Group Class Instruction
Julia O’Donoghue
Julia is a CanFitPro certified personal trainer with 8 years of experience and over a decade in the fitness industry. From Montreal, her passion for movement began during her professional theatre studies at Dawson College. She started her career in a gym focused on strength and conditioning but later shifted to mobility, calisthenics, and intuitive movement. Julia believes fitness should enhance abilities while nurturing the body. Her goal is to empower individuals to live long, active lives through personalized coaching or group fitness classes.
Kirsty Exner
Kirsty Exner is a licensed physiotherapist with 15 years of experience and founder of Blue Velvet Health in Rossland, BC. She holds a Masters in Physical Therapy from UBC and advanced training in Dry Needling, Myofascial Release, Active rehab and more. A member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Kirsty combines hands-on, holistic care with functional fitness to empower clients.
Before physiotherapy, she was a personal trainer and also ran a fitness business offering Pilates, exercise programs, and led women’s freeride and mountain bike camps for about 10 years. She has recently been studying courses in DNS (Dynamic Neuro Stability) and ELDOA. With nearly 30 years in health, rehab and wellness, Kirsty enjoys skiing, mountain biking, trail running, hiking, and climbing with her family and friends.
Katie Spittlehouse
Katie is new to the Velvet team but truly needs no formal introduction. She is a very accomplished and highly-revered professional mountain bike racer, boasting podium finishes in nearly every race she has competed in throughout her impressive career on not only the National stage but also on the World stage in the Enduro World Series. In 2016, she was the Canadian Enduro National Champion as well as many Canadian National Enduro Series podiums.
Additionally, she has served as the Coach for the prestigious Canadian Paralympic Alpine Ski team from 2020-2024, where she also took on the role of their Strength and Conditioning specialist through the ISSA. This background means that she comes to us with an exceptionally high calibre of training experience and performance expertise, making her a valuable asset to our team.
Eva Gifford
Eva is a renowned chiropractor known for her dedication and expertise. An accomplished long-distance runner, she successfully led her winter RunFit program. Now, she's excited to launch an enhanced session focused on tailored training to boost your running skills and summer sports performance while keeping you injury-free! She'll offer two fantastic classes
Jenna Lamont
Jenna Lamont is a dedicated fitness and yoga instructor with over 10 years of experience in building strength and confidence. She began her journey in 2005 with certifications in Fitness Theory and Group Training in Australia, followed by a 200-hour Yoga Certification in 2014. In 2015, she furthered her skills with Group Fitness Training in Vancouver. Jenna has since earned certifications in Yoga Nidra, Weight Training, and Personal Training, emphasizing strength, mindfulness, and relaxation. She also holds a diploma in Holistic Nutrition, completed in 2008, which complements her wellness approach. Jenna combines fitness and yoga to create inclusive experiences that empower clients, fostering community and promoting mental health. She strives to make everyone feel welcome and confident on their journey.
Melanie Chambers
Melanie is an exciting new addition to the Velvet team, but she is certainly not new to the world of fitness and sport! With nearly 30 years of experience under her belt, she has been teaching a plethora of different styles of fitness classes, showcasing her extensive knowledge base and vast expertise in the field. Not only has she competed in numerous long-distance bike races across the globe, bringing her competitive spirit to different terrains, but she is also a successful adventure journalist, sharing her thrilling experiences and insights with others.