Alysha lives by a personal mission to use her optimism, charisma and intelligence to positively influence others, acting as a trustworthy mentor to help support clients with progressing to their goals. By translating and delivering high quality, evidence-based nutrition information she wishes to empower individual clients and groups, promoting optimal physical performance, lifestyle and nutrition care. Proving that any barrier can be overcome, she wishes to help and inspire others to reach their goals.
Alysha proves that you can come from a point of being ill to reach any goal you truly set your mind to, overcome physical barriers, and prove to yourself and others you can do it. To most who meet her, they do not realize her struggles with health problems, becoming a weight lifter, registered dietitian, personal trainer, and motivational coach.
Alysha received her Bachelors of Applied Science in Human Nutrition at the University of Guelph accredited by the Dietitians of Canada. She graduated at the top of her class, being awarded with academic scholarships to pursue post graduate studies. At Ryerson University, she completed a Masters of Health Science in Nutrition Communication with an integrated dietetic internship to become a registered dietitian. Over the years, she has gained experience working with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Celiac Disease, IBS, IBD, weight loss, muscle gain, sports performance, family meal planning, menu planning, mental health and more. Alysha has helped many individuals reach their nutrition and fitness goals through integrating her expertise as both a dietitian and personal trainer. She has also obtained culinary training at Liaison College in Oshawa.
Alysha has always been interested in helping people from a young age. Growing up, she found herself frequently in the kitchen, intrigued by food and how it made people feel. However, she was not aware of the world of nutrition and health promotion until she encountered her own health problems in high school. During this time, she got diagnosed with Celiac disease, IBS, and Microscopic Colitis. Struggling at an all-time low weight, she was referred to a dietitian to aid in re-nourishment and attempt to regain weight without success. This interaction fuelled her desire to enter the profession and learn more to help others achieve health.
Later in her university undergraduate degree, she discovered fitness and began lifting weights after encouragement from classmates and instantly fell in love. This new part of her life got her back involved in a variety athletic activities and obtained her personal training certification. Shortly after moving to Toronto to pursue her master’s degree at Ryerson University she decided she wanted to see how far she could go with her progression with fitness and decided to compete in a bikini bodybuilding show.
As a previous competitive swimmer, basketball player and athlete growing up and in high school, the urge to compete made the progression into the training and competition world quite seamless. Given all the continuous chronic health problems she dealt with, competition prep took a lot of trial, experimentation and patience, but mental dedication and the nutritional know-how helped her reach her goal in competing in eight Canadian Physique Association competitions, qualifying to continue competing at higher level contests.
At the end of her last bodybuilding competition season, Alysha was diagnosed with another autoimmune disorder - Hashimotos. She was determined to take a break from bodybuilding and focus on healing her body. Switching to strength-based training and eating mindfully to fuel her performance, Alysha renewed the reason why she started lifting in the first place, to be strong.
No journey is ever linear and is always constantly evolving. She still continues to manage her medical issues and challenge the old school ways of the fitness community with new evidence based practice.