Team
Andres Palomino, MSc
Reg. Kinesiologist & Wellness Coach
From my early years I’ve been involved with sports and physical activity. At 8 years old I started to compete as an Inline Speed Skater in my hometown. The passion for sports led me to choose Kinesiology and exercise sciences as my professional career.
During more than 10 years of experience in the personal training and health promotion field, I have had the opportunity to work with 50+ people. This interaction allowed me to understand their fitness and health needs.
Today, I work for Fit After 50, a kinesiology and wellness organization specialized in prevention and management of recurring pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure and any other special physical condition. My main objective is to optimize client’s health and help them to improve their quality of life.
Professional Highlights
- Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Victoria in British Columbia
- Post Graduate Diploma in Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion from Centennial College
- Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise Sciences from National School of Sports, Cali, Colombia
- Senior’s Fitness Instructor Course, The Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging
- Soft Tissue Release Training, Provided by Jim Bilotta M.Ed, B.Phed, Dip SIM. CAT(C)
- Provider member of “Exercise is Medicine Canada” (EIMC) Professional Network
- Registered to the College of Kinesiologist of Ontario
- Former Board Member of OKA, Ontario Kinesiology Association
- Member of Canadian Obesity Network
- Former President of ARKO "Association of Registered Kinesiologists of Ontario"
Rachel Lau
Podcaster
I have been physically active from a very young age. Growing up in Hong Kong, I was in the school team for swimming, cross-country and indoor rowing. My passion for sports and exercise have led me to study kinesiology at the University of Toronto (UofT). During my undergraduate studies, I was a Varsity Rower at UofT for two years, in which I received the Most Improved Athlete Award. I was also the Secretary of Exercise is Medicine Canada on campus since sophomore year, in which I was nominated for the Student Life Campus Organizations Award for Executive Leader of the Year 2019.
I started working with the Fit After 50 team in my fourth year of bachelor degree. As a Wellness Coach and Program Assistant, I was responsible of writing blogs, creating exercise programs for clients and delivering presentations about happiness, stress, etc. After graduating from my bachelor’s degree, I have been creating podcasts to promote self-care for a healthier and happier lifestyle. Some of the topics include stress management, social support, body image, and many more!
Professional Highlights
- Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Toronto with High Honours
- Candidate for Doctor of Medicine from the University of Sydney
- Standard First Aid and CPR-C
Nieve Iannarelli, Bkin
Wellness Coach
I have always been an active person; I began synchronised swimming when I was 8 years old and have continued doing all types of water sports since then. I am currently a strength coach for the U of T synchronised swimming team, and was an athlete during my undergraduate degree! My lifelong participation in sport has led me to become very passionate about movement and health and is part of what influenced me to pursue a degree in Kinesiology.
When I began teaching swimming lessons in high school, I enjoyed working with people of all ages to help them reach their goals – whether that be learning to swim or doing a triathlon! Since then, I aim to use my knowledge and skill set to help guide people towards an active, healthy, and happy lifestyle. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, bike rides, weight lifting, baking, and reading.
After achieving my Bachelors of Kinesiology, I am now pursuing a post-graduate certificate at Humber college in Exercise Science and Lifestyle management, learning about therapeutic exercise, exercise prescription, fitness assessment, nutrition, ergonomics and more. I am working with paramedic students to design exercise and wellness programs for them to encourage healthy lifestyles. I am also working at UofT as a strength and conditioning coach and fitness instructor.
Professional Highlights
- Bachelor of Kinesiology with Honours
- Candidate - Post-graduate certificate in Exercise Science and Lifestyle Management, Humber College
- AODA certificate
- Standard First Aid and CPR-C
- Water Safety Instructor
Giselle Ruiz
Wellness Coach
Becoming physically active and prioritizing my health has significantly shaped my life for the better. My passion for physical activity began when I was fourteen and joined my high school's cross-country team. The experience taught me the benefits of having an active lifestyle and I quickly adopted other sports and pastimes such as cycling, hiking, dancing, working out, and, most recently, rollerblading. This naturally led to an interest in participating in and volunteering for sporting and community events including the 10k Waterfront Run, Tour de Mississauga, a multicultural children's soccer program, and the WWF's Kids' Run for Nature.
After reaping the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of physical activity for several years and seeing how drastically it had changed me for the better, I decided to dedicate my undergraduate education to the field and chose the Kinesiology & Physical Education program at the University of Toronto (UofT). Through my studies at UofT and my attendance at numerous educational conferences, I have gained knowledge in a variety of areas related to health and physical activity. Healthy lifestyle, injury prevention, and disease risk reduction and management are areas I have found particularly interesting.
In addition to achieving my Bachelors of Kinesiology, I have gained wisdom through volunteering over a hundred hours in clinical settings in which I observed and assisted various health professionals--including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, and recreational therapists-- apply these concepts in the field and now through my current role as an exercise therapist in the senior wellness department at Lifemark. I aspire to continue helping others live an active lifestyle in which they can improve their well-being and overall quality of life.
Professional Highlights
- Bachelor of Kinesiology with Honours
- Certificate in Physical Activity Instruction
- Bone Fit Student Trained
- Certificate in Standard First Aid, CPR and AED
Mayar Elazizi
Wellness Coach
As a long-time advocate of the needs and welfare of the citizens in our community, I have experience working with adults aged 25-55 in multiple physiotherapy and chiropractic clinics.
I am a compassionate and outgoing individual offering an exceptional work ethic and the ability to remain calm in a fast-paced environment. I am reliable and responsible with extensive field knowledge in patient care and medical records.
During high school, I enjoyed playing a variety of sports such as rugby, volleyball and specifically swimming. I was on a competitive swimming team since I was 8 years old and continued my journey in swimming until I was 20 years old. That is where I developed my interest in sports therapy and wanted to pursue Kinesiology!
Presently, I am a fourth-year Kinesiology student at the University of Waterloo, proactively involved in multiple extracurricular activities, such as Anatomy Club, Pre-Med Society, and Peer Mentoring. I also had the chance to become a student-athlete trainer at the University of Waterloo for 2 years. I provided first aid and injury assessment/treatment for athletes in the varsity soccer team.
In this position as a Wellness Coach here at Fit After 50, I believe in a holistic approach to therapy and would ensure a comprehensive assessment, with a patient-centered approach. I am also bilingual, and as such happy to provide services in Arabic as well.
Outside of school and work, I love traveling and meeting new people. You can either find me on an exotic adventure trip or being active.
Professional Highlights
- Bachelor of Kinesiology candidate at the University of Waterloo with High Honors and a Minor in Medical Physiology
- CPR and Standard First Aid
- AODA Certificate
- Emergency Response Training
- Fitness Training Certification
- Personal Training Certification
Kenneth Shiu-Hang Lo
Wellness Coach
Growing up, physical activities have always been a joyful outlet for me. I have fond memories of going to the park every day with my mom, and not so fond memories of getting lost from my dad because I sprinted away in a mall. As I got older, exercise became an essential tool for me to maintain my physical and mental wellness. The benefits I got from an active lifestyle inspired me to switch from studying mathematics in my undergraduate to now a Master degree in Professional Kinesiology.
Since 2013 I have helped older adults manage chronic diseases through exercise, for conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, knee and hip arthritis, and risk of falling. I have also worked with patients in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
Today I am glad to be part of the Fit After 50 team to improve the health and well-being of our community
Professional Highlights
- Master of Professional Kinesiology candidate
- Registered to the College of Kinesiologist of Ontario
- Certified Respiratory Educator
- [Osteoporosis] Bonefit Trained
- [Parkinson] PWR!Moves Certified Therapist
- [Hip and Knee Arthritis] GLA:D Trained
- [Diabetes] Diabetes Educator Certificate (University of Toronto)
- [Fitness] Strongfirst Kettlebell Level 2, Functional Range Conditioning, and Functional Movement Screen
