Born and raised in Victoria, Leo completed his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology at the University of Victoria before going on to complete his Master of Science in Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto.

Leo loves treating athletes, post-surgical patients, people suffering from chronic pain, and everyone in between. He draws on his extensive strength and conditioning background to complement his Physiotherapy skills when devising his treatment plans.

At the core of Leo’s treatment approach is client empowerment through education and exercise. He firmly believes that it’s his role to give clients the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their own health.

When he’s not in the clinic, you can find Leo reading, writing, painting, hiking, camping, playing soccer, and engaging in his newfound obsession of Muay Thai.

Born and raised in Victoria, Leo completed his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology at t... Read More

Marita completed a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2019 at Trinity Western University and worked as a Kinesiologist before continuing her education in Physiotherapy in Australia. After graduating with her Master’s of Physiotherapy Studies from the University of Queensland in 2022, she moved back to Vancouver Island to build her career in health rehabilitation and enjoy the island’s natural beauty.

Marita grew up running track and competed internationally in 2012 at the World Youth Track and Field Games in Donetsk, Ukraine. After battling sporting injuries for several years, she chose to end her professional career in sport and now enjoys multiple recreational activities such as mountain biking, trail running, surfing, and hiking. As a former professional athlete, Marita is very passionate about sport rehabilitation and understands the impact that injuries can have on everyday life. She welcomes any opportunity to help support patients to overcome adversities and get them back to the activities that are important to them.

Marita provides an individualized approach to healing and believes in evidence-based treatment. Her goal is to keep others healthy by providing them with the skills needed to help manage themselves.

Marita completed a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2019 at Trinity Western University and w... Read More

Ben Stebbins has earned his Doctor of Chiropractic and Master’s of Science degree in Sports Medicine, with the ambition of helping people get out, and stay out of pain. He hopes to make his patients stronger and more resilient so they can get back to the activities they love.

He is not your traditional Chiropractor, he is one of those “New Age Chiropractors” that his clinical resident group was so appreciatively deemed by one of their happy patients. He respects the history and roots of the profession but truly believes that Movement is Medicine, and that no patient is the same. So, they should not all receive the same cookie-cutter approach to treatment. He uses the skills he has mastered in school, combined with extensive seminars and continuing education in rehabilitation, movement mastery and sports performance to individualize each patient’s path to improved health.

Ben has been involved in the sporting world his entire life, focusing on lacrosse for the majority of his career. After his sports career ended and strength and fitness became his new full-time sport, he wanted to be able to help other athletes, weekend warriors and anyone else who wanted to avoid or recover from injury. His formed obsession with strength, health, and human performance became his new career path. While working with the Canadian Forces his skills and enthusiasm for the profession grew, and he developed a greater appreciation for the necessity of quality rehabilitation and functional assessment for both tactical athletes and support members alike. It is here he learned how to separate his philosophy from others, he was able to look to long-term goals and encourage the development of habits that set them up to perform and be active in life.

Born and raised in Victoria, he has come home to provide his services to anyone looking to not only get out of pain but also to increase their ability to do the activities they love. Whether it is recovering from an injury or preparing for the upcoming season, it’s Bens’ goal to combine his extensive education and clinical background to maximize the goals of everyone he serves.

Ben Stebbins has earned his Doctor of Chiropractic and Master’s of Science degree in Sports Medic... Read More

Stephen Woollard Bio (He/Him/His)

Stephen is a Certified Athletic Therapist, Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Running Coach. In 2022 he was honoured to receive the ATABC “Excellence in the Clinic” Award.

Stephen understands the profound effect injuries can have on a person’s physical and mental well-being, and his ultimate goal is to get you back to doing what you love and being at your best. Stephen uses a combination of hands-on treatment, movement, and exercise to help you accomplish your goals. If you feel like you have tried everything and seen everyone with no results, book an appointment with Stephen.

He has experience working with many different types of clients but considers running and endurance sports his specialty. Stephen works with ICBC clients, tradespeople, as well as musicians, and firmly believes that everyone is an athlete and deserves to be able to move and be active in whatever form they choose.

When not working with clients, you might see Stephen stretching his mental muscles at pub trivia or playing trombone around town.

Stephen Woollard Bio (He/Him/His) Stephen is a Certified Athletic Therapist, Strength and Condit... Read More

Marian is a South African trained physiotherapist who graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2003. On a climbing trip to Squamish, Marian met her husband which brought her to Victoria. Marian has always loved being outside and is now delighted to introduce all the wonders to her little one. She currently enjoys climbing, trail running, yoga, surfing, cold water dips and learning to ski.

Marian loves to enable people to get back to what they love doing. She has extensive experience in treating sports and neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Marian believes in person-centered care and developing a warm and encouraging space to facilitate health. Marian’s treatments consist of a thorough assessment and ongoing communication working towards a common treatment goal. She integrates manual therapy, exercise rehabilitation and education in treatment.

Marian is an avid life-long learner and regularly participates in continuous education courses. She is a trained pilates instructor and is busy with her certificate in pain management.

Marian is a South African trained physiotherapist who graduated from the University of Cape Town ... Read More

Kaisha Scofield is a certified nutritional therapy practitioner, founder of Well and Strong Health and health writer for Boulevard Magazine.

Kaisha’s practice is based on three pillars: move your muscles, fuel your brain, and love your guts. She focuses on education and empowerment, encouraging clients to become curious and excited about their digestive health. By promoting the incorporation of whole foods, daily movement and self care her clients become experts at fuelling their body and cultivating wellness of the whole system.

Kaisha is endlessly curious about digestive wellness. She completed her nutrition training at the Nutritional Therapy Association and has since undergone training and practice in anti-inflammatory health and blood sugar regulation. She is currently studying the relationship between mental health and nutrition, and hormone regulation.

Kaisha has always enjoyed diving in to new activities, which has led to a deep understanding of the essential relationship between physical movement and digestive health. She spent ten years as a dancer, only to later make the unlikely transition into the sports of kickboxing and boxing. Kaisha is also a certified yoga instructor (haha, ashtanga, yin), avid cyclist and aspiring runner. She is currently obsessed with weightlifting.

When not investigating digestive health, Kaisha is spending time with her husband, two children and their pets, Olive and Turnip.

Kaisha Scofield is a certified nutritional therapy practitioner, founder of Well and Strong Healt... Read More

Rachelle believes in mobility coupled with strength as the foundation of living, working and playing, pain-free, “Strengthen and lengthen”. She develops rehabilitation plans based on current scientific and clinical practice standards.

As well as working at The Athlete Centre, Rachelle teaches rehab and injury prevention to the student athletes with the Reynolds Secondary Centre for Soccer Excellence and the Esquimalt High Rugby Academy.

When she is not helping keep people active, you may find her on the mountain, hiking, skiing or on the softball field.

Rachelle believes in mobility coupled with strength as the foundation of living, working and play... Read More

Julia completed her Bachelor of Athletic and Exercise Therapy and Diploma of Exercise and Wellness at Camosun College. Julia is a Certified Athletic Therapist, a Registered Massage Therapist, a certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist, a Kinesiologist and a Yoga Instructor!

As well as working at The Athlete Centre she teaches yoga classes in the community for different sports teams and schools. Julia has worked as an Athletic Therapist with various sports teams such as the Canadian Paralympic rowing team as they prepared for the 2016 Olympics as well as the Westshore Rugby club. Personally Julia enjoys an active lifestyle of hiking, lifting, running and yoga

Julia completed her Bachelor of Athletic and Exercise Therapy and Diploma of Exercise and Wellnes... Read More

Josh combines a Human Kinetics degree from UBC, with a Massage Therapy diploma from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy.

His educational background gives him a hands-on, yet movement-based approach to rehabilitation. He creates a treatment plan that is attainable and specific to your individual goals. His aim is to get you back to doing what you do best, whatever that may be!

Josh’s down to earth and empathetic nature allows him to focus on understanding your goals and expectations. He feels that treatment and rehab is a team sport! He will work with you and involve you in the process to achieve the desired outcome.

When not in the clinic, Josh can be found travelling with AWA autosport racing as their team therapist. You may also catch him out on a multitude of adventures around the island. He loves to be outside. Biking, hiking, camping and surfing are his go-to’s.

Josh combines a Human Kinetics degree from UBC, with a Massage Therapy diploma from the Canadian ... Read More

Michelle is one of the proud founders of The Athlete Centre. She comes from a high school teaching background, graduating with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria.

In finding a passion for injury care, injury prevention and fitness, Michelle furthered her education to include a Bachelor of Athletic and Exercise Therapy from Camosun College and certification in Strength and Conditioning from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. She now works full time at The Athlete Centre incorporating her love of teaching into the education of her clients, which she feels is an essential part of injury recovery and lasting physical improvements.

Michelle also loves working with teams on and off the field, as a way of giving back to the sporting community she grew up in. In the capacity of Athletic Therapist or coach she has worked with rugby athletes from the high school level to Senior Men’s and Women’s Canadian National Teams, Rowing Canada Men, Women and Para teams, Senior Women’s National Field Hockey team, high school track and field teams and a variety of club soccer teams.

Michelle has a background in gymnastics, rugby, and field hockey and is a fan of anything that makes her move – namely running, biking, lifting, snowboarding, hiking, and any new fun fitness class or adventure going! She believes that movement is a key component to injury recovery and loves helping and encouraging her clients to move and move well.

Michelle is one of the proud founders of The Athlete Centre. She comes from a high school teachin... Read More

Born and raised in Victoria, Dr. Kavan Yu first went to a chiropractor at the age of seven for aches and pains related to growing. Constantly playing sports and being active, he found that his chiropractor consistently helped him alleviate and recover from injuries and pain in both an effective and efficient manner. After discovering that all the chiropractors he encountered seemed so passionate about their job, he quickly knew this was the career for him.​ After high school, in preparation for his chiropractic training, Kavan attended the University of Victoria, where he completed his Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology, which is the study of human movement. He subsequently attended the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto and graduated in 2010. From working with elite level athletes like CrossFit Games Competitors to someone who wants to continue to walk their dog, sew or garden with less pain and more confidence, Kavan enjoys working with all ranges of individuals to help them reach a goal of optimal movement and function. He believes in a well-rounded, evidence-informed, patient-centered approach to care and utilizes an array of techniques, including chiropractic adjustments, joint mobilizations, soft-tissue/myofascial mobilization, functional movement screens, rehab/corrective exercise, education, and lifestyle modifications. Over the years of being in practice, Kavan’s practice style has evolved to not only treat soft tissue and joint related ailments, but has also grown to focus on functional movement and biomechanical assessments. These assessments help to guide the creation of personalized corrective and rehab exercises for each patient to get to the root cause and/or perpetuator of movement based injuries. Kavan believes this approach leads to improved outcomes and helps to put patients in the “driver’s seat” of their ailments. He constantly strives to better serve his patients by increasing his knowledge base through continuing education courses, workshops, and conferences. This has led him to complete various courses in soft-tissue injury and movement related assessment and treatment. Some of these courses and certifications include (but are not limited to): - Active Release Techniques - Certified Provider of Graston Instrumented Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Technique - FAKTR-PM or Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehabilitation, Provocation, and Motion - Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization – Certified Level C and Advanced Skills training - Michael Shacklock PT - Clinical Neurodynamics - Functional Range Conditioning and Functional Range Release - K-Taping® Pro certified - RockTape Fascial Movement Taping Certified - Professor Stuart McGill – Building the Ultimate Back - Dr. Craig Liebenson DC – Continuum of Care & Prague School to Athletic Development

When not working, Kavan can be found enjoying his time with his wife and two daughters, going for hikes, mountain biking or surfing.

Born and raised in Victoria, Dr. Kavan Yu first went to a chiropractor at the age of seven for ac... Read More

Whether it’s in your daily life or your athletic pursuits, Kayla has a passion for working with people through sustainable approaches to achieving their goals. After studying kinesiology at the University of Lethbridge and graduating from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy, she helps educate and prepare individuals to proactively address their movement needs.

Born and raised in Williams Lake, BC, Kayla grew up loving the outdoors, her family, friends, and hard work. She played baseball, hockey, and rugby at her school, and it was at the University of Lethbridge where she earned her spot on the National Senior Women’s Rugby 7s team. A decade later, Kayla becomes an Olympic medalist, a two-time Olympian (2016, 2020), a World Cup finalist, a two-time Pan-American champion, and a two-time Rugby Canada Hall of Fame Inductee, along with many other historical milestones for rugby in Canada.

When Kayla’s not busy in the clinic, she is often found adventuring or going on long runs around town with her dog, Finnigan.

Whether it’s in your daily life or your athletic pursuits, Kayla has a passion for working with p... Read More