as an assistant coach. Her coaching energy transfers well to Evolve Fitness classes as she loves to keep people motivated and encouraged.

Not only does she work at Evolve Fitness, but Nina also works at Evolve Integrated Health as a Registered Massage Therapist. The education she learned in school has allowed her to grow her knowledge of anatomy and fitness which helps her when teaching classes, giving massages and helping clients feel better. So wither you want a relaxing massage, or are in need of some treatments after injury or a hard workout, you can find Nina just next door!

"The best thing you can do for your body is move it - so why not have fun doing it?"

AMANDA BOND

Amanda completed her personal training certification through ACE in 2018.

Although her passion and experience in fitness started long before. Born in England Amanda grew up in Australia and moved to Vancouver, Canada in 2010. Amanda worked at a local dance studio teaching pole dancing, and trained at a kettlebell gym that fueled her passion to become a certified personal trainer. After moving to Elmsdale, Nova Scotia in 2017 Amanda worked as a gymnastics and trampoline coach, a personal trainer and group fitness instructor.

Amanda is an Agatsu certified kettlebell instructor and most recently completed her Pre/Postnatal Fitness Training.

A mother of two, most recently giving birth to a boy last May (2022) she understands challenges related to pregnancy and body image. Amanda is also a strong advocate for mental health, and openly shares her story and challenges.

Amanda has a strong focus on proper technique and form, she enjoys strength training and showing people what they are capable of.

AMANDA CHAMBERS

I grew up in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia and moved to Halifax when I was 19 (that wasn’t yesterday!). I spent all of my childhood playing soccer and I love it so much I still play competitively – at 41 years old – and plan to play until my body no longer allows.

I knew I always wanted to help people with their health, I just wasn’t sure in what way. I went to MSVU and took Nutrition, thinking that was the avenue I wanted to take but fitness has always been my passion. I spent three years working at Nubody’s (now GoodLife) at one of their downtown locations and I just knew then that that atmosphere was my calling. I became a certified personal trainer through canfit pro in December 2021 and haven’t looked back!

When I found out that Matt and Mitch took over The Barn here in Elmsdale, I knew I wanted to be a part of their team and help members in my community live their best life. I currently teach bootcamp classes at the Elmsdale location part time and love it!

LISA BALDWIN

Lisa grew up in Dartmouth and now lives in Mineville. She loves being outdoors at the beach or walking the trails with her frenchie Cujo who you may get the pleasure of meeting at our Dartmouth location. 

Travelling is her passion, she has been to 28 countries and counting. There is so much beauty in the world to explore and she plans to experience as much of it as she can! 

She believes in hard work and has three jobs she loves! She has always had a passion for teaching as an elementary school teacher which translates into her fitness classes with well instructed workouts. She also waitresses and has always enjoyed the social aspect of this job and the interesting conversations she has with her customers as well as her fitness clients. Finally she is a fitness instructor with us at Evolve as well as a part time Personal Trainer from home. For the past 10 years she has been sharing her passion for fitness with others and helping her clients reach their health and fitness goals. Whether it is in her boot camps, PT sessions or spin classes she loves pushing clients to work hard and try their best! 

DAWN MONK

The day after my 28th birthday, my father was playing softball with his lifelong buddies and died of a heart attack on the field. He was 58.

By the age of 30, after having had 3 children, I still hadn’t ever been able to touch my toes, but I also “didn’t have to exercise” because I was “gifted” the genetics of being slim without effort. I was young and painfully naive. 

Knowing cardiovascular health was super important given my family history, I eventually began to attend some aerobics classes (it’s ok if you instantly thought of sweatbands and wristbands). I was addicted. 

It was only 6 years ago when I mustered up the courage to become a FIS. I have the biggest case of Imposter Syndrome you could ever come across.  

Since I am a little late to the fitness game, I have a profound sense of kinship with the newbies, the fraidy cats and the “everyone else knows what they’re doing but me” participants in my class. I completely get the outsider feeling, like you don’t fit in. With that in mind, I have never been in better shape physically, or maybe more importantly, mentally in my life and want to help everyone get to that place. 

If you and I haven’t crossed paths yet, and you consider yourself an underdog, I can’t wait to meet you and cheer you on. I’m kinda loud. 

Oh, and be forewarned, I might challenge you a little. 

JACKIE KELLESTINE

I love working in the gym! I got my first gym membership when I was 12 years old and still love the vibe 25 years later. 

I have lived most of my life in Dartmouth/Cole Harbour. I moved to Calgary after high school, and did the wild wild west thing for 8 years. I cherish those years deeply, but NS is my home and I am happy and thankful to raising my kids here.

I keep busy with my family and love spending time with my kids. At ages 13 and 11, my babies are growing up and I have started a new career as their professional chauffeur.

Things I love (no specific order):

My kids

My man

My mom

My friends

Food

Running

Swimming

Cycling

Racing

My dogs

Accounting

The sun

DANA MASON

Dana grew up in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia spending much of her youth in the rink playing Ringette. It is through the sport that she discovered the love of athletics, training and competition. She played other sports- Swimming, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball , Cross Country  and Track but Ringette was her main focus and where she excelled. A three time All-Canadian she started giving back to the sport after University and began coaching. 

Dana holds a BSc in Health Education from Dalhousie University. In 1988 she began teaching fitness at various studios and gyms in the HRM, eventually becoming a Trainer of Trainers for the YM/YWCA. With almost 35 years experience leading fitness classes Dana has taught many different styles such as Aerobics, Boxfit, Aquafit, Toning & Strengthening, Slide , Spin and her favorite Step.

Always active and loving a challenge Dana took up running when she turned 40. She has since run 13 Full Marathons with a goal to run all 6 of the majors ( To date she has run 3 of them- Boston, New York & Chicago).

Dana is married ( Paul ) with 2 adult children ( Kirsti & Liam) She has a dog, Marli ( a Morkie) and 3 granddogs- Fleury (German Shepherd)/ Leo ( Beagle)/ Rylee (Dachshund).

“ It’s NEVER too LATE to BEGIN’ is what she likes to tell her participants. Dana recently joined the Evolve team as the Head Trainer / Manager of our newest location in Dartmouth after leaving her job of 22 years in the Pharmacy sector. The decision she admits was a tough one but she quickly realized that working Full time in the Fitness Industry is where she was best suited. 

Dana looks forward to growing our Dartmouth location.

LIZA MACDONALD

Liza was one of Evolve’s first clients in 2007 “pre Benvie brothers” and has always had a passion for fitness.  A busy career led to a long hiatus but she found her way back in 2018 when the new Strawberry Hill location opened and has been a loyal member ever since.  She is a firm believer that Evolve is so much more than a gym, it’s a community and one she’s proud to be part of. 

Liza’s background may be a bit different than most trainers. Her career has been spent in the financial services industry. She has an MBA from Saint Mary’s University, holds her Personal Financial Planning designation and is a Royal Roads University Certified Executive Coach.  She has a love of coaching and leadership and has now found a way to combine her depth of experience with her love of fitness, nutrition and overall wellness.  

She is certified with the International Sports Sciences Association as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Nutritionist and is currently working on her Health Coach and Lifespan Coach certifications. Liza is a believer that it’s the small consistent changes in behaviors over time that warrant the best results – it’s about lifestyles choice that are sustainable. 

You can find this “client turned trainer” covering classes at the Halifax and Dartmouth locations and of course working out herself in bootcamps and in the women’s strength training program. 

“Nothing changes if nothing changes”