I first met Allison because we were going on a vacation and I was dreading wearing a bathing suit even though I had been going to fitness classes 5x/week for years but with no change! I asked around for recommendations and heard unanimously to hire Allison because she is the best and boy they were right! Allison gave me a realistic eating and workout plan that I could follow even while on vacation and I managed to lose 4 pounds while being away! When I got back I decided I wanted to get more serious with my results and decided to pursue a lifelong goal of entering a fitness competition. I never thought it would be possible to do it that same year but Allison believed that if I followed her program I could do it in 4 months. Not only did I get in fabulous shape in only 4 months but I also placed 4th in the competition and qualified for Provincials! I have been to Trainers before and sometimes have ‘lost weight’ but it has never been long term or the sculpted body that I was hoping for and more importantly I actually dreaded my personal training appointments so I was very reluctant to hire yet another trainer. Allison changed my opinion of Trainers after our first session. Not only is she incredibly knowledgeable but she pushes you while also making every workout fun and tailors it to your body type and goals. My friends and family cannot believe my transformation and I am going to continue being a work in progress because I am enjoying it so much! I cannot recommend Allison enough, whatever your reason for hiring a Trainer she will definitely meet and exceed your expectations!
Justine C
Allison changed my life in more ways than I ever could have expected. I am someone who has been athletic her entire life. I thought I knew what I was doing when it came to training. As I got older (post 45) I struggled with shedding some weight that snuck up on me. I knew about Allison but, likely due to my ego, I still expected that I could do it on my own. If it weren’t for my daughter who needed someone other than her mom to give her advise, I may never have reached out. We decided to reach out to Allison together. I have since been blown away by the results for both her and I. I love my workouts. I love food again because I eat more and more variety. I have a healthier sense of self. I am more confident than I’ve ever been. I have gotten so much more than training and nutrition from Allison. Her coaching is so on point. I will never stop working with Allison. It truly has been the best thing I’ve done for myself. I only wish I had called her years earlier.
Kari C
What can I say....Allison is an incredible human. When I was at my worst headspace and highest weight ever Allison had my back. The positive reinforcement, customization and attention to detail is something special. Even in my small achievements Allison made me feel proud of myself. My journey has been like a rollercoaster but Al has been there with me the whole way. For anyone that thinks they can’t YOUCAN! Trust the process, seriously TRUST IT! Luv ya, and Thank you!
Ian and Lisa B
I have competed in different sports my whole life, and therefor have had many diverse coaches. Allison is unique in the fact she truly cares and believes in all her athletes. If you are looking for a trainer or coach who is there for you night and day, I would highly recommend Allison as she has mastered the unique balance of being both a friend, role model and a hardcore coach all in one!
Megan S - Winner, Popeye's Classic Bikini A
I started working with Allison just over 4 years ago now, I was in a rut and knew I wanted a major change in my health and fitness routines but needed someone to motivate me and get me back in the swing of things, insert Allison and probably one of the best decisions I have made. Allison is one of those trainers that has the power to motive you and push you to do your absolute best (she knows what you are capable of and makes sure you know it to). She has experience dealing with a variety of different client types from full on fitness competitors to someone like me who was just wanting to get in overall better shape and will ensure a plan to fit each of her clients wants and needs (no cookie cutter, one plan fits all here). Her overall knowledge and expertise are easy shown with the variety of workouts she gives and the fact that she can change things up on a consistent basis so I am never bored She provides workouts that can be done in the gym or at home, which with COVID has been amazing and made it easy for me to keep at it. I truly look forward to my Friday morning sessions each week with her, I get a nice butt kicking workout (never thought I would thank someone for that lol) and its always full of laughs which provide an extra burn for my abs. So, whether you are someone just looking for that extra bit of motivation or want to see how far you can take your fitness dreams and goals I don’t think I could recommend anyone higher than Allison.
Ashley D
I would like to take this opportunity to tell you all about my experience with Allison Dawson. Back in July of this year, I felt at my worst and needed to do something about it. My goal was to get my body to bikini competitor condition, with hopes of doing a photo shoot that I could be proud of. Well, after 12 weeks, I accomplished just that!
I can not say enough about Allison. She literally transformed my body in an incredibly short period of time. She is so knowledgeable with exercise and nutrition, and she tailored my program to be specific for me. She pushed me to places I didn’t know I could get to. She was a available to me 24/7- literally. If I had a question, concern, or just needed to vent, she was there to encourage me every step of the way.
I have used other personal trainers in the past and they don’t even compare to Allison. Her passion, commitment, and dedication to help people puts her miles ahead of other personal trainers. If you are ready to make a change, call Allison. It will be the best decision you ever made. I know it was for me
TRACY A - RN, BSN, & BUSY MOTHER OF 2
I have been lucky to be a colleague of Allison’s for the past five years. Not only have I learned a lot from Allison but I have watched her help transform people’s bodies, minds and confidence. Allison has a unique way of making hard work seem fun, eating healthy taste delicious and believing in yourself seem easy. She also walks the walk in the training world, by working hard and changing her body to be the best it can. She is one passionate lady and her clients are extremely lucky to have her!
MEAGHAN M - BSC., RMT, CPT
I contacted Encore Fitness & Sport the summer of 2017 with the sole purpose to lose my “belly” and feel confident walking the beach in a bathing suit. What I achieved since that time has far exceeded the original goal. My energy, fitness, and strength has improved so much I actually forgot about the “perfect beach body”. Instead, I was enjoying something far more rewarding……a better quality of life. Meeting Allison changed “my direction”. She listens. She encourages. She connects you to the big picture. Her impressive knowledge regarding health, nutrition, proper form and technique will help you get to the next level. There have been times I have taken two steps back and feel discouraged - Allison is always there to get me back on track! “CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES” she’ll remind me. My New Mantra. *In case you are left wondering….. Yes. I now walk confidently down the beach!
Nicola D.
This program has been so incredible to say the least, words can’t describe the impact Allison has had on my life. Allison has taken the time to know my specific goals and help me work towards my big goals, while crushing small ones along the way. There has been a total transformation in the process of not only my physical appearance but also my mental health. Growing up I was a team BC athlete, I played multiple high school sports and I danced, I was “healthy” but then I graduated (2018) and I was so terrified of gaining weight or becoming bulky. For roughly two years I would largely refuse carbs of any kind, other then veggies and nuts. I spent hours comparing myself to other girls. Like many other women I had been doing this for years and years but it became overwhelming at that point. Almost a year ago my mom and I chose to begin this journey together. From then on Allison has pushed me when I needed to be pushed and been that coach that knew what I was capable of and never let me slack. She has also been my sound board and spent hours texting with me on my bad days and talking me off the ledge; when mentally I couldn’t comprehend eating as much as she was getting me to eat when my goal was to create a lean strong body. Now I LOVE my carbs they fuel my beautiful muscles, I am confident when I walk in a room and I am strong. This program is no joke but the support and one -to-one guidance and love Allison has for each one of her clients is unmatched.
PAYTON C
I am a 42 year old woman with two children. I have been an active person all my life playing various sports and therefore accruing my fair share of injuries and weak spots. I hired Allison at Encore Fitness and Sport to help me realize my dream of entering a Fitness and bodybuilding competition, not fully knowing what I was in for. Allison took the reins and expertly guided me through my competition prep. She was able to assess my weaknesses and modify my training if need be to help me heal from a past back injury that I suffered with for years. I was provided with programming, as well as, explicit instruction for my macro balance, vitamins and supplements absorption, water intake and sleep regime, and the list goes on. Overall I felt supported and empowered. I trusted Allison because I knew she was working just as hard (or more - I don’t think that woman sleeps) to fine tune each detail. I learned so much from her in such a short time. Since winning masters over all in Kelowna in 2018, I have competed in 4 more shows. I won masters overall and bikini overall at IEQ CBBF which allowed me to compete at Worlds in Spain. And just recently I won Masters Bikini overall at Vanisle Showdown in the CPA bodybuilding organization. Each time with Allison as my coach, I wouldn’t have it any other way!
KARRI J - BIKINI COMPETITOR
I met Allison through a friend of mine who was training with her in hopes of going into a show. I saw the incredible results she was getting not only in her transformation but her strength and overall body composition. I was fortunate enough to watch this person go on stage in two shows and walk away with first and second place medals.
I had been training for years and was starting to use a coach in hopes of competing in powerlifting, that dream ended due to many injuries from lifting too heavy without the proper form or instruction. I suffered a torn bicep tendon that required immediate surgery to reattach. I was in constant shoulder pain and multiple back issues, my back got to the point of needing pain management, months of rehab and a consultation with a Neurosurgeon for cat scans and MRI. I was eventually put on a waitlist for possible back surgery to relieve the pressure on lower back nerves.
I had a consultation with Allison in her studio and she immediately saw issues with my posture and the overall condition of my walk, shoulder and arm positions. I decided to sign up with Encore for in studio training. I was expecting to show up to my first session and start lifting weights. To my surprise I didn’t touch any weights but we spent the time doing stretching and learning fascial therapy. After about a month or so my back pain was almost non-existent, my posture had improved dramatically. I no longer required weekly rehab visits or spinal decompression sessions.
Since starting with Allison back in January of 2020 either in studio or online coaching I am in the best shape of my life at 55 years old. I receive weekly feedback from Allison on my training through email and the training app she uses for her clients that work online. I am now headed in the right direction to hopefully compete in a men’s physique show. With the proper coaching, support and training that I am now receiving from Allison Dawson and Encore Fitness & Sport your goals and dreams are possible. Thank you Allison for your continued support and I look forward to working with you on my goals.
Grant B