Meet the Team
Mathew Benvie
Co-Owner & Founder
Mathew grew up in Hilden, NS with a love for sports and coaching. He founded Evolve Fitness in 2009 and still loves helping people reach their goals. Almost as much as he loves country music.
Mitch Benvie
Co-Owner
Mitch joined Evolve in 2012 after graduating from Dal and a stint teaching in South Korea. He’s passionate about fitness, evidence-based nutrition, and helping clients cut through the noise to live healthier lives. His favourite brother? Tyler.
Alan Dalton
Director of Fitness Forever
Alan has been with Evolve since 2014 and leads the Fitness Forever program, helping older adults stay strong and active. With a background in kinesiology and a passion for adapted physical activity, he brings energy, expertise, and the occasional boot camp cameo.
Amy Muench
Head of Trainer Development
Amy started as an Evolve client in 2017 and has since become a national record-holding powerlifter. Now a certified coach, she helps others build strength and confidence—often while blasting some ‘80s and ’90s country.
Scott Hippern
Manager & Head Trainer
Scott keeps things running smoothly at Evolve Bedford, where he shares his own fitness journey to inspire others. With a background in kinesiology and a love for community, he’s all about helping members find balance, feel good, and have fun along the way.
Dana Mason
Manager & Head Trainer
Dana is a lifelong athlete, marathon runner, and fitness pro with over 30 years of experience leading classes. Now managing Evolve Dartmouth, she brings energy, expertise, and her “never too late to begin” mindset to every workout.
Camilla Oldreive
Manager & Head Trainer
Camilla has been an instructor since 2011. Always bringing high energy (usually 90’s) music and all the fun to class! Her goal is to make you feel your very best all while sweating it out!
Cotney Davis
Manager + Head Trainer
Cotney moved to Halifax from St. Lucia in 2017 to attend St. Mary’s University, where fitness became his escape and true passion. Specializing in hypertrophy and total body re-composition, he brings a supportive, friendly approach to help clients reach their goals while enjoying the journey.
Bobby Pedersen
Trainer
Bobby is a longtime strength and conditioning coach who brings nearly two decades of experience to athletes and everyday clients alike. With a background in kinesiology and sport science, he’s all about helping people move better, feel stronger, and play harder.
Yuliia Huzii
Trainer
Yuliia is a passionate, energetic coach with a background in physical rehabilitation, recreation, and health science. She specializes in detailed exercise technique, functional strength, and safe lifting to help people move better, get stronger, and feel their best every day.
Henrick Strait-Hinnerichsen
Trainer
Henrick is an endurance athlete and longtime volunteer trainer who thrives on helping others push past limits and celebrate every win. With a passion for outdoor adventure and a mindset rooted in balance, he brings encouragement, grit, and fun to every session.
Andrew MacSwain
Trainer
Andrew is a former teacher, coach, and model who now brings his passion for fitness and yoga to the Evolve community. Originally from PEI, he’s all about creating inclusive, energetic classes that meet people where they’re at.
Jenn Hogg
Trainer
Jenn is a Dartmouth local, RMT, and bootcamp coach with a big heart for wellness and movement—for everyone. Whether she’s leading class, studying osteopathy, or issuing her famously unreliable “5 second warning,” she’s all about helping you feel your best.
Bea Ehrenberger
Trainer
Bea has been a personal trainer and yoga instructor for over 15 years. She is originally from Germany but calls Halifax her home now. She brings a fun environment spreading her love for movement at any age. She is passionate about helping people find their inner strength.
Liz Duncan-Brown
Trainer
Liz has been obsessed with sports since she first laced up her soccer cleats at six years old, and she hasn't slowed down since. Known for her upbeat personality and boundless enthusiasm, she thrives on helping people push beyond what they thought was possible while creating an environment where everyone feels supported and encouraged. If she's not at the gym, you'll probably find her hiking, camping, or planning her next crazy adventure!
Becky Lytle
Trainer
Becky has been part of the Evolve community since 2016, bringing her signature energy to classes. A drama teacher by day, she’s passionate about helping others build confidence and discover their inner athlete, just like she did.
Jill Sears
Trainer
Jill is a retired teacher turned group fitness instructor who brings her lifelong love of movement—and contagious joy—to every bootcamp. Whether she’s curling, kayaking, or coaching, she’s all about helping others feel strong, supported, and happy to be moving.
Ainsley Mullen
Trainer
Ainsley is known in the Truro area as a physiotherapist and co-owner of Physio One where she blends her extensive fitness background with a proactive approach to injury prevention and recovery. With a Bachelor of Kinesiology and a Physiotherapy Degree from Queens University, Ainsley brings healthcare credentials, a long history of group fitness instruction and a passion for healthy living to Evolve.
Carmen Gaines
Trainer
Christine Johnson-MacInnes
Yoga Instructor
Christine is a certified yoga teacher with additional training in Restorative Yoga, Children's Yoga, and Meditation. She has practiced yoga for nearly a decade and teaches students of all ages, creating welcoming classes that emphasize mindful movement, breath, and balance.
Courtney MacSween
Trainer
Courtney has been an avid Evolve bootcamp-er since 2018 and now enjoys helping others with their health and fitness goals as part of the Dartmouth trainer crew. Away from the gym, she helps scientists track fish and other aquatic animals and can usually be found squeezing in as much beach time as possible!
David Lacey
Trainer
David is a lifelong athlete with a background in hockey, football, and powerlifting. Joining Evolve in 2023, he became an instructor in 2025, bringing his energy, humour, and passion for coaching to every class. He loves motivating members and helping them reach their goals within the Evolve community.
Dawn Meredith
Trainer
Dawn Meredith is a proud Newfoundlander who has called Truro home since 1996. Family and community are at the heart of her life. Her passion for health and fitness began in 2016, leading her to become a certified Group Exercise Instructor in 2022. She loves helping others grow stronger and achieve their goals.
Emma Growe
Trainer
Originally from Toronto but now a proud Maritime convert, Emma has always believed that movement should be a form of play. As a Registered Nurse and lifelong lover of exercise, she’s passionate about helping others feel strong, capable, and confident in what their bodies can do - all while having fun along the way.
Erin Riley
Trainer
Erin joined Evolve as a member in 2018 and quickly fell in love with its supportive, strength-focused community. Outside of Evolve, she works as a Respiratory Therapist and Clinical Operations Manager. She enjoys traveling, hiking, and helping others build confidence while working toward their health and fitness goals.
Frank "The Tank" Howell
Trainer
Frank found his way back to fitness after a life-changing accident and has been part of the Evolve team since 2013. A Cape Bretoner turned Fall River local, he brings big energy, motivation, and an unbeatable playlist to every class.
Geoff McGrath
Trainer
Geoff McGrath is a passionate coach and fitness professional who creates an inclusive, supportive environment for everyone. With a Master’s in High Performance Coaching and extensive coaching experience, Geoff helps people build strength, confidence, consistency, and motivation while enjoying the process of becoming their best selves.
Gina O'Leary
Trainer
Haylee Porter
Trainer
Haylee has always been passionate about staying active, being part of a team, and bringing people together. At Evolve, she loves teaching a variety of classes, sharing her energy, and creating a welcoming community where everyone feels like they belong. Outside of Evolve, Haylee is a Registered Massage Therapist who enjoys helping people feel their best.
Jaclyn Poole
Spin Instructor
For Jaclyn, movement is about more than exercise. It's about building the strength, mobility, and resilience that support a long and healthy life. Her spin classes bring together energizing music, positive encouragement, and workouts designed for all fitness levels.
Janine Boutilier
Trainer
Janine is a retired educator who enjoys being outside and moving her body. A longtime fitness participant, runner, and triathlete (including three half ironman races), she is excited to be a group fitness trainer with Evolve Truro. Her high energy and encouraging words lend support to every body that walks through the door.
Jay Fuller
Trainer
Jay, a high school science and IB educator, transitioned from being an Evolve client to a trainer after Evolve helped him significantly build his strength, confidence, and mobility. Now leading classes, he believes in leading by example and champions the effort/results philosophy.
Jen Mosher
Spin Instructor
Jen Mosher is a passionate and energetic Spin Instructor who loves helping people feel strong, confident, and empowered through movement. As a busy mom, she understands the value of your time and brings motivating music, variety, and positive energy to every challenging, fun-filled ride.
Jessica Fleming
Trainer
Jess is an upbeat and energetic instructor known to dance her way through a cardio class. She’s all about a great playlist, positive energy, and making fitness fun. Her goal is to create a welcoming space where participants can challenge themselves and leave feeling energized, accomplished and connected.
Jim Payne
Trainer
Jim joined Evolve in 2020 through a fitness challenge and quickly became a staple at the gym, now leading classes and subbing in across locations. With a background in business, coaching, and scuba diving, he brings energy, experience, and serious motivation to every workout.
Kelly Kayser
Spin Instructor
Kelly joined the Evolve community as a virtual client in 2020 before becoming a certified spin instructor in 2023. When she's not leading energetic rides, she works as a commercial real estate lawyer and enjoys travel, bridge, dodgeball, and staying active with the Evolve community.
Laura Little
Trainer
Laura brings positivity, approachability, and a love of movement to her classes at Evolve, where she’s been a member since 2016. She’s all about making fitness accessible and helping others find confidence at any stage of life.
Liam Toomey
Trainer
Liam is a Certified Athletic Therapist with a passion for promoting an active lifestyle. He is an expert in exercise modifications around injury and incorporating rehabilitation into strength training.
Liza MacDonald
Trainer
Liza started as one of Evolve’s first clients and returned years later to become a certified trainer, blending her passion for wellness with a background in coaching. She’s all about sustainable change, community vibes, and leading by example.
Lynn Meloney
Spin Instructor
Lynn brings energy, inclusivity, and great playlists to every spin class she leads at Evolve Bedford. A lifelong believer in staying active for both body and mind, she’s passionate about helping others find joy in movement—one ride at a time.
Marsha McAllister
Trainer
Marsha discovered her love of fitness as a young adult. Following a breast cancer diagnosis, exercise became a way to build strength and support her health. She’s excited to be a part of Evolve, cheering others on, and bringing plenty of energy, encouragement, and loud electronic music to her classes!
Mary Venoitte
Trainer
Mary is a longtime phys ed teacher and sports lover who turned to strength training after a serious accident—and never looked back. She now brings her energy, resilience, and epic playlists to Evolve classes, proving that it’s never too late to get strong and have fun doing it.
Meghan Siddle
Trainer
Meghan began her Evolve journey as a client in 2016 before becoming a coach. Passionate about helping new members feel confident and supported, she brings her love of sports and strength training to every session, showing how fitness can enhance both performance and everyday life (with a little country music along the way!).
Micha Saade
Trainer
Micha holds degrees in Human Kinetics and Psychology and is passionate about the connection between movement, mindset, and overall well-being. A mom of three and former athleisure brand founder, she brings a practical approach to fitness, helping clients build strength, confidence, and appreciation for what their bodies can do.
Nathanael Pring
Trainer
Nathanael has a passion for teaching, moving, and the joy of watching others grow. He is ready to help people build strength, form bonds, and bring out a better version of themselves.
Nina Brien
Trainer
Nina joined Evolve in 2020, leading virtual classes before expanding to in-person bootcamp, cardio, and parent-and-baby programs. A former varsity basketball player and coach, she brings energy to every class. Now a Registered Massage Therapist and Certified Pre- and Postnatal Fitness Coach, she also leads Evolve's Mama Method program.
Sam Warshick
Spin Instructor
Sam is a longtime coach and certified trainer who brings big energy and great music to her spin classes at Evolve. A communications pro by day, she loves helping clients of all levels feel strong—and squeezing in tennis, golf, and good food whenever she can.
Shawna Eason
Trainer
Shawna started training with Evolve to manage pain and injury caused by her hypermobility. She has proven that you can get stronger and avoid injury by using effective modifications. Now she loves helping other people get it right and feel incredible when they lift heavier than they thought they could or hit a new PR!
Sonja Rose
Spin Instructor
Sonja is a cycling enthusiast, and lover of fitness. Coming into her fitness journey from multiple injuries, she is no stranger to slowing things down and rebuilding strength from multiple angles. Her workouts focus on helping others find a love for fitness through proper form, function and power.
Stephanie Paterson
Spin Instructor
Stephanie discovered her passion for fitness through sport and found her way back to group exercise after a running injury. A certified Schwinn Cycling instructor since 2015, she joined Evolve in 2023, where she leads supportive, motivating rides focused on building strength, endurance, and confidence.
Taralee Hammond
Trainer
Taralee joined Evolve Fitness in 2018 after beginning her career in physical education and fitness instruction at the YMCA. Passionate about building strength and staying active, she loves hiking, camping, and backpacking. As an Evolve instructor, she inspires others with her positivity and belief in the power of a supportive community.
Victoria Amaral
Trainer
Victoria is a Dartmouth local with a lifelong passion for fitness and movement. A teacher and fitness instructor for the past four years, she creates fun, supportive, high-energy classes that challenge and motivate. When she’s not at Evolve, you’ll likely find her on the ice playing hockey.
Willie Nelson-Benvie
Cuddle Specialist
Willie is Evolve’s resident gym dog and everyone’s favourite four-legged motivator. He’s here for the cuddles, the country music, and the post- workout licks—especially if there’s peanut butter involved.
Zoe Irvine
Trainer
Zoe grew up in Lunenburg and brings her love of community, nutrition, and wellness to the Evolve team. With a background in nutrition and mindfulness, she takes a compassionate, strength-based approach to helping clients feel their best.