Photo by Krysta Leblanc

Jennifer is a Certified Kettlebell Fitness Instructor, a Certified American Kettlebell Lifting Coach, and a Certified Chushinkai Kettlebell Instructor. She recently broke 2 world records and has achieved the highest rank as an athlete (Master of Sport International Class) with the IKFF (International Kettlebell Fitness Federation). Her achievements are both an inspiration and a testament to the amazing power of a plant-based lifestyle.

Jennifer has always had a passion for understanding the human body and how it functions to perform optimally in elite level sports. She has learned first-hand about the importance of having a healthy spirit, mind and body. This journey also taught Jennifer about the importance of what we eat in terms of its impact on how we think and how we feel. It’s not just about high protein, low fat, no carbohydrate diets that trainers often suggest to their clients. Being in exposed to alternative modalities for healing and personally studying a few of these herself (Reiki level 1, Reflexology and Integrative massage) Jennifer has broadened her perspective on the spirit, mind and body connection.

Where did kettlebells come in? While doing her Masters of Teaching Biology and Physical Education in Australia Jennifer was first introduced to kettlebell training and after 6 months of study with Kaicho Martin McCormack she received her Chushinkai Kettlebell Instructor Certification.

Before completing her Masters in Australia, Jennifer returned to Canada after many conversations with her younger brother where it was obvious he was getting sick again. After one week being back in Canada and living with her brother he was re-diagnosed with Leukemia for the 4th time in 5 years. Eight months of living with Jonathan and having emergency hospital visits on a weekly, often daily, basis brought her respect for health to a new level.

After Jonathan passed on October 8th, 2008 her beliefs were tested once again. She woke up 6 weeks after he passed (after gaining 32 lbs+ from eating her emotions) she looked in the mirror and realized that she was no longer fulfilling her personal legend, her reason for being. Jennifer has always known that she is here to help others and looking in the mirror that day she knew that she was in no shape to be motivating or inspiring others. This was the type of opportunity that would test if she was really ready to do what she felt she was here for. No excuses, no setbacks. Life is to be lived and after 6 weeks of a downward spiral it was time to BELIEVE her beliefs that everything happens for a reason.

Four months after Jonathan passed away (without ever intending to be a business owner) Make It Happen opened with less than 30 members. In the year and a half since then, through word of mouth, 300 people have been in for training and the majority of those are regular members. The studio is constantly filled with love, laughs, smiling faces and endless success stories. Jennifer has personally lost almost 40lbs since then completed her Masters in Teaching (Biology and PE) and has won 2 World Championships in Kettlebell Lifting. She has her Candidate for Masters of Sport in the Long Cycle Event and is presently training to become the first Masters of Sport in Canada.

This is only the beginning for all of us!