At StrongHearts Fitness, we help working adults, families, and youth unlock their strength through smart programming, expert coaching, and unwavering support. Whether you're just starting out or chasing a new goal, we’re here to meet you where you are — and help you go further than you thought possible.
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WHO ARE WE?
At StrongHearts Fitness, we’re more than just barbells and burpees. We’re a close-knit community built on sweat, support, and the belief that everyone deserves to feel strong in their body — no matter your age, background, or starting point. From our coaches to our beginner-friendly vibe, everything we do is designed to help you grow — physically and mentally. This isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about showing up, getting better, and lifting each other up along the way.
Our Story
Ready To Join?
Whether you're here to get strong, find your rhythm again, or simply feel better in your body we’re here for it. Book your free intro session, or shoot us a message. Come meet a supportive crew ready to help you grow.
Our Team
CEO / General Manager
Berg started his coaching profession in 2000. Berg developed a strong foundation in strength and conditioning. His coaching is driven by a dedication to helping athletes unlock their full potential, with a special focus on high-performance youth sports. Berg brings purpose and technical insight to every session, aiming to empower members through movement and mindset.
Specializations:
Favourite movement to coach
Kettlebell snatch—for its complexity and rhythm.
Favourite Level Method assessment
Weightlifting-- It’s a very empowering assessment.
Fun fact
Retired volleyball coach and “player”. Loves spending time with family.
Owner / Coach / Nutrition
Sandra’s passion for fitness began in 2008 with CrossFit. After moving to the Comox Valley in 2017, she has helped countless clients set and reach their goals—whether in sport, mastering new skills, or simply feeling their best. A lifelong athlete, Sandra was a competitive swimmer, enjoys open water swimming, and loves the slopes as a former snowboard instructor. She thrives on helping others break through fitness barriers, with a coaching style that is both supportive and strategic.
Specializations:
Favourite movement to coach
Snatch–loves seeing members master new skills.
Favourite Level Method assessment
API-- Because strategy and math is fun.
Fun fact
Loves to snowboard with her family, bake, and sew.
Head Coach
Maria brings a tough but fun energy to every session. Since 2013, she’s guided members through progressions, particularly handstand push-ups, and thrives on the excitement and variety that fast-paced API workouts bring. Her sessions are never boring, and she’s quick to celebrate every step forward. When not in the gym, Maria can usually be found somewhere sandy, soaking up sun.
Specializations:
Favourite movement to coach
Handstand push-ups—for the progressions and excitement.
Favourite Level Method assessment
API—it’s the best, and the little sprints make it speedy.
Fun fact
Find me where the sand is.
Coach
Sherry’s style combines technical instruction with encouragement and a sense of fun. She enjoys working with members on mobility and posterior engagement, especially through the limbo, and is a big fan of squat endurance. When she’s not coaching, Sherry’s likely mountain biking, enjoying time with her dogs, or treating herself to ice cream.
Specializations:
Favourite movement to coach
Limbo—all about thoracic mobility and posterior engagement.
Favourite Level Method assessment
Squat endurance—because squats and endurance.
Fun fact
Loves mountain biking, dogs, and ice cream.
Coach / Youth Development
Tony brings a fun, supportive, and easygoing energy to the team. He specializes in foundational movements like deadlifts and Turkish get-ups and enjoys coaching lactic tolerance workouts—even if he prefers coaching them to doing them himself. Tony loves to hunt and fish, and his favorite post-adventure meal is Hawaiian pizza.
Specializations:
Favourite movement to coach
Deadlifts and Turkish get-ups.
Favourite Level Method assessment
Lactic tolerance (to coach, not do himself!).
Fun fact
Loves to hunt and fish—and Hawaiian pizza.
Coach
Max is known for his technical, competitive, and honest coaching style. He gravitates toward the most challenging skills in the gym—Olympic lifting and gymnastics—pushing athletes to focus on technique and strive for big lifts. Max appreciates the intensity of 1RM lifts and brings discipline from his ongoing military career, which began at 18.
Specializations:
Favourite movement to coach
Olympic lifts and gymnastics—the most challenging.
Favourite Level Method assessment
1RM lifts—for the “big dogs.”
Fun fact
Has been in the military since age 18.
Coach
Chris brings energy, encouragement, and positivity to every session. With a background in powerlifting, he enjoys coaching both power and Olympic lifts and values technical progress. Chris loves helping members set and achieve goals, especially in lactic tolerance workouts. Outside the gym, he’s a digital artist, D&D fan, taco enthusiast, and dog dad to Teemo.
Specializations:
Favourite movement to coach
Power lifts and Olympic lifts—technical and rewarding
Favourite Level Method assessment
Lactic tolerance—he enjoys training for and achieving big goals.
Fun fact
Digital artist, D&D player, musical theatre background, and dog dad.
Coach
Candice’s approach is supportive, encouraging, and always focused on your goals. She has a special interest in helping members develop strength through foundational lifts—especially the front and back squat, which she believes carry over to many other movements. Candice enjoys the variety in API assessments and finds satisfaction in helping others progress. Off the gym floor, she’s a hockey mom, cheering on her kids with just as much enthusiasm as she brings to class.
Specializations:
Favourite movement to coach
Front and back squat—one of her strengths, and key for building total-body strength.
Favourite Level Method assessment
API—for its variety of movements.
Fun fact
Hockey mom—obsessed!
Coach
Janna empowers members with a supportive, driven approach—always ready to break down movements and celebrate every breakthrough. She especially enjoys technical lifts and gymnastics skills, and loves witnessing that “aha” moment when everything clicks. For Janna, lifting heavy is just plain fun, and she has a soft spot for upper and lower body endurance challenges. Away from the gym you’ll likely find her on her bike, out in nature, or chasing adventure.
Specializations:
Favourite movement to coach
Weightlifting—because lifting heavy things is just fun.
Favourite Level Method assessment
Weightlifting, as well as upper/lower endurance.
Fun fact
Happiest when moving, exploring outdoors, and sharing new adventures with her family.
Coach
Amber brings a therapeutic and personable touch to the StrongHearts community. As a registered massage therapist, she values both movement and recovery, and enjoys challenging herself with technical lifts. She’s motivated by the progress she sees in Level Method weightlifting assessments and is always excited to set a new PR. Outside the gym, Amber is an avid snowboarder, loves camping, and is happily embracing life as a new mom.
Specializations:
Favourite movement to coach
Kettlebell swings—for their blend of power, rhythm, and technical challenge.
Favourite Level Method assessment
Weightlifting— for the powerful and technical lifts.
Fun fact
Loves snowboarding, camping, and the adventure of new motherhood.
Join us for a free Intro Session — meet the team, see the space, and find the right program for you.