Holistic Personal Training That Fits Real Life
Get stronger, leaner, and healthier through thoughtful training and practical nutrition guidance
FREE CONSULTATION!
If you’re here, there’s a good chance something in your health or fitness journey isn’t working the way you hoped it would.
Maybe you’ve tried programs that felt extreme.
Maybe injuries or stress keep getting in the way.
Maybe you’re tired of starting over every January and wondering why progress never sticks.
I understand that frustration — not just as a coach, but as someone who has lived through his own share of chaos, setbacks, and hard lessons about health and resilience.
Welcome — I’m Travis Wade.
I help people in Edmonton get stronger, healthier, and more confident through my personal training services and a realistic, holistic coaching approach to health. That means looking at the whole picture — movement, mobility, nutrition, stress, recovery, and the habits that actually shape long-term health.
I’ve spent over sixteen years coaching clients and twenty years working as a registered Emergency Medical Technician. Those experiences taught me something most fitness programs miss:
Health isn’t built through punishment or extremes.
It’s built through smart structure, consistency, and learning how to work with your body instead of against it.
I’m also a public speaker and author focused on practical, sustainable health — not the kind that looks impressive for six weeks, but the kind that still works ten years later.
To help you get started, I’d love to give you a free PDF copy of my book. It’s an honest, practical guide to building real health from the inside out.
Many readers tell me it feels less like a fitness book and more like a conversation with someone who understands what they’ve been through. Even people who don’t normally enjoy health books say it’s easy to read and surprisingly engaging — and that means a lot to me.
Download Your Free Book (PDF)Giving Back: The Travis Wade Fitness Be Brave Ranch Fund
One of the things that matters most to me is making sure positive change spreads beyond the gym.
A portion of every personal training package supports abused children through The Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch — a world-class treatment centre helping kids heal from trauma and rebuild their lives.
If you choose to donate directly, 100% of your contribution goes straight to helping children access therapy, protection, recovery, and hope.
When you invest in your health here, you’re also helping someone else rebuild theirs.
Donate 🫶Building Strength with Proper Form
Lisa setting up for a deadlift
My Story — How I Found My Path
If you’re now thinking, “Okay, so how do I actually choose the right trainer?” I’ve got an article that explains it. It’s not rocket science — it’s basically like choosing a gym buddy who won’t bail on you halfway through leg day.
But before that, let me hit you with some real talk.
Most people in the personal training world have a backstory. Not the “I discovered fitness in a sunbeam while drinking green juice” backstory — the real kind. The kind where life kicked you around a bit, you learned some lessons the hard way, and now you want to help other people skip the part where everything sucked. I’m no different.
Here’s my story.
Where It Started
I didn’t exactly come from a peaceful home. In fact, “peaceful” didn’t live anywhere near our postal code. There were constant problems at home — fights, chaos, tension — and eventually, I just needed out.
So at age 14, one Sunday I was an altar boy… and the next Sunday, I was in the Yellowhead Youth Centre.
Yeah. Talk about a plot twist.
But here’s the part nobody expects: detention felt like freedom.
No more screaming matches.
No more walking on eggshells.
No more feeling trapped in my own house.
For the first time in my life, I could breathe.
The Downward Spiral That Went Up
It wasn’t exactly Club Med — there were rules, troublemakers, and a guy named Chief I had to fight one day — but compared to home? It was paradise.
My teachers told my classmates I was spiraling downward. They weren’t wrong that I was going somewhere, but they were dead wrong about the direction.
Anything was better than where I started.
Sports, Strength… and Foosball Trauma
Just before detention, I’d started working out, and thank God I did, because when you’re 14 and fighting someone named “Chief,” you need all the strength and courage you can find.
Me and my band of hoodlum friends played foosball for push-ups and sit-ups — loser paid the toll. I never actually got good at foosball, so let’s just say I developed a very solid fitness base. I’m convinced this is why I have a decent chest today.
Foosball Trauma Builds Strength
Sports became my therapy before I even knew what therapy was.
In high school, a teacher noticed something in me no one else bothered to see: Even though I hung with the wrong crowd, I always showed up. I played rugby. I worked out at lunch. I never skipped gym class.
He gave me an athletics award. It was the first time in my life an adult said, “Hey, you’re good at something.”
You don’t forget moments like that. They change the trajectory of your life.
Becoming the Coach I Was Meant to Be
I’d love to say I immediately turned my life around after that… but real life isn’t a movie montage. I spent years stuck in the party scene, struggling with alcohol, chasing highs that always left me lower than where I started.
But when I finally traded the party life for an athletic lifestyle, everything changed.
The Turnaround
My confidence came back.
Then grew.
Then overflowed into every corner of my life.
One good decision led to another, and suddenly the “downward spiral” reversed into a climb.
I became an EMT — one of the greatest honours of my life. I learned what real service looks like. I learned that ego solves nothing and love solves almost everything. I learned that the people who seem the strongest are often the ones who need help the most.
And eventually, I found my true path: becoming a holistic personal trainer in Edmonton.
I’ve never stopped walking it.
To this day, when I run into people I haven’t seen in years, they tell me I look healthy, strong, grounded. I smile, I’m grateful. Not because of the compliment, but because I remember the version of me who never thought he’d get here.
From EMS to Personal Training — Experience You Can Trust
The back of an ambulance representing my years in emergency medical services, where I learned to stay calm under pressure and help people when it matters most.
Why I Coach the Way I Do
My past taught me something I’ll never forget:
You don’t know what battles people have survived just to stand in front of you.
That’s why I coach without judgement.
That’s why I’m patient.
That’s why I care more about long-term progress than quick wins.
Because I’ve been the lost kid.
The angry kid.
The hurt kid.
The kid who didn’t know how to ask for help.
But I’ve also been the man who got lifted up by others — by teachers, teammates, friends, strangers, and eventually, by the very community I now serve.
And that’s why I believe this, with every part of me:
We don’t get stronger alone.
We get stronger together.
Seen On Global News & CTV
Here are a few of my appearances on Global News and CTV, where I was invited to share expert insights on fitness, fat loss, and holistic health.
Travis Wade Live on CTV — Talking About Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
Travis explains Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and how exercise supports brain health.
Watch Travis Wade on Global News — Holiday Tabata Workout & Weight-Loss Tips
In this short Global News segment, I break down how Tabata training can help burn fat efficiently during the busy holiday season.
Fun fact: Global accidentally called my old site “bareassfitness” … I promise my workouts are intense, but not that kind of intense.
Learn the “Why” Behind Your Transformation
One of my main goals is to help you understand why your body responds the way it does.
When you understand how your body responds to training, nutrition, sleep, stress, and mindset, everything becomes easier. You stop guessing. You stop second-guessing yourself. You start making progress that actually sticks.
My goal is to give you the knowledge and confidence to take control of your health for the rest of your life — not just during our sessions. By the time we’re done working together, you’ll understand more about real fitness and real health than most people ever learn.
If you want a coach who empowers you instead of keeping you dependent, you’re in the right place.
👉 Want to know what to look for in a trainer? Read my guide on how to choose the right personal trainer.
Coaching Options
I offer flexible coaching options designed to fit different goals, schedules, and budgets — including small-group, semi-private, and online coaching options.
Every program is built around proper form, thoughtful progression, and long-term results.
Learn more about working with a professional fitness coach in Edmonton
Client Transformations & Success Stories
Nothing builds trust like real results. Here are a few words from clients who’ve transformed their bodies, confidence, and lifestyle through holistic personal training:
“Travis is amazing; I really hadn’t been to a gym before and he made it accessible for me. I am down 15 kgs and well on my way to reaching my fitness goals. He is a great motivator and I look forward to working out now.”~ Chris Thomson
“Pushing myself to my potential has made me feel better than I’ve felt in 6 years after battling an illness. Thanks to my holistic fitness trainer Travis! I would have never done this without him. I adore him!”~ Lisa Poudrier
“Travis is a great trainer, got me motivated both for working out and helped me get control of my food choices. I highly recommend him.”~ Glyn Walters
A Clean, Private, Fully Equipped Training Studio
A look inside the Travis Wade Fitness training studio, featuring a clean, private, and well-equipped space designed for strength training, mobility work, and personalized coaching. Click here to find out more about the gym.
Free Transformation SessionAbout Us — The Team Behind Travis Wade Fitness
At Travis Wade Fitness, you get more than just a trainer — you get a team.
I work alongside Tendayi Tich, a dedicated coach who brings experience, energy, and a genuine passion for helping people become stronger and more confident. Together, we offer in-person training, small-group sessions, and online coaching to support different goals and lifestyles.
Our goal is to help people build real, lasting health through personalized support, proper guidance, and a holistic approach to fitness. We’re located near Whyte Ave in Ritchie and work with clients throughout Edmonton.
Meet Travis MEET TENDAYI
Recent Blog Posts
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How to Choose the Right Personal Trainer (And Avoid Costly Mistakes)
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Thyroid Problems and Weight Gain
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The Ketogenic Diet Explained: Benefits, Risks, and How It Works
Frequently Asked Questions
What is holistic personal training?
Holistic personal training goes beyond workouts and diet — it looks at the whole person. Confidence, sleep, mindset, stress, nutrition, mobility, habits, emotional health, and lifestyle all play a role in how your body changes. When you improve one of these areas, the others start to improve too.
My approach combines fitness, health education, emotional support, and long-term habit building. We offer in-person training, small-group training, and online coaching for clients who prefer flexibility.
At the core of holistic training is my mission: to help people become stronger, healthier, happier, and more confident — inside and out — and to surround myself with people who carry that same energy into the world.
How much does personal training cost?
My goal is to keep training accessible for everyone. When you come in for a consultation, we’ll sit down together, review your goals, and build a personalized plan with different training options — including in-person, small-group, and online coaching. Pricing depends on the package and style of training you choose, and we’ll go through all of those options during your consultation so you can make the decision that feels right for you.
If you’d like to get started, message me anytime to book your consultation.
Do I have to be in good shape before starting?
Absolutely not. Most of my clients start after long breaks, injuries, stress, or weight gain. My job is to meet you exactly where you’re at — physically and emotionally — and build you up safely and confidently.
Can you help someone with injuries, disabilities, or medical conditions?
Yes — absolutely. With my background as an EMT and holistic personal trainer, I have extensive experience helping clients with injuries, chronic pain, mobility limitations, and a wide range of health conditions. I tailor every workout to your abilities, comfort level, and physical needs, making sure you progress safely and confidently.
Before we begin any training, I require medical clearance from your doctor. I’ll send you a simple form that your physician can review and sign. This ensures we have approval to proceed and that your program is designed with your health and safety as the top priority.
Once the medical form is completed, we can start building a program that supports your strength, stability, and overall well-being — without risking further harm. Your starting point doesn’t matter. What matters is that we train safely, smartly, and at your pace.
Do you offer online training?
Yes. My online coaching includes custom workouts, check-ins, nutrition guidance, and full accountability — perfect if you prefer to train at home or have a busy schedule.
Can you help with weight loss?
Yes. Weight loss is one of my specialties. My clients lose an average of 8.88 pounds in their first 10 days because we address the root causes — stress, hormones, sleep, inflammation, and lifestyle.
Do you offer nutrition coaching?
Yes. I provide nutrition guidance tailored to your goals, lifestyle, and preferences. No starvation diets or fads — just sustainable habits that work.
Is there a free consultation?
Yes. I always offer a free consultation so you can ask questions and see if I’m the right fit. No pressure — just a conversation.
Where are you located?
I train clients in Edmonton near Whyte Ave. In-person sessions are available, and online coaching is available to anyone, anywhere.
Do you go to people's homes?
I don’t travel to homes — all my training happens in a private studio in Ritchie near Whyte Ave in Edmonton. It’s calm, fully equipped, and way better than squeezing dumbbells between a couch and a coffee table. Come in — you’ll love the space.
Learn more about my personal training services in Edmonton