“I have always been an active person, and done different things to stay in shape. I am Mike’s mom, so when Kate and Mike started their new online exercise and personal training venture, I was one of their first customers.  I wanted to support them for sure, and wanted to maintain my present conditioning I had, but I had no idea of the improvements/progress I could make in working with them.  

I have had ongoing neck issues and have been dealing with challenges to my singing for many years because of this. In 2020 this was all made worse when Covid arrived and I had to take my counselling practice to a virtual format. Sitting rigidly and staring at a computer screen all day made all of my tension patterns worse and caused more neck pain most of the time, particularly when I sang. I found an amazing physiotherapist who was helping me figure out posture challenges and get my body realigned.  I then found a vocal coach who works in a holistic way, who is helping me with my voice and singing ability.  

When I started working with Mike and Kate in 2021 these other pieces were in place and I was hoping, but unsure, how they might support me and be part of the team of professionals to lessen/reduce my neck pain and voice issues.

Kate and Mike did a 90 minute assessment of my physical strengths and challenges. As part of that they listened to my history with neck challenges and pain, some they knew and some they didn’t. They explored holistically how I had arrived at the physical place I was at. They started me with exercise programming, where I received an exercise workout twice a week and every two weeks I had a 20 minute check-in with them to discuss the workouts, and they would change and tweak exercises to meet the needs or changes I was experiencing.   I really noticed Mike and Kate’s nonjudgmental curiosity and their compassion in hearing how I was doing, what was hard and what was going well in my workouts. They also wanted to know how my life was impacting my exercising, and how my exercise was impacting my life.

After a couple months and many questions that I posed to them, we agreed that I would also do 1 personal training session each week along with the exercise programming twice a week. This allowed them to see, in the moment, how I was doing the exercises, and coach me on posture and functional movement. This made a huge difference to the issues I came to them with. They were able to watch how my neck movement got out of alignment and see other posture challenges that were contributing to my pain. Kate and Mike’s work with me supported and reinforced the vocal and physio work, and things started to change in my body and my pain level.  

I have to say, I have been impressed with Mike and Kate’s professionalism and their vast knowledge of the body, movement, rehab, and strengthening. It has been a wonderful gift to work with them. They are kind and persistent, genuine and focused, knowledgeable and encouraging.  They and I have noticed the differences in me since I started with them a year ago: much less neck and shoulder pain, including when I’m singing; feeling more solid and strong in my torso; improved posture. At age 63, singing feels easier and fun again and I feel stronger and more positive about my future health. Such a great outcome! See you on the Screen Mike and Kate!”

— Colleen