Tricia Boehme (Brighton)

Tricia Boehme’s fitness journey began over 20 years ago when she joined the YMCA in Brighton. Since then, she has grown from member to leader—becoming a Fitness Instructor in 2017 and a Personal Trainer in 2024. Along the way, she also built a strong background in coaching senior competitive and recreational dragon boat crews, guiding both individual athletes and teams to reach their full potential. 

Inspired by the great coaches in her own life, Tricia is passionate about helping others start their fitness journey or take their routines to the next level. She enjoys working one-on-one or in small group settings. Tricia believes you should “do something today that your future self will thank you for” and is committed to seeing her clients succeed. 

Julie Despres (COBOURG)

Julie’s slogan, “The Force is You”, is an indicator of how passionate she is in supporting those wishing to be their best selves. Julie’s coaching methods are inclusive of self compassion and reminding clients that they are already equipped with wonderful qualities and values.  This allows many to initiate their new focus into a more heartfelt experience.  By being connected in Body Mind and Spirit, her clients begin to engage in venues in life that they would not have thought possible prior to working with her. Julie earned a BA in Sports Science and Physical Fitness Techniques at the University of Lyon, France. She is a certified personal trainer in Canada through Canfit-Pro and YMCA, ready to coach individuals at any fitness level, making the journey enjoyable and heartfelt. Achieve your goals with Julie’s fun and inclusive approach! Regardless of your level or your goals, make it heartfelt, make it fun with Julie!

“Take the time to breathe and put consciousness back at the heart of things to better control your body and your will!”

Sascha Paul (Cobourg)

Sascha’s passion for fitness began in his pre-teen years, inspired by martial arts icons like Bruce Lee. Over 20 years of consistent training have shaped his approach, with a strong focus on strength, mobility, and functional movement. His programs are designed to be effective and efficient, helping clients move better, prevent injury, and build lasting results.

Erin Petherick (Campbellford)

Erin brings her passion for living a healthy, balanced lifestyle into everything she does. With a background in education, she combines her love of teaching with her enthusiasm for fitness to help people of all ages learn, grow, and feel their best. She enjoys a variety of sports and staying active through yoga, strength training, and group fitness classes, while also emphasizing the importance of stretching and recovery. Over time, Erin has become especially knowledgeable in peri menopause and menopause health and exercise, equipping her with the tools to support clients through every stage of life. 

Outside the gym, Erin is a dedicated mom and active community member who coaches at both school and local programs. She believes in encouraging others to strive for their personal best by creating a supportive, motivating environment where every achievement is celebrated. Erin is very excited to begin her journey as a personal trainer and to be part of the dedicated team at the YMCA, where she looks forward to helping clients build confidence, reach their health goals, and discover the joy of movement.

John Zerafa (Brighton)

John first discovered weight training in his youth, but like many of us, busy years pulled him away from fitness. In his mid-40s, a ruptured disc became a turning point—sparking a life-changing journey that has kept him committed to strength and wellness well into his 70s. 

Today, John brings both lived experience and professional training to his role as a Personal Trainer. He knows firsthand the challenges of starting over, overcoming setbacks, and staying motivated through every stage of life.  

John’s clients value his calm, supportive presence—and also appreciate that he’s not afraid to push them when they need it most. His goal is simple: to guide and encourage others on their own path to a healthier life. 

Alex Lorenz (Brighton)

Alex is a body-neutral fitness instructor who’s on everyone’s team – always rooting for you, never judging. With 3 years of coaching experience and more than a decade as a Developmental Service Worker, Alex brings a trauma-informed, people-first approach to movement. Her mission? To make fitness feel safe, empowering, and accessible – no matter your body, background, or experience level.  

Alex creates a space where movement isn’t about changing how you look – it’s about honouring how you feel, moving in ways that work for you, and building trust with your body again (or maybe for the first time.)  

Expect encouragement over intensity, curiosity over comparison and support that meets you exactly where you are.  GO TEAM… because with Alex, your never doing it alone. There’s always someone in your corner, cheering you on. 

Kyle Johnston (COBOURG)

Kyle’s passion for fitness was sparked at a young age through his involvement in athletics, including track and field, cross country, and soccer. His background in sport fostered a lifelong appreciation for functional movement, performance training, and the physical and mental benefits of staying active.

He holds an Advanced Diploma in Sport Management from Humber College and has gained valuable experience in athlete development through both academic and professional settings. Kyle has pursued multiple coaching certifications and has consistently helped individuals and athletes build strength, agility, and confidence through tailored fitness programs.

As part of the YMCA team, Kyle brings his athletic background and coaching expertise to his role as a personal trainer and Y-Thrive coach. He is committed to supporting clients in reaching their goals through personalized, sport-inspired training that emphasizes functional fitness, athleticism, and a lasting connection to movement.

Ethan Dennis (Campbellford)

With a deep passion for strength training, Ethan brings years of dedication and experience to helping clients build muscle, gain strength, and unlock their full potential in the gym. Known for being friendly, approachable, and supportive, Ethan creates an environment where clients feel encouraged to push themselves while still having fun along the way. 

Over the years, Ethan has developed elite levels of strength himself, with a 650 lb squat and one of the strongest bench presses in the world in his class. Beyond his own lifts, he has also coached clients through incredible transformations—such as building over 50 pounds of lean muscle and reaching a 335 lb bench press. 

While strength training is his specialty, Ethan is equally skilled in other areas of fitness, including muscle development, endurance, and overall conditioning, allowing him to design programs that match each client’s unique goals. By combining proven methods with a positive, motivating approach, Ethan helps every client feel stronger—both physically and mentally. Whether you’re new to lifting or chasing your next personal best, Ethan will guide you with patience, knowledge, and the kind of encouragement that makes the journey just as rewarding as the results.

Evander Bentley (Campbellford)

With over three years of experience as a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor, Evander Bentley is dedicated to helping individuals build lasting strength and break through personal barriers. His training philosophy is built on the dual pillars of strength development and structured goal-setting, with a focus on helping clients not just reach their targets, but shatter them

To provide a truly comprehensive fitness experience, Evander holds specialized certifications in Nutrition & Health Coaching, Bodybuilding and Recovery. This multi-faceted background allows for a well-rounded approach that goes far beyond the gym floor. Whether you are looking to build muscle, enhance athletic performance, or simply feel more capable in your daily life, Evander tailors every program to fit your unique needs and lifestyle.

Chantelle (Campbellford)

Chantelle’s fitness journey started in her early teen years lifting weights at home while following along to old Marky Mark workout videos. Her passion for fitness led her to working reception at her local gym, where she eventually earned her personal training certification.

Known for her energetic, bubbly personality and sarcastic sense of humor, Chantelle is passionate about empowering women and helping them feel confident in the skin they’re in now — not just when they reach a goal. She believes fitness should build confidence, strength, and self-worth from the inside out.

Alex Matoff (Campbellford)

Alex began his fitness journey at a young age, inspired by the action heroes of the 80s and 90s. Once on his journey, he found a deep love for physical fitness and the effects it had on his life. Alex enjoys the outdoors and is always looking for new ways to stay active, whether that be rock climbing, hiking, or kayaking. Following Alex’s years of dedication to staying active, he became a certified fitness instructor to share his love for training with others.

As a fitness instructor, Alex approaches fitness as both a tool to achieve goals and an investment in one’s physical and mental well-being. Alex is dedicated to seeing clients reach their goals by utilizing a wide range of training methods. Alex strives to ensure a client’s fitness journey is effective and fun while tailoring it to their needs. There is no better outcome for Alex than seeing a client grow, learn, and push themselves to be better.

Dory vanDerkuip (Cobourg)

Dory has been passionate about movement and physical activity from a young age. Her journey began with years of ballet training and continued through high school, where she was enrolled in a specialized sports program; she attended academic classes in the mornings and dedicated her afternoons to dance.

After completing formal dance studies, Dory naturally transitioned into the fitness world, exploring group fitness, aqua fit, and weight training at community centers and gyms.  She carried this active lifestyle throughout her adult life and even competed in natural bodybuilding competitions.

Dory thrives on the energy created through movement and believes physical activity is a powerful tool for strength, confidence, and overall well-being.  She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of movement and empowering them to build healthy, sustainable, and active lifestyles.

Eric Mejorado (Cobourg)

As a fitness instructor since 2013, Eric has taught a variety of classes ranging from Cyclefit, Musclefit to Prime Time and Strong Bodies. Working one-on-one with members has been rewarding for Eric, especially watching them progress and reach their goals. Eric enjoys working with older adults to help maintain or improve their strength and balance to keep them active and independent. Eric’s certifications include YMCA Canada Personal Trainer, YMCA Canada Trainer: Fitness, YES I Yoga for Exercise Instructors, ICG Myride  + LiveCoaching, Gravity, MuscleFit, and AquaFit.

“It’s never too late to start an exercise program to challenge the body, improve your mind and boost your spirit.”