Name: Christopher Chmiel
What he wanted to be when he grew up: Formula 1 Race Car Driver
Favourite junk food: Sour Cream & Bacon Ruffles Chips...mmmmmm
Worst childhood regret: Combing my hair
Position: Physiotherapist
How he got here:
After completing his undergraduate degree at University of Guelph where he graduated with Honours and received a Bachelors of Science in Biological Sciences and a Bachelors of Nutritional Science, he continued his education in the United Kingdom at the Leeds Metropolitan University, where he completed a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy.
Throughout his 6 years of post-secondary education, Christopher has pursued his passion in human health and rehabilitation. Christopher has experience in Musculoskeletal, Neurological, Cardio-pulmonary, Sports and multisystem injuries/disorders. As a Physiotherapist, Christopher was able to work with professional athletes with the Toronto Football Club of the MLS and English Premiere League Burnley Football Club.
Pursuing up to date research and ongoing personal development through continuing education, Christopher is continually seeking advanced skills and training in the field to provide the best available treatments and rehabilitation to help you achieve your personal functional goals.
Christopher has recently completed the Contemporary Medical Acupuncture through McMaster University and is now a registered provider. Christopher is currently working toward his certification in Manual Therapy through the Orthopedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, and his certificate in Graston technique for myofascial conditions.
Christopher is motivated, upbeat and loves to work with a multidisciplinary team to help provide, motivate, and promote expert advise and treatment plans confidently to all patients, allowing them to achieve their own individualized goals.
Name: Dr. David Revivo
What he wanted to be when he grew up: Airline Pilot
Favourite junk food: Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream (Favorite Flavors: Caramel Hat Trick and Chunky Monkey)
Worst childhood regret: Freezing like a statue instead of chasing after the hoodlum who stole my bag full of halloween candy
Position: Chiropractor
How he got here:
As a child growing up with scoliosis of the spine, I became very interested in spinal health. After two failed back surgeries and numerous years spent coping with severe back spasms and often excruciating pain, chiropractic, as they say, found me. No longer did I wish to become the surgeon that cut me open, that invades the sanctity of the human body and interferes with its innate design. Instead I chose to pursue the path of helping people with spinal issues in a way that was safe, natural, and painless.
A childhood spent "California Dreaming" saw those dreams come true when the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic invited me to pursue and acquire a Doctorate degree there. Upon graduating with Honors in 1999, I established myself in San Diego, where I started my own practice and grew it steadily over the next 12 years. Over those years, as the practice grew so did my interest in body-mind healing, energy medicine, and spirituality. I chose to specialize in a powerful transformation healing technology known as (Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique (B.E.S.T.), attaining the level of Elite Master Practitioner. B.E.S.T. enhanced my practice by offering a higher and more complete level of care, expanding the vision for treatment beyond the spine to include the mind, emotions, the soul and spirit. My experiences with B.E.S.T. opened my eyes to seeing spirituality in a new light, one that was not limited to religion, but rather encompassing it and much much more.
My journey led me to take a 6-month sabbatical to India, where I resided in an ashram (an Indian monastery) and immersed myself in the study of spirituality, prayer, meditation, and yoga, did volunteer work and plenty of selfless service. I returned to my practice transformed on many levels and armed with the strength, courage, trust and faith needed to uproot and return to my roots in Toronto, Canada, where I knew that I knew that I needed to be. Seeking to be a part of a team of practitioners united in goal, mission and vision, I was presented with the opportunity to join energyXchange/Physiomed-Leslieville. It has everything that I was seeking: Great people, a big vision, and a commitment to being on the leading edge of holistic health and wellness.
Name: Alana Bentham
What I wanted to be when I grew up: A Professional Soccer Player
Favorite junk food: Salsa and Tostitos
Worst Childhood Regret: Accidentally kicking my gymnastic teacher in the face during a cartwheel-now I don't know how to do a cartwheel!
Position: Kinesiologist
How she got here:
As a young child, I was always an active competitor in most sports- primarily soccer, volleyball, and track and field. My love for athletics and fitness has influenced my desire to pursue a degree in Kinesiology. After receiving my Bsc Honours in Kinesiology and Health Science at York University, I specialized in active rehabilitation and fitness. I also obtained my certification in Personal Training with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology.
Throughout my career thus far, I have worked with individuals one on one and in group settings. My main focus is to regain optimal physical conditioning, enhancing health, fitness and overall well-being for my clients. My passion for this industry has grown so much over the years and I am excited to be working with the team at energyXchange to help you achieve your lifestyle and fitness goals.
Name: Natalia Puchala
What she wanted to be when she grew up: professional snowboarder and ballerina
Favourite junk food: poutine!!!!
Worst childhood regret: getting a mushroom cut
Position: kinesiologist, fitness instructor, personal trainer
How She got here:
From an early age Natalia was involved in sport, dance and martial arts. Her focus on athletics led her to pursue a degree in Kinesiology. After graduation she started working for a multidisciplinary clinic where she discovered her passion for helping others achieve their health and fitness goals.
Her background in rehabilitation has shaped her work as a trainer and instructor. By focusing on building a strong foundation through education of proper exercise posture, alignment and muscle engagement, she excels at correcting common imbalances and weaknesses.
Her classes aim to make you sweat while building this foundation. Her integrative approach will help you get the most out of your workout while preventing injury and chronic pain.
Name: Colin Outram
What he wanted to be when he grew up: NHL hockey player
Favourite junk food: Chinese buffet
Worst childhood regret: Losing my shorts while learning to water ski
Position: Massage Therapist and Personal Trainer
How he got here:
My favourite childhood sports were ice hockey, mountain biking, and wrestling. At the age of 13, I began learning Chinese martial arts, tai chi and meditation. I was awarded the title of Instructor by the time I graduated from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in 1999. Through extensive clinical experience and training, I have developed a unique combination of Swedish and Oriental massage techniques, applied therapeutically to relieve pain promote wellness.
I am also a certified personal trainer. Whether you’re overweight or already fit, I will guide and challenge you to the next level of athleticism. Get ready to sweat buckets, face your greatest weaknesses and walk away a stronger person, both mentally and physically. Training includes a strategic program of cardio, functional training, body weight exercises, high-intensity intervals, boxing, core conditioning, resistance training, stretching, and nutritional support.
My personal interests include family and friends, reading, writing, music, neuro-linguistic programming, working out, ultimate fighting, yoga, and the great outdoors.
Name: Alexie Sara Johnson
What she wanted to be when she grew up: Astronaut
Favourite junk food: Burgers and fries!!
Worst childhood regret: Cutting my hair myself for several years
Position: Registered Massage Therapist
How she got here:
I first studied at OCAD majoring in sculpture and realized I loved creating/molding things with my hands. I was always interested in healthcare since my mom is a nurse and I love making people feel good and above all taking their pain away. So, I literally combined my loves of working with my hands, molding, sculpting, people and became a massage therapist. Nothing compares to being able to help people with my hands.
Name: Karen-Ann Holek
What she wanted to be when she grew up: Ballerina
Favourite junk food:Hhomemade Chocolate chip cookies & rickety uncles
Worst childhood regret: I wish I ate more chocolate because back then you could eat anything and never gain a pound!
Position: Skin Therapist (Dermalogica Facial Treatments, Body Sugaring & Body Contouring)
How she got here:
There were many things I wanted to be when I was growing up. As a child I wanted to be a ballerina. I thought tutu's where the coolest outfits in the world! As a kid I wanted to be a farmer. Once I watched "babe" I couldn't eat bacon for years! I tried day and night to get my dad to buy me a pig. He never did and I never became a farmer.
As a young adult I wanted to be a beautician. My cousin had her own salon and all the choices of polish just awed me! When it came to deciding on a career after high school I choose to take a psychology route. After deciding it wasn't for me, I found myself at niagara college in the esthetics industry. Here I am! Being a skin therapist and removing hair from people's bodies! Making them look fabulous and feel outstanding! (Are you seeing double? Yes you are! I am on the left. That is my "right hand"man, Sara. She is my partner in crime!)
Name: Tulio Romanelli
What he wanted to be when he grew up: Firefighter
Favourite junk food: All of them
Worst childhood regret: Not learn enough English while growing up
Position: Physiotherapy Assistant
How he got here:
Growing up I was always a very active child. I was always playing sports and riding my bicycle around the neighbourhood. I grew up going to the family's farm with my dad and I learnt how to do some of my favourite things, like fishing, camping, riding horses and everything related to being outdoors with nature. I had lots of fun riding Motorcycles off road with my brother who introduced me to the adventures and exciting world back country riding.
In high school I was still not completely decided of what I wanted to do. A great friend told me about this amazing profession called Physiotherapy. I became very interested in it and during the beginning of my university I realized that it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Name: Marea Taylor
What she wanted to be when she grew up: Ballerina
Favourite junk food: Other people's popcorn
Worst childhood regret: Cutting my own bangs. This picture was taken one month after.
How she got here:
My first real grown up job was working at the local gym at age 15 and I was hooked. Over 20 years later, health and wellness is still my first love. Looking back, its comical to think how much things have changed over the years, from the music to the outfits, to the routines...I can even recall when people thought yoga was a ‘here today gone tomorrow’ trend.
Back then, we didn’t fully realize how much everything was interconnected. Our nutrition to our quality of life, our mind to our health, the types of exercise we do to the way our body functions.
So I began to study various older disciplines such as yoga, and Pilates and newer methods such as vibration training, all the while concentrating on the importance of functional training.
Ultimately, this is how ‘energyXchange;the evolution of exercise’ slowly began to come to life. A place where everything works in sync, where your body is always treated as a whole and not as individual parts, and a place where your muscles are always kept guessing day after day.
It took twenty years...hope to see you soon.
Name: Carri-Lynn Wannamaker
What she wanted to be when she grew up: A phys-ed teacher that Moonlights as a WNBA Pro
Favourite junk food: Pizza
Worst childhood regret: I may have had a rats tail that I absolutely loved
Position: Clinic Director
How she got here:
The journey began long ago. I was a pretty active kid growing up starting with ballet and t-ball (i guess my parents were trying to figure out if I was more girly or boyish...my ballet career lasted one season!) My love for sports continued into high school and eventually adulthood. The older I became, the less time I had, so sports had to become an important aspect of my life in order to allow for homework, friends, volunteering and a job. My involvement in sports exposed me to a vast variety of athletic injuries and the rehabilitation aspect was fascinating to me.
I graduated from the Physiotherapy Assistant Program in 1996 and moved on to Massage Therapy focusing largely on sports therapy. Since 1999 when I graduated from Sutherland-Chan, I have worked in a variety of settings. Sporting events, fitness facilities, hotels, spas, etc. I eventually ran my own Massage Therapy company managing other health care professionals and gained further knowledge surrounding the business side of health care. In 2007, I traded my business in for a life at home as a new mother. Although, I was grateful for the opportunity to be home, I was even more excited to begin working at energyXchange.
Balance is so important in life and energyXchange is a great example of that. Balancing workouts with preventative medicine and functional exercise to keep you on top of your game, in a community environment... who wouldn't want to be a part of that?! Welcome to the UN-GYM! Come and find your balance!
Name: Kier Loney
What she wanted to be when she grew up: A Singer
Favourite junk food: McChicken meals
Worst childhood regret: Allowing myself to grow up
Position: Director of Public Affairs
How she got here:
Growing up I was always known as a dancer. I had been training since I was a little girl and it was the first thing that I was ever really passionate about. Something about telling a story through movement has always been really important to me, it is truly a universal language. I soon realized that I wanted more than to be a typical ballerina and took up singing, which I was not good at. Yet.
That's when I learned my first real lesson about getting what you want. You have to work for it. Training to be a professional singer/dancer isn't easy but one of the first things you will figure out is that your body is your temple. You get what you put in and the harder you work the more gratifying your results can be. Being at energyXchange allows me to push my body to its' limits and give my mind a peaceful break from the hustle of the city. I hope that EnergyXchange can do the same for you!
Name: Francis Taylor
What she wanted to be when she grew up: Rock Star
Favourite junk food: Beer!
Worst childhood regret: Letting my mother put a bow-tie on me
Position: Accountant
How he got here:
After failing 4th grade and almost failing out of high school, I decided money was where it's at, and pursued a career in accounting. I quickly learned that money could get you a lot of freedoms (a whole lot of music concerts).... and get you into some disaters. Balance is important, and thus... the accountant in me emerged!! I went on to graduate from Queens University with my MBA and entered the corporate world as an accountant. However I still appreciate the passion that goes into starting a small business and love to share my expertise any way I can.....oh and I really enjoy yoga!
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