Are you the right fit?

I’m someone who lives with chronic pain. Over the years I’ve dealt with issues in my knees, back, and shoulders, along with arthritis, plantar fasciitis flare-ups, and the not-so-fun experience of perimenopause. I don’t want my pain to get worse as I age, so I decided to be proactive and sign up with a personal trainer.

At first, I was reluctant. Weight training looked intimidating. I didn’t want to be yelled at, and I lacked confidence in my workout “skills.” I’ve also watched my grandmother and mom struggle with osteoarthritis and muscle issues, and I want to do everything I can to avoid that path. It’s hard watching loved ones deal with something that can sometimes be prevented with the right support and movement.

I first learned about Coach Nic from an influencer I follow on Instagram. It was important to me to support someone local, inclusive, and kind. The moment I met Nic, I knew I was in the right place.

Coach Nic started with an initial assessment to understand my pain points and what my body needed. I love their fun-loving nature, their commitment to community, and the way they make me feel proud of every achievement.

When I first started training, I could barely do a split squat. I had to hold onto a pole or the wall, and some days I cried from the pain and wanted to give up. But Nic adapted exercises for me, encouraged me to try strengthening activities at home, and reminded me to be patient with my body.

Now, 11 months later, I can do split squats. I can sit back on my heels with my bum on my knees. Some days are still harder than others, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Honestly, without Nic’s patience and encouragement, I might have given up.

We also talk about foods that help reduce inflammation, the importance of protein for maintaining muscle, and proper alignment so my training supports my body instead of hurting it.

I’m truly impressed by what my body is capable of. I keep pushing myself because I want to feel better and make choices that support my health. If you’re nervous about starting strength training or dealing with pain, Coach Nic is the person you want in your corner.

Thank you, Coach Nic. You’ve been an instrumental part of my journey.

Before finding Coach Nic I was dealing with a wide range of body pains that had built up over the years. I grew up playing rough sports like hockey and rugby and was always a very active kid — but now, I’m paying the price for it. I had a sore, jammed neck, chronic lower back and hip pain, and extremely tight leg muscles. These issues affected every part of my day — I was never truly comfortable whether standing, sitting, or even lying down.

My work requires me to be on my feet and walking for most of the day, which makes my back and hip flare up constantly. It even affected my strength goals as I had noticed that my pain was holding me back from doing certain movements.

I had tried multiple specialists — physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, and even a foot doctor — but no one seemed to provide lasting solutions or a real understanding of what was going on. Every appointment felt rushed, and I was just given generic exercises that “should” help. After a while, I honestly gave up and accepted that I might just have to live with the pain.

When I moved from my small town to Calgary earlier this year, I knew there would be more options for specialists. I decided to try physiotherapy again, and while I could see the potential benefits, it felt like progress would take a long time — and I still wasn’t getting clear answers about my body.

That’s when I started thinking that maybe what I needed wasn’t just more therapy, but a more active, hands-on approach. I wanted to get stronger and get better at the same time. I had never worked with a personal trainer before, but after researching for a few months and reading reviews, I noticed Coach Nic Chronic Pain Specialist kept coming up — especially for people dealing with pain. Their approach stood out, so I decided to reach out and see if they might be the right fit for me.

I knew I had found the right place after my consultation and first assessment. During that session, I realized how different Coach Nic was from anywhere else I’d been. The assessment was extremely thorough — I was tested on specific movements, and when I struggled with some, it wasn’t brushed off. Instead, Coach Nic took the time to explain what might be causing those limitations and what we could do to fix them.

That level of attention and explanation was something I hadn’t experienced before. It was clear they were invested in finding the why behind my pain, not just treating symptoms. That was the moment I knew I had made the right decision.

My experience since joining has been nothing but positive. Progress has been steady, and I’ve learned that overcoming pain isn’t about quick fixes — it’s about building strength and understanding your body. With Coach Nic’s knowledge and support, I’ve already noticed real improvements.

My back pain has decreased significantly, and even when it does flare up, I now know how to manage it with a few simple exercises I can do anywhere. I’m finally learning how to move better, not just harder — and that’s made a huge difference in both my daily comfort and my confidence in the gym.

The best advice I can give is the same one my mom gave me when I was hesitant to start: “The best thing you can invest in is yourself.” If you’re dealing with pain or just want to get stronger, taking that first step toward change is something only you can do.

With Coach Nic, you won’t just be another client. They genuinely care — they check in, follow up, and go above and beyond to make sure you’re supported every step of the way. It’s not just a gym or a training program; it’s a team that truly wants to help you feel and move better.

I have always been a fairly active person and have played a variety of contact and non-contact sports such as soccer, rugby, tennis, flag football and HIIT classes. I have sustained a myriad of sporting injuries over the years and still suffer from chronic back pain and shoulder pain so wanted to connect with someone who has experience in managing pain and still staying fit without finding limitations in the type of workouts. Having a one-on-one approach was something I needed to get my health and fitness goals back on track.

The need to keep fit and stay healthy now that I’m playing less sports prompted me to find a coach that has expertise and knowledge around working with clients with tailored training to specific needs. The gym set up is an ideal space for one on one personal training, minimal distractions and time to focus on my needs as well as a very convenient location for me. After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 7 years ago, I know I need to stay healthy and keep my body moving as much as possible. Coach Nic is understanding and knowledgeable when it comes to managing symptoms, providing guidance and advice and ensuring I’m still meeting my various goals.

Coach Nic’s knowledge, experience and goal setting was paramount in knowing I would be held accountable and be supported during my fitness journey. We not only work hard but we have fun at the same time and being able to connect outside of the gym during the independence huddles is an added bonus for check ins, accountability and problem solving when it comes to pain management and staying on track.

Since joining Coach Nic’s Independence Mentorship, I have realised how important movement is in ensuring longevity and not falling at the first hurdle when suffering with pain or symptoms. The exclusive app is a fantastic way to track my workouts, nutrition, weight, measurements, message with Coach Nic and stay accountable to my fitness goals. My desire to move my body has increased, I feel stronger and more confident in my workouts and have excellent tips on hitting my nutrition goals.

Working with Coach Nic means working with a professional that supports and encourages you to keep moving and finding solutions and strategies to managing pain and overcoming barriers that may normally stop you from working out, movement or just life. Coach Nic’s positive approach and knowledge ensures your priorities are met while setting you up  for long term success.

1. Before Reaching Out

Pain was a regular occurrence in my everyday life, I had to plan my day around what my body could handle so I didn’t make the pain worse. I felt helpless that I would never find relief, and anger for the things I couldn’t enjoy any more, such as running and stamina to play with my kids.

2. Decision to Seek Help

I had seen recommendations on my community social media page, neighbours who had a similar situation to mine. Coach Nic’s philosophy on pain and strength training made sense to me, and I felt like I had already explored all the medical options which hadn’t helped.

3. Confirmation Moment

After five days I noticed an increase in my stamina, and the ability to perform every day activities without the interruption of pain. By two weeks it was significantly noticeable, and my pain, though still present, was much more manageable.

4. Current Experience.

Now having worked with Coach Nic for 18 months, my pain has almost diminished, and my stamina has returned, allowing me to engage in activities I enjoy. There are days when my pain is slightly higher, or a certain activity that agiates it, but it is much more manageable and I feel I have learned a system from coach Nic and what tools work best to tackle the pain before it gets out of control.

5. Advice to Others

I felt like I had explored all options. PT wasn’t even on my doctor’s list of options, but the s own e behind it makes sense. Coach Nic knows their stuff, they know pain and how it affects the human body. It is not a one size fits all solution, they work with the individual, assessing each triumph and obstacle to see what works and what needs to be tweaked. Working with Coach Nic Chronic Pain Specialist was the best decision I’ve made for my health, they’re the reason I feel like myself again.

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