Steve Lachelt
Owner/Fitness Director

Steve Lachelt leads the PerfectFit team with over 10 years of fitness industry experience, a history as an elite athlete, and countless years of education. PerfectFit began in 2000 when Steve simply could no longer serve all the clients he had. From this point forward, Steve would set up, assess, and oversee his clients’ progress while his team of trainers, instructors, and health professionals would do the individual care.

Other athletic pursuits led Steve five years in a row to the national figure skating championships, consistently finishing in the top 10 of the Pairs event. More recently, some may have seen Steve competing in local triathlons of various lengths.

Proud of what he has been able to accomplish in others, Steve looks forward to helping you achieve your own personal PerfectFit!

Qualifications

2005
Masters, York University

1996
Bachelors of Arts, University of Victoria

2003
CPTN Post Rehab Specialist Course

2002
CPTN Weight Loss Specialists Course

1999
CPTN Certified Personal Trainer

1995
BCRPA, Personal Trainer’s Certificate

Matt Andres
Personal Trainer

Matt is a graduate of Psychology and Kinesiology at York University and has recently been able to add a Masters to his name.  He is a certified Personal Trainer who specializes in training and dieting techniques from a bodybuilding perspective which he carries over to other areas of fitness such as, weight loss and gain, shaping and toning, strength training and general overall fitness for all levels. One of the longest running trainers on the PerfectFit staff, Matt has a gift for coaching that can’t be taught. He is well liked by his clients and is able to generate phenomenal results!

Qualifications

2006
Master of Arts, Psychology

2003
Honors B.A Psychology,
Kinesiology, York University

1997
Certified Personal Trainer SPI, Sports Performance Institute

1997
3rd Place Toronto             Bodybuilding Contest

Sharone Benegbi
Yoga & Nutrition

Sharone Benegbi graduated from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in 1999 and joined the International Centre for Yogic Arts & Sciences (ICYAS) in 2002.  Sharone is a certified Ten Body Yoga Teacher, having completed 400 hours of practicum and has received her Level 1 certification and she continues her training in Laser touch healing, nutrition, counseling, medical yoga and drama therapy.

Sharone has committed her professional training to Nutrition and the Healing arts, and has been practicing and studying many classical forms of Yoga since 1983. After experiencing the benefits of Ten Body Yoga first hand, she knew it was something she was obligated to teach the world.  Ten Body Yoga is a process of transformation that will strengthen the nerves, balance the glandular system, release built up tension, relax and calm the mind while training the intuition, improve one’s flexibility, posture and muscle tone, as well as eliminate toxins while increasing circulation.  It is a way to enable one to harness the energy of the mind and the emotions, to be in control of ourselves, rather than being controlled by our thoughts and feelings.

Qualifications

2002
Yoga Level 1 & Numerology Level 1,The International Centre for Yogic Arts & Sciences

1999
Certified Nutritional Practitioner (honours), “The Institute of Holistic Nutrition” -Private College

John Calnan
Personal Trainer/Swim Instructor

John Calnan has spent a lifetime immersed in training and competition with the North York Aquatic Club. As a National level swimmer his personal commitment to training and fitness, resulted in Canadian rankings as high as fifth in the 1500 meter freestyle and 200 butterfly in 2003 and 2004, with a top 8 finish in the 1500 meter freestyle at the 2004 Canadian Olympic trials. John is presently involved with future Olympic prospects with the North York Aquatic Club. He has combined these competitive performances with an Honors degree in kinesiology in Pure and Applied Science in kinesiology, from York University, holding special qualifications in fitness assessment.

John believes that each day presents a set of opportunities and choices to improve ourselves. Our physical well being is directly related to our emotional and psychological lives. The goals we set in fitness and the improvements we make, easily overflow into all aspects of our lives.

Qualifications

2005
Bachelor of Applied      Science (York University)

2005
NCCP Level 2 Coach

2004
Certified CFC

2001
CPR certified

2001
Standard First Aid        certified

Melissa Conrad
Personal Trainer

Melissa comes to personal training with experience as a national level fitness competitor and a varsity track and field athlete. Having completed a double major, she is now pursuing her masters in Exercise Sciences. Whether it’s an activity specific program or just general fitness and health concerns, Melissa will help bring you closer to your individual goals. Her emphasis on core strength and stability with the use of stability balls and balance tools can bring about greater body awareness and functional (usable) strength to your daily activities.

Qualifications

2003
B.Sc. Biology and Psychology

2003
NSCA-PT

2003
1st place Atlantic Fitness and Bodybuilding Competition

2002
4th place Fitness World Qualifier and Natural Nationals

2001
NSFLLA Strength and Conditioning

Ronny Cowan
Personal Trainer

Before starting a career in fitness, Ronny served as a paratrooper for the Canadian Army. Since then he re-certified himself through Humber College as a professional fitness and lifestyle coach and has been working with PerfectFit ever since. Ronny has led an intense life and trains the same way. In the military he specialized in Mixed martial arts, grappling, and self-defense. His martial arts background, his education, and his experience in Canada’s Airborne Infantry creates a very different approach to training. Ronny’s programmes are unique and scientific, and always end up as killer workouts!

Qualifications

2006
CFC (Certified Fitness Consultant)

2005
Humber College Fitness & Health Diploma

2004
Brown Belt, Jiu Jitsu (Ninpo Dojo)

2001
Tour of Duty, Operation Paladium

1999
Unarmed Military Combat Certificate

Diana Gianoulias
Chiropractor

Diana has a passion for healthy living and fitness, and promotes such a lifestyle to clients and to chiropractic patients.  She initially graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor and Master of Science in physiology but then moved onto the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.  She is currently finishing a rotation with a prominent sports clinician, who specializes in sports injury rehab.

Diana has an extensive background in human physiology, which she employs in her fitness training regimen.  This includes circuit training, core strengthening, and balancing with stability balls.  Diana’s future plans include expanding her chiropractic practice, with an emphasis on total body wellness and prevention.

Qualifications

2006   
Doctor of Chiropractic

2005   
ART spine

2002   
Master of Science, Physiology

1999   
Bachelor of Science, Physiology

Edgar Hernandez
Yoga

Edgar is the consummate Yoga professional. With over ten years of experience teaching Hatha and Astanga Yoga and over 30 years of practice, Edgar brings with him a complete understanding of Yoga’s physical and spiritual benefits. His education in Yoga began in his home country, Columbia, under the mentorship of Swami Satyananda Saraswati from India. Since then he has not only moved to Toronto but also expanded his understanding of Hatha Yoga by practicing it with hundreds of Canadians and helping them to realize the joy and well being that can come from the Asanas of Hatha Yoga.

Edgar is particularly excited about sharing his insights in either one on one experiences or, in small groups as he believes that this environment only heightens the experience and the effect of the sessions!

Qualifications

2001- 2005                  Yoga Instructor, The YMCA, Toronto 
Yoga Instructor, The Workout, Yonge & Sheppard, Toronto
Yoga Instructor, Bickford Center ESL, Toronto

1998- 2000                  Yoga Instructor in the School of Astrology. Bogota, Colombia

1994- 1996                  Yoga Instructor in Chemical Schering, during my work like architect. Bogota, Colombia

1987- 1991                  Yoga Instructor in the Movement Great Universal Fraternity. Bogota, Colombia

1978                            Participed in a course with Swami Satyananda Saraswati from India. Medellin, Colombia

1979 – 1977                Participed in a two year course on Hatha Yoga in Satyananda Ashram, associated with Bihar School of Yoga, organization founded by Paramhansa Satyananda

1974                            Practiced meditation with Mahatma from India, using Maharishi Guru’s techniques

Mike McIntosh
Personal Trainer

Mike has been a long-time athlete, participating in a variety of sports including; baseball, football, track and field and competitive mogul skiing.

Weight training and achieving great accomplishments in fitness since he was 15 years old, Mike’s intensity and charisma has made him a hot commodity at PerfectFit.  Mike is an energetic trainer whose passion for results and sheer physical intuition makes him a welcome addition to the PerfectFit team.

Mark Oliver
Personal Trainer

Mark has been involved in fitness for the past 15 years. From the age of fifteen Mark has had a passion for bodybuilding, and other fitness related activities.

Mark’s philosophy for training is to always take an educated approach to designing a programme based on scientific principals suited to an individual’s goals and needs. “Nothing gets built without a proper blueprint.” Mark has worked with a variety of clientele including professional and amateur athletes, and general populations in designing periodized programmes for strength, power, hypertrophy, speed, and fat loss. Outside the gym Mark enjoys activities such as canoeing, hiking, camping, and martial arts.

Qualifications

2004
Zona Functional Foundations

2004
Fitness and Lifestyle Management Diploma, George Brown College

2004
Can Fit Pro

2003
CFC

2002
CPR

Melissa Shin
Personal Trainer

Melissa Shin is a PerfectFit discovery. Originally just a member, Melissa was spotted by Steve and asked if she would like to become a part of the training team. Melissa stood out because of her obvious passion for fitness and her passion to see success in others. Discovered and trained in house, and then certified officially Melissa is proof that great people make great Personal Trainers. Since this time Melissa has been a leader aspiring others on the team to do better and achieve better in others!

In her own words:

“I once lived my life as if I was invincible, but one day that all changed. Now it wasn’t all about me. I had responsibilities beyond just me! I did a lot of self-reflecting and re-evaluating and here I am now, loving what I do and loving life!”

Qualifications

2005
Canfitpro

Eric Wu
Massage Therapist

A 2006 addition to the Perfectfit team, Eric is a welcome member! After graduating from York University with his Bachelor of Arts in Honors Kinesiology he furthered his education by attending and graduating from the Canadian College of Massage & Hydrotherapy (CCMH) in 2005.  He remains current in his Massage Therapy profession, with experiences in many different settings such as Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy Clinics, Home/On-site Treatments and in a Hospital environment.

Prior to entering a career in Massage Therapy, Eric’s active lifestyle also shows that he practices what he preaches. Eric has spent many years training in Martial Arts and is also the Captain for 2 Dragonboat teams. Whether you need a massage to help your performance, to overcome an injury, or just simply to relax Eric’s got the experience to help!

Qualifications

2006
Member of CMTO

2005
Graduated from Canadian College Of Massage (CCMH) with Honors

2003
Graduated from York University with Honors Kinesiology and minor in Psychology.