Leanne Wiese , BSc, CPT is a lifelong athlete who is passionate about fitness, mental health, and student wellness. She has extensive experience in the field of health promotion and has worked with students and faculty in university settings in Canada and abroad to successfully reach their fitness goals. As the founder of Wiese Moves based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Leanne designs personalized fitness programs to help her clients achieve sustainable, lasting change in their fitness and overall health. Learn more about booking a virtual session with Leanne here and read on to find out why Leanne whole-heartedly believes “motion is the lotion!”

1. Tell us briefly about your work, inspirations and passions.

From a young age I can remember enjoying movement but specifically, I loved feeling strong. As a competitive swimmer for 12 years, I was no stranger to training in the water and on land. I loved a good chin-up competition or plank contest. When I left the sport in my final year of University I started personal training at a women's fitness facility. I loved seeing how improving foundational movement patterns and strength training could dramatically change someone's life and not just aesthetics but improve their posture, joint mobility, back pain, mental health, sleep quality, and other metrics like blood pressure, resting heart rate, or body composition. That job propelled me into the world of fitness and although I did work in public health for a year, I just couldn't deny that I loved working in the industry that makes such a direct impact on long term quality of life.

My biggest source of motivation is hearing that I've helped someone improve their quality of life through movement, whether it's that they can now reach the top shelf in their kitchen or they finally felt confident enough to hit the golf course after a two-year hiatus due to back pain. I am passionate about making health and wellness opportunities attainable and accessible to all regardless of age, fitness level or ability.

“My biggest source of motivation is hearing that I’ve helped someone improve their quality of life through movement...”

2. We're all about movement at Venn. What does a typical day for you look like through the lens of movement?

I'm always looking for ways to train smarter! For me this means listening to my body to give it the movement that it needs each day and finding variety through my week. I almost always start my day with at least 10 minutes of mobility to get my body ready for anything the day brings. If I don't get a chance to fit in a whole workout, at least I know I've prepared my soft tissues, joints, and spine since my work is demanding on my body. I may also finish my day with a walk or some yoga. My favourite ways to workout include using kettlebells, calisthenics, Pilates and yoga as well as taking time outside to cycle, run, paddle, hike or walk with my golden retriever, Tilley. #getoutside

3. Why and how do you use a Venn Air Chair? Where in your home, office or workout routine do you use it?

My experiences working at several different fitness facilities and in the public health sector has taught me that in addition to other important factors such as eating well, getting adequate sleep, limiting stress, and avoiding damaging behaviors, we as humans need to move BUT we also need to avoid long periods of time sedentary. We now know that it's not good enough to hit the gym for an intense workout for an hour but then sit for the remainder of the day. Although I am up and moving with clients and teaching classes every hour or so, I use my Venn chair to vary my positions while I complete my admin work at my office or at home. I notice a significant reduction in my hip and low back aches and general stiffness when I use my Venn chair compared to seated in a traditional chair because as I work I can move hips 360 degrees.

4. What are your favorite Venn Air Chair positions and moves?

My hips and back feel so much better after longer periods of time sitting on my Venn Air Chair compared to a conventional chair. I attribute this to being able to move as I sit because we all know... motion is the lotion! My favorite movement is doing hip circles to keep the joints lubricated and keep the connective tissue in my hips from getting stiff. For a desk movement break, I often use my Venn to support my back as I squat and stand against the wall, it's much more comfortable (& stylish!) than a traditional stability ball. One of my favorite positions is to roll down on my mid-back and let my gravity pull my arms down, it's a great chest opener and helps to counter tech-neck/shoulders!

“My hips and back feel so much better after longer periods of time sitting on my Venn Air Chair... I attribute this to being able to move as I sit because we all know... motion is the lotion! ”

5. At Venn, we zig when others zag. What's something in work or life that you approach differently - philosophically, physically, emotionally- than others?

I love collaborating with companies that think and act outside of the box to make individual lives or the world better. As a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and the owner of a fitness business I strive to improve the lives of others through movement. I want to help people find a fitness method or routine that feels good for them and brings them joy.

My philosophy is not to beat people down or break them but, to build them up and make their bodies stronger, more mobile and overall healthier. A 'good workout' should BUILD you, not BREAK you. I have seen many people neglect their mental and emotional health to make perceived improvements in their physical health with intense daily exercise, unhealthy movement patterns, restriction, inadequate recovery time, and more harmful practices. Oftentimes workouts or movement in general is seen as a chore or punishment but, it does not have to be this way!

“My philosophy is not to beat people down or break them but, to build them up and make their bodies stronger, more mobile and overall healthier. A ‘good workout’ should BUILD you, not BREAK you.”

I love showing people that a 'good workout' does not have to mean you are left panting and covered in sweat everyday and living an active lifestyle can mean adding in modalities like a Venn chair, using active transport like cycling, or getting on your mat for 10 minutes of morning mobility. It's small changes that lead to big results!

Interested in working out with Leanne? Send her an email at leanne@wiesemoves.com and learn more about her programs at www.wiesemoves.com. Follow her on Instagram @wiese.moves for daily inspiration on ways to move your body and stay fueled with Leanne’s healthy recipes.

Venn Ambassador Spotlight: Leanne Wiese - Motion is the Lotion!