Provincial Council

Jane Riddell

Jane is the Chief Operations Officer of the GoodLife Fitness Clubs. She began her career in the fitness industry 25 years ago, and says she has enjoyed ‘every minute of it’. Jane has worked in virtually every position in clubs from cleaning to General Manager.

‘No other occupation would have afforded me such personal satisfaction’ says Riddell, ‘I love that we make such a positive difference in people’s lives’.

Of all the awards GoodLife Fitness has won, Jane is most proud of the company being named one of Canada’s 50 Top Managed Companies every year since 2003. She holds a Master’s degree in Physical Education from the University of Western Ontario and has participated in many sports including completing a marathon 750 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. She is active in many community events including most recently fundraising for Hope’s Garden, an eating disorders resource organization.

Lisa Sommers

Lisa is currently a Stott certified Pilates instructor and Yamuna Body Rolling practitioner and works out of The Adelaide Club in downtown Toronto as well as privately. Lisa’s change in career happened in 2003, after working in various senior positions in Marketing, Purchasing and Market Research in the Foodservice industry. She has really enjoyed this change in pace and thrives on assisting clients with bettering their own physical and mental wellbeing.

The area of Workplace Wellness has held a great deal of intrigue for Lisa and is something she has researched and liased with others on over the past few years. She is working towards bringing more wellness initiatives into the workplace, especially small business.

Lisa has been active all her life in various activities, especially as a figure skater. She was a member of the Toronto Cricket Club’s Precision (synchronized) team that competed at the Canadian level, with her team winning gold medals in 1993 and 1994. In addition to Pilates and Yamuna Body Rolling, she enjoys hiking and rollerblading among her recreational pursuits.

Lisa has been a long term (17 year) volunteer in various capacities at Casey House Hospice, a world renowned AIDS hospice in Toronto.

Robert M. Tallack

Robert has been involved in the Martial Arts and fitness industry his entire life. He spent his youth in his families Martial Arts Fitness Centers, founded by his father, Professor Kenneth Tallack, 8th Degree Black Belt. In 1994 Robert’s family moved to Japan for 4 years to study advanced Marital Arts. In 2001, after winning the World Championships, Robert launched Karate Kids Canada with the vision of bringing fitness and Martial Arts into the Canadian school system. Karate Kids has evolved into ‘Elementary School Fitness’ which operates programs in over 120 schools and is growing steadily. In 2009 Robert launched ‘Kids Home Fitness’ in response to the growing demand for cost effective and convenient fitness solutions for children.

Mike Bates

Mike is the Owner of Refine Fitness Studio in Windsor, Ontario which won the Best New Business Award in 2009 through the Windsor Chamber of Commerce.

Mike is also a teacher in the Dept of Kinesiology at the University of Windsor where he obtained his BHK and MBA degrees. He received the Odyssey Award from his alma mater which recognizes young graduates that have achieved excellence in the early parts of their careers. Mike is a certified Exercise Physiologist, Kinesiologist and Personal Trainer and PRO Trainer with Can Fit Pro. He is the lead author and editor of Health Fitness Management (2nd ed) and Can Fit Pro’s Certification Manual for Personal Trainers. His weekly column in the Windsor Star promotes health and fitness across the country.

Mike is active member of his community serving on various Boards and supporting numerous not for profit groups. Mike and his wife Laura have 2 sons.

Pino Plati

Today after 12 years of continued success in his community in offering reputable & professional service his fitness business has expanded into two fitness clubs in Vaughan which he owns and operates as Real Club Training and Real Fitness for Women.   In addition to and alongside his wife Linda he is involved in their new fitness endeavor Real Kids Fitness, a after school fitness program that is looking to expand their service throughout community schools.