Hi, I’m Shari, a personal trainer and freelance writer motivating you to get active and to be smart about it. I look forward to sharing everything I have learned about fitness over the last 14 years.
Why Radiance?
People glow. Whether it is because they eat a nutritious diet full of life-giving properties, or they have just enjoyed a kick-butt workout, they really do glow.
I have observed that the people that I am most drawn to are absolutely radiant! They are committed to excellence in their fitness, nutrition and life in general. They are immensely driven and most importantly they selflessly share all the good stuff.
Radiance Wellness is both a tribute to those who radiate health and goodness, and a resource for those who need a little guidance getting their glow on.
Welcome to my blog and my world, may you shine bright!
Happy Training,
Shari
About Me
I am a Vancouver Canada based fitness professional with a passion for guiding people to achieve mastery over how their body looks, feels and performs. I am a kinesiologist and have been a certified personal trainer for over 14 years. I am a freelance health & fitness writer, a presenter and the founder of TrainerGirl, a volunteer organization that provides fitness mentorship to underprivileged young girls.
Check out my about.me profile!
Read my fitness bio
How i became a personal trainer
Education & training
Writing & Media
“…once in a while there’s a great dynamite-burst of flying glass and brick and splinters through the front wall and somebody stalks over the rubble, seizes me by the throat and gently says, I will not let you go until you set me, in words, on paper.” Richard Bach, preface to Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah.
Look for discussion of my favorite active living topics at Radiancewellness.ca
Cancelled surgeries, mystery pains vanish, allergies disappear, I have seen the miracles with my own eyes. You would be absolutely amazed at how poor posture effects your health and how surprisingly simple it can be to straighten up.
Vintage doesn’t just apply to French wine and automobiles. Bodies that stay active across the lifespan are superior and ageless.
Squats or surgery? Push-ups or pills? Stairclimber or Stent? Exploring the healing and preventative powers of physical activity.
The number one reason people are not successful is because they lack motivation and will power. Here you will find a little bit of fluffy support and a lot of butt kicking.
Insider Secrets
From the world of personal training by a trainer who has seen it all. Cringe!
Fit Hollywood
When you get paid millions to look good, you’ll do what it takes. Here are the stars who make healthy choices.
Mirror Mirror on the wall, show me the way to the gym.
How the heck does this thing work anyway? Get to know your body better, with limited latin terminology. Latissimus what?
TrainerGirl
Train’em young! Fitness and wellness for girls 12-18 years, the powerful women of the future.
Bittersweet Fitness
The unmentionable side of fitness gets mentioned. Not for sensitive types.
Soleus Par Aqua (SPA)
It took one luxurious hot stone massage and I added spa writer to my job description. Reviews coming soon!
From hot fitness fashions, shopping channel duds to absolute must-have training tools. Reviews of tried, tested and true health and fitness stuff.
Everything you need to know to get in fabulous shape at home. To accompany the Motivate Me section because we all know how successful workouts next to a TV, fridge, couch, bathtub….. can be.
Fit Mamma
Baby on the way? Baby arrived? Baby in college? All moms need to be fit for their babies.
Travel Wellness
Staying fit on the road and discovering wellness destinations. All-inclusive Mexican swim-up bars not included.
Values and Beliefs
I believe…
In the in the whole-person wellness model, which includes six dimensions: physical, spiritual, emotional, vocational intellectual and social.
That bodies of all ages benefit from physical activity.
That regardless of ability, people can embrace a wellness lifestyle.
That daily fresh air, pure water, sunshine, life-giving food and movement are essential for health and vitality.
In a natural method of healthcare that focuses on the whole person and that healing occurs from within, not from a pill .
That our emotions are intricately linked to our body, and negative emotions should be addressed for whole-person wellness to be achieved.
That we all prosper when we surround ourselves with, and do business with wholesome, caring people.
That being active should be fun!
My Training Philosophy
On Strength
-Lift heavy. (Ladies, you’ll get firm and shapely before you become a monster)
- Squats, lunges, pull-ups, deadlifts, row, bench press. Not a whole lot more needed.
-Stable surface. Instability comes from weakness, build strength first.
- Muscle fiber fatigue- last rep hurts.
On Staying Lean
-Lift heavy (especially legs and back).
-HIgh intensity intervals (for the hormone release).
-Protein at every meal.
-Much water.
-Many greens.
On Muscularity
-Lift heavy.
-Stay pumped
-Striations are cool.
On Cardio
-Lift heavy. (Peak heart rates are reached during strength training)
-Never more than 30 minutes, if that, on a machine.
-High intensity intervals.
-Love the stairclimber, hate the elliptical. That’s just personal preference though.
On abs
-Lift heavy. (Metabolism goes through the roof, core is trained with every exercise.)
See On staying lean
-Digestive health is key. (Rotten gut = flabby & distended belly.)
- Transversus abdominis must be quick to fire, then conditioned.
-Hate planks.
-The occasional crunch, but never more than 20 reps.
On Cross Training
-Yoga is good, no amazing. Do it for the body and soul. Do it often.
-Pilates is good, but God forbid not a whole class of it. Build elements of it into your strength routine.
-If it involves ‘mumbo’, ‘grapevine’,’step-touch’, or latin music, run away, fast!
-What the heck is bootcamp anyway?
-“Spin’ your mountain bike up a real mountain.
-The verdict is still pending on the ‘methods’.
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