Team PMF
Team PMF (Click name for Bios)
Dimitri Giankoulas (Director of Personal Training/Nutrition, Founder)
Francesca Giankoulas (Director of Operations, Co-Founder)
Nancy Cai (Office Manager)
Personal Training Dept
James Crosby (Head Personal Trainer, Strength, Conditioning & Cross Fit Specialist)
Daniel Cecchino (Head Kinesiologist- Fitness & Corp Wellness Consultant)
Mathew Del Degan (Holistic Nutritionist, Allergy Specialist)
Renata Jurki (In-Home Trainer, Weight loss specialist)
Michael Yuchtman (Personal Trainer, Strength & Conditioning Specialist)
Cynthia Altamirano (Personal Trainer/ Pre Post Natal Specialist)
Umberto Iaccino (Personal Trainer, Weight Loss Conditioning Specialist)
Giulio Iaccino (Personal Trainer, Boxing & Conditioning Specialist)
Marin Golemac (Muai Thai Boxing Coach, Personal Trainer, Strength & Conditioning Coach)
Brenda Castillo (Personal Trainer, Weight loss specialist)
Sebastian (Mixed Martial Arts Instructor)
Michelle Gravina (Yoga Instructor)
Member Service Dept
Aimen Hasham (Reception, Customer Service)
Cecilia Landini (Reception, Customer Service)
Diane Menezes (Reception, Customer Service)
Dimitri Giankoulas
Certified Personal Trainer
Performance Nutrition Specialist
Director of Personal Training/Nutrition
A personal training session with Dimitri or his staff is a truly remarkable and uplifting experience.
Fascinated since an early age by the potential of the human body, Dimitri has devoted his career and much of his private life to pushing beyond his own limits – and to leading others to personal health achievements greater than they thought possible.
His hundreds of clients over the years can attest that no one matches the energy, optimism and pure motivational power Dimitri brings to every workout session. Nor can anyone equal the commitment he demonstrates to each and every client.
For Dimitri, no health or fitness challenge is too great. For his clients – as for himself – anything and more is possible.
Dimitri has been a leader in the fitness industry since 1997, working as a personal trainer, nutrition consultant and ultimately Personal Training Director in gyms including Premier Fitness, Bodies by Design and Bally Total Fitness. He has over 11,000 hours of hands on personal training experience.
Under Dimitri’s leadership, in 2003 the Personal Training department at Bally’s Dufferin and Finch location was named best out of all 420 Bally Total Fitness locations worldwide. The following year, his department again won the award for best personal training dept in all Canadian Bally’s locations.
In 2011, Pure Motivation Fitness Studio was awarded BEST Small business of the year award 2011 by the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce!
Growing up in Toronto, Dimitri excelled at a multitude of sporting activities. Beginning as a sprinter in elementary school, he won many Toronto-area track meets in the 100, 400 and 400m hurdles. He was a competitive swimmer from age 10 straight through high school at Weston Collegiate Institute, where he won the Rookie of the Year Award for being the only student to participate on five varsity teams in a single year and maintain a 90% average.
At the age of 18, Dimitri took up natural bodybuilding to grow his scrawny 155lb frame, and became a Certified Personal Trainer to inspire others seeking to make change. In 2000, at the age of 21, he won his first bodybuilding competition: the Ontario Natural Bodybuilding Championships. Dimitri had competed for 9 years straight since that time, always placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd in that and many other competitions.
More important than any of his athletic accomplishments, Dimitri has placed a large emphasis in providing all of this knowledge, passion and experience for the fitness industry to his staff and team of certified personal trainers.
Words to Aspire:
“Nothing comes easy, perception is reality; and either you want it or you don’t”
Qualifications, Speciality:
-Certified Personal Trainer (C.F.P.)
-Performance Nutrition Specialist (I.S.S.A)
-PNF Stretching Specialist (P.M.F)
-CPR/First Aid Certified
-Champion Drug Free Bodybuilder
Francesca Giankoulas
Operations Manager
Director of Operations
Francesca has been actively involved in fitness and nutrition for the past 10 years. Francesca and Dimitri began PMF in 2006 catering only to a hand full of private clients in condominium residents in G.T.A. Assisting her husband through numerous bodybuilding competitions and competitive sports; Francesca has a well rounded background in training and nutrition.
Francesca feels that understanding what clients need in the gym isn’t necessarily as important as assisting clients out of the gym and in the kitchen. Her belief is that 80% of any changes to the human body occur from what you eat and not how hard you train. As the founder of the “Personalized Grocery Shopper”, Francesca felt that gyms and personal training companies lacked the personal attention needed for clients when it came to choosing their foods. “It’s easy to tell someone what to eat, but harder to show them how to choose their foods!” So, she decided on creating our educational and time efficient service called the Personalized Grocery Shopper: where one of our professional staff will meet you at your favorite grocery store and help you make all the right food purchase decisions.
Fulfilling her role as operations manager at Pure Motivation Fitness Studio Francesca has engaged herself in many areas both in and outside of the studios operations and has been a vital role to the company’s success.
Word to Aspire:
“Never forget the hard work, dedication and perseverance that helps you get to your goal as without it the feeling of accomplishment would not be as gratifying at all”
Nancy Cai
Office Administrator
Nancy brings together over 6 years of experience in the fitness industry and has been a major part of Pure Motivation Fitness Studio ever since 2011. Nancy is responsible for all office administration duties and handles all areas of the member service /contracts.
James Crosby
Head Personal Trainer
Strength &
Conditioning Specialist
Rehabilitation Expert
DANIEL CECCHINO
Head Fitness Consultant/Kinesiologist
Corporate Fitness Director
Certified Personal Trainer
Daniel has been active since he was a young child… The lists of sports include swimming, baseball, track and field, volleyball, basketball, hockey and soccer, just to name a few.
Daniel continued to pursue soccer and hockey more seriously, playing at competitive levels until he was 17 years old. He then decided to pursue the art of muay thai, learning discipline and hard work, in which he believes are very important, attributes to live a successful and healthy life. He has been very intrigued by the capabilities of the human body since he was in high school, already deciding by 16 years old that he wanted to pursue a career in the health and fitness industry.
Wanting to eagerly learn more, Daniel decided to attend York University for Kinesiology and Health Science, where he has graduated from the Honours program. Working with a variety of clients with different physical and fitness goals ranging from age 8 – 65 years old, conditions like spastic diplegia, fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal disorders and post-surgery cardiac patients. Daniel has helped numerous individuals achieve their respective goals. With his wide range of knowledge regarding the human body, Daniel can assist anyone to reach their fitness and health goals, understanding that every individual is different and deserves exclusive attention and assistance.
Recently Daniel has began to explore the importance of health and wellness in the workplace and the positive impact it can have on everyone from senior management, to family members of the employee. He believes the rate of return on an employee’s health is priceless, as he feels the health of an employee is too valuable to be overlooked, considering how great of a positive impact a healthy employee will make on their respective company.
He currently runs the corporate health and wellness program at Pure Motivation Fitness.
Words to Inspire:
“The pain experienced during the end of a workout is much less painful than living with the guilt of giving up.”
“An idle mind is the devils workshop”
Qualifications, Specialties
- B.A., Honours, Kinesiology and Health Science. York University
- Certified Kinesiologist (O.K.A.)
- CPTN –CPT certified personal trainer
- CPR C and First Aid
- PNF stretching Specialist (P.M.F.)
-Certificate in Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention (Ergo Consult Inc.)
Mathew Del Degan
Holistic Nutritionist
Allergy Specialist
Matthew is a true testament of the saying “anything is possible”. As a child and early teenager, Matthew was severely overweight, weighing near 250 lbs. All throughout adolescents, he lived a life that was full of shame. Shame of the way he looked and felt in his own body. Day after day, he would drown his feelings in food, hoping that one day he would find that “savior” that will bring him from overweight, to having the body and confidence that was desired. After years of waiting for this “special person” to enter his life, Matthew had an epiphany. He realized that all those years spent waiting for that special person, was all a waste of time. Why was it a waste of time? Well, it’s because Matthew realized that this “savior” in which he was waiting for, was ultimately himself. He now realized that it was up to him to make changes in his life and that the small sacrifices of today, will lead to a happier tomorrow.
Immediately after realizing that things had to be taken into his own hands, Matthew stepped into action and began doing research into how he can better himself and achieve the body he always wanted. Through years of digging through scientific articles, websites and books, Matthew realized that in the two years of beginning his new lifestyle of a healthy diet and regular exercise, he had lost almost 100 lbs!
With this overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and new found love for nutrition/health, Matthew decided that he wanted to help others achieve this success and wellbeing. So what he did was pursue a career in the field of nutrition and health, where he would end up graduating with a certification in Holistic Nutrition, from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition. With this title, Matthew has expertise in many fields of health and nutrition. From weight loss/muscle gain, to diabetes, allergies, eczema, hypothyroid and much more, his knowledge in the area is vast and his love for it is even larger.
Words to Inspire:
The health of people is really the foundation, upon which all their happiness and all their power as a state depend,
Qualifications:
- Certified Holistic Nutritionist (IHN)
- CPR-C and First Aid (Red Cross First Aid)
Renata Jurki
Certified Personal Trainer
In Home Trainer Specialist
Renata has always been physically active and began her involvement in fitness from the early age of 15 when she won numerous awards in track and field and soccer.
Looking for a change in physical activity and always seeking to challenge herself, during her post secondary years she got involved in many outdoor activities including roller blading, hiking, and volleyball leagues to change her pace of training.
Once Renata began weight training over 10 years ago she realized that she could change her body and the way it performed by manipulating her nutrition and training. And has therefore chosen to use her knowledge of these two fields to help others realize their potential and, provide them with the expertise to achieve it and surpass any of their fitness goals.
“At Pure Motivation Fitness we cater to our clients full needs are provide a service far beyond our competitors. Going above and beyond for our clients is what we believe and practice in!”
Words To Aspire:
“Never think that pushing yourself to the limit is undoable; because we do it every day just don’t realize it”
Qualifications, Specialties
-Can-Fit-Pro Certified Personal Trainer
-CPR/First Aid Certified
-Health & Safety Training – CCOHS
-Stress & Life Management
Dr. Steven Faria
Dr. Of Chiropractic & Sports Medicine
Certified Personal Trainer
Dr. Faria holds an honours bachelor of arts kinesiology degree from York University. His interest in sports medicine led him to the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College where he graduated in 2009. Dr. Faria is a certified acupuncture provider, having completed the contemporary medical acupuncture offered by the McMaster University, and has completed courses in Active Release Techniques (ART®).
As a personal trainer and a medical practitioner Dr. Faria has experience in injury rehabilitation, prevention and sports specific training. This experience ranges from post operative injury rehabilitation and strengthening to University and OHL level athletes. An athlete himself, Dr. Faria has competed in football at the university level, amateur Muay Thai bouts, grappling tournaments and is currently training in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
Dr. Faria is a firm believer in the integration of acupuncture, manual therapy, nutrition, yoga, pilates, and strength and performance training and how they can relate not only athletic performance but to all aspects of health and wellness.
As a veteran trainer at Pure Motivation Fitness Studio, Dr. Steven Faria has trained hundreds of clients and has provided more than just results but a challenging and optimistic means of exercise to all his clients.
Words to Aspire:
Qualifications, Specialties
Michael Yuchtman
Certified Personal Trainer
Bosu Ball Boot Camp Instructor
By not attending his area school, Michael turned to sports at a young age to make friends who lived nearby. Michael has participated in a wide variety of recreational and competitive sports, including baseball and soccer, but his main focuses were hockey and in high school, running track and field and cross country. Michael has won several awards for long distance running in high school and has competed in several competitions at the OFSSA level.
Having such a huge passion for hockey, Michael found that he spent most of his time at the hockey rinks rather than anywhere else. Michael started playing hockey at a young age of 6 and is still participating in the sport now. As well as playing the sport, Michael has a firm grasp and concept on all the rules because he refereed with city of Vaughan hockey for five seasons. Besides playing the sport, Michael has been coaching female hockey associations for eight years and has participated in many hockey training camps and has worked as an on-ice and off-ice instructor for a hockey development school. Michael has also worked with many different clients ranging from the ages 7-75.
Having a passion for fitness himself, Michael decided to give back to the public and share his interests and love for working out by becoming a personal trainer and getting other people motivated to get into the gym and start working out. Michael attended George Brown College and received his diploma in the Fitness and Lifestyle Management program, and has received his personal training certificate through the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology.
Words to Aspire:
“Nobody knows everything; you must wake up every morning willing to learn something new”
Qualifications, Specialties
- George Brown College Fitness and Lifestyle Management Graduate
- Certified Fitness Consultant (C.S.E.P)
-Certified Personal Trainer (C.S.E.P)
-CPR/First Aid Certified
- PNF Stretching Specialist (PMF)
CYNTHIA ALTAMIRANO
Certified Personal Trainer
Pre & Post Natal Specialist
Cynthia has been a dedicated athlete from a very young age. Although she participated in many sports throughout her school years, she excelled in soccer and track& field.
Along with her dedication to sports came her fascination for the human body. She believes in pushing yourself both physically and mentally not only to reach a certain goal; but to push beyond your comfort zone to discover your true potential!
Staying true to her own words, Cynthia is always looking for ways to expand her knowledge and break out of her comfort zone; she is currently getting a certification in mixed martial arts.
This affinity for the human body and her quest for a constant challenge led her to pursue a career in the ever-changing fitness industry. Cynthia graduated from Humber and received her diploma in Fitness & Health Promotion. Classes such as anatomy, exercise physiology, and exercise prescription allowed her to apply the mechanisms and effects of exercise on the body. She believes in educating people about the importance of leading a healthy and active lifestyle. With persistence, dedication, and intense workouts, Cynthia has helped clients reach and even surpass their goals.
Her main areas of focus are weightless, pre & post-natal fitness, rehabilitation.
Words to Inspire:
“To find the limits of the possible, you must go beyond them to the impossible.”
Qualifications and Specialties:
- Fitness & Health Promotion Diploma (Humber College)
- Certified Personal Trainer (CFP)
- Certified Pre & Post-natal Specialist (CFP)
- PNF Training Specialist (PMF)
- CPR-First Aid Certified
UMBERTO IACCINO
Certified Personal Trainer
Boot Camp Instructor
Motivation Coach
Umberto’s motive in Life is to be mentally, physically and spiritually fit. Growing up he became a member of the North York Athletic soccer club, in which he played for 10 years. Throughout school Umberto participated in most athletic clubs such as Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Rugby. He excelled in track and field events, and qualified to the final numerous times.
Umberto was amazed at the changes the human body can go through based on the amount of physical activity you can perform, with proper nourishments. Personal Training is not only a career but it’s his way of life.
As a Trainer he is able to connect with the client’s needs and take the journey to help achieve those goals. Through Pure Motivation Fitness Umberto has strengthened his skills and acquired new knowledge in order to better assist his clients.
Umberto believes that anything can be possible if you have the right mind set. Life is a journey; make sure you prepare yourself mentally, physically and spiritually.
Words to Inspire:
“Everything in life takes time and hard work; if you want it you can have it.”
Qualifications, Specialty
-Certified Personal Trainer – CPTN-CPT
-CPR and First Aid Certified (R.C. )
-PNF Stretching Specialist (P.M.F)
GIULIO IACCINO
Certified Personal Trainer:
Giulio has always been involved with many different sports growing up. Being active playing soccer, basketball, cross-country and track and field. Participating in these types of sports assisted Giulio improving his speed, agility and endurance.
He graduated from George Brown with an Information Systems Diploma and quickly realized having a sedentary job has a major impact on your health and lifestyle. Bodies are meant for movement, and Giulio made exercise a priority in his life.
Giulio developed a passion for fitness and felt the need to further explore it. He enrolled at Humber College for the Fitness and Health Promotion Program. Giulio has been Personal Training for five years and strongly believes if you put your mind to it by training hard and smart; the hard work you put in will pay off! Your goal becomes his mission, and there is nothing more rewarding to hear the words “Mission Accomplished”.
Words to Inspire:
“You can’t be successful in life if you quit. Pain is temporary quitting lasts forever!”
Qualifications, Specialty
Diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion (Humber College)
Certified Personal Trainer & Certified Fitness Consultant (C.S.E.P)
CPR and First Aid Certified
MARIN GOLEMAC
Kickboxing Instructor
Certified Personal Trainer
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Marin is a personal trainer who has managed to fuse both North American, European and East Asian philosophies of sport, science and exercise. Graduating with honours and receiving a Masters degree in Kinesiology and exercise science from the University of Zagreb in his native Croatia Marin is not only a certified personal trainer but a Strength and Conditioning Coach with a specialty in Olympic Power lifting lifts.
With a strong found love and respect for the martial art of Muay Thai Boxing, Marin has spent 10 years of his life dedicated to the training and coaching the sport and even travelled to live and study in Thailand to posses the true experience and attain his certifications.
As a strength and conditioning Specialist and coach in Europe, and proven martial artist, Marin has developed functional and strength conditioning programs for track athletes, many mixed martial artists and many European Strength athletes. Working with a wide variety of athletes ranging from children as young as 12 years old, to having done athletic assessments and assisted in preparation of fighters and basketball players there isn’t a client too difficult or challenging for Marin to take on.
Realizing his natural talent to motivate and educate others to exceed Marin pursues a lifelong path of learning and self growth and inspiration to pass his knowledge to minds and bodies’ of those eager to learn and excel.
“I posses extreme dedication towards my profession and an ever growing love for my work. In my past endeavours I have demonstrated and proven success to my own athletic and client careers through my results, medals my commitment to athletic excellence”.
Specializing in Olympic Power lifting, Muay Thai boxing, sports specific training and functional conditioning training Marin is able to transform anybody he comes in contact with. Together with the knowledge gathered at Pure Motivation Fitness there isn’t a person or a physique I can’t change for the better. If you don’t know how I will effectively teach you, if you don’t want to I will most definitely make you!!
Words to Inspire:
“In order for there to be ups, there must be downs. Remember all your failures, so when you succeed you can look back and have pride that you had strength enough to overcome.
- Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement”
Qualifications, Specialties
-M.A. Hons. Kinesiology
-Strength/Conditioning Coach (N.S.C.A)
-Certified Personal Trainer (C.F.P)
-Certified Muay Thai Trainer (I.F.M.A)
Brenda Castillo
Certified Personal Trainer:
Boot Camp Instructor:
Outdoor sports, exercise and healthy life style have always been part of my life, therefore my decision to link two of my passions Fitness and Nutrition. I enjoy learning every day about the importance and the impact of these two fields in human life, as well as sharing their values with everyone around me.
During my younger years, I liked everything about health and exercise. My favourite school subjects were Physical Education and Public health. I also Played Basketball all the way through high school and have so far maintained an active lifestyle through exercise.
I am passionate about promoting a healthy lifestyle, especially in this time where there are many diseases related to inactivity and malnutrition. I am planning to take my education to a higher level as a Registered Nutritionist Practitioner in order to provide an outstanding nutritional and fitness advice.
My specialties Weight Loss and Boot Camp Training! My classes are always packed and full of energetic clients that want to be pushed beyond their limits. My goals and Challenge as a personal trainer are to meet my client’s fitness objectives in a positive, fun & responsible way, working together towards a healthier lifestyle.
Words to Inspire:
Wake up with the goal of making each of your days, the healthiest of your life, not only in relation to food and exercise but also in positive feelings and thoughts……Live well, laugh often, and love yourself!!!
Qualifications, Specialties
-Certified Personal Trainer – CPTN-CPT
-Nutrition & Wellness Specialist – (NWS) – CANFITPRO
-CPR & Emergency First Aid Certified
SEBASTIAN
Kickboxing Instructor
Sebastian began his athletic Career at age eight and as a young child growing up in Montreal Sebastian excelled at Martial Arts and Hockey. Throughout his entire high school career Sebastian excelled and led his high school to hockey team to many victories and a championship playing Captain as Defenseman.
Sebastian’s competitive background and persistency to become a better athlete had let him to the NAHL (North American Hockey League) where he was drafted to the Chiefs of Laval (hockey team).
Sebastian left the NAHL to Pursue a Career in MMA (mixed martial arts) and moved to Ontario where he learned English. After witnessing his first MMA fight in 1996 Sebastian realized his new found passion and true motivation to train… Seeking to excel in a sport that was more individualized vs. team oriented Sebastian began training in mixed martial arts with different academies in Colorado, Florida and Cayman Islands for over a two years with pro fighters.
Sebastian has fought in professional organizations for 5 years as an amateur in Grand Cayman, Costa Rica, Quebec, Colorado and Florida as a professional for the past 3 years.
Sebastian has both competed in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and MMA fights and has Won 3 fight of the night awards in 2009 and 2010 in different organisations.
Specializing in Maui Thai, Kick boxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu , Sebastian is passionate about helping others realize and maximize their true potential in any area of fitness regardless of their age, sex or fitness level!
His kickboxing conditioning classes are second to None and provide fun , educational and life lasting skills that will not only help you trim off those extra love handles but also help you defend yourself in time of need…
If you’re looking to be challenged Sebastian is ready to pack a punch full of motivation!!!
Words to Inspire:
“Hands up, Chin Down”
Qualifications, Specialty
Sebastian Kickboxing 5+ years experience with 21 fights
11 MMA pro fights
Blue belt 3rd stripe in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
6 Feet 223LBS
Teaches Group Cardio kickboxing and MMA classes + Private Sessions.
Link to his fight on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdjjH-hL5hA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Michelle Grieve
Yoga Instructor
Michelle Gravina started practicing Yoga while living in Curitiba, Brazil at Uni-Yoga Universidade. Instantly feeling the benefits of her practice, she continued practicing while living in Milan, Italy. Returning to Toronto in 2005, she moved forward and completed her 200hr RYT program, in 2007 at Blue Door Yoga Room. Michelle feels blessed and rewarded with teaching Yoga to so many diverse groups, children, seniors, and beginners, as well as advanced students. Michelle makes her students feel welcomed and comfortable, with her personable approach.
With her extensive background in Hatha, Ashtanga and Gentle Yoga, Michelle has the healing power of Yoga bringing mental, emotional and physical benefits to her clients. A regular Yoga practice has helped students in reducing stress, improving muscle tone and flexibility, also helped in better sleep.
Michelle’s classes focuses on breathing, stretching and toning muscles with your own body weight. Calming of the mind is important to experience the full benefits of Yoga, as such sometimes we practice mediation and at the end of the class there is always a five minute rest period called Savasana, to give the body a chance to absorb all the benefits of the class.
Michelle upgrades her training with attending various workshops and participating at the Toronto Yoga Show. She has attended workshops with Seane Corn, Baron Baptista and Michelle Cormack. Michelle has also just attended a one week Yoga Retreat at Sivananda Ashram in Feb.
Feeling grounded on your Yoga mat can be a feeling that you can take with you when you step off your Yoga mat, bringing that grounding into your life. Focusing on the breath is very important during your Yoga practice and that as well, you can come back to during life’s challenging times, giving yourself a chance to act instead of reacting. Also, who doesn’t need a little Savasana every once and awhile?
Words to Aspire:
“Live the best life you possibly can. Staying focused in the present moment, the past is gone and the future hasn’t arrived, so live happily now.”
Qualifications, Specialties:
200hr RYT Hatha Yoga Training Course
CPR/First Aid Certified
Registered with Yoga Alliance
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