About Explore More YYC
ExploreMoreYYC was born out of our passion for fitness and the great outdoors. Inspired by our love for fresh air, mountains, and fitness, we wanted to make the rockies more accessible to everyone—one trip at a time! So we started organizing group hikes and snow trips throughout Banff, Lake Louise and surrounding areas.
While we still love to go out to the rockies, over time, our focus at Explore More YYC has shifted. We have recently chanced upon an opportunity to start a small fitness studio, and now here we are.
Explore More YYC Fitness is a passionate and committed team unified by our mission to provide excellent personal training and fitness opportunities, rooted in functional and activity-driven exercise programs. We want to empower our community by instilling the value of a balanced outlook on health and fitness that prepares them for real-life movements and activities.
The fitness studio
October 2022 marks new possibilities, as Explore More YYC Fitness opens its doors. Explore More YYC Fitness offers a private fitness studio where you can focus on achieving your fitness goals.
Private Fitness Studio on-Demand
We’re looking to share this studio with fitness and health professionals who are looking for a functional and private space to meet and coach their clients. When booking the studio, you and your clients never have to worry about sharing the space and equipment with anyone else. For the duration of your reserved time slot, the space is yours.
Conditioning Classes
Training shouldn’t stop: not even in the off season. We offer small-group conditioning classes throughout the week to keep you in tip-top shape. Whether you’re getting ready for the ski season or a big hike, we’ve got functional exercises to help improve mobility and avoid injuries.
Meet the Team
Garry Simpson, Founder
SnowfunYYC was born out of a desire to share a passion for fitness, the great outdoors and a dream of making the mountains more accessible.
I look forward to guiding you on your next excursion!
Kirsty Chalmers
My name is Kirsty. I have been a personal trainer for 8 years, and I specialize in muscle building, weight loss and teaching clients form/technique.
I also offer 1:1 Private & Mobile Personal training and online coaching.
Charlotte Terek
Hello! I am enthusiastic to share my appreciation for the outdoors with every trip. Being outside and experiencing the nature around us helps create joyful memories, and using the mountain views helps us to unwind. I believe being outside creates some of the most valuable moments in life but the motivation to make time for ourselves and coordinate plans can get lost.
I hope to inspire attendees to accept the endless opportunities we have to enjoy being outside. Trying new sport activities with different types of people. Gaining perspective and a sense of community is what I'm all about!
Denise Francisco
Hey, I’m Denise! In what feels like a lifetime ago, I was a registered nurse in Texas. Being a bit of a late bloomer in fitness, it was during the arduous days of studying for my board exams that I discovered my passion for fitness—signing up for different fitness classes from weight training, kickboxing, yoga, HIIT, etc—to help blow off some steam. Years later, I found myself in Canada, where I fell in love with travel and the outdoors.
These days, whenever I’m not off gallivanting somewhere, you’ll often find me freelancing or helping Explore More YYC plan and lead trips.
If nothing else, I hope to inspire others to try new things and not shy away from stepping out of their comfort zones.
Grace van der Veen
"Hello, my name is Grace van der Veen. I've been teaching yoga in a studio setting since I partook in my first 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2018.
Since then I've completed more than 400 hours of additional training, including Yin, Forrest Yoga, and Aerial Yoga. My practice is strong but inclusive, with a focus on modern-day ailments such as low back pain and postural issues.
I strive to create a practice that will allow you to feel energized, safe, and strong for the rest of your yoga life."
Maddi Hermann
Maddi started yoga a decade ago as an athlete looking to heal her body but soon found that her yoga mat had become her sanctuary for all types of healing: physical, mental & spiritual.
Since completing her 200-hour yoga teacher training with Alice Hong & Nora Maskey at the Inspired Yoga Institute in December 2015, she has taught 2000+ hours of yoga & fitness classes locally & internationally. She has also completed Booty Barre training, Spin training, Level 3 Antigravity Fitness & Aerial Yoga training, Wymbin Kids Yoga training, and Yoga Thrive training. She is currently completing her 300-hour yoga teacher training with Alice Hong & Nora Maskey with the Inspired Yoga Institute (June 2018).
Her travels during the first half of 2017 led her to sacred ashrams in India, the Annapurna Base Camp in the Himalaya mountains in Nepal, and to surf & yoga shalas on the beaches of Arugum Bay, Sri Lanka.
She is excited to lead you into nature & home into yourself!
Let's Explore More!