Sara Hodson is the president of Fitness Industry Council of Canada. Sara has done a commendable job as co-chair of FIC’s BC Coalition since the height of the pandemic, meeting with government leaders and relaying all vital information to FIC members.

Sara has spent her 20-year career devoted to how exercise affects our physical and mental health. She is a strong communicator and believes in strengthening the fitness industry together. As the lead on the federal ask to make exercise a tax deduction, Sara strives to connect with lobbyists, politicians, FIC members, and various groups. A trained Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Hodson began her career in cardiac rehabilitation and diabetes management for Fraser Health Authority in BC. There, she saw a need for patients to have clinically-supervised medical fitness programs beyond the hospital walls. In 2011 she launched LIVE WELL Exercise Clinic – a safe, supportive, supervised exercise environment focused on the management and prevention of chronic health conditions. Her clinics create an inclusive culture where everyone is supported in their health journey. In the last ten years, LIVE WELL has grown as a community with franchises in four Canadian provinces, and since COVID-19 began includes a virtual platform to serve members all over the world. Sara lives and breathes exercise as medicine and is a sought-after speaker on the dose effect of exercise for physical and mental health. Sara is also the proud mother of four children.

Nathalie Lacombe is the vice president of FIC. Nathalie Lacombe is a fitness industry consultant and coach, blending 25 years of international experience with degrees in psychology and exercise science, Nathalie will passionately share her inspirational insights. She uses her uniquely vibrant leadership style to make profound and lasting change with her team, clients, and participants.

Nathalie’s strengths lie in building positive relationships and finding common ground between potential partners. She believes that she can help bridge the gap between the trailblazers who helped create the fitness industry in Canada and the new fitness professionals who are contributing disruptive and exciting trends. As a French Canadian, now back living in Montreal, she will also strive to include Quebec fitness leaders and brands in the future of FIC.

In 2011, Carl opened the first Club 16 Trevor Linden Fitness location in Coquitlam, BC, as the General Manager. He led the Management Group as a Regional Manager from 2012-2017. Soon after, he transitioned into the role of Director of Fitness, where he launched and supported the growth of our newly introduced Personal Training Department. Carl has been promoted to Director of Operations where he now oversees and supports all of the operations of Club 16 Trevor Linden Fitness. Carl is also a Partner with L&L Signature Fitness Group (Club 16 Trevor Linden Fitness and Orange Theory Fitness Lower Mainland).

Carl has been involved in supporting some of the political campaigns provincially in his area of Surrey, British Columbia. He also supports some minor league and children’s sports associations. Carl hopes to become more involved in these types of initiatives in the future. Club 16 Trevor Linden Fitness is an advocate of the National Health and Fitness Day, the Trevor Linden Foundation, the Heart and Stroke Foundation among others.

Scott has been active in the fitness industry for 21 years, serving as a Personal Trainer, Group Fitness instructor and in various management and leadership positions. Scott is currently a partner in KidStrong Canada and the past president of the Fitness Industry Council of Canada. From 2000 to 2021 Scott was a leader and partner with the GYMVMT / World Health / Spa Lady group of fitness clubs. During his tenure the organization was recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed companies and had received the designation as the Achievers top 50 most engaged workplaces in North America.

In 2015 Scott was recognized as one of the top cycling instructors in Canada.

After a successful professional cycling career (2 x Canadian National Champion), Charly has been making his mark in the Fitness & Wellness industry for the last 13 years. Currently Regional Sales & Operations Manager for Orangetheory Fitness, Charly has been working in high-end private clubs (Midtown and Mansfield) for the first 10 years of his career.

He played most roles that a private club can offer, from Fitness and Wellness Coach to Engagement Manager, responsible of the integration of all new members and customer service, and left the high-end sector as General Manager. Still passionate about cycling, he is a Stages Indoor Cycling Master Educator since August 2018.

Paula Comfort is a partner at 360impact Group, a North America leader in executive search and talent acquisition focused in the fitness industry. Since 2008, Paula has executed hundreds of search mandates ranging from sales associate roles to General Counsel. Paula believes strongly in building long term, trusted relationships with 360impact Group clients and takes deep interest in candidates she works with.

Prior to 360impact Group, Paula served as the Managing Director of Fitness and Human Resources for Spa Chakra. Paula holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo. She has held senior leadership roles in all aspects of sales, marketing and operations. As a results oriented leader, her strength and passion is building high performance teams for clients. Paula is a very intuitive leader that quickly assesses culture, organization structure and her superpower if finding the perfect fit for both her clients and candidates.

Ian is a driven leader, with excellent communication skills and the ability to create strong team cultures.

He started his early career in retail management, leading teams of up to 150 members, and then transitioned into management consulting. While consulting Ian was able to work across a variety of industries, focusing on both process improvement and leadership development in organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada. It was while doing this that Ian was introduced to Orangetheory and began the transition into the fitness sector. Ian opened one of the first Orangetheory locations in the downtown core of Toronto and acts as an Owner/Operator for his studio. Ian is also on the leadership team FIC’s Ontario Coalition.