About Me
My name is Megan Jones, and my pronouns are she/her. I am currently settled in Toronto, Ontario, which is the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which I gratefully work, play, and learn.
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My goal as a trainer is helping people build physical and mental strength through joyful practices. I have a background in dancing, swimming, and running. I fell in love with strength training and group fitness in 2013.
I prioritize fun and am full of corny jokes, but I take workouts seriously, with a focus on form, the mind-body connection, and understanding the why of movement. I love crafting the perfect workout playlist (with plenty of throwback jams).
When I'm not moving and sweating, I like reading, puzzling, and spending time with my loved ones.
Certifications and Training
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Personal Training Specialist, CanFitPro
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Group Fitness Specialist, CanFitPro
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Contemporary Mat Pilates, MuseMovement
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First Aid and CPR C
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Mental Health First Aid
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Anti-Racism for Fitness Professionals with Chrissy King
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Barre for All Bodies with Autonomy Movement
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Making Pilates Accessible for Larger Bodies with Allison Skewes
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Equitable and Inclusive Language for Yoga Teachers with Dianne Bondy and Amber Karnes
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Trauma-Informed Weightlifting Foundations with Center for Trauma & Embodiment
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Mobility Specialist with Offbeat Training
My Philosophy
My training and offerings are rooted in the following beliefs:
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Body Liberation
Sometimes the idea of learning to love my body or celebrating what it can do rather than how it looks feels like a lot of pressure. What I ultimately want for us all is to get free! Jes Baker does a great job of explaining body liberation:
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"Liberation is freedom from all outside expectations, even our own. Liberation is not having to love your body all the time. Liberation is not asking permission to be included in society’s ideal of beauty. Liberation is bucking the concept of beauty as currency altogether. Liberation is recognizing the systemic issues that surround us and acknowledging that perhaps we’re not able to fix them all on our own."
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Anti-Oppression
I am committed to critically interrogating and dismantling the systems and structures that oppress, marginalize, and silence people and communities. This work starts and continues within me as a white, cisgender settler. I recognize that our joy is interconnected, and it takes constant action to protect and promote that joy.
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HAES, with a caveat
My work aligns with the Health At Every Size (HAES) principles, with the caveat that we don't owe it to anyone to be healthy, not even ourselves. This links back to body liberation and anti-oppression, and recognizes the pressures the concept of health places on us, the question of who or what systems are defining health, and the ways in which this concept of health is not acccessible for everyone. It is extremely complex!
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My Commitments
Here's what you can expect in a session with me!
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Language
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I will always encourage you to make choices that are best for you and your body in the moment. As long as your movement won't potentially cause injury, I will let you do you.
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I may invite you to explore your limits with curiosity and compassion. Do you want to try a new variation of an exercise? Do you want to lower into that squat a little deeper? Do you want to take your intensity from a 7/10 to a 9/10? The answer can always be no.
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I avoid gendered language.
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I don't talk about weight loss. I am anti-diet, so you'll never hear me suggesting that we're earning or working off food. I am sober, so I also don't talk about drinking and substances. These are my personal choices, and not a judgment on you!
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Music
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A great playlist can keep you moving and present in your workout. As much as possible, I use songs with radio-friendly language.
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I will not play songs with the n-word, music made by or with abusers, or songs with misogynist, hateful, or otherwise oppressive lyrics. If I do this unintentionally, please call me in.
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Fees
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I work on a sliding scale basis, with no questions asked.
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If the low end of the scale is still a barrier, let's chat! Depending on the service and scheduling, a no-cost option may be available.