ABOUT
Kari Negraiff
Director, Envision Fitness
"I have an insatiable quest for knowledge... and a drive to do whatever it takes to get it."
I grew up spending my days outdoors – adventuring, biking, climbing trees, playing fastball, speed skating, camping with my family. I’m grateful to have been raised playing sports with coaches who fostered my curiosity for how things work.
I lost my Dad to non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when I was 11. My memories of him inspired my own dream – a place where people can be empowered through fitness to make memories with their own families.
In 2005 I graduated from the Human Kinetics faculty of UBC as Valedictorian, President of my Undergraduate Society, and top overall academic student of my class.
But I soon learned that coaching goes far beyond a trainer’s ability to perform an exercise properly themselves. Most of the clients I worked with were injured, new to exercise, and had low starting strength.
This fueled me to learn and improve. I’ve attended countless certifications and workshops, read hundreds of books and taught several courses. What makes my skill set unique is the ability to convert solutions to teachable components.
Creating Envision Fitness with Steve has been the greatest testament to my growth as a coach. I love to learn, and to teach, but most of all I am driven to help clients and fellow coaches discover their confidence.
Steve Di Tomaso
Director, Envision Fitness
"After spending a few years in the industry I realized that there was a desperate need for change... EVERYTHING could be done better."
My childhood was filled with endless athletic endeavours. I competed in speed swimming, soccer and paddle sports. Some of my fondest memories are playing street hockey with my neighbours until we were called in by our parents when it got too dark outside.
I’ve always been an active body and have difficulty staying still. A career in fitness was a no brainer, the only question was which stream of physical education? I explored them all while in university and graduated with far more credits than I could ever make use of.
After spending a few years in the industry I realized that there was a desperate need for change. EVERYTHING could be done better. Training, programs, education, layout, equipment. Everything. There were other professionals I had met along the way that shared similar views, but only Kari was willing to take the risk alongside with me.
We’ve seen our vision come to fruition with the creation of Envision Fitness. We can see how we are changing the lives of our members. It has been an amazing ride with a lot of ups and some downs but I wouldn’t hesitate to do it all over again tomorrow.
I love what our gym has become. I love our team. I love our members. There’s no other place that I would rather spend my time.
Jackson Banman
Owner, Banner Athletic Performance
"I treat my clients exactly how I would want to be treated. I know what the fitness journey is like... It is scary to push outside your comfort zone."
I was fortunate enough to have access to playing all sports at a recreational level growing up. I discovered my passion for hockey, and in high school I began to lift and train. I found a love for fitness that has continued for the past fifteen years!
It was my athletic background that led me into human kinetics and coaching professionally. I wanted to use my own experience in the gym to benefit others in the world of fitness and sport.
My goal is to help my clients become the best version of themselves, and I treat my clients exactly how I would want to be treated. I know what the fitness journey is like; I have been there and continue to travel the road. It is scary to push outside your comfort zone.
I care for my clients. I have completed events with clients, coached and cheered along from the sidelines, and have celebrated achievements together.
I believe in leading by example, and I never stop asking questions. The human condition is to learn, understand, and progress. There’s never an end point, just to try to be 1% better every day.
Christina Bonnyman
Owner, Sea 2 Sky Fitness
"It lights me up to help people find their own strength. I want my clients to know what it's like to feel confident not only in the gym, but outside of it."
Like many people who start going to the gym, I was working towards a smaller version of myself. It was a long journey, but somewhere along the way I learned how amazing it was to feel strong. There are so many benefits to exercising that have nothing to do with the way that we look.
I became a coach because it lights me up to help people find their own strength. I want my clients to know what it’s like to feel confident not only in the gym, but outside of it.
The fitness industry is filled with negative information. It uses insecurity to sell. I help my clients achieve their goals with empathy. Life is always happening… I never want a client to feel bad that they ate cake at their child’s birthday party! And as long as you are moving in the right direction, that’s progress anyone can be proud of!
And just because I’m a fitness coach, it doesn’t mean I only eat salad and protein shakes and have an easy time getting my workouts in. I still struggle with motivation sometimes. I’m all for eating my vegetables and I think that’s VERY important, but my soul also needs cookies and cinnamon buns! I teach my clients to maintain this balance, too.
When I’m not coaching, you can find me scaling the side of a mountain or running in the forest. The Great Outdoors is where I am truly myself.
Sherley Lopez
Owner, How2LiveOnEarth
"Fitness and nutrition are subjects that I see through the eyes of science - not testimony."
Let me tell you about me. I’m a nerd. Scientist. Latina. Mom. Personal Trainer. Nutritionist. Explorer. Romantic. Globe Trotter. Dance-a-holic. Health Freak. Cook. Human.
I graduated with a BSc with Honours in Human Nutrition from university in London, England and got a job with the Medical Research Council (MRC). MRC is attached to Cambridge University in England, and working there was a privilege that’s heavily impacted my approach to health. This is the institution which discovered the genome, DNA and antibiotics; MRC has won 32 Nobel Prizes – so I worked hard and learned what I could in the company of giants.
As an internationally certified Personal Trainer and a scientific Nutritionist, I see the world slightly differently than most people. Life is just as confusing to me as it is to everyone else, but fitness and nutrition aren’t.
Fitness and nutrition are subjects that I see through the eyes of science – not testimony. The good news is that being healthy doesn’t require you to go to university for four years. The principles that make scientists see their subject matter more clearly than non-scientists can be learned as habits, not lab-references. This concept is at the heart and soul of my How2Live System, which I invite you to join me in living your life by!
