About Choose2be
Health & Fitness Classes in Nanaimo, B.C.
Why I created Choose2be
A comment I often get from participants and people who know me is how much joy, fun and positivity I bring to them.
But here’s a secret. I wasn’t always like this. I used to be depressed. When I was a teen, I smoked tobacco and told people I wanted to die young. I thought life was pointless.
I often struggled — to fit in, to find my place, to feel “good” about myself, to feel like I could make a difference in the world.
In my early twenties, I studied organic farming in the hope of making a change. But I became frustrated by the politics, by the people using chemicals on their crops, by Monsanto, and on and on.
But, throughout these challenges, exercise has been my medicine. It elevates my mood and gives me power over my life. Exercise gives me an opportunity to learn about myself, to connect with the moment and be present. It also healed my body from pain and trauma caused by repeated accidents.
Exercise is one of the things I have control over. It’s something positive I can do, regardless of what else is happening out there in the world.
I created Choose2be in order to share with others the joy of a healthy lifestyle, especially exercise.
Many of us feel powerless. We don’t know how powerful we are. I want to connect you with your power, with your inner Wonder Woman.
Meet Veronique
Health & Fitness Instructor
“Exercise changes your body and even better, it changes your mood, attitude and mind.”
My Journey
Growing up
I have always been active. In high school, I was a competitive swimmer and kickboxer. At age 19, I was badly injured in a car accident. I suffered a broken femur, cracked ribs and emotional shock. It was a major turning point in my life. My road to recovery created a deeper appreciation for holistic healing as I learned to overcome my injuries through healthy lifestyle choices and fitness. One holistic therapy led to another: Herbal Medicine, Bellydance, Therapeutic Bodywork, Organic Farming, and Weight Training, to name just a few. A tragic accident became a blessing in disguise, inspiring me toward my path of fitness and wellness.
My yoga path
At age 21, I moved to BC to study organic farming and improve my English. In the first year, after moving to Nanaimo, I was in two more car accidents. I had to heal my body and spirit again, this time by attending a three months Yoga Teacher-Training course in Thailand at the Chakra Yoga School in 2004.
Weight Training Room Coordinator
From 2005 to 2010, I worked at the Cégep de Gaspé as a Weight Training Room Coordinator. Taking advantage of summers off, I continued my adventurous lifestyle with dance training, Yoga tetreats and bicycle tours in BC and bu volunteering for three months at Kalani, a holistic retreat center on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Dance
I have tried many styles of dance, including Cuban-style salsa and Bellydance. I am so grateful for all the beautiful and generous teachers I met along the way. I received three grants from Conseil des Arts et Cultures de la Gaspésie; for intensive training in Salsa and Bellydance.
Since my return to BC
I returned to BC in the summer of 2010 and motherhood became my next great adventure. I gave birth to our son, Elohw Mai, after maintaining an active and healthy pregnancy. During the winter of 2012, we completed a 7 week internship at Bellyacres; an Artistic Community and Circus School in Hawaii. I gave birth to our second son, Sunny Oak, in 2013.
Certifications
- Registered Therapeutic Counsellor ID 3047
- Education Assistant and Community Worker Certification
- Certified Parkinson Wellness Recovery
- Experience Yoga Instructor
- canfitpro Pro Trainer
- canfitpro Certified Personal Trainer
- canfitpro Certified Group Fitness Instructor
- Medical Exercise Specialist
- Holistic Nutrition Certificate
- Wellness Eating and Weight Loss Coach
- Certified Yoga Teacher with Chakra Yoga school 340hours
- Yin Yoga Teacher Training
- Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga Instructor
- Rainbow Kid yoga
- Stress Resiliency Certificate
- Active Aging Certificate
- Children Fitness Coach
- Tabata Bootcamp Instructor
- Pound Fit Instructor
- Zumba Instructor
- BollyX Instructor
- Bellydance teacher certified Level 1 & 2 with Hadia
- Thai Massage level 1 with Lotus Palm School
- Spin Instructor
- Drum Alive Instructor
- Bellyfit Instructor
- Classical Stretch Method
- Awakening workshop with Clearmind
- Aesthetician
- Massage Therapist certificate
- Organic Farming Diploma
My Commitment to You
I am committed to inspiring you to create a healthy body and a healthy mind.
I am committed to being real with you. I will be honest and tell you the truth. I have learned a great deal about health and fitness during my life. It’s my passion and I want to share it with you.
You don’t need to be on some sort of extreme regime to create the amazing health you deserve. Simply set you mind to it and commit. You are beautiful and worth it.
What Choose2be Clients Say
Choose2be Strong
Start small if you need to. If you haven’t exercised for a long time, just begin by walking for 15 minutes a day and build up from there. You will be amazed at the domino effect this will have on the rest of your life. You will find it influencing how you feel about yourself. You will notice yourself making better choices in many areas of your life.
Choose2be Happy
Start with the simple things. Be happy that you can walk, that you can see beautiful things, feel love and be loved. Look at yourself and focus on what you love about yourself. Be positive, cultivate gratitude, and let it grow on you.
Choose2be Healthy
There is no quick fix. You can’t buy health. You can’t buy a strong body. You need to create it through every choice you make, from eating to how you see yourself. A great place to start is exercise. You need to make exercise a lifestyle. Do whatever type of exercise you enjoy and find inspiring: walking, biking, weight lifting, yoga, dancing…
Get In Touch
Choose2be now offers you an amazing opportunity to become a yoga leader in your community!
(250) 760-8524
