About Coach Tammy Lee

I’ve made fitness and wellness coaching a professional career, helping others find their health and happiness while they journey through their years.

MY STORY…

I grew up in a small fishing village. I was shy, bullied in school, and preferred to remain in the shadows. I was never involved in school sports except for what happened in gym class. But outside of school, I was a very active child and teen, always playing outside, doing my own thing.

I had a tough childhood, survived sexual and physical abuse, and overcame a destructive relationship with alcohol. But even though I was experiencing hardships, I always remained active and headstrong. If I said I was going to do something, I would do it.

In 1999, I was approached by an instructor at our local YMCA. He told me about a YMCA Strength and Conditioning certification course that was coming up. I took it and started volunteering at the YMCA. This was my first step in the fitness industry.

In the following year, I became canfitpro certified in personal training and group fitness instruction. Soon after that, I was offered a job at a local gym in Lunenburg. This experienced helped to level up my experience and professional coaching.

In 2002, I decided to go to university to become a teacher. During this time, I went through a devastating separation which left me as a single parent and financial destruction. However, I didn’t quit my dreams. Thanks to the support of my parents, I was able to push on and obtain two university degrees.

During this time, I was also managing an art gallery in Lunenburg. One day, an older lady came into the gallery and passed me a pamphlet about the local triathlon club. I didn’t even know this existed and I was intrigued. I joined.

I embraced the sport of triathlon, completed in my very first year using a mountain bike. I didn’t have the money to buy the “right” gear but I made it happen. I had new goals now, something to focus on.

Eventually, I became a certified triathlon coach by the NCCP and competed in two iron-distance triathlon races. In 2013, I completed EPIC Dartmouth taking first place in my age category and qualifying for a spot on Team Canada for the world championships. I also raised over $7000 for ProKids at the same time.

Although I did not end up going to the world championships as I didn’t have the money, I continued to coach and compete for another year. Then, I met someone.

This new man in my life was a cyclist and he introduced me to mountain biking and cyclocross. Here is where I found my true passion – riding the dirt! Faster forward to today, I have competed in many mountain bike and cyclocross races in Nova Scotia, Alberta and British Columbia.

In 2016, I became a PMBIA certified mountain bike coach and currently teach kids and adults to ride bikes. Oh, and I should also mention that in 2015, I became a CASI snowboard instructor too.

From 2017 – 2023, I also was a canfitpro PRO TRAINER and taught all their certification courses in Fort McMurray and online. I retired from teaching at the end of 2023 due to a change in lifestyle – I became a full-time RV’er.

While I am still living in Fort McMurray, I transitioned most of my services online because eventually we will be on the road travelling in our RV.

However, while I’m in Fort McMurray, I am still coaching snowboarding, mountain biking, running and outdoor bootcamps.

I am also still racing, although not as much as I was prior to the pandemic, we still do it for fun when time permits.

I hope this story inspires you and shows a great example that no matter how tough life gets, you can still make it your own.

Peace! ✌️

Tammy Lee

MTB Coach Tammy

COACHING & EDUCATION CREDENTIALS

  • NCCP Adult Community Triathlon Coach
  • PMBIA Mountain Bike Instructor, Lvl 1
  • TrainingPeaks Coach, Lvl 1
  • CASI Snowboard Instructor, Lvl 1
  • canfitpro PRO TRAINER (PTS, FIS, FMA, HWL, CPR)
  • canfitpro Personal Training Specialist
  • canfitpro Fitness Instructor Specialist
  • canfitpro Healthy Eating & Weight Loss Coach
  • Rescue 7 CPR Instructor
  • Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education, Acadia University
  • Several diplomas and certificates in entrepreneurship, marking, business management, computers, web design, and bookkeeping.

AWARDS & NOMINATIONS

  • Rookie of the Year, canfitpro PRO TRAINER award
  • Adrian Campbell Sportsmanship, Triathlon NS award
  • Certificate of Recognition for Pro Kids Fundraising, Municipality of Lunenburg
  • 2 x nominee for Best in Business canfitpro PRO TRAINER award
  • 1x nominee for Fitness Professional Award – canfitpro Personal Training Specialist
canfitpro Rookie of the Year award