Who Are We?
Solly and Rachel are partners in both life as well as fitness. As two of the most well respected and experienced fitness professionals working in Nanaimo, they have over 25 years of combined experience working with individuals and teaching group classes. Solly specializes in weight-loss, bodybuilding, strength-training, kettlebell sport, and clubbells. Rachel specializes in movement rehabilitation and as extensive education and experience in Pilates teaching both clients as well as training instructors.
Solly, B.Kin
Owner, Coach
Rachel, B.A. (Kinesiology)
Practicing Kinesiologist, Pilates Instructor
Why I Lift
For as long as I can remember I felt like a fat kid. Before I started sports and weight training I’d never felt like anyone saw me any differently, including myself. Upon entering high school I was a whopping 228 lbs and as a result I was teased by schoolmates and siblings, and was severely lacking in self-confidence.
In my second year of high school I joined the football team and the wrestling team, where I was determined to prove that I was more than people thought of me. I started lifting weights in the school gym most lunch hours and before/after school and by my senior year I received MVP honours for both teams. During that time training my butt off with weights, football, and wrestling, I started taking an interest in my diet. As I thumbed through pages of fitness magazines and supplement books I realized that the common threads were eat more protein, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and start paying attention to my basic calorie needs. With the combination of sport conditioning, weight training, and just the most basic knowledge of nutrition I managed to go from 228lbs to about 168lbs gradually over 4 years. By the time I left I had gained the confidence I needed to open myself up to others and continue to grow as a person and a professional.
Why I Coach
Coaching others to live fuller, healthier lives has been my vocation since overcoming my own obstacles and becoming a trainer 15 years ago. I thrive on keeping myself busy learning and sharing as I move towards becoming a smarter, kinder, and more well-rounded coach who takes care in building a healthy sport culture.
What I Like
When I am not lifting kettlebells you can find me in the kitchen cooking, playing my guitar, taking family photos, hiking, mushroom foraging, clam digging, making wine, and starting all sorts of DIY projects.
Live your life, enjoy food, work hard and expect success.
Coach Solly
ROLES
- Bachelor of Kinesiology – Vancouver Island University (2020 – 2025)
- Professional Development Organizer – Kin Club, Vancouver Island University (2023 – 2024)
- CKA Board of Directors (2023 – present)
- Kin Student Committee – Faculty Council (2023 – 2024)
- Grip Strength Kettlebell Competition – Co-Founder
- Sport Leader, PacificSport V.I. (2024 – 2025)
QUALIFICATIONS
- Certified Agatsu Kettlebell Instructor – Level 1
- BCWA Technical Official Level IV
- Level 1 AAKA Local Event Kettlebell Sport Judge
- NCCP Olympic Weightlifting “Club Coach” – In-Training (#5802289)
- NCCP Gymnastics Foundations (Artistic) – In-Training (#5802289)
- WKC Kettlebell Instructor – Trained
- International Coaching School, 2016 Sport Performance Cohort (Canadian Sport Institute)
- Precision Nutrition (Pn) Level 1 Certified
- Functional Movement Screening (FMS) L1
- Pain Foundations for Allied Health (Pain BC)
- Respect in Sport – Gymnastics BC
- Sport Governance Foundations – Australian Sports Commission
- Managing Risk – Australian Sports Commission
- Organizational Culture – Australian Sports Commission
KETTLEBELL SPORT ACHIEVEMENTS
- Team Canada – 2015 & 2017 IUKL Worlds
- Bronze Medal – 2017 IUKL World Kettlebell Championships, Seoul Korea
- Snatch Competition PR – 24kg x 206 (78 wt class)
- Snatch Competition PR – 28kg x 141 (78 wt class)
- Longcycle Competition PR – 2x24kg x 85 (78 wt class)
- Longcycle Competition PR – 2x28kg x 62 (78 wt class)
- Professional Longcycle – 2x32kg x 31 (80 wt class)
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
- First Place – 2021 Vancouver Pro/Am Naturals Bodybuilding (Novice)
- 2005 – Outstanding Graduating Male Athlete, Montcalm S.S.
- Silver – 2005 Western Ontario Championships (Wrestling / 77 kg)
- Gold – 2005 London, Ont. & Region City Championships (Plus: Tournament Best Male Athlete, Wrestling / 77 kg)
- Silver – 2004 Western Ontario Championships (Wrestling / 95 kg)
Quick History
Rachel earned her Kinesiology degree in 2009 at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. While attending school she worked part-time at Pilateez.com Pilates studio where she began full-time work following graduation. She became a member of the Ontario Kinesiology Association in 2009, and has since then been recognized by both the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario as well as the British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists.
Expertise
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Post-physiotherapy rehabilitation
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Hip replacement surgery preparation
- Post bypass surgery
- Pre/postnatal
- Scoliosis
- Low back pain
- Neck injuries
- Sport injuries
- Nutritional coaching
KETTLEBELL SPORT ACHIEVEMENTS
- Master of Sport – One Arm Longcycle
- Team Canada – 2015 & 2017
- 2017 IUKL World Champion – Professional One Arm Longcycle
- 2017 IUKL World Champion – Amateur Snatch
- Female Individual Athlete of the Year, 2018 Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards
- Canadian Kinesiology Alliance’s 2023 Kinesiology Event of the Year, Fitness In The Park
- Team Captain, Nanaimo Kettlebell Club
