Growing up on the shores of rural Prince Edward Island in a policing family, Deven always knew he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and serve the community he loved. 

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After successfully graduating from the Atlantic Police Academy in 2012, he was hired by a Police Service in Nova Scotia in 2013. 

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On June 12th, 2022, he was involved in a traumatic incident on duty resulting in both physical and psychological injuries. A career in policing was everything he had worked towards and the incident left him feeling a loss of purpose.

 

Through his recovery, he identified a need in the First Responder world for physical fitness specifically designed for each individual client, specific to their job titles and unique needs. 

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This is where Resilience Through Fitness Inc. was born! Starting at his local CrossFit Gym, RTF Inc. has now grown to service clients across Canada with personalized 1-on-1 whole body approached fitness and nutrition coaching. 

John Tsentouros is a CF-L2 Trainer with over 12 years of training under the CrossFit methodology.  A former soccer player & marathon runner, John discovered CrossFit in 2011 & quickly fell in love with all elements of the strength & conditioning program.  "I found that it had the community & comradery I sought in sport & fitness."

 

A former soccer player & marathon runner, John used his new-found knowledge & passion to pursue coaching.

In 2014, John became a full-time Correctional Officer & and worked on the frontline until suffering a traumatic brain injury in 2018.  Devastated by his injury, John spent the next 7 years relentlessly working on his recovery & subsequent PTSD diagnosis.  During this time, John used his fitness background to help fuel his journey of recovery, & has since become a public speaker in the First Responder community.

 

Upon medically retiring from Corrections in 2021, John spent the next 3 years working full time as a part owner of his local CrossFit gym, until returning to the frontline as a Volunteer Firefighter with the city of Kenora  & switching careers by joining the Treaty Three Police Service.

A married father of 2 girls, John also volunteers with Boots on the Ground, a Peer Support Program for First Responders, & also continues to coach CrossFit in his spare time.

 

"I understand the physical & mental toll that being a First Responder can have on an individual.  Being resilient is something I have experience with, & I am eager to help others find their resiliency with RTF."

Rae-Ann is a certified Personal Trainer, Nutritionist, and Fitness Instructor from Dryden, Ontario. She has a beautiful daughter and 3 furry friends with her fiance, Ryan.

 

She is a professional bodybuilder for the IFBB Pro League and has competed in bodybuilding since 2018.

 

In 2020, Rae-Ann and her partner built their own private gym in 2020 to support their fitness goals, which grew to host a local powerlifting meet, annually, with two other local athletes.

 

She became a Firefighter for her city department in 2023 and it changed her life. Describing the change as "It fills a part of me that I didn't know was missing. I have a strong sense of community and drive that I love to share!"

 

One last fun fact about Rae-Ann:

"There isn't a burger I'll say no to! It's the perfect food!"

Shawn joins RTF's coaching staff from Ontario, where he currently serves his community as an active duty LEO.

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When he's not on duty, he's training, coaching CrossFit and prepping for International Elite Level Competitions. His wife is his biggest fan and support crew member. 

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With several years of service under his belt, Shawn understands what LEOs are exposed to on a daily basis. The mental and physical stressors endured by the body is immense.

 

This knowledge fuelled his drive over the past three years to organize a community event raising funds and awareness for mental health of first responders. He competes alongside other gym members to perform a hero workout every 2 hours for 12 total hours.

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"Having the ability to focus on my CrossFit training has allowed me to stay mentally alert as well as physically ready when it comes to my LEO career."

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Holding certifications as a Nutritionist, Personal Trainer with specializations in Strength and Conditioning, Shawn brings a wealth of knowledge to RTF. 

Dario is a registered social worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers and the owner of Veteran Visions. He supports veterans and first responders during their transition after treatment. 

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Having served for 11 years in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), physical fitness has always been a crucial part of Dario's daily life. It has played a vital role in his growth and recovery, especially now as a veteran. 

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Dario's stuggles with mental and physical injuries, along with his journey to overcome these challenges, have fuelled his passion for mental health and wellness. This drive has led him to become a registered social worker in Alberta, graduating with honours in Social Work from NorQuest College. He is also actively pursuing certification as a Somatic Experience Practitioner. 

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Dario enjoys weightlifting, yoga, reading, podcasts, art, travel, sports, coaching youth hockey and spending time with his family.

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"Congratulations on your incredible work and dedication to personal growth. I am pleased to meet with you and support you using a client-centered, holistic approach that addresses your emotional, physical, psychological, physiological and social needs. My approach is grounded in the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and emotional health, focusing on building resilience and empowering you to respond effectively to stressors while maintaining strong psychological and physical well-being."

Kara is a certified Personal Trainer with a background in Health Sciences and Public Health. Her day job is in healthcare program management, and previously, healthcare research. With this training, she brings detailed knowledge about how the body works and how the circumstances we live in impact our health and wellbeing.

 

Growing up, Kara was active in dance and team sports and found the gym during university. Fast forward and her passion for fitness has led her into the training world. Kara's approach as a coach encompasses the physical and psychological benefits of a balanced lifestyle including movement, mindset, nutrition, and community. 

 

Kara lives in Central Alberta with her husband, who is a first responder, and their cat Arnold (named after the one and only). Outside the gym, Kara can be found dancing, hiking and backpacking through the Canadian Rockies, camping, or crushing 100 books a year.

Lindsay joins the RTF team as a Data Research Analyst, compiling the most current research data in the field of First Responder Health.

She has a passion for supporting public safety personnel and their families. 

 

Through her professional expertise and personal experiences, she aims to foster resilience and promote well-being within these communities.

 

By contributing to the Resilience Through Fitness initiative, Lindsay hopes to not only provide valuable resources but also create a space for dialogue and understanding around stress management. 

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Check out Lindsay's contributions to the RTF Database HERE.