Meet our Instructors
Mary Letson
Founder Positively Fit Training Studio, ACE certified Health & Wellness Coach, BCRPA certified Personal Trainer, Yoga Instructor and UK trekking guide enthusiast
Mary stumbled across her passion for fitness leadership in 1984 and dabbled in part time coaching until 1997. Realizing that inspired fitness coaching was her calling, she launched Positively Fit in ’97 and has since honed her skills and built a team of skilled trainers to address the breadth and scope of Bowen Island’s fitness aspirations. In 2006, she opened Bowen’s unique, boutique style gym providing all the right equipment in a light-filled oasis tucked away in Snug Cove. Along with Health & Wellness Coaching Mary has completed training in Osteofit, Third Age, 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, and has a double degree in History and Communications from SFU. Her love of adventure fitness takes her to the UK every year to host Cornwall trekking tours that combine daily walking with stunning scenery, divine food and superb accommodations. Her combined love of fitness and passion for her community has culminated in numerous events including TRI for CHAC, Aaron’s Run, The Reindeer Run and most recently in Bowen Island’s sweetheart event SwimBowen.
Jo Quarry
Canfitpro Certified Personal Trainer
A certified personal trainer since 2009, Joanna is a master at guiding clients through their fitness programs with just the right balance of difficulty to challenge the client all while ensuring excellent form and superb results! She has specialty training in Joint Replacement Exercise, is a level One NCCP certified Soccer Coach. And lucky for Bowen Islanders, her passion for running has translated brilliantly into the much loved Sun Run Clinic Coordinator since 2010.
Rachel Canning
Kinesiologist (BSc), NCCP Cycling Coach, Personal Trainer
After a ski racing accident at the age of 16, Rachel began cycling to rehab her knee. She fell in love with the sport, and has since cycled competitively throughout Europe, The US and Canada representing BC at the Canada Summer Games, Western Canada Summer Games, Senior and Junior Road and Track Nationals as well as in Europe with amateur Dutch and Belgian teams. Rachel’s coaching style combines a wide understanding and practice of functional strength, high intensity conditioning, and cardiovascular cross training styles. Clients are inspired by her knowledge, care, and compassionate coaching style – a winning combination both in her career as a trainer and personally on the competitive cycling circuit.
Marla Brillinger
BCRPA PT certified, Marla has 20 years plus of experience in the fitness industry as both a personal trainer as well as co-owning two health and wellness centers in Vancouver. She graduated from SFU with a focus on kinesiology and geography. Marla is skilled working with a wide variety of the population including seniors, sports specific, as well as rehabilitation. Special interests include running with her dog, triathlons and marathon running, kayaking, and motorcycling. She combines her love of human health with her love of animal health with her work in veterinary medicine.
David Koeplin
Boxing coach
Join boxing Coach David Koeplin for a workout of lifetime! Balancing strength, power, and agility, boxing delivers a winning combination of stress relief and fitness conditioning. Learn shadowboxing, the “sudoku for the body” with proper stance, footwork and striking patterns. Limited to 8 students, enjoy David ’s skilled instruction in a personalized setting. All equipment provided with the exception of hand wraps (available at Canadian Tire). Beginners welcome!
We are unique
Positively Fit trainers are exceptional in their scope and depth of fitness leadership. From competitive sports training to yoga, Pilates, clinical exercise specialized training, rehabilitative coaching and injury prevention, there is the right trainer for your unique fitness objectives.
“Through the compassionate and competent support of PF trainers I have recovered my health both physically and mentally… The gift of their coaching made all the difference!”
C MacKinnon