MEET THE TEAM





MEET THE TEAM





Daniel English



HEAD COACH AND CO-OWNER





Daniel is the co-owner and head coach. He is a CrossFit Level 1 & 2 certified instructor. He was drafted to the CFL in 2015. He has 10+ years of experience training at a high level and 4+ years coaching clients of all fitness levels.


CONTACt DANIEL

Catrina English (Guglielmucci)



Coach , Co-Owner, Registered Physiotherapist and Certified Athletic Therapist





Cat has worked with a wide range of individuals, from working professionals and general population to high level athletes and weekend warriors. She has a passion for helping others, whether in the clinic as a Physiotherapist, or in the gym as a CrossFit coach and personal trainer. Cat has been a practicing Athletic Therapist for 9 years and a Registered Physiotherapist for 5 years. She believes in working only one-on-one with patients to provide the best possible care. She strives to address structure and alignment, before prescribing corrective exercises, to avoid building on dysfunction, prevent further injury and avoid compensation patterns. She always encourages and finds a way for her clients to take an active approach in their rehabilitation. Cat LOVES the amazing community at Driftwood Athletics, her puppy Brooklyn, and staying active and healthy!


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Alnoor Mawji



Crossfit Coach & Personal Trainer





AL is a CrossFit Level 1 certified instructor with 10+ years of experience training at a high level and 4+ years coaching clients of all fitness levels.


CONTACT AL

Samantha Girard



CROSSFIT COACH, PERSONAL TRAINER & Registered Holistic NUTRITIONIST





Sam is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and also hold a Bachelors in Science focused mainly on Human Anatomy. She has been making waves in the nutrition and fitness space for 7+ years now. Prior to that, She had full intentions of pursuing Marine Biology but during her internship in Bamfield, It quickly became apparent that her active personality couldn't take sitting in a lab all day. In the 7+ years that she has been in the industry she :

  • Coached Spin Classes for a solid 5+ years
  • Obtained certifications from TRX, multiple and Strength and Conditioning Classes, CF Level 1
  • ACES certified Personal Trainer for 4+ years
  • Graduated with Honors as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist


You can find her at Driftwood and also working for herself, running a Nutrition business to help people find freedom in the way they eat and exercise.


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Drew Kuperman



CROSSFIT COACH





Drew has been a personal trainer and CrossFit coach since 2019. Sports and fitness has always played a huge role in Drew’s life, both casually and competitively. During her university years, she played varsity lacrosse and continued to develop her love for sport, fitness, and community. Drew enjoys focusing on sport specific movements with her athletes and helping them achieve their fitness goals, no matter how challenging they may seem. She is passionate about being a part of the CrossFit community, helping others stay healthy and find a way to add fun movement into their life. When Drew isn’t coaching or doing her own workout, she is probably hanging out with her rescue pup, Happy!


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Andy Merrylees



Olympic Lifting coach





Andy Merrylees, our Olympic lifting coach, was once a national-level weightlifter in the United Kingdom and competed internationally on the world junior stage. He was destined to compete at the Olympics before they were unfortunately boycotted that year. With over 28 years of experience coaching, Andy is one of the highest level coaches in Canada with his level 3 NCCP club Coach certification. Andy has been the head coach to 6 BC Junior Team National Championships and 3 BC Senior Team National Championships. Having coached 4 Junior athletes to World competitions it is no wonder he is sought out by so many high level athletes. We are truly lucky to have Andy for the patience and knowledge that he brings to his coaching. Not to mention his goofy sense of humour.


CONTACT ANDY

Emilio Serkin



Crossfit Coach & Personal Trainer





Emilio started weight training in his early high school years and developed a heightened passion for fitness when he started learning the art of programming. Emilio is an SFU Kinesiology major and has also spent lots of time tutoring students in physics, kinesiology, and chemistry. Combining the satisfaction of teaching with his love for strength training led him to become a personal trainer. Emilio is now a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and CrossFit Level 1 Trainer. He is excited to become a part of the Driftwood community and help people and athletes of all ages achieve their goals


CONTACT EmIlio

Ankit Yadav



Crossfit Coach & Personal Trainer





Ankit is from New Delhi, India and started his coaching journey in his hometown in 2017. He became a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer in 2018 and has since been helping many people reach their goals, lead a healthy lifestyle and love their fitness journey. Ankit finds joy in seeing athletes achieve milestones, both small and large, and has many memories coaching athletes to get their first pull up or muscle up. He also has experience with sport specific training for cricket, wrestling and badminton. Ankit’s favourite movements to do are handstand push ups and handstand walking.


CONTACT Ankit

Kevin Hua



registered physiotherapist





Kevin grew up right here in Burnaby! He completed his undergraduate degree at SFU, where he also played rugby and dabbled in research on ice hockey head injuries — even assisting with some publications. He later traveled abroad to study Physiotherapy at The University of Melbourne in Australia. There, he was involved in various high-performance Sports teams as a student, trainer and physiotherapist. Kevin brings to our team a unique combination and background in sports and neurological Physiotherapy. Kevin has an interest in lower limb sports injuries due to his own experience returning from an ACL rupture and surgical repair. From a neurological standpoint, Kevin has an interest in working with brain injuries and concussions. Although his rugby career has come to an end, Kevin still enjoys playing sports as a weekend warrior, hiking, and is also an avid enjoyer of Dungeons and Dragons and other tabletop games.


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Bryce Martin



Registered Physiotherapist





Bryce was born and raised in New Brunswick. He completed his Kinesiology undergraduate degree in his hometown before pursuing his Masters of Physiotherapy in Ireland. After graduating he worked in private practice for two years in Ireland and enjoyed some travel around surrounding areas. More recently, Bryce moved to Vancouver to explore and experience the west coast lifestyle. Physiotherapy has always been a passion for Bryce and he has a special interest in sports injury and performance, strength and conditioning, and rehabilitation. His work experience ranges from prehab for acute injury all the way to treatment for chronic recurring conditions. He believes that the cornerstone of what a physical therapist does is to maintain and improve a patient’s health and fitness and to provide patients with the tools and knowledge to thrive after injury. He looks forward to joining the Driftwood team and community and helping patients through their rehab timeline.


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Orrin Watkinson



Registered Physiotherapist





Orrin was raised in Williams Lake, BC. He grew up playing rugby and spent many summers working/volunteering as a Wildfire Fighter. Orrin suffered several injuries during his sports career and as a kid, which helped him learn firsthand about the benefits of Physiotherapy. It was during this time of his life that he developed an interest in pursuing a career in the field. He studied Kinesiology at the University of Victoria before attending the University of British Columbia for his Masters of Physiotherapy. During his studies, Orrin continued to play premier-level rugby, alongside weightlifting, hiking, and CrossFit-style training. He is committed to never losing touch with how to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. His commitment to his own health extends to his patients, and he is focused on getting patients back to their favourite activities, pain-free and strong.


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Robin Harrison



Registered Physiotherapist





Robin was born and raised locally, in Vancouver BC. Growing up, Robin was always active, loved playing sports, and being a part of a team. She played Division 1 softball in the United States before returning to Canada for her Masters of Physical Therapy at Western University. Robin is an advocate for active living for all ages and recognizes the pivotal role that exercise and Physiotherapy plays in preventing injuries, enhancing overall health, and fostering a vibrant lifestyle. In addition to traditional Physiotherapy approaches, Robin strongly believes in integrating breathwork and yoga into her practice to promote relaxation and body awareness. Robin also has experience working with individuals with neurological conditions. This unique population has fueled her enthusiasm for creating tailored rehabilitation plans that address both physical and emotional aspects of recovery. Her goal is to empower patients to regain independence and embrace life with renewed resilience. Robin is pursuing specialized courses in pelvic floor rehabilitation and looks forward to integrating these skills and knowledge into her Physiotherapy practice. Robin will bring a varied and unique experience and energy to the Driftwood Physiotherapy team. Beyond her professional endeavors, Robin is an avid hiker. She loves trying new things and, through exercise, is committed to pushing boundaries, embracing challenges, and understanding the nuances of different types of training methodology—a mindset that aligns perfectly with her approach to Physiotherapy.


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AMANDA THORNHILL



Registered Physiotherapist





Amanda graduated with her Masters of Science in Physiotherapy from Brunel University in England, and her Bachelors degree in Kinesiology from UBC. Throughout her career, she has developed a strong interest in treating musculoskeletal injuries and pelvic floor-related concerns. During your physiotherapy session, Amanda will take the time to learn about your favourite hobbies and beliefs, as she emphasizes an individualized and collaborative approach to physical rehabilitation. She utilizes education, exercise, and manual therapy as treatment strategies to help you achieve your goals. Amanda treats general orthopedic conditions in addition to providing pelvic floor physio. General orthopedic conditions can include sports-related injuries and chronic pain. She also treats both women’s and men’s health. Examples include: Pre- and/or post-natal concerns, pre and post prostatectomy, urinary or fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual health and pain (vaginismus, painful sex). Outside of the clinic, she enjoys staying active around the lower mainland, hiking (when it’s not raining), and has a constant case of the travel bug.


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Cheryl Yip



Registered Kinesiologist





Cheryl is a bilingual (English and Cantonese) Registered Kinesiologist who graduated High Honours from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Kinesiology. Cheryl’s first-hand experiences with sport-related injuries and MVAs have reinforced her passion and purpose in helping others achieve optimal function. She has a special interest in active rehabilitation and injury prevention, with experience in both community and clinical settings.


Through individualized exercise prescriptions (relevant to her clients’ goals), Cheryl aims to enhance movement quality and competence through evidence-based interventions. She firmly believes in the importance of working collaboratively with her clients so they feel empowered to take ownership of their health. Her goal is for them to leave each session with new knowledge and a better understanding of themselves, such that they can continually see progress and exceed even their own expectations.


In her spare time, you can find Cheryl exploring different hiking trails with her dog, riding her road bike (or the bike erg 💁🏽‍♀️), playing tennis, or doing burpees at Driftwood.


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Spencer Lam



REGISTERED KINESIOLOGIST





Spencer is a Registered Kinesiologist who graduated from UBC. He grew up participating in numerous sports, which lead him to pursue high-level ice hockey for many years. His passion for athletics and fitness inspired him to learn more about the human body and how to perform and move optimally. Spencer's objective with all his patients is to help them return to function by promoting, teaching, and empowering them to take an active approach to their rehabilitation. Spencer strives to create and develop individualized programs that address his patient's needs and goals. Spencer has experience working with clients on strength and conditioning, motor vehicle rehabilitation, sport-specific training, and injury prevention. His priority is to create a fun, safe, and motivating environment for everyone. In his spare time, Spencer enjoys walking his dog Kobe or grabbing his favorite meal, sushi.


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Nichita Kukuskin



REGISTERED KINESIOLOGIST





Since completing his Kinesiology degree at UBC, Nichita has been working in active rehab, dealing with injuries related to motor vehicle accidents, work and sports. His passion lies in fitness and calisthenics, which he has been practicing for over 8 years, as a personal trainer and athlete. Nichita has suffered several injuries in his fitness journey, which has given him a better understanding of the challenges people face when dealing with injury. Nichita is compassionate and loves helping people get back to doing what they love. Meeting new people and hearing their stories is what really keeps him going. Nichita hopes to keep expanding his knowledge of the human body and rehabilitation by pursuing a Masters degree in the future. Aside from fitness, Nichita enjoys spending time outdoor with his friends. He enjoys hiking and camping during the summer, and snowboarding during winter. He is always active and tries to inspire others to do the same. Nichita provides kinesiology treatment in three languages, English, Romanian, and Russian


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RACHEL HARGREAVES



- Registered Massage Therapist and Certified Athletic Therapist





Rachel is a Registered Massage Therapist and a Certified Athletic Therapist. She has completed a Bachelor's Degree in Athletic & Exercise Therapy and a Diploma in Massage Therapy. Continuously learning, Rachel has training in RockPods Cupping and IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) and is currently looking into more opportunities to add to her therapy toolbox. Rachel has an extensive background working with athletes of all backgrounds, from industrial athletes to weekend warriors to high-level performers. She performs manual therapy and therapeutic massage to assist in the rehabilitation process. Rachel believes that the client knows their body best and that massage therapy is not a one-size-fits-all plan; she will work with you to find a treatment process that fits you and your lifestyle and goals. On days she's not treating in the clinic, Rachel can be found working on the sidelines for a variety of sports teams, helping to assess and manage acute injuries in real-time. When not working, she prioritizes her own health by strength training and hiking with her pup Rosie.


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Bryan Nam



- Registered Massage Therapist





Bryan’s journey of physical fitness and wellness began during his elementary school years when he first started training in Taekwondo. As he grew older, his interest evolved and shifted towards kickboxing, which became his primary sport throughout high school and college. With a competitive spirit, Bryan not only trained but also participated in kickboxing tournaments. Now, you will find Bryan in the gym, where he enjoys weight lifting and boxing. His dedication to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is rooted in his personal experiences. Bryan battled numerous injuries, including chronic lower back pain from a young age. Having experienced chronic pain firsthand, Bryan wants to help others overcome their injuries and return to their activities feeling strong and resilient. Bryan's personal injury and rehabilitation experience, in addition to leading an active lifestyle, led him to become a Registered Massage Therapist. Bryan believes in incorporating a combination of active and passive therapy, which is consistent with Driftwood Athletics' approach to care. Bryan looks forward to helping others on their rehabilitation journey.


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Join Us For A Complimentary Class



Free trial class all fitness levels welcome



Join us for a free trial class and exercise your way to a healthy body and mind. Our classes build a strong body through lifting, gymnastics and metabolic conditioning. Don't worry, every movement/workout can be modified to suit a range of difficulties, from beginner to advanced. Treat yourself today — you deserve it!


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DRIFTWOOD ATHLETICS



📍3706 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5C 2H5
📍7220 6th St 7220 6th St, Burnaby, BC V5E 2E8
Gym Email: Driftwoodathleticsgym@gmail.com
Clinic Email: Driftwoodphysio@gmail.com
Contact Number: : (236)-427-1111