MEET TEAM VIP
Team VIP is made up of passionate and skilled specialists including Personal Trainers, Kinesiologists, Group Fitness Instructors, Nutritionists, Massage Therapists and more! Our unique approach allows our team to work together on client accounts to ensure that clients are getting the right combination of skills! Our fitness consultant will pair you with the Trainers and Practitioners best suited to you based on goals, history, skills, personality and overall needs!
Steph Stresing
-
Masters of Kinesiology (UBC 2024)
-
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
-
Weight Management Specialist
-
Nutritionist
-
Running Specialist & Performance Coach
Steph began her fitness journey more than 15 years ago as a high performance track and field athlete. After sustaining an injury she became invloved in recreational running, now frequently running both half and full marathons, and weight training.
Steph has a keen interest on evidence based practices which is what had lead to peruse higher education. Steph is currently working on her Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology and has Master of Arts in Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Kinesiology under her belt. She is also an American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certified Personal Trainer.
Steph’s research focuses on the social influences which impact accessing healthcare services, adherence to physical activity, and the complexities of wearable fitness techonology on health promotion. Through this she understands that there is no ‘one size fits all’ appraoch to health and practicies this belief as a personal trainer.
Ben Twite
-
B.SC. Exercise & Sport Science
-
Personal Trainer
-
Sports & Recreation Training Certificate
-
Golf & Sport Specific Training Specialist
Ben is a certified Sports and Exercise Scientist, earning his bachelor's degree at RMIT University in Melbourne Australia where he grew up. Ben has 5 years of previous personal training experience working in various gyms/private studios around Melbourne.
Ben intends to advance the health outcomes and exercise performance of every individual client and specializes in weight loss, muscle building, and sports/athletic development. He intends to assist every client in improving their quality of life while assisting in achieving their specific personalized goals. He aims to create strong personal relationships with clients and lasting friendships. Ben creates personal, individualized programs that will guide you into achieving your goals.
Keeping a fit and strong lifestyle he also enjoys the outdoors and going on adventures, including hikes, skiing, and swimming along with many other team sports.
Alex Montague
-
B.SC. Kinesiology
-
Registered Kinesiologist (UBC 2018)
-
Canadian School of Osteopathy (year 5)
-
ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
-
Fascial Stretch Therapist (level 2)
-
Functional and Recovery Specialist
Alex is a certified personal trainer with ACSM, a fascial stretch therapist, and a registered kinesiologist with BCAK. He graduated from UBC with his bachelors of kinesiology in 2015 and has been designing strength, weight loss, and corrective exercise programs for nearly five years.
Alex is skilled in assessing and correcting movement patterns, designing corrective exercise programs, muscle activation, bodybuilding techniques, and sports specific functional movement. Alex is currently a student of Osteopathy manual practice at the Candian School of Osteopathy.
He's a total "human body nerd" and loves to see clients succeed at whatever their goal may be. The puzzle of figuring out not only how to make the client move correctly, and overcome plateaus, but how to modify lifestyle habits and change the way they view food, exercise, and health is what makes him love his job so much.
Rachael Kay
-
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
-
ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor
Rachael is a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor with a strong background in competitive volleyball. Her extensive experience in the gym, working with coaches, and participating in classes fuels her passion for fitness. Rachael takes a holistic approach, believing that fitness is not only about physical health but also a vital key to emotional and mental well-being.
Her mission is to inspire others to embrace fitness as a way to improve their overall wellness. Rachael's sessions are designed to make clients excited to train, knowing they will receive a challenging yet enjoyable workout. She specializes in strength and HIIT training, ensuring her clients grasp the fundamentals needed to reach their goals safely and effectively.
When she’s not training, you can find Rachael enjoying the outdoors—whether it’s at the beach, on a long walk or bike ride, or even next to you in a workout class. She sees herself not just as a coach but as a peer and partner in your fitness journey, working alongside you as a team.
Abs Bhatta
-
Administrative Assistant
-
NSCA Certified Personal Trainer
-
Group Fitness Certified
-
Sport Performance Training
-
Age specific specialization
-
Youth performance
-
Senior performance
-
Strength and Conditioning
-
Functional Training
With over six years of experience as a Personal Trainer and a background in sports, Abs brings a dynamic and relationship-focused approach to fitness. Whether you're stepping into the gym for the first time or training for your next competition, Abs is passionate about helping you feel confident in your movements and empowered in your body.
Specializing in sport-specific training and athletic performance, Abs works closely with each client to build customized programs that align with their unique goals and lifestyle. His philosophy is rooted in connection first — together, you’ll create a supportive partnership that keeps you accountable, challenged, and inspired.
Abs is especially passionate about working with beginners, taking time to teach foundational movement patterns that set the stage for long-term success and injury prevention.
Outside of the gym, you’ll find him snowboarding in the mountains, napping on the beach, or tracking down his next great meal. With Abs, training goes beyond reps and sets — it’s about building confidence, community, and a sustainable lifestyle that works for you.
Olivia Kochhar
-
Certified Pilates Instructor
With a background in dance and a lifelong love of movement, Olivia brings both energy and intention to every class she teaches. Certified through the Body & Flow Pilates program in classical mat, she blends the foundational principles of Pilates with functional movements to create a full-body, music-driven experience.
Olivia’s classes are designed for all levels, whether you're brand new to Pilates or an experienced mover. Expect to move to the beat, break a sweat, and build strength from the inside out. With a keen eye for form and a strong foundation in anatomy from her combined science degree at UBC, Olivia is passionate about helping clients deepen their mind-body connection through precise alignment, core engagement, and conscious breath.
A two-time HYROX race participant, Olivia understands the importance of training smart, breathing well, and moving with purpose. In every session, she encourages clients to use their Pilates breath to connect to their center, stabilize their spine, and enhance every rep.
Come ready to work, breathe, and flow, Olivia can’t wait to meet you on the mat!
Matthew Cartier
-
Massage Specialist
Matt began his career in 2011 where he obtained his Diploma of Massage from the Alberta College of Massage Therapy and has acquired over 10000 hours of treatment time working in multidisciplinary clinics since then. He was drawn to Massage Therapy due to an interest in body mechanics and general biology, as well as seeing the benefits it had on family members with mobility issues and muscle restrictions.
Matt believes that a combination of exercise, nutrition and soft tissue treatments are key in maintaining a healthy active lifestyle and takes great pride in being able to positively impact the quality of life in his clients with simple and accurate applications of pressure and motion.
Matt tailors every treatment to each individual as needed using different techniques such as Deep Tissue Release, Triggerpoint Therapy and Active Release Therapy among other techniques which can be focused to address specific problem areas, a general whole body focus, or just to help de-stress and relax. His specialties include general range of motion improvements as well as reducing: tension headaches, neck and lower back pain, shoulder restrictions, forearm numbness and weakness, lower leg tension, and shin splints.
Debora Lima
-
Studio Coordinator
-
NASM Certified Group Fitness Instructor
Debora's relationship with VIP started as a personal training client and gym member. She has harboured an enduring love for physical fitness, recognizing its profound impact on both her emotional and physical well-being. This passion has guided her to a fulfilling career at VIP, where she witnesses firsthand the transformative power of regular exercise and healthy living.
Working at VIP not only provides Debora with a platform to indulge in her love for fitness but also allows her to observe the remarkable progress and determination of the members. This firsthand experience serves as a constant source of inspiration, motivating her to further embrace her own fitness journey.
Beyond her role at VIP, Debora's dedication to wellness extends into her everyday life. Whether she's trying out new workout routines or sharing wellness advice with friends and family, she is committed to living a life that embodies her passion for health and fitness. Through her work and personal endeavors, Debora hopes to inspire others to prioritize their well-being and embark on their own journey to a healthier lifestyle.
Fluent in: English, Portuguese, Spanish
Jerry Yu
-
Administrative Assistant
-
Bachelors of Marketing
-
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
-
ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist
-
Group Fitness Instructor
-
Black Belt (Kyokushin Karate)
-
Brown Belt (Jiu Jitsu)
-
Competitive Kickboxer
Jerry's fitness journey began at the age of 12, sparking a passion that led him to become an ACE-certified personal trainer and martial arts instructor with over five years of industry experience. After graduating from UBC with a bachelor's degree in Marketing, Jerry sought a career that merged his marketing background with his love for fitness, ultimately finding his dream role at VIP Fitness.
Jerry is a black belt in Kyokushin Karate, a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu, and a competitive kickboxer. He enjoys sharing his martial arts knowledge with the VIP Community. In his kickboxing classes, Jerry emphasizes fitness, coordination, flexibility, and practical self-defense techniques and combos, personalized to suit our members' varied needs. Whether you're starting your fitness journey or are an experienced athlete, Jerry is committed to helping you reach your goals and building a strong community at VIP Fitness.
Fluent in: English, Mandarin
Phaedra Wright
-
Founder, CEO, Co-owner
-
BCRPA Certified Personal Trainer (2008)
-
BCRPA Certified Group Fitness Trainer
-
BCRPA Certified Weight Trainer
-
Advanced Weight Training
-
Sports Nutrition
-
Functional Training Specialist
-
Glute Training Specialist
With over 15 years in the fitness industry, Phaedra has built a reputation for turning passion into purpose—and helping others do the same. Her roots in competitive and professional dance laid the foundation for a lifelong love of movement, which evolved into a career in personal training, nutrition, and holistic wellness.
After years of working closely with clients, she realized true transformation goes beyond workouts. By integrating mindset coaching, recovery, and sustainable lifestyle practices, she began helping clients achieve results that actually last.
She launched her first training company in 2011, rebranded to VIP in 2015, and opened her flagship studio in 2018. Since then, she’s led an incredible team through challenge and change—navigating a global pandemic, scaling her brand, and continuing to evolve VIP into something more than a gym: a welcoming, inclusive space where people come to grow—physically and personally.
These days, you’ll find Phaedra coaching clients, mentoring her team, curating new wellness offerings, or hanging with her sidekick, Moons (the real boss around here).
She believes movement should feel good, growth should feel personal, and wellness should fit your real life.
Lindsey Fanning
-
General Manager, COO, Co-owner
-
Yoga Instructor (RYT 200 Hour Hatha & Vinyasa)
-
Advanced Vinyasa (RYT 100 hours)
-
Vinyasa Certificate (50 hours)
-
Yin Yoga Certificate (50 hours)
-
Traditional Thai Yogic Massage (60 hours)
-
Meditation Specialist (40 hours)
Lindsey is a dynamic and passionate professional dedicated to fostering wellness through fitness and mindfulness practices.
As the General Manager of VIP Fitness & Lifestyle, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the community. With a background in both management and yoga instruction, Lindsey seamlessly integrates fitness with mental well-being to create a supportive and empowering environment for all members.
After discovering the transformative power of yoga for herself, she became a certified yoga instructor, eager to share the benefits of this practice with others. Lindsey specializes in a range of yoga modalities including: Vinyasa; Hatha; Yin; and Pre Natal Yoga. She is passionate about offering an accessible practice for all experience levels.
Her classes are known for their emphasis on alignment, breathwork, and mindfulness, helping students to cultivate strength, flexibility, and inner peace.
With her unique blend of expertise, passion, and leadership, Lindsey is making a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals, empowering them to lead healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives.
Apply Today
We are always looking for all star talent! If you think you belong on team VIP, send us your resume!
HIRING
We are currently hiring for Group Fitness Instructors!
DOWNLOAD THE
VIP FITNESS & LIFESTYLE APP
