MICHELLE TREMBLAY’S PASSION FOR TEACHING SURFACED 5 YEARS AGO WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO PILOT A PROGRAM CALLED ‘FIT 4 DEFENSE’ IN SCHOOLS
I met Michelle Tremblay in 2009 when she facilitated a series of public speaking workshops for Penticton professionals. From the get-go it was clear that Michelle walks her talk, which is to help others to step
into their own greatness. Passionate, energetic and positive, one of Michelle’s favourite quotes is an inspiring excerpt from a poem by Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate/our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure/it is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.”
Born in Kamloops, Michelle has chosen Kelowna as her home because it provides everything that she enjoys: the outdoors, great friends, wine, a variety of restaurants, entertainment and the peace and tranquility of the beautiful lake and mountains. While based in Kelowna, Michelle is mobile with her work through the full extent of the Okanagan Valley and beyond.
The range of services Michelle offers through her business, Eve-olutions Mind and Body , includes life, employment and leadership-related workshops as well as life coaching for those who are transitioning through career change and personal goals. But if truth be known, Michelle’s first love is working with and empowering youth.
Her credentials are considerable. Michelle is a Certified Life Coach and holds a Provincial Instructor’s Diploma. In the athletics arena, she has earned 2 National Coaching Certificates, has a second degree Chito-ryu karate black belt and is a Master Trainer\Instructor for the anti- bully program Fit4Defense in the schools and communities of BC as well as two other provinces (AB and ON).
There was no hesitation when I asked Michelle why she is so passionate about working with youth: “Being a BIG kid at heart, it is so natural for me to connect with both girls and boys. I am inspired by their wisdom, playfulness and resilience. As I teach, there are moments when they start to transform their awareness and behaviors and I see the lights come on. It is such an honour to guide, encourage and support our youth to become so much more than they see themselves. Being a part of that process is magical for me!”
I wanted to know more about Fit 4 Defense, a fun and social approach to developing physical and mental strength for youth. As inferred in the title for this feature, Michelle’s passion for teaching really surfaced when she helped pilot Fit 4 Defense in schools. She saw the potential of this program to genuinely tackle the underlining issues that kids deal with, like low self-esteem, negative self -image, peer influences and overall lack of confidence. With the use of self-defense skills, assertiveness training, self-care techniques, and increasing fitness levels, the participants blossom. Fit 4 Defense is an international program currently being funded by Karate Canada and delivered in two provinces (AB & ON). The manual is also being translated into French and Spanish…big opportunities on the horizon!
One out of Michelle’s many goals is to teach people to become all they can be through respecting themselves and their bodies, helping them build confidence, positive self-esteem and improve their fitness
level through physical training. This summer Michelle is EXCITED to be delivering camps for young girls and teens at Okanagan College, in Penticton and Kelowna. These 5 day camps will be dynamic, fun and an over-the-top experience.
Ladies and gentlemen, I implore you to pass the word to your friends who have daughters or granddaughters in the age range 11 – 16. Here is a précis of class content: Step through any fear of public speaking in non-threatening group discussions and public speaking sessions. Uncover your assertiveness with daily Fit4Defense training. Discover “What Not to Wear” from a fashion expert and let their certified aesthetician show you how to take care of your hair and skin. You will also participate in fun fitness classes such as Yoga, and the newest fitness craze, Zumba. Then put it all together and create a vision board of your future with intention and focus. This camp is guaranteed to empower YOU! Things to bring to camp: lunch, snacks, athletic shoes, gym clothes, a water bottle and a towel. For more info: www.CampOc.ca
PENTICTON: Girls 11-13 Yr: Date: July 18- 22, Mon-Fri Time: 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (To register or for more info call 250.492.4305)
KELOWNA: Girls 14-16 Yr: Date: July 25-29, Mon-Fri Time: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (To register or for more info call 250.862.5480)
To connect with Michelle, Phone: 250-869-9311
Email: eve-olutions@hotmail.com
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