Marie Claire Bilyk
Marie Claire has a unique combination of training and experience which enables her to provide a quality, one of a kind experience for her clients. She views her business as a combination of 3 important disciplines, all of which she is deeply committed to:
Mothering
Marie Claire is the mother of two lovely children, Clementine (six) and Jude (two). While her experiences of pregnancy and giving birth were straight forward and pleasant, her postpartum years posed significant challenges. Marie Claire is legally blind and child bearing causes her additional permanent vision loss. While her story is unusual, Marie Claire believes that all women face joys and challenges when bringing a child into the world. Through her business, she has created a place where women can support and inspire one another through the journey into motherhood.
Fitness
In addition to her Pre & Postnatal Fitness Certification and her Personal Trainer Certification, Marie Claire was a member of the Canadian National Swim Team for seven years. She competed against other visually impaired women at the 92 Barcelona and 96 Atlanta Paralympic Games, winning a total of 9 medals, including two world record golds! Marie Claire also made history by becoming the first athlete with a disability to qualify for the Canadian University Championships where she finished fourth next to several Olympians. The enthusiasm and skill which Marie Claire brings to her business motivates her clients to integrate fitness into their lifestyle. Marie Claire also teaches her pregnant clients how to use the mental skills of elite athletes to help stay relaxed and focused during the birthing process.
Nutrition and Wellness
Marie Claire earned her Master's Degree in Nutrition from the University of British Columbia after conducting groundbreaking research which was funded by the prestigious Ross Purse Doctoral Fellowship. Her academic training enables her to critically evaluate, interpret, and apply research related to pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting. During the 30 minute discussion portion of her classes, Marie Claire keeps her clients up-to-date on the latest research based trends in nutrition, health, and parenting.