Meet the Trainers
At Victoria Wellness, we have taken a proactive approach to ensure that our trainers deliver the highest calibre of professionalism to you, our valued client. We have always demanded a high level of skill and professional excellence when hiring our personal trainers, but now we have decided to "raise the bar" and set our organization apart from other health clubs. We are proud of our alliance with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the national leader in education and professional development for fitness professionals. NASM provides the most comprehensive and scientifically valid certification in the fitness industry. All our personal trainers are certified by NASM. The academy's record is impeccable, their research is state of the art and their reputation is unmatched in the fitness industry.
Narina Prokosch, RN, CPT
President and Owner of Victoria Wellness
- Registered Nurse
- National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer
- International Sports Sciences Association Certified Personal Trainer
Narina is the owner and inspiration behind Victoria Wellness Professionals. Narina has been active all her life. Growing up in the Fraser Valley, she spent all of her teenage and early adult years training and showing horses. She then took an interest in weight lifting and has been pursuing that interest for over 25 years.
Along with her certifications in personal training, Narina is a Registered Nurse with over 10 years experience as an Operating Room Nurse.
Narina has united her passion for fitness and her nursing background to provide her clients with the best in personal fitness training. With the opening of her private fitness studio, Narina and her staff are able to provide their clients with professional assistance to guide them on their road to physical and mental fitness.
Kevin Franklin, BSc
- BCRPA Registered Personal Trainer
- Certified Sports Nutrition Advisor
- National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer
I spent most of my professional life in scientific research before I decided to follow my passion into nutrition and fitness training. I'm accustomed to working alongside the best and most competent, so I am delighted to be a part of the Victoria Wellness Team. The best scientists share the same qualities as the best trainers, including the need to constantly learn and grow. This philosophy is nurtured at Victoria Wellness for both the clients and the trainers.
Some of the sports and activities that have been important to me include running, pole vault, karate, mountaineering, skiing, hot-air ballooning, and long distance sailing (including a four-year voyage to the South Pacific). My recent active life includes adventure racing, orienteering and mountain biking.
My natural inclination is to sit on the couch, eat pizza and watch TV. But, after having spent years in medical research helping to develop hypertension medication, I realize that the best way to optimum health is through a well-designed training program combined with good nutrition. For me, fitness is a choice, not a genetic gift.
I commend each and every client at Victoria Wellness for their fitness choice, and I look forward to helping everyone along the path of health and fitness. Click here to view Kevin's Races.
Todd Pelan
- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology – Personal Trainer Diploma
- Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology – Certified Personal Trainer
- National Academy of Sport Medicine-Certified Personal Trainer
Looking back on my past growing up in Edmonton, I was always in love with some sport or activity. It could be hockey on the coldest days of winter, XC running, mountain biking, resistance training or a simple jog with a friend. Active living has always felt like my personal reservoir of enjoyment, motivation and balance. Then one day, years later it just “clicked”. I knew I had to share with others, the enjoyment that I have received being active.
About a year after graduating & working in Edmonton I was off to BC, 4 years ahead of schedule, to a place I instantly fell in love with, Victoria!
What has kept me engaged is experiencing the many new ways of working up a sweat. It gives me a sense of accomplishment, always getting better and stronger. Constantly surmounting to the challenges in my workouts has really paved the way for doing the same in my life.
This has brought me to where I am today; living in one of the most beautiful places, doing what I absolutely love. So in a way, it is constantly surmounting these challenges, which keeps me driven in the gym, and in life. Upon reflection, it is the people that I feel privileged to be involved with: to share with them what I get out of active living. In return I am rewarded with being involved in doing what I love for a living, which is something that makes me smile!