2012 Canadian Trainer of the Year Challenge
Print
Certifications, diplomas, contest trophies, clients from all walks of life, and multiple logged hours of training, coaching, encouragement and results … this is the life and lifestyle of a personal trainer, also known as your pre-contest prep gurus, also known as your elite strength coaches and so on. If you can’t get to them, they’ll often come to you. And, if you’re lucky enough to get a good one, hold on tight—because the value of a personal trainer is worth its weight in gold.
When MUSCLE INSIDER partnered with Optimum Nutrition to find Canada’s “good ones,” the response was overwhelming. Fifty nominees made the cut for Canadian Trainer of the Year, and all 50, we’re proud to say, were adamant and grateful that their clients’ successes were bound to their own. Of the many disciplines they brought to work with them every day, many cited that their clients appreciated their persistence and follow-up, that they looked the part of strength and fitness, that they provided visual proof that total-body transformations were achievable, and that showing their clients the “improved” big picture motivated them to attain new heights—from better overall conditioning to their first bodybuilding competition.
So, to reward these deserving athletes in their own right, we rained down $50,000 worth of free supplements, clothing, shaker cups, product samples, and more! Now, armed with boxes of supplements to share with their clients and, of course, the honour of being nominated as one of Canada’s Best Personal Trainers, our nominees—who are no strang-ers to competition—could go head-to-head to vie for the title of male and female Canadian Trainer of the Year!
The challenge was clear: Whoever could build the most hype about their diet, training, and supplement advice would be declared the winner. And sure enough, we found a couple of great ones.
OVERALL CHAMPIONS
Taking top honours as your Canadian Personal Trainers of the Year are Carlos Mazariego from Oakville, Ontario, who has worked as a full-time personal trainer and fitness coach for over 12 years, and Kate Durst-Suarez from Timmins, Ontario, who is a seasoned competitor and multi-disciplined fitness, figure, and bikini coach.
RUNNER-UP CHAMPIONS
In the runner-up positions are Todd Hnatiuk from Burnaby, British Columbia, who has been training for the last 22 years and can relate to clients wanting to add bulk to their frame, and Alexa Anne Georgas from Barrie, Ontario, whose own body transformation 15 years ago inspired her brand of Alexacise science and nutrition programs. Thank You, Optimum Nutrition
Congratulations to our winners and all our nominees, and a big thank you to Optimum Nutrition for their support and generous contributions to make this program happen! Check out the MUSCLE INSIDER Athlete Profile gallery to review all Canadian Trainer of the Year nominees!
ABOUT THE CHAMPIONS...
Carlos Mazariego
Oakville, ON
Twitter: @CarlosMzrg FB: carlos.mzrg
“Since age 15, the fitness industry has always called my attention,” says Carlos Mazariego. “After 12 years in the industry and four years as a full-time trainer/coach, I eat, live, and breathe this world and get a natural rush from helping others.”
Kate Durst-Suarez
ISSA, CPT, MSEd
Timmins, ON
While Kate Durst-Suarez has always been involved in sports, she began competing in the OPA figure division in 2009. Kate’s training company runs multiple training services, and she also coaches a competitive bikini and figure team—in 2011, her athletes all placed within the top five.
RUNNER-UP CHAMPIONS
Todd Hnatiuk
CanFitPro PTS
Burnaby, BC
Todd Hnatiuk’s foray into fitness began in 1990 with a New Year’s resolution to add weight to “my frail 130-pound frame.” “After 22 years of training, I see no reason to ever let go of the iron!” he says. “I am dedicated to helping others achieve their ulti- mate potential.”
Alexa Anne Georgas
Barrie, ON
Twitter: @Alexacise
An “intuitive” trainer, Alexa Georgas has been transforming bodies and lives, including her own, for the last 15 years, with a reputation for creating her “Alexacise” exercise and nutrition programs that produce optimal health and performance.