MEET DESIRÉE

Registered Kinesiologist & Chief Movement Expert

Passionate. Experienced. Dedicated.

Desirée is a Registered Kinesiologist, licensed by the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario, and a member of the Ontario Kinesiology Association and Canadian Kinesiology Alliance. Desirée is dedicated and passionate about educating, and connecting active agers to movement so they can thrive on their aging journey. Fit to Function Kinesiology was founded in 2003, and is built on over two decades of experience in the field of movement and rehabilitation. Desirée has held various positions in health and fitness, corporate wellness, municipal recreation, employment testing evaluation, exercise prescription, intervention, pain management, and functional assessment.

Desirée holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and Psychology from Western University (formerly the University of Western Ontario) and a Post-Graduate Honours Recreation and Leisure Services Diploma from Humber College.

Throughout her career, Desirée has worked with a diverse range of clients, injuries, and medical conditions, collaborating with esteemed healthcare and wellness professionals in multi-disciplinary settings. Desirée's extensive experience has led her to discover her passion for both educating people and assisting them in understanding the critical role of movement in recovery, daily life, functionality, and lifestyle enhancement.

To ensure the highest quality of care for my clients, Desirée consistently pursues further professional development through courses, reading, and conferences. Desirée's treatment philosophy is deeply influenced by her lifelong involvement in sports, and exercise, which has instilled values such as integrity, perseverance, and an unwavering spirit, qualities she imparts to her clients to aid in their recovery. Desirée firmly believe that movement not only contributes to physical healing but also has a profound impact on emotional, psychological, and physiological well-being.

In her leisure time, Desirée leads an active lifestyle, engaging in exercise, sports, and cherishing her family's athletic and academic pursuits. While soccer remains her favorite year-round sport, Desirée also enjoy strength training, running, aquatic exercise, and outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and cycling. Her motto is simple: "Use it or lose it; movement is freedom!"

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND DELEGATIONS

Honours Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and Psychology from the University of Western Ontario
Post-Graduate Honours Recreation and Leisure Services Diploma from Humber College
Registered Kinesiologist through the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario
Soft Tissue Release Training, Level 1 Practitioner
Bone Fit^TM Trained (Clinical), Osteoporosis Canada
Urban Poling Inc. - Urban and Activator® Pole Walking Instructor
Aquastretch^TM Trained
AQX AquaBility Training Level 1 Certification, AQX

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

College of Kinesiologists of Ontario (CKO)
Ontario Kinesiology Association (OKA)
Aquatic Therapy Rehabilitation Institute (ATRI)

CONTINUING EDUCATIONS & RELEVANT COURSES

Standard First Aid and CPR/AED Level C, Action Fist Aid
Optimizing Foot and Ankle Function, Active initiatives
Cancer Smart REHAB, Level 1
Further Faster, Business Training for Entrepreneurs, Georgian College, HBEC
CARI Aquatic Therapy for: Gait and Balance; Orthopaedic Practice; Rehab Professionals
Swales Performance Systems Level 1: Movement Foundations and Corrective Exercise
A.P. Kinesiology – Clinical Assessment for the Upper and Lower Body
A.P. Kinesiology – Business Essentials for Healthcare Providers

OBIA: Brain Basics Training Program
Neurobehavioural Issues following TBI
Building the Ultimate Back: Rehabilitation to Performance with Dr. Stuart McGill
CALA courses: Aquatic Post-Rehabilitation, Aqua Arthritis, Aqua Fitness Leadership Training
WaterART courses: Aquatic Rehabilitation Specialist
Regular interaction and mentoring for movement training and aquatic therapy through leading industry professionals