PRIMAL TEAM

Kiian Knight

Kickboxing Coach

At the age of 20, Kiian Knight has already gained a great reputation in the fight world and fitness industry. As a certified Canfit level 1 personal trainer and amateur competitive kickboxer, he has taught and teaches a variety of classes around the city, including kickboxing, full body circuit, and strength training .  Kiian has participated in martial arts since the age of 6, specifically developing a passion for kickboxing in his teens.  In 2014, he held the title as a North American K1 kickboxing champion.  Currently he is an amateur competitive fighter and loves to share his passion for kickboxing and fitness with those who want to get fit and learn to fight.

Thomas Heffernan

He opted to open Primal Movement and forge his own vision for a fitness facility that puts it’s members and clients first.

A former elite middle distance track athlete, Thomas has taken his passion for athletics and fitness and molded it into a vessel for helping others achieve their personal fitness, health and athletic goals. Thomas has worked in the sports and recreation industry since 2002, as an athletics coach and strength trainer. In 2009, he began training full time in London before returning to Toronto in 2011. After years of working in a big chain gym, disenchanted by the work environment and training methods, he opted to open Primal Movement and forge his own vision for a fitness facility that puts it’s members and clients first. Since it’s opening Primal has seen two expansions with the addition of Primal MMA and Training Studio / Clinic in 2014.

Thomas believes in a wholistic approach to training, encompassing all aspects of fitness and wellness, both body and mind. He views the human being as an athlete inherently, and trains his clients following this mantra. Thomas trains clients of all ages, with a wide spectrum of goals. From young athletes looking to gain an edge with their strength and conditioning, to individuals who simply want to look and feel better through weight loss, lean muscle development and a change in body composition. His specialties include Hypertrophy (muscle development), Fat Loss, Injury Rehabilitation, Athletic Conditioning and Strength and Conditioning for MMA.

Seamus Egan-Elliot

Seamus competed in track at the University level with York University where he graduated with a BA in Kinesiology and Health Science.

Seamus is a dedicated trainer who combines sound program design with an excellent ability to motivate. When you work with Seamus you get a program designed specifically to meet your own individual needs and goals and Seamus is right by your side to push, encourage, and teach you proper technique. After your goals have been discussed with Seamus, he will take you through an assessment to determine the emphasis of your program and how best to achieve your goals.

Seamus spent much of his youth competing in hockey and track and field. He then went on to compete in track at the University level with York University where he graduated with a BA in Kinesiology and Health Science. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), as well as a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP). He is also a professional kinesiologist with the Ontario Kinesiology Association (OKA) and a certified hockey trainer with the Hockey Trainer Certification Program (HTCP).

Seamus has a wealth of experience working with many different types of people of various exercise backgrounds. He has trained athletes as young as eleven and all the way up to hockey players at the OHL Major Junior level. This has led him to a role as team trainer for the Mississauga Reps AAA hockey club. Despite his athletic focus, his work with the general population and non-athletes looking to lose weight, build muscle, recover from injury, or just get stronger and improve their overall health is a major part of his practice and equally rewarding.

Mike Auchterlonie

A certified Personal Training Specialist (PTS) with a passion for powerlifting and strength training.

I am certified Personal Training Specialist (PTS) with a passion for powerlifting and strength training. Whether you’re interested in losing weight or gaining lean muscle mass, body toning or increasing strength, I’ll help you achieve your goals with practical programming involving basic barbell movements and efficient conditioning. Growing up, my athletic interests were geared specifically towards hockey, but in high school, I joined the wrestling team. Weighing in at 155 lbs, I wanted nothing more than to become bigger, stronger, and faster to gain a competitive edge. My coach introduced me to the weight room, and I was hooked. With four years of intensive barbell training, I have gained 90lbs of mass, and my comparative strength has increased more than threefold. My focus has typically been powerlifting, but I also have experience with Strongman and Olympic weightlifting. I still strive to get bigger and stronger everyday, and I’m working towards powerlifting competitively in the near future.

Darrel Mancini

Experiences working in a sports medicine clinic, boutique studios as well as fitness testing for the NHL scouting combine.

A former competitive athlete in numerous sports including; Hockey, Football and Baseball, fitness has always been a huge part of his lifestyle. Experiences working in a sports medicine clinic, boutique studios as well as fitness testing for the NHL scouting combine over the past five years have equipped Darrel with practical knowledge to deal with a wide variety of clientele ranging from elite athletic training to post rehab and fat loss.

Teresa Ambra, BPHE, ND

Teresa Ambra is a Naturopathic Doctor who runs her clinic, Movement Medicine, within Primal Movement. Teresa is recognized for her special interest and work with active individuals to elite athletes involved in a wide range of sports and activities. Her general approach focuses on maximizing overall health and wellness, which inevitably affects her patients’  performance.

Teresa Ambra is a Naturopathic Doctor who runs her clinic, Movement Medicine, within Primal Movement. Teresa is recognized for her special interest and work with active individuals to elite athletes involved in a wide range of sports and activities. Her general approach focuses on maximizing overall health and wellness, which inevitably affects her patients’  performance. Specifically, identification, prevention and treatment of sports injuries through the use of individualized sport nutrition, sport therapies/rehabilitation and customized training programs, are the core of Teresa’s practice.

Teresa blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine. By maintaining a constant knowledge of the latest and advanced scientific research, she is able to confidently prescribe specific individualized treatment plans that will be most effective for her patients. By assessing and treating the whole individual, and not just disease and dysfunction, Teresa can establish long-term health benefits.

After graduating with High Honours in the Physical Education and Health, Kinesiology and Exercise Science program at The University of Toronto, Teresa went on to complete a four-year medical program in Naturopathic Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). During her time at CCNM, Teresa treated patients at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic and was chosen for a position in the Sports Medicine specialty program, as well as concurrently working on general naturopathic medical shifts. Teresa has extensive knowledge in the areas of clinical nutrition, natural supplements, and botanical medicine. Since her time at CCNM, she has taken courses to advance her knowledge and has received special certification in SpiderTech Taping (Neuro-Structural Taping). She is currently studying to attain her Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN) from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN).

Teresa is passionate about the important role that physical activity, functional movement and athletics play in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. By being active and participating in athletics her entire life, Teresa has gained knowledge in a wide range of sports and activities. She has played ice hockey since she was an adolescent and continues to play in a women’s competitive league in Toronto. During her time at the University of Toronto, Teresa played on the Women’s Varsity Field Lacrosse team, winning 2 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) bronze medals and learning the valuable skills of training with a high-level sports team, while also balancing being a full-time honours student.

Teresa Ambra is Board Certified and affiliated with the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND), Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND), the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy in Naturopathy (BDDT-N) and the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO).

With a strong desire to increase functional “health-span” in patients, rather than just increasing lifespan, Teresa’s goal is to keep individuals healthy, moving and functional at every age.

For a full description of Teresa’s approach as a Naturopathic Doctor and a full list of her services and sport specific therapies, visit her website at www.movementmedicine.ca

Easton Lannaman

Easton has been active his entire life while focusing primarily on cycling, skiing and rock climbing. He is a graduate of the George Brown College Fitness & Health Promotion Program, a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA-CPT) as well as a Group Fitness Instructor through the Canadian Fitness Education Services

Easton has been active his entire life while focusing primarily on cycling, skiing and rock climbing. He is a graduate of the George Brown College Fitness & Health Promotion Program, a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA-CPT) as well as a Group Fitness Instructor through the Canadian Fitness Education Services (CFES). He strongly believes in fitness for health and performance. Whether you’re looking for everyday functional strength, sport/activity specific improvements, fat loss, increase in lean body weight or improving overall mobility Easton has the knowledge and skills to put you on the right path. While working with clients he focuses on ensuring a client has a strong foundation to build upon, breaking down and mastering movements into their simplest stages or variations and then progressing from there. By helping you exercise safely and effectively, Easton’s goal is not only to help you achieve your own goals but to also educate and help you gain the knowledge and abilities that will benefit you along the way.

Wilson Hodges

A Graduate of the George Brown College Fitness and Health Promotion Program, Wilson, NSCA-CPT, has over 4 years personal training, and group fitness leadership experience. As a student, Wilson was very involved with athletics, he was the captain of the George Brown Dragonboat Team, and a member of the GBC extramural ultimate frisbee team. He

A Graduate of the George Brown College Fitness and Health Promotion Program, Wilson, NSCA-CPT, has over 4 years personal training, and group fitness leadership experience. As a student, Wilson was very involved with athletics, he was the captain of the George Brown Dragonboat Team, and a member of the GBC extramural ultimate frisbee team. He continues his involvement with the college, working for in athletics and recreation, and continues to coach the George Brown Dragonboat Team. Wilson’s training philosophy is based on functional strength, movement, and sustainable fitness.

Joe Tarulli

I have always had an interest in the sciences of how we can change our bodies through diet and exercise. My journey began with me suffering an eating disorder at a young age as a result of the poor, uneducated decisions I was making with the goal of getting fit. Through the proper guidance and

I have always had an interest in the sciences of how we can change our bodies through diet and exercise. My journey began with me suffering an eating disorder at a young age as a result of the poor, uneducated decisions I was making with the goal of getting fit. Through the proper guidance and education, I learned the importance of proper eating habits along with exercise and believe I am a great source of information for those battling with weight issues. Joseph has worked in the fitness industry for 8 years both personal training clients and leading a department of trainers with similar attributes. He has an understanding of what it takes to change your body and life by implementing healthier decision making into each and every day. Joseph also is an amateur Muay Thai fighter and is always open to meeting new people to discuss their goals and how they can accomplish them.

Justin Anto

I’m a professional trainer, fitness coach, and fascial stretch therapist. I have years of experience in personal fitness, sports-specific training, Fascial Stretch Therapy and guided weight loss. I believe in customized, full-body fitness. I take the time to get to know you, your history, your goals and your habits, and then design a comprehensive program

I’m a professional trainer, fitness coach, and fascial stretch therapist. I have years of experience in personal fitness, sports-specific training, Fascial Stretch Therapy and guided weight loss. I believe in customized, full-body fitness. I take the time to get to know you, your history, your goals and your habits, and then design a comprehensive program that works for you. This is not one-size-fits-all training. This is training that fits your body and your schedule.

Full-body wellness doesn’t have to feel restrictive, isolating, or stressful. We reach your primary goals while slowly but truly cultivating healthier habits. From sleep to stress management to nutrition, you can feel your absolute best.

I want to change how you feel about yourself and your body – and make you the strongest you’ve ever been!

Brandon Muller

Past: Brandon grew up playing every sport he had time for, focusing on competitive Baseball, Hockey, and Rugby. He attended Brock University to study Kinesiology which was followed by a managerial opportunity with an award winning company in an unrelated field. After realizing corporate business was not for him, Brandon decided to pursue a career

Past: Brandon grew up playing every sport he had time for, focusing on competitive Baseball, Hockey, and Rugby. He attended Brock University to study Kinesiology which was followed by a managerial opportunity with an award winning company in an unrelated field. After realizing corporate business was not for him, Brandon decided to pursue a career in the realm of independent health and fitness.

Present: Since re-entering the health and fitness world he has been on a steep learning path. Taking: Functional Range Conditioning, EXOS Performance Mentorship, Fascial Dissection, Fascial Stretch Therapy, Strong First and, more recently, beginning a Registered Messaged Therapy program – to name a few. He will forever continue to reinvest into education and ultimately reinvest into YOU the client.

Future: Brandon’s future plans lie in Primal Powers. Constantly pushing the walls that encompass fitness and athletic performance and the abilities of the human body is a core belief of Primal Powers. Working alongside chiropractors and other health care professionals, Primal Powers will raise the bar and expectations in overall health care, ultimately specializing in athletic development and performance.

Brandon and Primal Powers is here to help you broaden your movement while functionally increasing your ability to express strength and power. His manual therapy background can help you progress, as a properly balanced structure, which is crucial to transfer force efficiently and pain free!

Lou Berkovits

A practicing yogi and Power Yoga teacher committed to sharing my love and passion for yoga.

I’m Lou Berkovits, a practicing yogi and Power Yoga teacher committed to sharing my love and passion for yoga. I teach a vinyasa or flow of movements based on the Journey Into Power series created by Baron Baptiste. I have consistently found this series to be the most challenging, rewarding and beneficial. Regardless of how many times I have practiced this flow, no two experiences have ever been the same. Each practice is as unique as that day, as that time, and as that moment. Get ready to work hard, get sweaty, get messy, and create the possibilities that lie within you to evolve into your grounded and true self.

Anil Palanisamy

Anil’s career in the fitness industry began as an intern at Primal Movement where he spent several months shadowing a strength and conditioning coach and expanding on his education. He’s always had a passion for athletics, and has been involved in sports as a competitive swimmer, soccer and rugby player. He currently trains solely within

Anil’s career in the fitness industry began as an intern at Primal Movement where he spent several months shadowing a strength and conditioning coach and expanding on his education. He’s always had a passion for athletics, and has been involved in sports as a competitive swimmer, soccer and rugby player. He currently trains solely within the Olympic weightlifting discipline and has plans to begin competing in the near future. Anil is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the NSCA and his training methods are geared towards improving overall athleticism, body composition and general fitness, through individually structured programming and the implementation of plyometrics, strength training and mobility protocols.