Courtney McCarthy
CEO & Founder of Loyobo FIT
Fitness Instructor, Body Image & Mindful Eating Coach
"I opened Loyobo FIT as a brick and mortar fitness studio in 2018. My vision was to create a space that was founded in the core values that were important to me: body acceptance, joyful movement, and inclusivity.
Things were going so well! Until 2020 - when we were required to spend the next two years with on/off closures.
In August 2022, I made the decision to end my lease and focus my efforts on transforming Loyobo to a fully virtual wellness community dedicated to guiding women on the pathway to radical body acceptance, using fitness as a way to build their confidence and feel strong, in order to help them take up space in their lives.
I want to show you what is possible when you stop wasting your time and energy trying to be smaller. How strong and worthy you are, and how to trust your body.
You can write your own rules when it comes to fitness and health. I will be your biggest hype girl along the way.
I am always down for a dance party. When I am not working, I love going for long walks with my puppy Archie and cuddling with my cat, Munchkin.”
Christie Contini
Group Fitness instructor & Professional chef
Fuel your body…move your body! Christie’s love of food and fitness go hand in hand. For over 20 years, she has had dual careers in food service and health and fitness. Today, Christie is a Culinary Instructor and a Group Fitness Instructor.
Certified in Group Fitness and Individual Conditioning through YMCA Canada and CanFitPro, Christie also brings her love of dance to her fitness classes. Joining Loyobo last Fall reignited her love of Group Fitness classes and she set the goal of returning to the front of the studio.
“Nothing makes my heart happier than sharing my love of movement and freedom in a safe and supportive community. Dancing on the dance floor with my husband, frolicking on the beach with my daughters or steppin’ it up in the studio with my peers!”
Her smile and enthusiasm are contagious, and she’s excited to help you on your fitness journey!
Linzi Strachan
Yoga Instructor & Reiki master
I was eight years old when I began living with chronic pain and was launched into my journey of healing. Fighting severe migraines, memory loss, body pains, anxiety, misdiagnoses and rare ailments, I wandered into the world of holistic healing and was forever changed.
I wasn’t in control of much, but found that I still had power over how I moved, what I chose to fuel my body with and what energies I allowed to surround and affect me. I began falling in love with a slow, simple, plant based, intentional lifestyle.
As I started connecting with people over my story, I quickly discovered that I wasn’t alone and that by opening up, we were all helping each other to grow and heal together. I started devouring information, taking courses and classes, and here I am today - a 200RYT Yoga Teacher (Vinyasa and Restorative), a Reiki Master (Energy Healer) and a Ski Instructor with a focus on shining the light of change.
My classes are lit with the intention of creating a safe space to grow, learn, share, soothe, laugh, cry, feel and move through life’s many twists. I want to keep on sharing what I have learned (and am continuing to learn) to help you find more joy, manage your stress responses, tap into the power of your breath, fall in love with intentional movement and see your life in a whole new light!
I can’t wait to meet you and melt into our mats together!
Kim Stacey
Fitness instructor & body image coach
Kim is a Group Exercise Instructor, Level 3 Personal Trainer, Burlesque Cardio Instructor, Lower back pain exercise specialist, and Body Image Coach. Plus a Body Inclusive Yoga Instructor in training!
Her aim is build the relationship you have with yourself with joyful movement and coaching. Her ultimate goal is to enable you to make peace with your body. Proud to be fully size inclusive, Kim is specially trained in teaching ALL bodies. Kim lives in the North East of England.
Tess Dsouza
fitness instructor
“Hi I’m Tess, I’m a self confessed lover of joy! Part of this journey has been letting go of any food restrictions following a non-diet approach. The pressure put on women to be a certain body shape puts a fire in my belly! I have a history of performance and carnival dance and honed my dance skills over the years. My classes are all about the fun, easy to follow routines, a dose of sass, silliness and getting our sweat on. Exercise should be enjoyable. I love a bit of 80s/90s plus modern pop and sometimes a dash of dancehall/rave/drum and bass. 💃🏻”
Hildy Harland
Burlesque performer & instructor
Hildy is a multi-disciplinary performer trained originally in Contemporary Dance gaining her degree in 2010. Since leaving University she has worked as a choreographer, teacher and dancer in many different genres including ballet, contemporary, Jazz, Tap, street, traditional jazz and social dances from 1920-1960 which she now specialises in as well as working in her other trained disciplines. Hildy has performed with companies such as Kelly-Abbott Dance, Urban Jazz dance and more at venues including, Metro Radio Arena, Baltic centre For Contemporary Art, Beamish Museum, Northern Stage and Stockton ARC.
Christine Chessman
Strength & movement coach
Pilates instructor
Christine is a strength and movement coach who works in the non-diet space. She has a mission. She is passionate about women 40+ feeling strong in their own skin, moving more freely and prioritising how they FEEL over how they think they should LOOK.
Melissa “Mel” Fick
YOGA INSTRUCTOR
Melissa is an ACE certified personal trainer, 200hr certified yoga instructor, former physiotherapy assistant, seniors fitness specialist, and forever wellness student. Her views when it comes to health and wellness are wholistic (whole health- physical, mental, emotional, environmental, social, spiritual), this means leaving an all or nothing and extremes approach on the side lines and making sure those she works with are receiving the Whole focus! Known to keep her classes and training light, you will find plenty of cheesy jokes thrown in to bring smiles (or dad joke groans) to the whole class; after all laughter is the best medicine. On a personal side, Melissa can be found outside and probably near water in the warmer months, taking in live music, or sitting under a tree with a book in her hand.
Sarah Edwards
assistant
I was born in Thailand and adopted at two days old. I have a diploma in Interior Decorating from Conestoga College, and I’m currently pursuing a career as a registered dietitian at the University of Guelph. I have struggled with my weight since I was 12-13 years old when I was put on a diet and had to go to a gym similar to Curves. I lost a lot of weight and started my high school years obsessing over how my body looked and thus began the continuous cycle of yo-yo dieting. I still struggle with my weight, but I truly started to love the body I was blessed with in my mid-20s when I started doing cross-fit style workouts and put my focus on physical strength rather than the number on the scale. In 2019, I suffered from DVT (aka blood clots) in my right leg, and I haven't been able to fully lift or perform the same pre blood clot era. But that is okay! I still love weightlifting and I only do what my body allows me to do. In my free time, when I’m not cheering on the Toronto Raptors and weightlifting, you’ll find me enjoying quality time with my husband and son, usually through board games, movie nights, or cooking up some delicious Thai food or baked goods.