About Veronique Rioux & Choose2be
Personal trainer, health & fitness expert, yoga and movement teacher in Nanaimo, BC.
Why I created Choose2be
A comment I often get from participants and people who know me is how much joy, fun and positivity I bring to them.
But here’s a secret. I wasn’t always like this. I used to be depressed. When I was a teen, I smoked tobacco and told people I wanted to die young. I thought life was pointless.
I often struggled — to fit in, to find my place, to feel “good” about myself, to feel like I could make a difference in the world.
In my early twenties, I studied organic farming in the hope of making a change. But I became frustrated by the politics, by the people using chemicals on their crops, by Monsanto, and on and on.
But, throughout these challenges, exercise has been my medicine. It elevates my mood and gives me power over my life. Exercise gives me an opportunity to learn about myself, to connect with the moment and be present. It also healed my body from pain and trauma caused by repeated accidents.
Meet Veronique
Personal Trainer • Health & Fitness Expert • Yoga & Movement Teacher
“Exercise changes your body and even better, it changes your mood, attitude and mind.”
My Journey
I have been active throughout my life, from competitive swimming and kickboxing when I was younger to yoga, dance, strength training, hiking and many other forms of movement.
At 19, a serious accident left me with a broken femur and other injuries. Later accidents and injuries gave me an even deeper appreciation for movement, recovery and the importance of building a strong and resilient body.
My professional journey began more than 20 years ago. In 2004, I completed my first Yoga Teacher Training in Thailand. Since then, I have continued studying and teaching across many areas of health and fitness, including personal training, group fitness, yoga, mobility, dance, circus arts, functional movement and lifestyle coaching.
Over the years, I have taught thousands of classes and worked with people of different ages, abilities and backgrounds. I currently teach group fitness in Nanaimo, offer personal training, and continue to explore the ways strength, mobility and movement can support us throughout our lives.
I am still a student myself. I continue learning, experimenting and evolving — and I bring that curiosity into the way I teach and train others.
Training & Qualifications
- Registered Therapeutic Counsellor ID 3047
- Education Assistant and Community Worker Certification
- Certified Parkinson Wellness Recovery
- Experience Yoga Instructor
- canfitpro Pro Trainer
- canfitpro Certified Personal Trainer
- canfitpro Certified Group Fitness Instructor
- Medical Exercise Specialist
- Holistic Nutrition Certificate
- Wellness Eating and Weight Loss Coach
- Certified Yoga Teacher with Chakra Yoga school 340hours
- Yin Yoga Teacher Training
- Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga Instructor
- Rainbow Kid yoga
- Stress Resiliency Certificate
- Active Aging Certificate
- Children Fitness Coach
- Tabata Bootcamp Instructor
- Pound Fit Instructor
- Zumba Instructor
- BollyX Instructor
- Bellydance teacher certified Level 1 & 2 with Hadia
- Thai Massage level 1 with Lotus Palm School
- Spin Instructor
- Drum Alive Instructor
- Bellyfit Instructor
- Classical Stretch Method
- Awakening workshop with Clearmind
- Aesthetician
- Massage Therapist certificate
- Organic Farming Diploma
My Commitment to You
I am committed to inspiring you to create a healthy body and a healthy mind.
I am committed to being real with you. I will be honest and tell you the truth. I have learned a great deal about health and fitness during my life. It’s my passion and I want to share it with you.
You don’t need to be on some sort of extreme regime to create the amazing health you deserve. Simply set you mind to it and commit. You are beautiful and worth it.
What Choose2be Clients Say
Choose2be Strong
Start small if you need to. If you haven’t exercised for a long time, just begin by walking for 15 minutes a day and build up from there. You will be amazed at the domino effect this will have on the rest of your life. You will find it influencing how you feel about yourself. You will notice yourself making better choices in many areas of your life.
Choose2be Happy
Start with the simple things. Be happy that you can walk, that you can see beautiful things, feel love and be loved. Look at yourself and focus on what you love about yourself. Be positive, cultivate gratitude, and let it grow on you.
Choose2be Healthy
There is no quick fix. You can’t buy health. You can’t buy a strong body. You need to create it through every choice you make, from eating to how you see yourself. A great place to start is exercise. You need to make exercise a lifestyle. Do whatever type of exercise you enjoy and find inspiring: walking, biking, weight lifting, yoga, dancing…
Get In Touch
Ready to get moving?
Whether you’re interested in personal training, group fitness, yoga, mobility, health coaching or another Choose2be program, get in touch and let’s find the right fit for you.
(250) 740-0886
