My passion for fitness was ignited the very first time I stepped into a gym back in 2003. I’d always been drawn to solo sports – ski team, swim team – but I held back. I was scared to really push, to fail. So I coasted. Good enough, but never all in.
After high school and university, I found myself stuck behind a desk in a full-time office job. My body ached constantly from sitting all day. But it wasn’t just the physical pain – it was the mental drain too. I was in a toxic relationship, and by the time it ended, I felt completely broken. I was depressed. Numb.
Then, one day while standing in a grocery store line, I picked up a copy of Women’s Health. Inside was a photo of a woman with a strong, sculpted back, and something inside me lit up. She looked powerful. Capable. Free. I didn’t just want to look like her. I wanted to feel like her.
The very next day, I went to the local pool and got a free gym membership—thankfully, I qualified due to my income. I had no clue what I was doing. But that first workout? Something shifted. I didn’t walk out with abs or muscle – but I left with something even more important. A spark. A sense of strength I hadn’t felt in years. For the first time, I felt like I had control.
It wasn’t about aesthetics. It was about how it made me feel. Empowered. Focused. Alive. That gym became my sanctuary – my escape from the chaos of my own mind.
And that’s when I knew: I had found my path.
Age:
41
City/Country:
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Occupation?
Private Gym Owner
What’s the most challenging situation you’ve faced as a personal trainer, and how did you overcome it?
The most challenging situation I faced as a personal trainer was actually making the leap into the profession. Transitioning careers and figuring out how to become a qualified professional in an industry overflowing with misinformation and quick fixes was overwhelming. There’s so much snake oil out there, and I didn’t want to be part of that noise. I wanted to learn from credible, experienced professionals and be someone my clients could truly trust. Thankfully, I found an incredible mentor early on who helped me cut through the fluff and guided me toward real, evidence-based education. That mentorship was a game-changer. It gave me the clarity, confidence, and foundation I needed to show up with integrity and build a career rooted in true knowledge – not gimmicks.
How would you describe your training philosophy?
My training philosophy is grounded in the belief that true transformation begins with understanding your personal “Why.” For me, it was about reclaiming strength – physically and emotionally and building a life rooted in confidence, resilience, and purpose.
I help others do the same by guiding them to identify what exercise truly means to them and then creating a path that supports those values. When movement is connected to something meaningful, consistency becomes natural and growth becomes inevitable.
Strength isn’t just built in the gym – it’s built in the way we show up for ourselves. Feeling strong in your body unlocks strength in every other area of life. My goal is to help you tap into that power, one step at a time.
Status Fitness now has state-of-the-art training facilities in both Los Angeles, California and Vancouver, Canada. It’s ideal for advanced training and content creation like apps and programs. As a status-published athlete/coach, you could get a personal invite to our studios. What are your thoughts on this opportunity? Sounds excellent! Id love to come.
Training Plan:
I am currently in a postnatal exercise plan. No stress or pressure style strength training. 3x a week
Nutritional Plan:
Currently following high high-protein, carb cycling plan that is not macro-based.
Supplement Plan:
I love my BioEdge, but I am breastfeeding and limited to the greens and protein and hydration aminos.
Do you prefer to take and recommend all natural (no sugar, no artificial colors/flavors/sweeteners) supplements or supplements with artificial flavors and sweeteners? And Why?
100% that’s why I love Bioedge! I am no spring chicken, and I prefer to play the long game when it comes to my health, and science is leaning towards all that artificial stuff is not good!
If you could ask Status Fitness Magazine Editor in Chief Rodney Jang any industry question, what would that be?
What keeps you motivated to continue your life path in the fitness industry?
Could you describe a “typical” day in your life? How do you balance your own fitness, work, and personal life? Well, l with kids, no two days are the same. It’s a fail-forward process, but hey, that’s life! I know how exercise and solid nutrition make me feel. So I lean into it even if it’s not perfect.
What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming goals, projects, or passions you’re excited to pursue within the fitness world?
My current goals are to gain my strength back after giving birth 10 months ago. Also, to continue to create a safe training space for our Body Tempo Community to dive into their goals of living stronger, healthy lifestyles. Maybe a photoshoot in September.. we will see lol.
Your favourite quotes?
A winner never quits, and a quitter never wins.
Connect with Erin: IG| Youtube Channel
Main Photo: Dave Laus
