ABOUT HRM

Sarah Gilks

CEO/Founder HRM

Personal Trainer, BCRPA

High Performance Coach

Isagenix Executive and Wellness Coach

Entrepreneur and founder/CEO of the internationally renowned women's health and fitness movement ~ healthyrolemodels.com

With a mission to help others create healthy, VIBRANT lives, Sarah created Healthy Role Models when she saw a need for a community made up of women who were passionate about health, supporting one another, and striving for excellence in all areas of their lives. She believes that if you don’t have something in your life, and you need it/want it, then you should BUILD IT, and so that is what she did.

A unique online creation, Healthy Role Models (HRM) differs from other 12 week "challenges". "We built the foundation on teaching and modeling skills and habits that create a healthy LIFESTYLE.

We teach women to honor their challenges, what to do when they meet them, about the grit they will develop along the way and also the rewards/successes that will be waiting on the other side”. Heart-centered around community, HRM teaches through “modeling” instead of telling. "I believe leading by example is one of the most important ways we teach. Leading a vibrant, healthy, fulfilled lifestyle, inspires the people around you, and the success of HRM is built upon that ripple effect." Sarah's HRM programs have quickly grown from 20 women in her hometown to approximately 1000 worldwide.

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Tanna Payne

Master Personal Trainer

Registered Perioperative Nurse

International Level Olympic Weightlifter & Coach

Tanna has 25+ years of experience in both the fitness and sport industry as both a Master Trainer and competitive athlete. She has had the opportunity to work with clients of all ages, levels and abilities from grass roots to world class.

Tanna was a head trainer and post rehabilitation specialist at a premier fitness studio for 6 years and then transitioned into her own gym where she could pursue her passion of women’s health and fitness. Tanna works as a Nurse in the operating room and is a Mom to 2 amazing young girls.

Candice Fraser

Director of HRM Client Care

Hi I’m Candice and I proudly work for HRM to help you.

I live in Nanaimo BC with my Husband and 2 kids and a golden retriever my fur baby! I started working for Healthy Role Models back in 2012! I loved the idea of surrounding myself with other powerful ladies who wanted to live life to its fullest while living a healthy lifestyle. Little did I know that this community would end up meaning a tremendous amount to me. I’ve met some of my best friends throughout HRM.

As Director of Client Care I play a few roles ~ Customer service, Registration, Newsletter, swag shop, post office, Lead Ambassador, social media helper and of course, co-lead Strong Summer/Winter Posse just to name a few!

It brings me great joy to surround myself with so many amazing women on a daily basis. To be inspired daily by others while working, what more could you want.

You will see a lot of me on the page as it brings me a great amount of joy to cheer others on while they crush their goals and continue to show up for themselves! It truly is inspiring. I am so thrilled to be here on this journey with you and if you need anything I am happy to assist you!

Lea Smith

Nutritionist

OR Nurse

Lea is a loving wife, doodle momma, Registered Nurse, and founder of Beyond Measure Nutrition. She became a part of the Healthy Role Models community and team in early 2012 as she was beginning her career as a nurse, and diagnosed with PCOS.

Lea knew she wanted to truly practice what she taught, and live an authentic, healthy life. As she experienced her own significant physical and mindset transformation, she understood the power of the positive ripple effect, and how it transformed all areas of her life! In finding HRM, Lea found true friendship, connection, and a sense of purpose in empowering other women to be the best, healthiest, happiest version of themselves.

Beyond Measure Nutrition offers individualized one-on-one nutrition and wellness coaching services to Healthy Role Models to help them achieve their personal goals. She believes the combination of the HRM program and her one-on-one coaching is the ultimate recipe for success.

Rachel Wu

Physiotherapist, BMR-PT

Co-Owner of Elite Sports Injury and Elevate Sports Recovery and Performance Centre

Rachel graduated from the University of Manitoba’s School of Medical Rehabilitation in 2009. She created her own space, Teulon Physiotherapy clinic in 2010 and grew a full-time practice in her hometown. In 2013 she was offered the ownership and management position at Elite Sports Injury, St James in Winnipeg. With the support of her husband working in Teulon, she was able to work in a multidisciplinary clinic within a large organization. After 9 years, they have expanded the Elite’s St James clinic into a state-of-the-art facility shared with Elevate Sports Recovery and Performance Center.

Rachel is constantly intrigued by how the body moves and is certified in SFMA, FMS and FCS all of which are various movement analysis scans. In addition to being very hands on with manual therapy and instrument assisted massage during treatment, she is certified in both acupuncture and functional dry needling.

Being a part of the HRM team is welding her 2 passions of healthy living and physiotherapy together. She is SO excited to be on this journey with you all!

Katie Marren

HRM Yoga Teacher

District Principal of Indigenous Education

Katie is a Cree Metis Educator, momma to Jakob, partner to Jesse, and Yoga Instructor. She began her journey with Healthy Role Models in 2020 as both a yoga teacher and participant in the program and has been amazed by her own growth and learning around community, connection, and care.

Katie centers balance in all areas of her life; she is learning to balance strength and softness; intensity and calm; fierce advocacy and deep listening. Katie is also on a learning journey about her own Indigenous identity. She is passionate about bringing Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into schools, districts, and communities.

Alec Watson

Creative Director ~ HRM

I’m Alec Watson, and have the incredible privilege of being the Creative Director for Healthy Role Models. I shoot all the workout videos, record the podcasts, and create the promotional videos that share the inspiring message of HRM with the world. It’s an honour being able to contribute to a movement that empowers women and builds a strong community - this fills me with gratitude every day.

Not only do I get to bring Sarah's vision to life through my creative work, but I also live it. I’m fully immersed in the HRM lifestyle, testing every workout, whether I’m in our studio or on the road shooting campaigns. You’ll often find me in a hotel gym somewhere, sweating through the latest workout, and people frequently stop to ask what I’m doing! I love pushing myself with every new HRM program, knowing firsthand the difference it makes.

Beyond HRM, I’m best known for my work in photography and advertising. As a multi-disciplinary artist, my photography has graced magazine covers, movie posters, album covers, and global ad campaigns. As a director of photography, I’ve filmed ads for clients ranging from Britney Spears to Sexy Hair, and my background as a recording engineer and record producer earned me gold and platinum records for production and songwriting.

When I’m not behind the camera, I’m always learning. I earned my Master's at Harvard in Digital Media and furthered my studies in cinematography at GCI in Hollywood.

No matter where my work takes me, Healthy Role Models always has my heart and of course ~ so does Sarah. 🦋