Paul Hemsworth, Founder & Principal
In 2008, Paul Hemsworth started his professional journey in strength and conditioning while working for a company called Human Motion in Vancouver, BC. He was fortunate enough to work with some great coaches, not only within the company but also the fitness hub that was the Lower Mainland. Prior to working in the field, Paul received his Bachelors of Human Kinetics at the University of British Columbia and then went on to become certified as a strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) with the NSCA, as well as an exercise physiologist (CEP) with CSEP.
In 2010, Paul and his now wife Leah decided to move back to their roots in Thunder Bay, ON. It was this move that shaped Paul immensely as it was an opportunity to start his own business from scratch and really shape the company to the visions that he had so long aspired for. In November 2010 he started Hemsworth Strength & Wellness. Before long, Hemsworth had developed a very trusting and consistent client base and felt that to meet the needs of his tribe, he needed to open up his own facility that kept aligned with his philosophies of coaching.
Enter Thrive. On January 15th, 2014 Hemsworth with enormous help from his pregnant wife of 7 months, opened the doors of Thrive Strength & Wellness! It has since been the home of athletes, life-changers, beginners, elderly, youth, weekend warriors, and many more. It has become a hub of health and performance that has created a community that has meshed so many individuals from so many walks of life.
With a resume that includes working with professional athletes as well as developing younger athletes, Hemsworth has also made a name for himself with his unique approach to helping so many transform their lives. He takes deep pride in changing the way we view health and fitness in order to understand the human potential.
Hemsworth hopes that Thrive can continue to provide whole coaching in order to serve individuals who are looking, not to just get by and be removed of illness and disease, but to lead fulfilled, meaningful, and purposeful lives and careers – in essence, to thrive.
It’s a fresh approach that favours life and light over superficiality and image, and he can’t wait to help Thunder Bay thrive. (He's also a proud new dad, and will talk your ear off about his kids to anyone who will listen).
In 2010, Paul and his now wife Leah decided to move back to their roots in Thunder Bay, ON. It was this move that shaped Paul immensely as it was an opportunity to start his own business from scratch and really shape the company to the visions that he had so long aspired for. In November 2010 he started Hemsworth Strength & Wellness. Before long, Hemsworth had developed a very trusting and consistent client base and felt that to meet the needs of his tribe, he needed to open up his own facility that kept aligned with his philosophies of coaching.
Enter Thrive. On January 15th, 2014 Hemsworth with enormous help from his pregnant wife of 7 months, opened the doors of Thrive Strength & Wellness! It has since been the home of athletes, life-changers, beginners, elderly, youth, weekend warriors, and many more. It has become a hub of health and performance that has created a community that has meshed so many individuals from so many walks of life.
With a resume that includes working with professional athletes as well as developing younger athletes, Hemsworth has also made a name for himself with his unique approach to helping so many transform their lives. He takes deep pride in changing the way we view health and fitness in order to understand the human potential.
Hemsworth hopes that Thrive can continue to provide whole coaching in order to serve individuals who are looking, not to just get by and be removed of illness and disease, but to lead fulfilled, meaningful, and purposeful lives and careers – in essence, to thrive.
It’s a fresh approach that favours life and light over superficiality and image, and he can’t wait to help Thunder Bay thrive. (He's also a proud new dad, and will talk your ear off about his kids to anyone who will listen).
Leah Hemsworth, General Manager, Yoga teacher
Born and raised in rural Thunder Bay, Leah moved to Vancouver in 2002 to study Kinesiology and run varsity track and field at Simon Fraser University. Leah worked briefly in Vancouver as a personal trainer and then began her Masters of Physiotherapy at the University of British Columbia in 2007. Leah practiced physiotherapy for 5 years in both Vancouver and Thunder Bay before giving birth to her son Oliver in 2014 and daughter Maya in 2018. In 2013 she also took her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training on Texada Island, British Columbia and has been teaching Hatha yoga intermittently since.
Leah is the general manager at Thrive, working with Paul to maintain a thriving environment for the team. Leah will be returning to teaching Hatha yoga at Thrive in the near future. Leah and Paul have started homeschooling their oldest child and many of Leah’s days are filled with providing their children with opportunities to explore, connect and grow in nature and in the community.
You can contact Leah at [email protected] with any questions about yoga or Thrive.
Leah is the general manager at Thrive, working with Paul to maintain a thriving environment for the team. Leah will be returning to teaching Hatha yoga at Thrive in the near future. Leah and Paul have started homeschooling their oldest child and many of Leah’s days are filled with providing their children with opportunities to explore, connect and grow in nature and in the community.
You can contact Leah at [email protected] with any questions about yoga or Thrive.
dr. porter brown, chiropractor/strength coach
Porter was born and raised in Thunder Bay. He attended the University of Alberta for a Kinesiology degree and to pursue his passion in university football (CIS) for the Golden Bears. After five years, Porter decided to hang up his cleats and continue his academic career at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto to become a Doctor of Chiropractic. It was during these years that he met his wife, Jessica. Upon graduation Porter and Jessica returned to Thunder Bay to begin their respective careers and start a family. In 2017, Porter and Jessica welcomed their daughter into the world. Porter operated his business, Brown Chiropractic and Rehab, for a year at a local multi-disciplinary health centre before relocating to Thrive Strength and Wellness in 2017.
Porter is a chiropractor and strength and conditioning specialist that treats musculoskeletal disorders within a biopyschosocial model. His treatments primarily include movement therapy and manual care in the form of manipulative and soft tissue therapy. From sports, to his undergraduate degree, to chiropractic, Porter has always had an interest promoting and living a health lifestyle. He has supplemented his formal chiropractic training with numerous courses and certifications.
Certifications and Qualifications:
Doctor of Chiropractic
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Hardstyle Kettlebell Certification
Active Release Technique
Functional Range Release
Functional Movement Screen
Selective Functional Movement Assessment
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization
Emergency First Responder
To learn more or to book an appointment with Dr. Brown, visit www.brownchiropractic.ca or call 807-622-6200.
Porter is a chiropractor and strength and conditioning specialist that treats musculoskeletal disorders within a biopyschosocial model. His treatments primarily include movement therapy and manual care in the form of manipulative and soft tissue therapy. From sports, to his undergraduate degree, to chiropractic, Porter has always had an interest promoting and living a health lifestyle. He has supplemented his formal chiropractic training with numerous courses and certifications.
Certifications and Qualifications:
Doctor of Chiropractic
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Hardstyle Kettlebell Certification
Active Release Technique
Functional Range Release
Functional Movement Screen
Selective Functional Movement Assessment
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization
Emergency First Responder
To learn more or to book an appointment with Dr. Brown, visit www.brownchiropractic.ca or call 807-622-6200.
vanessa perrier, Registered massage therapist
Vanessa completed her bachelor of arts in Political Science before pursuing her passion for health and wellness. She relocated to Sarnia, Ontario to complete her studies in Massage Therapy. She received her Advanced Diploma in Massage Therapy in June 2015 from Lambton College and returned home to Thunder Bay to start her practice.
Since graduating, Vanessa has developed an interest in sports and rehabilitative massage therapy and become a member of the Canadian Sport Massage Therapists Association. She has gained valuable experience working with a multitude of different injuries and sports related issues through her training and through her experience working with the Lakehead University athletes. Vanessa’s increasing interest in the body and its interconnectivity has lead her to pursue further studies. She is currently studying to become a manual Osteopath at the Canadian College of Osteopathy’s 5 year program.
Certifications and Qualifications:
Registered Massage Therapist – College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
Canadian Sport Massage Therapist Association (certification candidate)
Contemporary cupping methods – International Cupping Therapy Association
Postural respiration – Postural Restoration Institute
Soft tissue release - Soft Tissue Release Training Workshops
To book an appointment with or learn more about Vanessa, visit vanessaperriermt.janeapp.com
Since graduating, Vanessa has developed an interest in sports and rehabilitative massage therapy and become a member of the Canadian Sport Massage Therapists Association. She has gained valuable experience working with a multitude of different injuries and sports related issues through her training and through her experience working with the Lakehead University athletes. Vanessa’s increasing interest in the body and its interconnectivity has lead her to pursue further studies. She is currently studying to become a manual Osteopath at the Canadian College of Osteopathy’s 5 year program.
Certifications and Qualifications:
Registered Massage Therapist – College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
Canadian Sport Massage Therapist Association (certification candidate)
Contemporary cupping methods – International Cupping Therapy Association
Postural respiration – Postural Restoration Institute
Soft tissue release - Soft Tissue Release Training Workshops
To book an appointment with or learn more about Vanessa, visit vanessaperriermt.janeapp.com
Kristina belanger, strength coach
Originally a graduate from the Honours Bachelor of Commerce program at Lakehead University, Kristina worked for a few years in the corporate setting and quickly realized that her personal interest in physical and mental well-being and helping others was pulling her towards a new career path.
Kristina began her studies by completing the Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification, after which she attained the Personal Training Certification with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Throughout her studies, Kristina spent a number of hours shadowing the coaches at THRIVE Strength and Wellness. Being a part of the THRIVE community served as inspiration to further pursue her career in the health and wellness field, and to join their team’s efforts to provide empathetic, client-centered and inspiring coaching.
Kristina hopes that in working at THRIVE she can help break the all too real stereotype of the fitness industry which is traditionally based on image, by making compassion and self-acceptance the cornerstone of her work. Belanger’s vision is to create a space for clients to feel comfortable and safe in their own skin and with each client she strives to not only assist them become healthier, stronger versions of themselves, but to also develop healthy relationships with food and exercise, and improve confidence and self-compassion.
To learn more about Kristina or to book an appointment, visit www.maitrifitness.ca.
Kristina began her studies by completing the Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification, after which she attained the Personal Training Certification with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Throughout her studies, Kristina spent a number of hours shadowing the coaches at THRIVE Strength and Wellness. Being a part of the THRIVE community served as inspiration to further pursue her career in the health and wellness field, and to join their team’s efforts to provide empathetic, client-centered and inspiring coaching.
Kristina hopes that in working at THRIVE she can help break the all too real stereotype of the fitness industry which is traditionally based on image, by making compassion and self-acceptance the cornerstone of her work. Belanger’s vision is to create a space for clients to feel comfortable and safe in their own skin and with each client she strives to not only assist them become healthier, stronger versions of themselves, but to also develop healthy relationships with food and exercise, and improve confidence and self-compassion.
To learn more about Kristina or to book an appointment, visit www.maitrifitness.ca.
katelyn zen, Strength coach
Born in Thunder Bay but raised in North bay, Katelyn returned to complete her honours bachelor in kinesiology and the graduate diploma and professional kinesiology at Lakehead University in 2016. During this time she competed for the Lakehead Women’s Basketball team for five years.
After graduation, Katelyn gained experience in the workforce as the Lakehead Concussion Clinic Coordinator, and and physicians extension to local orthopaedic surgeon Dr. R. Peter Clark. In the meantime, Katelyn pursued her strength coaching passion on the side, working with the women’s basketball program as their strength and conditioning coach.
Katelyn has a passion for wellness and how exercise can impact physical, mental, and emotional health. Katelyn began working at THRIVE in 2019 and hopes to bring an enthusiastic approach to exercise based medicine to improve fitness, performance, and injury prevention.
Certifications/Qualifications
Registered Kinesiologist
Bachelors of Kinesiology (Lakehead)
Graduate Diploma in Professional Kinesiology (Lakehead)
First Aid & CPR
After graduation, Katelyn gained experience in the workforce as the Lakehead Concussion Clinic Coordinator, and and physicians extension to local orthopaedic surgeon Dr. R. Peter Clark. In the meantime, Katelyn pursued her strength coaching passion on the side, working with the women’s basketball program as their strength and conditioning coach.
Katelyn has a passion for wellness and how exercise can impact physical, mental, and emotional health. Katelyn began working at THRIVE in 2019 and hopes to bring an enthusiastic approach to exercise based medicine to improve fitness, performance, and injury prevention.
Certifications/Qualifications
Registered Kinesiologist
Bachelors of Kinesiology (Lakehead)
Graduate Diploma in Professional Kinesiology (Lakehead)
First Aid & CPR
jennifer bull, physiotherapist
Jennifer is a Registered Physiotherapist who completed her Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto. Prior to this, she obtained her Bachelor in Physical and Health Education from Queen’s University in Kingston. Jennifer worked for several years at private practice clinics in Toronto before moving up to Thunder Bay in 2017. Although not originally from Thunder Bay, she has fallen in love with everything the town has to offer.
Jennifer places high value on lifelong learning and improvement and therefore became certified in Medical Contemporary Acupuncture as well as obtaining her Sport Physiotherapy Certificate. Additionally, she has completed several courses in acute and post-concussion syndrome. She is currently the lead of the integrated support team for Nordiq National Development Team based here in Thunder Bay, as well as providing sideline coverage for several SSSAA high school sports. She has worked with teams and athletes at a variety of levels, including the Pan Am and Para Pan Am Games, Canada Games, North American Indigenous Games and Tevlin Challenger.
Not into sports? Don’t worry, she has extensive experience working with people of all ages and activity levels. She has the unique education of Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT) and is Level 3 certified. NKT has helped to develop her philosophy of looking to address the whole person, not just the injury, to help ensure long-lasting results. It is her goal to get to the underlying cause or ‘why’ of the injury and not just treat the symptoms themselves. She wants you to be an active player in your recovery, to help you feel independent and in control.
Certifications and Qualifications:
Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy
Honours Bachelor of Arts in Physical and Health Education
Medical Contemporary Acupuncture Certified
Sport Physiotherapy Certificate
R2P Acute and Post-Concussion Syndrome
Soft Tissue Release Technique
Neurokinetic Therapy Level 3
Othopaedic Manual Therapy Level 2 (Upper and Lower)
Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA)
Emergency First Responder
APTEI Advanced TMJ Evaluation and Management
Gray Institute Chain Reaction and ACL Prevention
Jennifer places high value on lifelong learning and improvement and therefore became certified in Medical Contemporary Acupuncture as well as obtaining her Sport Physiotherapy Certificate. Additionally, she has completed several courses in acute and post-concussion syndrome. She is currently the lead of the integrated support team for Nordiq National Development Team based here in Thunder Bay, as well as providing sideline coverage for several SSSAA high school sports. She has worked with teams and athletes at a variety of levels, including the Pan Am and Para Pan Am Games, Canada Games, North American Indigenous Games and Tevlin Challenger.
Not into sports? Don’t worry, she has extensive experience working with people of all ages and activity levels. She has the unique education of Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT) and is Level 3 certified. NKT has helped to develop her philosophy of looking to address the whole person, not just the injury, to help ensure long-lasting results. It is her goal to get to the underlying cause or ‘why’ of the injury and not just treat the symptoms themselves. She wants you to be an active player in your recovery, to help you feel independent and in control.
Certifications and Qualifications:
Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy
Honours Bachelor of Arts in Physical and Health Education
Medical Contemporary Acupuncture Certified
Sport Physiotherapy Certificate
R2P Acute and Post-Concussion Syndrome
Soft Tissue Release Technique
Neurokinetic Therapy Level 3
Othopaedic Manual Therapy Level 2 (Upper and Lower)
Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA)
Emergency First Responder
APTEI Advanced TMJ Evaluation and Management
Gray Institute Chain Reaction and ACL Prevention
ryan gallant, strength coach, yoga teach
Ryan grew up just outside of Vancouver, BC. His passion for sports, health, and fitness led him to studying Kinesiology and Psychology at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV). He graduated in 2013 and began working as a Kinesiologist/Strength Coach at Steve Nash Sports Club in Vancouver. For 3 years Ryan helped transform his clients lives with a balanced approach to fitness. In 2014 he became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and completed certifications with TRX, BOSU, and Agatsu Kettlebell.
In late 2015 Ryan left Canada to study Yoga in India. He completed several different Yoga trainings and travelled the world teaching yoga and fitness wherever he went. This journey was truly transformational for Ryan, and it led him to a whole new appreciation for a balanced approach to wellness.
In 2019 Ryan met his now fiancé, Jess, while in India. They returned to Canada in early 2020 and soon found out they were expecting a baby girl. They spent the rest of the year preparing for her arrival while Ryan worked as a Kinesiologist and Yoga Teacher at Personal Best in Vancouver.
In May 2021 they moved to Thunder Bay (where Jess is originally from) and began putting their roots down in the community. Ryan met Paul shortly after arriving and knew right away Thrive was the place to set up his business in Thunder Bay. He shares the same vision of the gym being a place for transformation of the body and the person; a transformation that spills out into all areas of life. He joined the team at Thrive in September 2021.
His approach to fitness is holistic; the goal for all his client’s is for them to become strong and flexible in the body and mind. He utilizes functional fitness, strength training, and yoga to guide client’s towards this goal.
To check out more about Ryan and book a free consultation go to www.bodhibodies.ca.
In late 2015 Ryan left Canada to study Yoga in India. He completed several different Yoga trainings and travelled the world teaching yoga and fitness wherever he went. This journey was truly transformational for Ryan, and it led him to a whole new appreciation for a balanced approach to wellness.
In 2019 Ryan met his now fiancé, Jess, while in India. They returned to Canada in early 2020 and soon found out they were expecting a baby girl. They spent the rest of the year preparing for her arrival while Ryan worked as a Kinesiologist and Yoga Teacher at Personal Best in Vancouver.
In May 2021 they moved to Thunder Bay (where Jess is originally from) and began putting their roots down in the community. Ryan met Paul shortly after arriving and knew right away Thrive was the place to set up his business in Thunder Bay. He shares the same vision of the gym being a place for transformation of the body and the person; a transformation that spills out into all areas of life. He joined the team at Thrive in September 2021.
His approach to fitness is holistic; the goal for all his client’s is for them to become strong and flexible in the body and mind. He utilizes functional fitness, strength training, and yoga to guide client’s towards this goal.
To check out more about Ryan and book a free consultation go to www.bodhibodies.ca.
