CALGARY, Alberta (BVM) – Michelle Felzmann is one of the rare few who knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life from a young age.

She was first involved in sports at the age of 2 when she started figure skating. She continued on this path for 13 years before moving on to school sports, then falling in love with group fitness.

“When I was 15, I went to a step class at my local gym,” Felzmann said. “After class, the instructor told me I had a natural talent and that I should become an instructor. I remember going home and excitedly telling my mom. She told me to go for it, and I have never looked back.”

Originally from Saskatchewan, Felzmann’s family moved around a lot due to her father’s job as a banker. Graduating from high school in Kindersley, she has been in Calgary on and off since 1996. In 2001, she worked as the resident fitness instructor at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico for six months. During her 20s, Felzmann also competed in fitness and figure contests for four years.

Each year, Felzmann attends the IDEA World Fitness Convention to learn from the world’s most influential experts. In 2007, she ran into her good friend, Fraser Quelch, the education director for TRX.

“He showed me what the straps could do, and I was hooked,” Felzmann said. “Fraser brought me onboard in 2008 to become a master instructor for the company. Within two years, I was teaching the suspension training course, group suspension training and the TRX team course.”

You might ask, “What is a TRX?” It’s an exercise tool that offers body weight training wherever you go. With a set of straps hanging from a single anchor point, you’re able to use your core the whole time. By increasing functional strength and decreasing injuries, TRX allows you to focus on any fitness element, from flexibility to cardio.

“There is more to the straps than just push-ups and rows,” Felzmann explained. “It’s a complete training system. When people are taught to use it, they literally have an ‘aha’ moment. This is a piece of equipment that will humble you every time you use it.”

Felzmann didn’t become a TRX master trainer just because of the equipment, but also the community that welcomed her.

“They thrive off of education. When I started with them, I instantly knew it would be the right path for me,” Felzmann said. “Not only did I feel like part of a family from the very beginning, but I knew that this company would be the best of the best. It is top notch with the team of instructors and the people behind us who put all the content together.”

Felzmann is now an independent fitness professional, married to her husband Mark with two young boys, Chase and Peyton. She currently teaches group fitness for the Glencoe Club, instructing TRX virtual education courses and running a weekly ‘Release to Relax’ class.

“Since I started in the fitness industry, I haven’t done anything else,” Felzmann said. “I have a passion for helping people. I absolutely thrive off of seeing people succeed at things they never thought they could do.”

After 25 years in the industry, she’s racked up quite the list of fitness credentials: TRX Master Instructor, AFLCA Group Fitness, CPR & First Aid, Keiser Cycling, 200-hour yoga certification, ViPR PT and Group Fitness, Functional Movement Systems, and Physical Yoga Level 1 and 2. In 2019, Felzmann was also named one of Canada’s Top Fitness Instructors for Impact Magazine.

“I have spent a lot of time in the fitness industry and attended many events where I have gotten to know some of the best in the business,” Felzmann said. “This, combined with teaching and training for so many years, has allowed me the opportunity to really perfect my craft.”