About Us
Our Mission
We believe that strength is about more than just what you can lift. We’re committed to safety, to the resilience of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and to anyone who’s ever felt excluded from fitness culture to have a place to shine brightly and express themselves authentically.
Our Story
Witness the Fitness (WTF) was founded by Jenn Farrell in 2011 as an independent personal training business. Her conversations with clients revealed a fitness industry that often left people feeling judged, unseen, or unwelcome. In 2020, Witness the Fitness opened its first location, and what began as a small, one-woman gym has grown into a thriving, inclusive space with several dedicated team members and a vibrant community of clients, friends, and chosen family.
We’re proudly queer-owned and fat-friendly. At WTF, we reject appearance-based fitness culture and instead focus on building strength, confidence, and community—at every size, age, and ability level. We know that traditional gyms can feel intimidating or unsafe, especially for women, LGBTQIA+ folks, and anyone who doesn’t fit the narrow mold of “fitness.” That’s why we’ve created something different.
Here, you don’t need to change who you are to feel strong. Whether you've never picked up a weight, you're rediscovering your strength, or you're ready to push your training further, you’ll find a fun, encouraging, and radically welcoming environment where you truly belong.
Welcome to Witness the Fitness—where strength looks like you.
Meet the Team
Lead Trainer and Founder of WTF
Jenn Farrell (She/Her)
Jenn is the founder and head coach of Witness the Fitness. A personal trainer and fitness instructor with over 15 years of experience, she is also certified as a Women’s Coaching Specialist and (soon-to-be) Menopause Coach through Girls Gone Strong. She specializes in working with midlife women and people brand-new to strength training. You can count on Jenn to demystify the world of working out, all while making it more fun than you thought possible. Jenn also teaches (with Coach Shelby) the Retro Cardio Dance Party, a very silly and sweaty aerobics event!
Operations Coordinator and Manager
Max (They/Them)
Max is WTF’s Operations Coordinator and Manager! They’re the superstar who answers your questions and emails, sorts out gym logistics, manages our budget, and organizes our events. Essentially, Max does everything but train clients (while still keeping one watchful eye on your bench press, just in case)! When not working on our next social media post or helping Jenn remember her job, they enjoy going for walks with their dog, hosting elaborate witchy dinners for friends, and watching Horror movies.
Junior Personal Trainer
Chanel Bode (They/Them)
Chanel is a BCRPA certified weight training instructor and personal trainer. Chanel started lifting at WTF two years ago, loved it, and never left. Known as the Ultimate Hype Person, they are dedicated to empowering clients, cheering them on to smash their PRs and celebrate the everyday victories like showing up for themselves. In their practice, they strongly reject appearance-based fitness culture. When not in the gym, Chanel loves to celebrate spooky-season all year long, read copious amounts of paranormal "romance", and pet every dog that they can.
Junior Personal Trainer
Guita Yazdani (She/Her)
Guita is a certified BCRPA personal trainer specializing in hypertrophy, strength, and functional training, helping clients of all ages build strength, move better, and feel confident while staying strong as they age. Her approach emphasizes progressive training, supportive coaching, and creating sustainable habits in an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome. She also works with prenatal and postnatal clients. Outside the gym, she’s the captain of the Sisters in Sync dragon boat team and loves the outdoors through her side project, Campertunity. Her goal is to make fitness accessible to all and help people feel strong, empowered, and at home in the gym.
Junior Personal Trainer
Sophie Spano (She/They)
Sophie is a brand new personal trainer with a passion for promoting strength training and functional mobility. Sophie has made it her mission to redefine fitness by shifting the focus away from external aesthetic goals to fostering sustainable and joyful relationships with movement. Sophie hopes to create a welcoming and inclusive space where individuals of all abilities can thrive. Her approach to fitness emphasizes accessibility and enjoyment, ensuring that everyone can find fulfillment in their journey towards better health and wellness.
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Boxing Instructor and founder of Trans Boxing Vancouver
Tsvi Levi (They/He)
Trans Boxing Vancouver is a trans-centred boxing initiative for folks of all gender expressions including trans, nonbinary, Two Spirit, gender nonconforming, and queer.
Tsvi Levi coaches with a technique-based, trauma-informed, and embodiment-focused style.
All equipment provided. Weekly drop-in classes are also offered as a 1x-or-2x-a-week monthly commitment. Private training available.
Contact Tsvi on Instagram @transboxingvancouver or email transboxingvancouver@gmail.com.
