Chris Wilmot

Born in Nova Scotia, Chris spent the formative years of his life growing up in the southern African country of Zimbabwe. He was always active throughout his schooling playing basketball, and reached the highest levels attainable in Zimbabwe. 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! Chris began working out and soon began noticing positive changes in both his physical and mental health. He began to feel “alive” again. He developed a more positive outlook and became comfortable in a gym environment, and realized 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. 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 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. In 2001, he was 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. In 2004, Chris developed Fit Factor, a high-intensity, outdoor group training program which challenges its participants to increase activity and ability. Over the past number of years Chris has had the opportunity to instruct and facilitate training clinics and camps for athletes at various levels of competition. In 2005, Chris 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. 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. After 11 years of moonlighting in various security roles, a brief hiatus from Halifax to follow the thrill of providing personal security in the entertainment industry ultimately refreshed Chris’ realization that he belongs in the world of health and fitness. The interaction with people in a positive environment, the encouragement along the way, and the eventual experience of achievement is what truly satisfies him.