Our Staff at Core Essentials
About Founder David Gilks
Core Essentials trainers are trained in advance fitness and post rehabilitative techniques through the American Association of Health & Fitness Professionals.
The AAHFRP provides the necessary tools and skills to offer the public protocol based functional conditioning programs for clients with musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiovascular disorders. All of Core Essentials staff are certified through this organization and are required to attend weekly educational seminars provided by Core Essentials management.
Core Essentials staff are the most advanced fitness professionals in the area.
Diana Marchand email me
Empowering People Through a Commitment to Fitness!
- Certified Personal Trainer, BCRPA
- Post Rehab Conditioning Specialist, AAHFRP
- Yoga Teacher, EWYT350
Diana has been passionately involved in many aspects of health and fitness for over 20 years. The body-shaping results she achieved in her 20's, after embarking upon a serious weight training program, lead her to even greater interest in physical fitness and later on to an interest in nutrition, flexibility, endurance training and cross training.
Diana first became interested in yoga as a means of preventing and recovering from sports injuries. The practice of yoga has proven to be safe and effective in helping to build muscular strength, increase flexibility and regain muscle balance. In addition, yoga provides a host of other health-related benefits. With tremendous enthusiasm and excitement, Diana enjoys introducing the practice of yoga to students, both young and old.
One of Diana's strengths is in motivating people. Her positive attitude and sincere passion flows to her clients and students, sparking in them an excitement to get into shape and try new exercises, finding out what works best for them. Diana believes that everyone can find activities they like, which will promote physical fitness and well-being. She enjoys encouraging individuals to set and achieve their health and fitness goals by taking charge of their own training efforts.
In her spare time, she enjoys volunterring and participating in a variety of adventure races and trail races. She also ocean kayaks and tackles trails on her mountain bike.
Diana believes that once you ignite the passion and power inside yourself, anything is possible: thus life can be lived to the fullest. She is committed to helping people break through their own personal barriers to achieve and maintain the optimum in health and fitness. You must commit to be fit!
Contact us by email, our contact form or phone for more information on Diana and the Core Essentials team.
Darcy Johnston email me
Life is not a dress rehearsal.
- Medical Exercise Specialist, AAHFRP
- BCRPA Personal Trainer
- CHEK Institute Scientific Back Training
- Poliquin Performance Center Advanced Strength Coach
Darcy Johnston was born and raised in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. While growing up, Darcy engaged in all manner of sports from ice hockey, baseball to martial arts. It wasn’t until his late teens that he entertained the idea of using strength training to enhance his athletic performance. Once he began this journey into strength and conditioning he was hooked and later found himself as a strength trainer for a local fitness center. After successfully completing many certifications related to the fitness industry, Darcy then joined the American Association of Health Fitness Rehab Professionals, where he met his future employer, David Gilks.
Darcy has worked with many professional athletes over the years, such as Canadian skier Alison Forsyth, David LeNeveu of the Phoenix Coyotes and Shaun Peet, former defenseman of the New Mexico Scorpions and now a proud member of NASCAR Busch Series pit crew. Darcy is now assisting in the development of Core Athletics, a new program designed to provided much needed training and guidance for young athletic hopefuls on Vancouver Island.
Darcy takes great pride in his work and enjoys all aspects of the fitness experience. Whether it’s working with a professional athlete or helping a fitness enthusiast rehabilitating an injured back, making sure his client reaches their goal is his number one concern.
Tanna Payne email me
Knowledge is power.
- 2000-01 Western Canadian Weightlifting Championships - Silver Medalist
- 2002-03 Western Canadian Weightlifting Championships - Gold Medalist
- 2002-03 British Columbia Provincial Weightlifting Championships - Gold Medalist
- 2003 Canadian Weightlifting Championships - Bronze Medalist
- 2003 World University Weightlifting Championships - 12th place
- 2004 Manitoba Provincial Weightlifting Championships - Gold Medalist & Achievement Award
- 2005 Fame Fitness Competition - Bronze medalist
Tanna's path to fitness was anything but a direct route. As a child, she danced; figure skated and started modeling at twelve years of age. After seven years of modeling and constantly struggling to stay ultra thin, Tanna decides to walk away. "I decided my health was way more important than being ultra skinny…and that was the best decision I've ever made!" "That's when I entered the weight room with a whole new goal…I'm going to get strong!"
Tanna's next adventure started when her mother introduced her to Olympic Weightlifting. It took one try and she was immediately hooked and wanted to compete. With coaching and full time dedication to training, she stepped on the competitive platform the next year and won a silver medal in the Western Canadian Championships. It was then she decided her next goal "I wanted to represent Canada at a World Championships." Knowing that would require the greatest amount of work she had ever done, Tanna committed herself and started training, while being a full time college student.
After only four years of training and competing, in 2003, Tanna traveled to Italy where she represented Canada at the World University Championships and placed 12th in the world.
Though retired from competitive weightlifting now, Tanna is still very passionate about the sport and enjoys every moment of teaching the technique to others. Tanna has spent the past eight years competing and coaching with her husband (2004 Olympic Games Alternate for Olympic Weightlifting) and is now thrilled to be entering the fitness field to train other full time.
In 2005, Tanna decided to put together her experience in modeling and weightlifting with a new experience of fitness and fitness dieting; entering her first fitness modeling competition. "The knowledge I gained from this new way of training and eating was amazing."
Tanna's enthusiasm and dedication for sport and fitness clearly shines. She believes everyone, no matter where they are today, deserves the chance to explore their inner athlete, to challenge what they are capable of.
Today, Tanna is excited to be a part of the Core Essentials team where she can begin her fitness career and continue to learn from the "best in the biz." "Having David Gilks mentor me as I begin my fitness career is an opportunity that I am thankful for everyday."
Contact us by email, our contact form or phone for more information on Darcy and the Core Essentials team.