March 8, 2025 is International Women’s Day, and this year, we’re celebrating four incredible women who keep us in shape while shaping downtown Toronto’s wellness scene. These inspiring leaders are building communities that bring us together to encourage and support one another along our fitness journeys. Check out how they’re creating spaces that inspire positive change in our community and contribute to a healthier, more connected city.
Q&A with Celia Lopez, Placemade Founder
Meet Celia Lopez, the driving force behind PlaceMade—a platform where health and fitness professionals connect, collaborate and grow their businesses sustainably. PlaceMade offers essential resources with a community-first approach. Learn more about how Celia created this innovative space.
Q: Tell us about PlaceMade and the resources and tools it offers.
Celia: “Placemade is Toronto’s 1st fitness coworking space, specifically designed to support health and fitness professionals. We offer a top-quality facility equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, and a private shared training and workspace area. Members have access to business support services and a growing community of like-minded professionals, including personal trainers and manual therapists.“
Q: How do you develop community over competition, and how does collaboration strengthen the sustainability of fitness businesses through PlaceMade?
Celia: “At Placemade, the philosophy of ‘community over competition’ is central. By fostering a collaborative environment, members are encouraged to share knowledge, refer clients, and support each other’s growth. This collective approach not only enhances individual success but also contributes to the sustainability of fitness businesses by building a strong, interconnected network.“
Q: What inspired you to build this type of community?
Celia: “The inspiration behind Placemade stems from my personal journey as a former elite-level athlete turned personal trainer and now startup founder. My experiences highlighted the challenges health and fitness professionals face in finding suitable spaces to train clients and grow our businesses. This motivated me to create a dedicated space that provides the necessary resources and community support to help professionals thrive.“
Q: Can you share some of the challenges and triumphs you faced while building PlaceMade?
Celia: “Building Placemade came with its share of challenges, including securing a suitable location, designing a facility that meets diverse professional needs, and creating a cohesive community. However, these challenges were met with determination and a clear vision, leading to the successful establishment of a thriving hub for health and fitness professionals.“
Q: What is your vision for the future of PlaceMade and its role within the broader health and fitness community?
Celia: “Looking ahead, Placemade aims to expand its reach within the broader health and fitness community. The vision includes empowering professionals with the tools and support needed to elevate their careers, foster a collaborative environment, and contribute to the community’s overall well-being.“
Q&A with Jennifer Le Corre, Owner of F45 Training King West
We spoke with Jennifer, Owner of F45 Training King West, to explore how community shapes the fitness experience and to learn about her leadership journey in the Wellness industry.
Q: Tell us about F45 Training King West
Jennifer: “F45 King West is a familiar community gym that offers innovative, high-intensity functional group workouts that are fast, fun and results-driven. Each F45 workout is a unique program that incorporates cardio, resistance-based strength training, or a hybrid of both, all geared toward everyday life and designed for you to be able to attend multiple sessions per week. You can expect expert guidance, motivation and support from experienced and certified coaches throughout each session, plus innovative use of technology, including a video demonstration of the workout and an interval timer, to guide members seamlessly through their training session.
Q: How do you view your gym as more than just a space for exercise, but as a community hub that builds connection?
Jennifer: “F45’s workouts are suitable for a wide range of people, regardless of their fitness levels or experiences. Whether you’re just starting out on your fitness journey or you’re a seasoned athlete, F45 classes are designed to be able to work at your own pace. This allows for a very open and accepting environment which brings people together from all walks of life. Our gym isn’t just for traditional ‘gym-going’ people. It’s for everyone.
Most if not all of our coaches have primary jobs and coaching is a passion and expertise they harness because of their desire for helping people reach their fitness goals.
F45 King West is always expanding partnerships with our community businesses, such as Lift the City, Mobility House, Othership, Bodega Energy Supply, amongst others. Through this connection, we meet new members, offer more available resources to our members, and are able to really get to know our neighbourhood and community.”
Q: How can connection in community environments for fitness enhance overall wellness?
Jennifer: “In a world where most people work from home at the moment, or are online most of the day for professional or personal reasons, a simple 45 minutes spent in a class with various forms of individuals all striving for the same general goal can do wonders for overall health and wellness. Unexpected connections are made before, during and after class, opening up doors to new ideas, friendships, or deriving simple pleasure from brief morning, mid-day or evening banter, outside of our everyday routine. It’s amazing what can happen when we move out of our comfort zone and realize we have more in common with our community than we might have thought.”
Q: What measures do you take to create an environment where everyone feels welcome?
Jennifer: “F45 as a global brand has always insisted that no studio ever create an intimidating environment. We make sure our studio reflects this by always ensuring that every member knows they are not alone when they sign up. They will always be paired with someone who can help them through class exercises, or challenge them if that’s what they are looking for. Our coaches at the beginning of every class always know who is coming by name and make sure everyone walking through our door feels comfortable.
A small detail people sometimes overlook is that there are no mirrors in the studio! This simple fact changes more than I would have ever expected. No one has the time or the opportunity to look at or think of anything else other than the exercises in front of them. This creates an inclusive and great energy you can only feel while you’re working out and not ever see, which is the best kind of motivation.”
Q: Can you share your journey into leadership as a franchise owner of F45, such as the challenges and key milestones you’ve encountered?
Jennifer: “I have never been someone who likes traditional gyms. I have always felt intimidated by them and avoided them at all costs. During covid however, I decided it was time to start something new and I had just moved into this neighbourhood. F45 King West was my first experience into this world. I was scared and was so sure everyone would be looking at me and quietly judging my lack of athletic ability. I was however, immediately and warmly greeted by the studio manager Jason, who is our star studio manager to this day, as he seamlessly led me into the class. I was visibly nervous and a novice, but I was respectfully treated that day and going forward, giving me all the motivation I needed to come back.
Fast forward to 5 years later and I am here now as the new studio owner of the very same studio that changed the way I see fitness and gyms. I’ve encountered many logistical challenges as a small business owner which I think every other business owner can relate to. Those challenges however, have not outweighed the milestones and positive surprises I have come across since taking over the studio. I’ve made improvements to the studio from painting, to new equipment, to adding new and creative ways to challenge our members and make sure they have the most positive experience possible. What I have loved the most so far, is the people. Our members are warm and welcoming and led by an equally kind and motivated team of coaches whose expertise and affability I am impressed with daily.”
Table 6ix Podcast, with Dervola Hamill, Owner of Spark Pilates
Our Table 6ix Podcast featured Dervola Hamill, owner of Spark Pilates—the only Classical Pilates studio in the downtown core. Dervola is passionate about how embracing Classical Pilates and prioritizing mindfulness enhance mental fortitude and overall well-being. Watch the full episode to learn more!
Table 6ix Podcast, with Ashley Bryant, Guide at Othership
Table 6ix also hosted Ashley Bryant, a guide at Othership, who discussed the mental, physical, and emotional benefits of their therapies. Discover how Othership is redefining togetherness by offering alcohol-free, sober social events that promote community and overall well-being.