Sue Abell, creator of Tread Powerfully^®, is a fitness instructor and personal trainer with certifications from canfitpro and the YMCA, holds an honours BA in English and is a Certified Coach Practitioner (CCP) with the Certified Coaches Federation.

Sue taught fitness classes throughout university, and after a 10-year international business career, returned to Canada…and to her passion for exercise. Sue has instructed at various clubs during her fitness career and now works with her fitness team and community partners to provide a wide range of fitness opportunities, all aimed at enriching life.

In the winter of 2006, Sue launched Abell Bodies, a personal training business which caters to individuals, couples, corporations and health organizations to provide fitness training and health education. The following spring, she created and launched a unique power walking and stationary muscle circuit concept, Tread Powerfully^®, which has grown to include indoor muscle and cardio classes and kids and teen classes focused on functional athletic training.

Sue believes that each of us has a spark that comes alive when our bodies feel energized and encouraged beyond what we imagined possible. Her greatest joy is seeing a member or client experience this for themselves...it’s all about having that “fire in the eyes”!

Lisa Wayland is a Group Fitness, Cycle and Pilates^® Instructor with a BA in Sociology, and fitness certifications with canfitpro, Cycle Reebok and SPIN Pilates^®.

After having children, Lisa realized how important fitness was to staying healthy and active and connected. She found the time to make fitness a priority. With the energy required to raise two young boys, she found herself heading to the gym everyday, kids in tow and the belief that a “Happy mommy = Happy children”.

Six years ago, Lisa participated in her first indoor cycle class and was immediately hooked. Two years later she was certified to teach cycle, and has been doing so regularly with continued energy and excitement, most recently as a volunteer at the YMCA.

In 2007, at the age of 38, Lisa achieved a personal goal by becoming certified as a Fitness Instructor Specialist, and in 2008 she completed her SPIN Pilates^® certification.

Lisa met Sue at the fitness club where they were both instructors. When Sue first introduced Tread Powerfully^® (TP) on the indoor treadmill, Lisa quickly added it to her fitness routine believing firmly in the concept and its benefits. Having completed her TP training with Sue, Lisa is now a qualified TP instructor, and has been leading classes through the downtown streets for three years. Along with her valuable experience, Lisa also brings the kind of energy and enthusiasm necessary to guide TP participants through their one-hour class effectively, while enabling them to push their limits, achieve results and thoroughly enjoy it.

Paula Stewart is a certified fitness instructor through canfitpro and a full-time martial arts instructor at Sidekicks School of Martial Arts. She holds a 3^rd degree Black Belt in Taekwon-Do, a Bachelor of Music degree from Dalhousie University, and utilizes both her musical and martial arts skills as the director of the Sidekicks Demo Team and instructor of her own Cardio-Punch Program.

Paula began working as a musician at the age of 16 and continued to play trombone professionally while attending university, adding many musical teaching experiences in the years following. After joining Sidekicks with her two sons, she earned a black belt in 2005 and progressed out of the corporate world to follow her passion to teach as an instructor at Sidekicks.

It was through martial arts that Paula (aka “Miss Stewart”) met Sue, the parent of one of her students. She tried Sue's classes at a local fitness club, quickly becoming a devoted fan of Sue's positive energy and practical approach. Since Paula would often walk the waterfront and do beach-side martial arts workouts, she was thrilled when Sue brought Tread Powerfully^® (TP) to the streets of Burlington. This became a valuable part of Paula's physical preparation for her 3^rd degree Black Belt test in November 2010.

Having personally experienced the benefits of TP, Paula welcomed Sue's invitation to take the necessary steps to join her and Lisa as a part-time TP instructor.

Alison Dunn is a certified fitness instructor specialist with canfitpro, and holds an honours BA in political science and a bachelor of journalism degree.

Alison joined Tread Powerfully^® in the fall of 2008, hoping that some cross-training would make her a better long distance runner. It worked – she’s now completed two marathons, four half marathons (including one power walking half marathon), three 10K races and countless 5Ks. It was through Tread Powerfully^®, along with the coaching and encouragement of Sue, Lisa and Paula, that she achieved her goals, learning the importance of adding strength training, stretching and variety to her workout routine.

In 2011, Alison decided to fulfill a new dream of becoming a certified fitness instructor, and after training with Sue, joined the TP team as an instructor in September. Since then, she’s enjoyed sharing her passion for fitness, the outdoors and healthy living with other Tread Powerfully^® members.

In addition to teaching Tread Powerfully^®, Alison is also an instructor in Sheridan College’s print journalism department and the online editor for Canadian Running magazine. She has also written for a number of Canadian magazines, including Chatelaine, Glow and Hamilton and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Adult Education.