Chris WilmotBackground
Born in Nova Scotia, Chris spent the formative years of his life growing up in Zimbabwe. Although at a young age he developed "respiratory difficulties" as a result of being born prematurely, he has always led an active life. Following in his father's shoes, he played basketball throughout his schooling, reaching the highest levels attainable in Zimbabwe. He was a member of a national champion high school team, played provincially, and was approached to play at a national level but Canadian citizenship prevented him from doing so. |
|
At 18 years of age, 6 feet 7 inches and 190 pounds, Chris returned to Canada after 10 years feeling a little out of place – call it culture shock!
With the encouragement of a few close friends, Chris began working out and soon began noticing positive changes in both his physical and mental health. He began to feel “alive” again and motivated to chase this feeling. He developed a more positive outlook and became comfortable in a gym environment, realizing that if these lifestyle changes could have such a marked impact on his life – imagine the impact they could have on others! Chris understood that this was where he belonged and that encouraging others to experience these positive changes in their lives was a path he wanted to pursue. This path was solidified when he witnessed a similar "transformation" in his mother, who at the age of 50 began a program of physical conditioning that was life changing.
Education and Experiences
After graduating with a Bachelors degree in Psychology, Chris began studies in the field of Kinesiology. He began to further educate himself and became certified nationally and internationally as a personal trainer and as a strength coach. Very quickly he followed his passion and began working as a personal trainer in Halifax guiding others to fitness. After graduating in 2001, Chris founded Functional Fitness, a company delivering lifestyle and fitness programs and services to individuals, groups, teams and at a corporate level.
Chris has appeared on television offering workout tips and suggestions, and has written a number of articles on strength training. He has also researched and written on the conditioning of ‘over-50 adults’ (an age group of particular interest and research during his studies in Kinesiology). He has developed and implemented Survivor, a group conditioning program targeting improved fitness levels for daily tasks and activity in ‘older’ adults. Chris has been invited to share his passion for health and wellbeing at corporate events and numerous seminars where his excitement and enthusiasm for the field of health and fitness and its positive effects has proved inspiring.
With the encouragement of a few close friends, Chris began working out and soon began noticing positive changes in both his physical and mental health. He began to feel “alive” again and motivated to chase this feeling. He developed a more positive outlook and became comfortable in a gym environment, realizing that if these lifestyle changes could have such a marked impact on his life – imagine the impact they could have on others! Chris understood that this was where he belonged and that encouraging others to experience these positive changes in their lives was a path he wanted to pursue. This path was solidified when he witnessed a similar "transformation" in his mother, who at the age of 50 began a program of physical conditioning that was life changing.
Education and Experiences
After graduating with a Bachelors degree in Psychology, Chris began studies in the field of Kinesiology. He began to further educate himself and became certified nationally and internationally as a personal trainer and as a strength coach. Very quickly he followed his passion and began working as a personal trainer in Halifax guiding others to fitness. After graduating in 2001, Chris founded Functional Fitness, a company delivering lifestyle and fitness programs and services to individuals, groups, teams and at a corporate level.
Chris has appeared on television offering workout tips and suggestions, and has written a number of articles on strength training. He has also researched and written on the conditioning of ‘over-50 adults’ (an age group of particular interest and research during his studies in Kinesiology). He has developed and implemented Survivor, a group conditioning program targeting improved fitness levels for daily tasks and activity in ‘older’ adults. Chris has been invited to share his passion for health and wellbeing at corporate events and numerous seminars where his excitement and enthusiasm for the field of health and fitness and its positive effects has proved inspiring.
- 2001 - hired as the Strength and Conditioning coach for the Halifax Oland Exports Hockey Team and became an integral part in their successful run to win the National Championship;
- 2004 - developed Fit Factor, a high-intensity, outdoor group training program which challenges its participants to increase activity and ability;
- 2005 - successfully trained for and completed the Rome Marathon as a member of The Canadian Diabetes Association’s Team Diabetes Canada, and upon return to Halifax participated in the 2005 Bluenose Half Marathon along with several of his clients. In the following years Chris had the opportunity to instruct and facilitate training clinics and camps for athletes at various levels of competition.
- 2008 - After 11 years of moonlighting in various security roles and a brief hiatus from Halifax, Chris approached his training with a new passion. He began conducting a portion of the physical training for Halifax Regional Police and became a full time physical training instructor at Ravensberg College (a private Law Enforcement Foundations Program). Subsequently, he has been a part of the development of Integrated Tactical Conditioning, a program combining the rigors of physical fitness training with the skills of combat training and defensive tactics.
- 2009 - Fatherhood - the greatest moment EVER!
- 2011 - Chris began another chapter of his life by collaborating with other, often referred-to health modalities to establish the Absolute Wellness Group
- 2015 - successfully completed a Spartan Trifecta and overcame a case of cellulitis (pictures available upon request)
|
Personal Philosophy
|
Chris’ training philosophy is grounded in the concepts of functionality, individuality and the development of both physical and mental abilities as keys to successful training. He focuses on the importance of goal-setting and works closely with his clients to develop and monitor their goals, while motivating and guiding them towards the attainment of their objectives. Above all, Chris stresses the importance of finding and cultivating a passion and excitement for developing a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
The interaction with people in a positive environment, the encouragement along the way, and the eventual experience of achievement is what truly satisfies him. |
