Advisors

Our advisors and mentors continue to represent the best of the science of human performance. Our gym was literally designed through the influence and work of our many leaders. The contributions of our advisors in the form of equipment, programming, technique, restoration, nutrition and their collective body of knowledge continues to be the compass for the progressive improvement and evolution of our gym. They represent are our most important asset and our most distinguishing characteristic.

Louie Simmons

Founder and Owner of Westside Barbell™

Louie Simmons is a world renowned Strength/Special Strengths coach and the founder of Westside Barbell. He is in his Westside gym every day watching and analyzing all athletic training from all his power-lifters to track and field. Westside Barbell is a living laboratory for Louie where he can undergo constant athletic experiments in order to push the boundaries of what is possible.
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He also has 24 athletes who dead-lift over 800 pounds and 3 who dead-lift over 900lbs. 15 members who have a total lifting record over 2500 pounds and 7 over 2600 pound total. Westside Barbell is the only gym in the world to have 2 over 2700 pound totals, plus 5 over 2800 pounds and 1 who has the biggest total of all time with 3005lbs.

He has also had an athlete produce a box jump of 63.5 inches which is still the current Westside Barbell gym record. All of these athletes train within Westside Barbell.

Louie has published over 300 training articles, authored 3 books and produced 10 highly respected training videos. Louie Simmons is also the inventor of the Reverse Hyper® machine, Inverse Curl machine, Hip/Quad machine, Static/Dynamic developer and the Virtual Force Swing.

He has been a strength consultant for the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and numerous college football teams. Louie has worked closely with Kent Johnson, Johnny Parker and Buddy Morris and a host of other professional and top level strength coaches. Additionally, he has trained 2 Olympic gold medal sprinters, Butch Reynolds and Moe Robinson, both 400-meter sprinters.

The work, equipment and wisdom of Louie Simmons and Westside Barbell have had an immense impact and influence on Fortis Fitness.

Ed Coan

Nobody has dominated Power-lifting or any sport for that matter like Ed Coan has. Coan began Power-lifting as a 181-pound lifter. He squatted and dead-lifted 780-pounds and bench-pressed 485-pounds. He got bigger in his early twenties and at 198 lbs. Coan squatted and pulled 863-pounds while bench-pressing slightly over 500-pounds.

As a 220-pound lifter, he set over seventy world records and became the lightest man to shatter the 2400 barrier. Coan exceeded the all-time Power-lifting total with an historic 2463-total. He became the greatest of all-time (G.O.A.T.) power-lifter in the history of the sport. His greatest lifts include a 1019 lbs. (462 kg) squat (single ply), 584 lbs. (265 kg) bench press and 901 lbs. (409 kg) dead-lift (raw).

Ed Coan has inspired millions in their quest for strength building. He has written books and innumerable articles on the topics of strength and Power-lifting. He has earned a reputation as an exceedingly helpful and good natured individual; known to help anyone who asks for his assistance, especially younger and beginner athletes. His vast expertise and experience covers not only Power-lifting, but fat loss, cross training, body building, MMA and general health and fitness.

Matt Nichol

Matt Nichol has helped hundreds of clients break through their training plateaus with his innovative approach to training and nutrition. His clients include athletes from the N.B.A, N.H.L., N.F.L., C.F.L., N.C.A.A., C.I.A.U., Basketball Canada, Tennis Canada and Athletics Canada. Matt is former university athlete (football, track & field) and currently competes in power-lifting within the Ontario Power-lifting Association. He specializes in the design and implementation of corrective exercise programs for movement dysfunctions and injury rehabilitation.

Matt received his Bachelor of Concurrent Education (B.Ed.) from McGill University in Montreal, completing a double major in Physical Education and History/Anthropology. He is also an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (C.S.C.S.) and a Canadian Society of Exercise Physiologists Certified Fitness Consultant (C.F.C.). Matt received his Masters degree in Kinesiology (M. Kine).from York University in Toronto. He was the first certified C.H.E.K. (Corrective and High-Performance Exercise Kinesiologist) Intern in Ontario accredited through the C.H.E.K Institute in San Diego California. Matt is currently the only Strength and Conditioning Coach recognized by the Canadian Olympic Association as a Level V Coach (N.C.C.P. Level V). He is Canada's first Certified Metabolic Typing Advisor - certified through the HealthExcel Metabolic Typing Education Centre in La Jolla California. Matt has been an exceedingly valuable advisor and contributor to Fortis Fitness. Matt’s private training and consulting business caters primarily to professional athletes.

Donnie Thompson

In 1988, Donnie graduated from Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. He earned 1st Team All-Conference Center on the Football team in his senior year. From college, Donnie went on to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a brief stint in the NFL. Donnie was signed and played Center in the Arena Football League for 6 years, from 1988-1993.

After football, Donnie worked 6 years for Progressive Sports Physical Therapy in West Columbia, South Carolina. He acted as the Strength and Mobility Director for the 10 clinics statewide. He insured the implementation of strength and advanced Rehabilitation techniques to physical therapists and assistants

He began competitive Power-lifting in 1998. During his career in this sport, Donnie achieved 8 all time World Records, including: 3 Bench Press records, 2 Squat records and 3 Total records. . Donnie’s prolific Power-lifting career reached its pinnacle when, at the age of 46 he became the first person ever to achieve a 3000 lb total.

Industry giants, Pavel Tsatsouline Kelly Starrett, Dick Hartzell and Louie Simmons have worked with Donnie personally over the past two decades. These experts not only helped Donnie to attain his legendary strength status but also influenced his own unique training methodologies. His vast knowledge collected over two decades in rehabilitation, mobility and strength have made it possible for him to continue his career as a sought after expert in those areas of expertise. He expressed this expertise for a number of years at his own gym – The Compound, in South Carolina.

Donnie’s inventions include the famous Belt Squat Belt and Bowtie sold world-wide through Spud Inc., the Thompson FatPad, and Thompson Fatbells. His proprietary Body Tempering devices are also sold and used world-wide.

Donnie travels to universities, high schools and training facilities throughout the USA and around the world teaching and sharing his training methodologies, rehab. techniques and Performance Therapy Protocols.

Kevin Darby

Kevin Darby has been involved in structured physical conditioning programs for over twenty years. He has competed in, coached and officiated several sports at the provincial, university, national and international levels, included representing Canada as a member of the Canadian Forces Military Pentathlon Team.
During that period of time, he has been exposed to different training methods and philosophies including internships with Charles Poliquin and the St. Louis Blues (NHL). He has been a part of the course conductor staff for the Poliquin International Certification Program (PICP) and Fascial Stretch Therapist Certification (Stretch to Win Institute). He has trained and treated both professional (NHL, NLA, CFL and WTA) and amateur athletes:(Olympic Games Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, FIS) and has published research that focuses on movement quality and fitness.

Kevin is the owner of Darby Training Systems: www.darbytrainingsystems.com which offers educational courses for personal trainers and health care professionals focused on improving client outcomes. Kevin is a member and active contributor to the Fortis Fitness Gym Team.

Alex Varbanov

ALEX VARBANOV is one of the most decorated middleweight class weightlifters - Olympic Medalist (1988), 3-time World Champion, 4-time European Champion and holds 10 world records. Alex Varbanov is the founder of the VARBANOV SCHOOL OF WEIGHTLIFTING. With over 35 years of experience in the elite level of the sport, as a professional weightlifter and Olympic weightlifting coach, Alex is coaching his team of competitive athletes in Toronto.

Visit VSWL website for more info about the School, the Team and events run by the Varbanov’s. Alex Varbanov possesses a Masters degree in sports, physical education and coaching Olympic Weightlifting (National Sports Academy, Bulgaria) and is certified Weightlifting Competition Development Coach (Coaches Association of Ontario).

Alex’s accomplishments include 10 official world records, two of them still in the Guinness Book of Records:

215.5kg Clean & Jerk
382.5kg Total

Competing in the 75kg bodyweight division:

World Champion – 1983, 1985, 1986
European Champion – 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987
Bronze Medalist from the Olympics in Seoul, South Korea – 1988

Professional coaching experience:

Head Weightlifting Coach (Junior Squad) – National Sport School – Bulgaria
Weightlifting Coach – Municipal Centre for Gifted Children
Assistant Coach – Bulgarian (Senior) National Weightlifting Team
Head Coach of the National Weightlifting Team, Chile
Head of the School Sports Department – Ministry of Youth and Sports, Shumen Region – Bulgaria

Alex is the coach of the young weightlifting hopeful NIKI VARBANOV – Ontario Junior and Senior Champion, 4 times Canadian Junior Champion and 2017 Canadian Senior Champion with multiple Youth, Juvenile, Junior and Senior Records. Alex’s Training Program is based on The Bulgarian School of Champions Athletic System which has produced many Olympic and world champions, record holders and hundreds of elite athletes. Programs are available at the Academy Of Lions to help youth and adults excel in the sport.

Alain Kashama

Alain Kashama has experienced a truly unique and successful career in college and professional football. His accomplishments include membership on teams that participated in an NCAA Rose bowl, a CFL Grey cup and an NFL Super bowl. He continues to play professional football with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders. He is a defensive end and earned the nickname “Sackmaster” by his teammates. In the off season, he also started a successful career as a professional heavy weight boxer.

Alain continues to pass along his incredible wealth of knowledge to younger players through his Allkash Football Academy. Along with his 3 brothers, who are also elite college and professional football players, the Allkash Academy provides free skills training and guidance to high school age and younger football players.

Some of the highlights of Alain’s vast experience include the following:

2000 NCAA ALL-AMERICAN status playing for the University of Michigan Wolverines
2003 NCAA Outback Bowl defensive MVP
2004 NCAA Rose Bowl National Championship game
NFL team experience with the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks
Superbowl XL – played on the 2005/2006 Seattle Seahawks team
CFL team experience: Montreal Alouettes, Hamilton Tiger Cats, and Calgary Stampeders
Grey Cup – 2006 played with Montreal Alouettes

Jeremy Hamilton

Jeremy Hamilton is a Canadian Powerlifter and owner of Fortis West. He has been a competitive Powerlifter for over a decade and is highly regarded throughout the powerlifting community as a top ranked raw Powerlifter in the 220 lbs weight class. Hamilton has competed throughout the United States as well as Australia. He currently holds the All Time Canadian record in the squat, bench press, deadlift and total. In 2015 he competed in California where he set a new All Time World Record in the 220 lbs weight class, he was later voted Powerlifter of the Year by Powerlifting Watch. In 2016, Hamilton was invited to Australia by the Global Powerlifting Committee where he competed as the guest lifter.

His best competition lifts as a 220 lbs lifter are an 821 lbs squat; 518 lbs bench press; 784 lbs deadlift which set a new All Time World Record total of 2,123 lbs. He currently has the third highest total in the world of All Time.

Aside from competition, Hamilton is active and gives back to the Powerlifting community by helping hundreds of people reach their performance goals as a Strength Coach. His methods are taught through a combination of one-on-one coaching, YouTube instructional videos and group powerlifting seminars. Hamilton has held lectures at the University of Toronto for the University’s strength athletes.

Bryan Marshall

Bryan Marshall is one of the most knowledgeable and sought after strength and development coaches in the professional sports industry. Known for his unique ability to help athletes break through plateaus and set new personal records. Marshall has trained hundreds of athletes to date including many NHL, NFL and CFL players. In addition to training pros privately, he currently consults as a strength coach to player development programs in the NHL. Ontario’s Weightlifting Champion since 2008, Marshall is an accomplished and decorated Olympic weightlifter and has worked with world-class strength and Olympic lifting coaches for the past decade.

Some of Bryan’s notable weightlifting accomplishments include the following:

Current Ontario Snatch Record Holder with a 128kg lift in the 77kg weight class
2008 Ontario Weightlifting Champion – 85 kg class – Best Overall Lifter
2011 Winterlift Champion – 85kg class – Best Overall Lifter
2010 Ray Hamilton Classic – 85kg class – Best Overall Lifter
2010 Arnold Classic Weightlifting Championship – 85 kg class – Runner-Upn
2009 Blue Mountain Open Champion – 85kg class – Best Overall Lifter
2009 Member of the Canadian National Team

Fernand Kashama

Fernand Kashama is a professional football player with the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Fernand has a wealth of experience in the game of football at both the college and professional levels. Although recruited by a number of schools, his college years were with the University of Western Michigan Broncos.

At Western Michigan, he earned an NCAA Division 1 scholarship. His career on the field includes experience as a wide receiver, safety, tight end, fullback, and on the defensive line. He lettered 3 years in Football and graduated with degrees in Criminal Justice and Sociology. Fernand comes from an exceedingly athletic family. His brothers Alain, Hakeem, and Bronley have collectively all experienced a wealth of football experience at Division 1 colleges, and professionally in the CFL and NFL. They share this knowledge with younger players through the family run Allkash Football Academy located in Toronto, Canada.

A few of the highlights of Fernand’s career include the following:

2004 Team Ontario Captain, OYSL Provincial Champion, National Champion
2003 recruited by NCAA teams: Boise State, Marshal, Rutgers and Western Michigan
2004 - played for Western Michigan Broncos,
2008 drafted 16th overall by the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders
2010 to present – played for CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Grey Cup – participated in the 2011 Grey Cup with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Dr. Ken Kinakin

Dr. Ken Kinakin is a chiropractor, and a certified strength and conditioning specialist. He has also competed in bodybuilding and powerlifting for over 30 years and regularly lectures across Canada and United States and Europe to doctors and personal trainers on the areas of weight-training, rehabilitation and nutrition.

Dr. Kinakin is the author of "Optimal Muscle Training" and is the founder of the Society of Weight-Training Injury Specialists – SWIS that educates and certifies doctors, therapists and personal trainers in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of weight training injuries, www.swis.ca

Jordan Shallow

Jordan Shallow DC, of Windsor, Ontario is a Chiropractor, Strength and Conditioning Coach and Power lifter. From humble beginnings in southwestern Ontario, Jordan currently lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area. Upon graduation from the 135^th class of Palmer West College of Chiropractic, Jordan began his career in the fast paced world of corporate wellness at Apple world headquarters in Cupertino California. From there he opened two private practices in Mountain View, and Dublin California. While simultaneously taking on the role of Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Stanford University Men’s and Women’s Rugby Team.

Jordan Co-Founded Pre-Script.com, which offers its members turnkey solutions for improving athletic performance and decreasing pain in athletes of all disciplines through concise programing, detailed video instruction and one on one coaching. All the while pursuing his passion in Power Lifting, ranked as an international elite lifter in the 110 kgs (242lbs) men classic raw division, with a best total of 862.5 kgs (1901 lbs). Jordan also travels the world hosting seminars centered on improving performance by mitigating risk factors of injury. Instructing on underlying biomechanics, emphasizing hands on execution and lecturing intelligent programing. His seminars are a unique blend of clinical theory and real world application.

Dr. Chris Klachan

Dr. Chris Klachan graduated with honors from the University of Waterloo in 2003 with a Kinesiology degree, specializing in ergonomics. Prior to becoming a chiropractor through the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, he focused his efforts as a National Strength and Conditioning Association CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) in improving performance and function through exercise prescription.
As a therapist, Chris administers the Functional Integrated Therapy approach including orthopedic and biomechanical assessments to better understand his patients’ needs.

Driven by the assessment, a blend of contemporary acupuncture, Active Release Technique, fascia abrasion, kinesiology taping, and joint manipulation is used to treat both athletic and non-athletic injuries. Chris also assists in the instruction of the McMaster University Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program. Chris has worked with a wide spectrum of individuals from a variety of recreational runners and athletes to a myriad of professionals including members of the Canadian National Ballet, Olympic Track and Field teams, and the NHL. Chris has been an exceptionally practical and successful addition to our team of advisors and contributors to Fortis Fitness gym, helping many members completely overcome injuries of all kinds.

Dr. Douglas Stoddard

Dr. Douglas Stoddard is a sports medicine physician and is the Medical Director of the Sports & Exercise Medicine Institute (SEMI) and RegenerVate Medical Injection Therapy. After receiving his medical degree from the University of Toronto, he trained in Australia at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, obtaining his Master Degree in Sports Medicine. He is also a diplomat of the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine and has his focussed practice designation in Sport Medicine from the Ontario Medical Association.

Dr. Stoddard is a consultant to the Canadian Military and has consulted with well over 30,000 unique patients in his career. Dr. Stoddard is constantly searching for new and promising therapies to help his patients, and along this line is responsible for developing the RegenerVate Medical Injection Therapy Program. He is the proud father of two boys, and has an extensive triathlon training and racing background qualifying for Canada's national age group team in 2016 and 2017.

Some Of Our Advisors