Kathryn Sawatzky

Kathryn Sawatzky has been involved in the fitness industry for the past 20 years. Upon graduating from high school in 1990 Kathryn became qualified as a Group Fitness Leader and Certified Fitness Appraiser and went on to graduate from the University of Manitoba Dean’s Honour list with her Bachelor of Physical Education in 1994.

Kathryn began her career in Workplace Health and Wellness with CN (Canadian National Railway) in 1994 as Employee Health and Fitness Coordinator for the Winnipeg area.  In this position, she provided health education and fitness programming to employees via numerous health and wellness presentations, personal training, incentive programs, personal wellness consultations and teaching of group fitness classes. In the community, Kathryn has served on the Board of Directors for the Manitoba Runner’s Association from 1997-98, been involved annually since 1994 with the Great Grain Relay Corporate event, served as Race Director for CN Tracks of Glory race since it’s inception in 1998 on to its closing race in 2008 and been a founding member of the Winnipeg Workplace Wellness Alliance since 1997.

Kathryn has studied in the part-time MBA program at the University of Manitoba and instructed an Issues in Health course at the University of Winnipeg (2003). Outside of work she is a full-time Mother to 7 year old son Matthew and 4 year old daughter Julia.

Kathryn’s personal fitness has seen her compete in the Manitoba Novice Bodybuilding Championships in 1991 and complete 3 full marathon events in Minneapolis from 1995-97 consecutively. Currently she runs half marathons with her most recent accomplishments having place first overall in the 1st Annual Treherne, Manitoba half marathon, and the first Canadian runner to finish the half marathon in Negril, Jamaica on December 1, 2007 as part of the Arthritis Society’s Joints in Motion team.

Embarking on her latest challenge of opening up the Urban Wellness Centre @ cityplace in February 2009, Kathryn continues to spread her passion and enthusiasm for a healthy lifestyle within the corporate wellness arena. The idea of having the ability to bring fitness to the workplace in today’s busy world drives Kathryn to help promote more balanced lifestyles  in turn creating a healthier community overall.