At Grit and Grace Coaching, we embrace your unique journey. It’s about more than just fitness; it’s about transforming your life. Celebrate your milestones, whether big or small, and let us nurture your confidence from the inside out. With our creative coaching and support, you’ll uncover the strength you never knew you had.

Meet Jenn - The founder of Grit and Grace Coaching.

This is my Story

 I am a mother to three amazing daughters, engaged to a handsome soldier, and a breast cancer survivor. I am also a four time Ironman,  hiker, and a lover of fitness. I am a certified triathlon coach, certified personal trainer, and have my certificate in precision nutrition.

I started my fitness journey in 2005, I started with easy body weight workouts that I found on Tumblr. In 2011, I joined a running group and that’s where I really excelled! I loved the endorphins that came from running. Running led to my next  love, triathlon. I spent seven years competing at an intense level of triathlon completing four full Ironman triathlons in three years.  I loved training at that level, it made me feel like a total badass. However, training 20 + hours a week, while dealing with divorce and becoming a single mother led to injury and burnout.

In 2020, with the world shut down and no races on the horizon I switched to trail running and hiking. In 2022 I did an ultra-marathon (50 km trail race) which again really wasn’t good for my body. I was addicted to the way exercise made my body feel, and using it as a coping mechanism for undiagnosed mental illness.

In December 2022, my whole life fell apart when I was diagnosed with stage 2 hormone positive breast cancer. I was in shock, how could this have happened? I was an athlete, I ate well, I did yoga and mediated! Sadly, none of that really matters because cancer doesn't discriminate. I underwent a lumpectomy in January 2023, and developed complications that prevented me from being able to lift my right arm.  I was no longer able to lift weights or swim. I started rehabilitation in March which helped with my lack of mobility. In April I started chemotherapy to prevent future recurrence. Chemo really kicked my butt! I went from running a 50K one month before my diagnosis to being unable to climb the stairs to my bedroom. I was only 45 years old yet felt like I was 80! I would look in the mirror and not even recognize who I was. I became extremely depressed and I had lost my coping strategy - working out!

When I was well enough to workout again I jumped right back into my old routine. Within three weeks I had re-injured my right arm. I went back to physio and was told I needed to examine my training plan. I was doing too much too soon. 

I created a 16 week strength training plan that slowly eased me back into fitness. It was a huge success. That plan became The Ultimate Beginner Fitness Program.

Now nearly one year post treatment, I have a whole new perspective on what it takes to be Fit to Thrive.

I know share what I have learnt from my studies in women’s fitness and past experiences with women looking to get fit. I coach clients across Canada - from coast to coast. Most recently, I have starting coaching women in the United States - They not only love my programming but also love that they save 25% due to the dollar conversion.

I treat each of the women I work with with respect and kindness and as the whole woman that they are. No two women are alike and neither are their programs.