MP: What made you want to exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle?

Brenna: I was raised in a very active family who grew our own food and raised our own meat,. It was kind of like a hobby farm. As a family, we did a lot of cross country skiing and outdoor fitness together, which really made a difference when I became an adult. I grew to love those kinds of activities. I've always wanted to stay active and I found that fitness really helped me get through the challenging times in my life. Physical activity allows me to channel my negative energy into a training regimen and then I see the benefits in the form of results.

MP: How have you learned your knowledge of health and fitness?

Brenna: First and foremost, I would have to say that the wealth of my knowledge has come from my family. Then I chose to study physical education and Fitness at McGill University. The more I learn, the more I grow as an individual and the better it helps me at my job-the better trainer I become. Jean Luc Boissonneault, one of the owners of Free Form Fitness, a personal training center in Ottawa, has also taught me a great deal about training and programming.

MP: As a personal trainer, how do you motivate your clients?

Brenna: I motivate my clients by helping them challenge themselves inside and outside. I help them stay focused and on track with their goals. By doing this, they see real results which internally motivates them to push even harder. Once my client reaches his/her goal, they can then take what they have learned and apply it to every other area of their life. And then we move onward to set new goals, and the process repeats, of course!

MP: Do you have any specific ways to train your clients? What do you feel works best for the individuals that you train? What do you tell them to do outside of the gym to help further their goals?

Brenna: At Free Form Fitness, we follow a philosopy in which we train our clients according to the 6 stages of fitness. We assess each client's fitness level and put them into an appropriate program depending on where they stand. To see more specific ways check out Free Form Fitness. One of the tips I give my clients outside of the gym is to stay organized. When losing weight or body fat, diet is extremely important. If you are not organized, following a meal plan for the first time can be very difficult, if not impossible. Cook meals beforehand, and wash veggies as well as make salads well ahead of time. This way you are not looking for food while you are hungry, which always leads to overeating and subsequent fat gain. You are able to eat on time and stay focused to lose the weight.

MP: Are there any important muscle groups that you feel many females neglect in their training? Why is this bodypart so important?

Brenna: LEGS! Legs are so important ladies for total body fitness. And just because you do your cardio and go on the treadmill, does not mean you are working out those legs. Think Squats, Lunges, Deadlifts, and my absolute favorite: the glute hamstring raise!!!!

MP: Many girls have a predisposition that if they lift weights they will gain bulk. Explain why this is not true. Also, should men and women train differently, or are the basic tenets and principles the same to both sexes?

Brenna: That common misconception is so not true. Think like this: if you eat a lot and lift weights, then yes, you will bulk, but if your diet is good and the cals in verses the cals out are the right proportion, then you will just maintain a nice physique while losing stubborn fat and not bulk. To answer the second question should men and women train differently: my answer is “NO”- the man is physically stronger and in most cases will be able to lift more, but the women is mentally stronger and well, I don't think this one needs to be explained in incredible detail!

MP: You also work and train with last month’s “January Girl of the Month” Chelsea Boissonneault. Has she inspired you and/or taught you anything concerning health and fitness? Have you helped her in any way?

Brenna: Chelsea convinced me to do my first competition and has taught me so much! She has been a very positive influence in my life motivating me and lending me her two piece suit!!! We feed off each other's energy and hold a great friendship.

MP: What are your future goals in life in general? Do you plan on opening your own business, writing a book, etc.?

Brenna: I have lots of goals for the future. To name some of them: 1) Start up a Yoga Retreat and Teambuilding center. 2) Develop a fitness clothing line. 3) Become a motivational speaker.

MP: What do you love about personal training?

Brenna:  It is so gratifying to teach someone about a total lifestyle change in which they will use to completely transform their outer and inner being. There is no better feeling than providing someone with the tools necessary to reach their sought out goals and to succeed in life and

MP: What kind of advice can you give to women to stay on track to reach their desired goals. What has worked for you to stay motivated?

Brenna: Ladies, stay positive, stay focused, and don't ever forget to have fun. You need to love life in order to live. Find what works for you and make it a lifestyle. I use a lot of positive self talk and visual meditation to get me through and to stay on top.