Coaching Team
Meet The Kettlebell Wellness Crew
This is a supportive, welcoming space where you’ll be coached, encouraged, and celebrated — every step of the way. You’ll train with real women, led by expert coaches who care.
What we do
We teach women how to lift heavy things in the comfort of their own homes. It’s intimidating, but women are learning that they need to actually lift heavy things to combat estrogren and progesterone loss in peri and postmenopause. It’s a big deal. And kettlebell training could change their lives. Kettlebell Wellness is working hard to shift the narrative our mothers passed onto us, and build a stronger generation of women and girls!
It’s time for us to undo the damage the fitness and food industry caused and build stronger, smarter, move savvy women who know how to lift heavy things with power and grace.
Meet Karen, Founder of Kettlebell Wellness
Meet Karen – Founder of Kettlebell Wellness
StrongFirst Kettlebell (SFG I)
Egoscue Postural Alignment Specialist (PAS I)
Master of Music (MMus)
With well over two decades as a professional Classical Violist and 1000+ hours of yoga teacher training, my path to kettlebell coaching is rooted in a deep respect for mindful movement. Kettlebells became my preferred strength tool because they seamlessly combine awareness, efficiency, and power—something I’ve sought across all my movement practices.
Over the years, I’ve helped hundreds of individuals—including musicians, artists, and yogis—build strength, improve posture, increase cardiovascular health, and develop confidence in movement. Whether you're brand new to strength or rekindling a relationship with your body, my goal is to take the intimidation out of fitness and invite you into a sustainable, intelligent practice.
Meet Your KBW Coaches
All of our coaches are StrongFirst Certified or certified for their role and bring a diverse background in the fitness industry!
Kumie Nakane
StrongFirst Kettlebell Coach and SFB | Kettlebell & Strength Training Specialist
Kumie is a dedicated coach based in Montreal, Canada, with over 15 years of experience in coaching and personal training. Since 2018, kettlebell training and the Hardstyle methodology have become integral parts of her daily practice and teaching. She is currently feeling stronger than ever, thanks to her consistent training and commitment to her craft.
In collaboration with Karen, Kumie has been instrumental in developing the Intro to Kettlebell classes for Kettlebell Wellness, ensuring that newcomers receive a solid foundation in technique and safety.
Kumie's approach to coaching is rooted in inclusivity, empowerment, and a deep respect for the body's capabilities. She is excited to bring her expertise and passion to the Kettlebell Wellness community, supporting individuals on their journey to strength and well-being.
Kristy Park
StrongFirst Kettlebell Coach
Kristy has been training with kettlebells since 2016 and is a certified StrongFirst instructor. Her approach blends technical skill, functional strength, and supportive coaching to help women feel strong, capable, and empowered in their everyday lives. She believes kettlebells are one of the most versatile training tools—portable, practical, and powerful—and uses them to create classes that are approachable, effective, and designed to build lasting confidence. Kristy is especially passionate about guiding women to discover their inner strength, proving that strength training isn’t just for athletes—it’s for every woman who wants to move well, feel confident, and live strong.
Taranee Ponjani
Mobility Instructor for Kettlebell Wellness
Taranee Herrera Ponjani (she/her) is a Tamil and Filipina movement artist based in Toronto. Her love for movement began in childhood and evolved into a powerful tool for self-expression, empowerment, and connection. With a degree in Health Studies and certifications in Acro, Handbalancing, Yoga, Pilates, and Strength, Taranee creates inclusive, mindful spaces where people can safely explore their edges and reconnect with their bodies. She’s passionate about the ways movement supports mental health and builds community—and she’s so excited to meet and move with the Kettlebell Wellness Community!
Lauren Taylor
StrongFirst Kettlebell Coach| SFG I | SFG II | Iron Maiden
Based in Saskatoon, Lauren Taylor is a highly accomplished strength coach and Canada’s first-ever StrongFirst Iron Maiden—an elite title earned by pressing, pistol squatting, and performing a tactical pull-up with a 24kg kettlebell.
Lauren brings her deep expertise in kettlebell training to Kettlebell Wellness as a Live Zoom class coach, where she helps women build strength, mobility, and confidence through smart, supportive training. With StrongFirst SFG I and II certifications and a decade of coaching experience, she offers clear, precise instruction in a virtual setting that feels personal, motivating, and accessible—no matter where you're tuning in from.
Lauren believes that strength is a practice for life, and her coaching is designed to meet you where you are, while helping you get where you want to go.
Avril Shepherd
StrongFirst Kettlebell Coach| PT, SFGII, SFL, SFB, HC, PN-I
I’m an SFG II and SFB StrongFirst-certified instructor, as well as a certified Personal Trainer and Health Coach through the American Council on Exercise, and a Level 1 Nutrition Coach through Precision Nutrition.
Kettlebells are a simple—but challenging—way to reach your health and strength goals. You don’t need much equipment or even a gym—they’re portable and versatile.
I believe everyone, at any age, has the potential to improve their health. As a health and nutrition coach, I help you set goals, create strategies, and overcome obstacles. As a kettlebell instructor, I teach the skills you need to build strength safely and effectively.
Avril Shepherd @mobellityfitness
Vita Zagorodny
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology | Posture Alignment Therapist | BS, AET
Vita Zagorodny has been passionate about helping people overcome pain and restore their bodies since 2014. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Georgia State University, Vita discovered the Egoscue Method and was inspired by its ability to transform lives through posture correction and functional movement.
After becoming certified through Egoscue University, Vita began helping clients improve posture, restore movement, and address the root causes of pain. She now offers Posture Alignment Therapy both in-person and virtually, empowering people to regain confidence, freedom, and function in their everyday lives.
Vita is excited to begin teaching the Virtual Posture Restoration Class, bringing her knowledge and passion to a wider community and helping more people learn how to support their bodies through better posture and movement.
Originally from Vinnitsa, Ukraine, Vita was raised in Chattanooga, TN, where she now lives with her husband and four children. When she’s not working with clients, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family through hiking, biking, and camping.
Kristy Chan
StrongFirst Kettlebell Coach and SFB | Personal Training Specialist (PTS) - CanFit Pro
Kristy is a CanFitPro Certified Personal Training Specialist and a former provincial and national university badminton champion. Her experience as a competitive athlete shapes a coaching approach grounded in sound technique, steady progress, and an understanding that every person starts from a different place.
At Kettlebell Wellness, she teaches Strength & Conditioning, helping members build strength and stability for everyday movement and sport. She guides them through the fundamentals at a manageable pace, with exercises that address individual weak spots and build confidence along the way.
Kristy wants every member to feel stronger, more capable and supported in building habits they can sustain over time.
Hear it from Our Members
Ready to
Get Strong With Us?
-
Join the Virtual Live Classes
For $189 CAD/month, this plan is designed for women who are new to Kettlebell Wellness and want to explore strength training in a supportive environment.
• Unlimited Daily LIVE virtual classes
• Coaching from Karen and the KBW team
• Supportive community
• Access to LIVE class recordings
• Access to on-demand classes of 170+ videos
• All-levels coaching and classes -
1:1 Training
There is no better way to get more comfortable with using kettlebells, than 1:1 coaching! Just 1 session will match you with a coach who will be your class instructor in the future, so that you feel even more comfortable coming to classes, knowing exactly what you need and what modifications you'll need for your own history of injuries, experience, and current capacity.
Complete Strength Solution
Complete Strength Solution
Sign Up for the KBW Newsletter
Get expert tips on strength training for women 45+, kettlebell how-to’s, and guidance that will help you stay strong, energized, and consistent — all from home.