MEET THE TEAM
Anna-Marie de Zwager, Practicing Kinesiologist & Instructor
Anna-Marie de Zwager completed her Kinesiology Co-op degree at the University of Victoria while a member of the Varsity Field Hockey Team. Prior to starting her own business, she worked in hospital settings, multidisciplinary private rehabilitation clinics and even the Canadian Forces.
In the midst of building her skills as a health care professional, Anna-Marie got distracted (what’s new…) with the sport of rowing and worked her way onto two Canadian Olympic Teams. She competed in Athens 2004 (Women’s Eight) and Beijing 2008 (Women’s Quad). She also experienced quite a bit of success on the indoor rowing machine, winning the Canadian Indoor Rowing Championships twice (2007 & 2008) and the World Indoor Rowing Championships three times (2007, 2017 and 2018). She figures she’ll wait until she is at the beginning of an age category before trying again.
Since retiring from sport and returning to the field of active rehabilitation, Anna-Marie has found great enjoyment working with middle-aged to older adults. Whether you are working on standing up safely, negotiating a corner with a walker, achieving a personal best on a 2000m erg piece or getting up and down off the ground to play with your grandchildren, Anna-Marie can help you realize the importance and enjoyment of movement with a special combination of compassion and humour.
Shéann Gaudet, Practicing Kinesiologist & Instructor
Shéann Gaudet is the newest member of the Amaze Team. She comes to us with a Bachelor of Sport & Fitness Leadership and is a Registered Member of the BC Association of Kinesiologists. With a four-year degree and 300+ hours of shadowing and work experience with Amaze under her belt, she is in a great position to welcome new clients and help YOU get the best out of yourself!
Buffy Williams, Instructor
Three Time Canadian Olympic Rower (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008) with a Bronze Medal to show for it, Buffy was still rowing at the university level when she stroked the Canadian Women’s Eight to the Podium in the Sydney Olympics, 2000. She followed this up with gutsy performances in the Women’s Pair in Athens and the Women’s Eight again in Beijing, finishing fourth in both of those regattas. My goodness. The word on this street is that Buffy is one of the best rowers Canada has ever produced.
A legend in the sport (not to mention in our lives), Buffy brings the knowledge of a Masters degree in Kinesiology from Oxford University (!!) and a lifetime of experience in competitive sport to the table with her classes. This woman knows how to move! Buffy will be offering a 60 minute indoor rowing class plus some higher intensity, shorter workouts on the rowing machine directed to those with a bit more experience but less time on their hands.
We are so excited to welcome Buffy to the Amaze Team as a regular instructor!
Roz Beddall, Medical Exercise Specialist, Instructor & Operational Support Genius
Roz completed her Kinesiology degree at the University of Victoria. After a few attractive distractions (hubby, home, kiddos, various other jobs and excitement), she has ventured back into the Kinesiology world. As a Medical Exercise Specialist (MES), Roz is versed in designing safe and effective exercise programs to help maintain or improve over 60 medical conditions from arthritis and hypertension to total joint replacements and low back pain. As part of the MES process, she will communicate with your physician, physiotherapist or other health care practitioner along the way to keep them apprised of your progress and make any necessary adjustments.
Roz understands that exercise can be intimidating. She firmly believes that exercise can be both effective AND fun – it’s all in the approach. Her background in Kinesiology coupled with some significant time alongside yours truly, Roz is well-equipped to help you reach your movement and functional goals. She is passionate about helping people manage their medical conditions by moving their bodies!
As her title suggests, Roz also assists with operations, supporting Anna-Marie behind the scenes, helping to keep our systems running (and keeping AM sane… although maybe it’s too late for that).
