Taylor Simon MSc, BA, CSCS
Director of Personal Training and Development
Taylor Simon is a Canadian business owner and personal trainer. He holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Calgary and recently completed his MS in Human Movement with A.T. Still University. In addition to his CSCS designation with the NSCA, Taylor holds multiple fitness certifications from a various organizations including the NASM and IPPA.
Taylor specializes in program design and periodization for athletes, physique competitors, sports teams, and tactical occupations. He also acts as a business consulting for a variety of fitness and fitness related companies and individual trainers.
Recently, he was appointed the Provincial Director of Ontario for the National Strength and Conditioning association. This position allows him to further blend his passion for evidence based practice with real world practical application.
Speaking at international events, such as the Arnold Classic Strength Summit, to local schools, businesses, and community associations allows him to impart his 10 years of experience in the health and fitness field. He has guest lectured for numerous organizations and institutions including the Queen's School of Business.
He has authored articles for a variety of media, including the NSCA's Strength and Conditioning Journal and the Alpha Male Challenge blog. He has been featured as an expert in Musclemag and Sport and Performance magazines on a variety of topics. Taylor was also the feature fitness expert on two radio stations with two weekly spots on each for over 2 years.
Taylor co-owns Taylored Training Inc., Canada's first semi-private training facility. The business has seen remarkable growth, increasing sales by over 100% every year since opening in 2007 and expanding to 6000 sq ft. with 5 staff. The facility focuses on implementing the latest scientific information with tried and true training techniques. World class periodized programs combined with kettlebells, sled drags, Olympic lifting, battle ropes, and good old fashioned iron are commonplace for Taylored Training members.
Taylor has worked as the head strength coach for University Varsity Volleyball and in 5 years working with the Queen's Golden Gaels men's team he saw them through two provincial championships. He has worked with and continues to work with national level athletes competing in Trampoline, Cheerleading, Firefit, and Ironman. Most recently he has begun working with Swim Canada to prepare Paralympics national swimmers for the 2012 games in London, England. He also acts as a coach for numerous physique competitors in a variety of categories.
Follow Taylor's blog at www.tayloredtraining.ca/blog or his twitter feed at tr_simon
Whitney Garrah, BAH (Sociology), M.B.A.T.D., FIS, PTS
Director of Group Programming
My husband Taylor and I, are co-directors of Taylored Training Inc. based out of Kingston, Ontario.
I began dancing at the young age of two. Twenty-five years later I have competed in National competitions, was a member and choreographer for Queen's University Dance Club, and I hold an international certification to teach Tap, Jazz/Modern and Ballet with the British Association of Teachers of Dancing.
My passion for dance led me to start teaching both dance and fitness classes when I was a teenager. While pursuing an honors Sociology degree at Queen's, I was certified as a Fitness Instructor Specialist in 2001. I began teaching at Queen's University, the Y.M.C.A and other local Kingston gyms. Since then I have been certified as a Personal Trainer, Schwinn™ cycle instructor, Les Mills Body Flow™ and Body Jam™ instructor.
For the past five years I was the Lifestyle Coordinator for the Queen's School of Business, Executive Development Centre. In my role, I was responsible for creating health and fitness programming for Executive clientele attending executive education programming at the University. This role led me to realize the importance of health and fitness at any age and any stage in life. Leading a balanced lifestyle, with dedication to healthy eating and healthy living, is essential for a fulfilling and happy life.
As Director of Group Programming, I strongly believe in offering challenging group classes that provide clients with a means to get to their fitness goals, one pushup, burpee and lunge at a time. The era of 'cheesy' and 'fluffy' aerobics classes are gone, and class by class we hope to challenge all our participants with our unique and effective classes.
As both a trainer and instructor, I believe that we must always have fitness goals to motivate and challenge our mind and body. Our bodies are incredible machines that need to be pushed, challenged and well maintained. I like to educate my clients on what they are doing and how they are doing it, to ensure that our time spent together is the start of a lifelong commitment to their fitness goals, and to a better lifestyle. Anything is possible when you believe it.
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction that you choose"
Dr. Seuss