Continuing Education Workshops and Certifications

Cheryl Gillen has been an instructor with the YMCA for over 35 years, teaching at various centres including Cartierville, Westmount, NDG, Saint-Laurent, and the West Island.

In addition to being a certified Pound® instructor, she has taught a wide range of classes over the years including hi/low aerobics, step, toning, HIIT, circuit, aerobox, stretch and strength,  aquafit, fitness for seniors, just to name a few. Is there anything she cannot do? Come join her for this energizing fun filled event!

Evan Beloff is a personal trainer, wellness coach, and certified naturopath with a focus on dietary epidemiology. Outside his private practice and teaching, he has worked for the Westmount YMCA for close to a decade.

Farrell has served as a master instructor for both Fitness Kickboxing Canada and EBFA Global. He has a certification in FMS 1 & 2, Animal Flow 1 & 2, Precision Nutrition 1, Bioforce Conditioning, and YMCA Corrective Conditioning and Individual Conditioning.

Farrell has taught the Personal Trainer Certification course as well as many other continuing education workshops at the YMCA. In 2022, Farrell began facilitating webinars for AARP. Teaching is one of his great passions and he is excited to bring this course to you.

With a strong background in fitness leadership and a keen interest in promoting healthy lifestyles, Louise Malone recently joined the Sylvan Adams YM-YWHA team as fitness engagement manager.

Louise is certified in multiple disciplines, including injury rehabilitation, corrective exercise, Pilates and group fitness. Louise is also a trainer for YMCA Canada, teaching in their Personal Training Certification program.

Louise studied physical education at McGill University, and holds a certificate in sports therapy. In her spare time, Louise enjoys teaching small group personal training and indoor cycling, and networking with fellow fitness professionals.

With over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, Marie-Eve Ricard is a PRO TRAINER for canfitpro, and she is renowned for her accessibility-, enjoyment-, and holistic health-focused approach. As the inaugural recipient of the Industry Impact Award, she leverages her expertise to train instructors and enhance the quality of group fitness classes.

Holding a bachelor’s degree in physical and health education, Marie-Eve collaborates with various organizations to deliver engaging trainings, both in person and virtually. Her contagious passion makes her sessions unique, motivating, and impactful.

Martin has been working for the YMCA for over 25 years and teaching at the University of Montréal’s School of Kinesiology and Physical Activity Sciences since 2001. His kinesiology specializations include training for athletes and non-athletes, fitness assessments, exercise physiology, and the effects of exercise on health.

He is self-employed and works as a trainer for a diverse clientele. Additionally, he is a lecturer and co-author of the series Mythes et réalités sur l’entraînement physique, la musculation, la course à pied et le vélo, published by Éditions de l’Homme.

An award-winning presenter, Nathalie is the coach and cupid of the fitness industry. She blends decades of international experience with degrees in psychology and exercise science to ensure fitness and wellness professionals thrive in their career.

An expert in motivation, Nathalie uses her joie de vivre to coach profound and lasting changes with her clients and audiences.

Zeina has a bachelor’s degree in Dietetics from McGill University. She is a dietitian-nutritionist and member of the Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec (OPDQ), the Dietitians of Canada, and the Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH). She was also awarded the “Best Healthy Living Advocate 2017–2018” prize by DietSpotlight.com.

Zeina advises a clientele who wants to change their lifestyle habits, whether it is to increase their energy levels, improve their sports performances, or simply lead a healthier life. She can help people manage their digestive problems and medical issues, such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and arthritis, all through an intuitive approach to eating. Zeina understands that eating brings pleasure and, therefore, shows how adopting a healthy lifestyle is not about depriving yourself or personal culpability, but rather making better choices more often. Sometimes, it is not just what you eat, but how you eat.

Zeina also likes exercising, trying new foods and restaurants, travelling, cooking, and meeting new people.

Helen holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Concordia University with a specialization in Adapted Physical Activity. She has worked in the fitness industry for over 25 years and been a presenter for over 15 years. Helen is a YMCA Canada Champion who teaches the Basic Theory course, Group Cardio Strength course, Group Cycling Course as well as the Functional Training for Aging Adults course offered by the YMCAs of Quebec. 

She is a personal trainer and group fitness instructor who believes in having fun and working hard without jeopardizing the safety of her participants or clients. Respecting the human body and its limitations are Helen’s fundamental values all while helping her clients and participants achieve their full potential. Helen brings a wealth of knowledge into all her presentations and hopes to share with you her passion for making group fitness classes safe and successful.

Lisa McLellan graduated from Concordia University with a BA in Contemporary Dance. She went on to do her MA in Dance Therapy in Boulder, Colorado where she was introduced to a variety of approaches including Authentic Movement, Body-Mind Centering and Tibetan Buddhism. This specialized education combined with her dance training fostered in Lisa a profound understanding of how body and mind come into alignment to improve and enhance life, meaning and pupose. 

Founder and CEO of Age Smart Fitness Academy, Lisa shares solutions for innovative and enjoyable programming to improve quality of life, vitality and disease prevention. Lisa has developed a safe and effective approach to health and happiness through fitness and active aging programs.

I hold a BA in Human Relations and have over 10 years of experience working as a Youth Worker and Program Coordinator at the West Island YMCA. After losing over 100 lbs, I pursued my YMCA Individual Conditioning Certification and launched my own coaching business, where I now work exclusively with women. I am also a certified kettlebell instructor and Size Inclusive Fitness Specialist.

My work focuses on helping women build a healthier, more sustainable relationship with movement by improving strength, confidence, body image, and overall well-being. Alongside coaching clients, I also educate fitness professionals on the stigma and barriers people in larger bodies often face when accessing fitness spaces. 

Through both personal and professional experience, I’ve seen that long-term change comes not from punishment or perfection, but from creating an approach to movement that feels supportive, accessible, and sustainable.