Sport & Rec Personal Trainers

At Sport & Rec we're proud to introduce our team of elite personal trainers, each dedicated to guiding you on your path to a healthier lifestyle. Our trainers are not only certified professionals but passionate mentors ready to help you reach your goals, whether you’re just starting out or aiming for peak performance. Please indicate your preferred coach when purchasing a personal training package.

Meet Our Personal Trainers!

Alexis Whitehorn

  • PhD Candidate: 4th Specializing in older adult physical health
  • Certified Personal Trainer: 8+ years of experience
  • Division 1 Athletes: Wheelchair basketball, cheerleading, softball
  • Football Player: 6+ years; currently in a Toronto women’s league
  • Experienced training older Adults & Community-dwelling individuals
  • Conditioning, Strength Building, Power
  • Beginner Fitness Programs: Focus on physical activity maintenance

Alexander picanco

  • 4th year of study for Bachelor of Kinesiology
  • Youth soccer and group fitness coach
  • Experience training athletes and general population
  • Passionate about soccer, fitness, travel
  • Speaks English & Greek 

Alora Riddle

  • Bachelor of Kinesiology
  • Background as competitive Soccer athlete
  • Experienced in team training with multiple UofT Varsity Blues teams

 

  • Passionate about helping clients achieve their goals through tailored support
  • Focus on building strong, empathetic coaching relationships

ANN NiYA JOSE

  • Fourth-year Bachelor of Kinesiology student at the University of Toronto, passionate about exercise, sport, movement, and human performance.
  • Background in badminton, volleyball andfigure skating, including competitive and high-level training experiences, as well as recreational involvement in rollerblading.
  • Experience with movement assessment, individualized exercise programming, adapted physical activity, and exercise psychology through SMILE and Kinesiology coursework.
  • NCCP-trained coach with an emphasis on safe, ethical, and participant-centred coaching practices.
  • Hands-on experience in a rehabilitation and clinical exercise setting, developing communication skills and learning to adapt movement and exercise to individuals with different needs and abilities.
  • Passionate about helping individuals build strength, confidence, and a positive, sustainable relationship with movement.
  • Takes an individualized approach to coaching, adapting exercise to each person's goals, abilities, experience, and comfort level.
  • Committed to creating welcoming, inclusive, and supportive fitness environments for beginners, recreational participants, and individuals working toward performance goals.
  • Brings experience in community-based sport, youth programming, leadership, and participant engagement.

Anna May

  • Fourth-year kinesiology student: focused on sports medicine and rehab science
  • Ice hockey coach for 10 years, former national-level ice hockey goalie
  • Worked with a wide range of athletes, from beginners to professionals
  • Experience working with various Varsity teams and the Olympic Weightlifting Program 
  • 2 years coaching experience with U of T
  • Bubbly, outgoing and hardworking
  • Passionate about movement and exercise: enjoys trying new forms of exercise
  • Strives to inspire athletes to do their best and enjoy their sport

Christopher roberts

  • Kinesiology and Physical Education student at University of Toronto
  • Created and led exercise programs for adults with special needs
  • Experienced with training competitive athletes
  • Competitive background in hockey, soccer, and track
  • 5 years of gym experience with a focus on bodybuilding
  • Excels in navigating the competitive mindset during training and understands the distinct dynamics between team and individual sports
  • Aims to gain new perspectives and broaden knowledge on physical activity

Elyse Gorrell

  • Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC)
  • Experience as a competitive athlete in sport karate
  • Focus on movement fundamentals and overall well-being, with the goal of empowering clients to manage both mental and physical demands
  • Focus on integrating psychological and physiological aspects of sport and exercise

Femi Akinduro

  • Bachelor of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto
  • Registered Kinesiologist, College of Kinesiologists of Ontario
  • 8+ years as a competitive track and field athlete, with high-performance strength and conditioning experience as a former University of Toronto Varsity Blues athlete
  • 6+ years as a track and field coach, supporting athletes from introductory to national levels, specializing in triple jump and high jump
  • Background in basketball, volleyball, soccer, ultimate frisbee and football
  • Experience delivering individual and small-group training for youth, adults and seniors, supporting general fitness, injury rehabilitation and sport performance
  • Offers a welcoming, client-centred approach tailored to your goals, comfort and experience
  • Puts movement quality first, helping you build confidence and enjoy the process
  • Celebrates progress in all its forms—from feeling more comfortable with an exercise to moving with greater ease in everyday life

JASON OKPERE

  • HBSc graduate in Human Biology and Neuroscience from the University of Toronto
  • Master's student in Biomedical Engineering
  • Current UofT Varsity Blues Track & Field athlete with 5 years of high-performance strength and conditioning experience
  • 7 years of recreational and athletic training experience across strength, performance, and general fitness
  • Background in soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming, and throwing events
  • Passionate about helping clients build confidence, improve technique, and achieve their fitness goals through personalized coaching plans

JOANNA TORRES

  • BSc. Kinesiology graduate from McMaster University
  • Master of Sport Sciences student at the University of Toronto
  • Experienced working with both athletic and recreational populations
  • Passionate about empowering individuals through movement and foundational training principles
  • Advocate for accessible, inclusive, and accommodating approaches to physical activity
  • Committed to fostering an encouraging and welcoming gym environment

RYLAN ARMSTRONG

  • UofT Bachelor's in Kinesiology and Physical Education, with a focus on coaching
  • UofT Varsity Blues Volleyball athlete (2021-2026)
  • 8+ Years of strength training experience
  • 8+ years of volleyball coaching experience
  • Experience in high-performance and team environments
  • Experience coaching across a wide range of ages, abilities and skill levels
  • Focuses on building strength, confidence and consistency
  • Takes an individualized approach based on experience, needs, and goals
  • Combines academics with years of experience as an athlete and coach
  • Understands the physical and mental demands of high-performance sport
  • Believes traiing should be intentional, challenging, and fun! 

sharon mathias

  • 4+ years of experience working with individuals across a range of fitness levels and goals while pursuing a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology at the University of Toronto
  • Committed to helping clients feel confident and comfortable in their fitness journey
  • Focuses on creating personalized, accessible training experiences that help clients build strength, support long-term growth, and develop sustainable exercise habits through evidence-based training

Taha Thomure

  • PhD student in Kinesiology
  • Specialization in Physical Cultural Studies and Sexual Diversity Studies

 

  • Passionate about power-lifting, basketball, and track & field throwing
  • Prioritizes well being and longevity
  • Advocate for accessible, accommodating movement approaches

Tiffany Tiu

  • Bachelor's in Kinesiology and Master's in Physical Therapy
  • Current Physical Therapist and CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist)
  • 6+ years with the Fitness & Performance team
  • Background as a competitive Track and Field athlete, currently a powerlifter
  • Combines scientific evidence, experience and expertise in Physical Therapy, sports training and strength training to create a personalized approach to your needs - from injury rehab, general fitness, to specialized strength and power, the goal is to improve athleticism, while enjoying the process
  • Clients can listen to her podcast: Paincast or find her on Instagram: @fitt.physio.tiff
  • Speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin

Vanessa Lin

  • U of T Kinesiology graduate
  • 2nd-year MSc student
  • 7 years of soccer coaching
  • 3+ years as a strength coach
  • Former UofT Varsity Blues Rowing team member
  • Passionate about soccer, hockey, lacrosse, volleyball, and figure skating