What an amazing family fitness journey my wife, Leah and I have been privileged and blessed to take and share with others over the past 20 years.  We have worked hard to build and sustain our business while relentlessly pursuing ongoing professional development in wellness, fitness, coaching and counselling.  What’s most amazing is how we have been able to positively influence our beautiful daughters, Kassandra and Taylor, to live healthy, active lifestyles and to find their own passions and dreams.  They have learned to pursue their goals wholeheartedly with a strong work ethic, determination and perseverance. 

ZUMBA®/PERFECT HEALTH

My wife, Leah Kazakoff, is proudly one of the first Licensed Zumba® Instructors in Edmonton.  I call her the Zumba Queen (she hates that…lol).  Zumba® is truly her passion and I believe she was destined to teach this FUNtastic fitness class.  Leah’s class participants absolutely adore her as she continues to teach in several facilities throughout Edmonton as well as teaching other group fitness formats. 

Her other passion is helping people find balance in mind, body, spirit through an Ayurvedic lifestyle and she is certified through The Chopra Center to teach a course called Perfect Health.  This course has enriched her life in so many ways and has led us as a family to practice many of the principles she teaches particularly when it comes to eating nutrient rich, healthy meals.

YOGA

Kassandra Nichol, our oldest daughter, played soccer and practiced Taekwondo until she found her passion, Yoga.  She became certified in many different styles of Yoga such as Hatha, Pre and Post Natal, Yin and Children’s Yoga and teaches classes that are welcoming and respectful of everyone’s abilities and challenges. She followed in our footsteps and started her own business too.        

TAEKWONDO

Taylor Sadler, our youngest daughter, also played soccer and loves to swim, however she followed in her Dad’s footsteps by practicing Taekwondo.  In June 2016, she successfully tested and was promoted to her 1st Degree Black Belt.  Taylor is on Precision Martial Arts Academy’s prestigious Leadership Team and assists in teaching classes to young children.  She loves sharing her knowledge and experience with others and is truly a great mentor and role model who leads by example.  She also created her own baby-sitting business, taking after the rest of her entrepreneurial family. 

TAEKWONDO /MARTIAL ARTS/PERSONAL TRAINING

I played many sports growing up, excelling in soccer and hockey, playing to junior level.  At 12 years old, with buckteeth and braces, the direction of my life changed when I got hit in the mouth!  That was the day I said “no one will EVER hit me again” and I began taking classes at a Karate/Kick-boxing Academy in West Edmonton.  My love for martial arts was born and I never looked back.  34 years later and after training in various styles of Martial Arts, I am a 6th Dan Taekwondo Black Belt Master Instructor, Vice President of the Alberta Taekwondo Association, a certified Learning Facilitator and Evaluator for Taekwondo Canada and a Chartered Professional Coach with the Coaching Association of Canada.  Being part of these organizations allows me to make a difference in the national Taekwondo community and share my love and passion for martial arts.  It has also given me the opportunity to be a 4 time National Team Member.   

Over the past 20 years, I have worked with hundreds of clients and athletes in many different capacities including as a Certified Personal Trainer and High Performance Coach.  I am occasionally referred to as D-ROCK and am known for my high energy, contagious enthusiasm and passion for teaching and helping others. I strive to uphold the highest standards of fitness and martial arts education and do it with integrity, empathy and caring. 

An old Chinese proverb states, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” Lao-tzu. These countless thousands of miles are an accumulation of many training courses, workshops, seminars and conferences, along with countless smiles, thank yous and friendships from people we have had the privilege to work with over the years.  Every mile and every step along the way has been well worth it!

We are truly blessed to do what we love for a living: Sharing our passion for fitness, wellness and health.  Finding balance in life is the key to success and although we struggle like everyone else, we made the choice to succeed as a family and support each other’s passions.  Serving others and hopefully enriching their lives enriches our lives in unmeasurable ways.  This crazy life we lead is good for the soul and for our Family!

By Derek Sadler, ChPC, PFT, NCCP

Co-owner, Fitness Foundations Inc. (o/a: Precision Martial Arts Academy)

Founder/Creator, PMAA’s Core Kick-boxing™

Proudly Celebrating 20 Years!

www.pmaa.ca / P. (780) 983-5424