About Us

OUR PURPOSE:

• To embrace, inspire, motivate and empower people.
• To create a community that thrives on a value system that promotes acceptance and embraces diversity.
• To create a mutually supportive environment where people feel comfortable and free to be themselves.

WHO WE ARE:

• We are a community without judgement; each individual equal in every aspect.

WE BELIEVE:

• In creating an environment of freedom and acceptance.
• That being ignited from the inside out is where the power to believe in oneself begins.
• That when you take time to celebrate the moment, you discover that the journey is the reward.

WHAT WE DO:

• We operate as a strong collective unit dedicated to our community.
• We ignite excitement and energy and are driven to make people feel alive.
• We connect people with their inner passion.

EIREANN RIGBY
Founder / Director

Eireann’s passion was to create an environment that would lift people’s spirits and empower them to make meaningful changes in their lives.

Her hope was to build a place of excitement and acceptance where every person is celebrated equally and each individual potential could be reached. She was determined to create an atmosphere where people could learn to change habits and live more freely and positively thereby building a supportive community that felt energized, inspired, and uplifted paving the road to lasting change.

This founded a vision of uniting that energy, fun and acceptance, which framed the core belief upon which UFIT was built. Staying committed to her vision was most important. Since UFIT’s onset in 2002, Eireann has continued to work towards fostering the support and growth of its community and gives genuinely and freely to see others succeed.

Eireann currently teaches UFIT classes, manages the company’s locations and plans to expand the business in to the future. She also is devoted to the UFIT Foundation (UFIT CARES) and, together with its many committed volunteers, dreams of reaching out and changing as many lives as possible.

GORD MCNEILLY
Master Trainer & Motivational Leader

Gord has taught over 1,000 fitness classes with euphoric passion and excitement. After receiving his degree in Kinesiology, Gord has followed his passion which is to get people feeling excited about healthy living. Described as a charismatic leader, Gord reaches out to people, makes
them feel relaxed and enables them to release positive emotions. The energy is contagious when Gord is leading the way. You will be guaranteed to feel alive after one of his fitness classes! Gord is also an accomplished presenter and is UFIT’s keynote motivational speaker. He also engages in team performance training as UFIT’s team conditioning specialist.

RYAN CAIRNS
Instructor

Ryan is a native of Cornwall, PEI. He graduated from Colonel Grey High School and subsequently earned a Bachelor’s Degree from UPEI. Ryan is currently studying at Holland College in the Sport, Recreation and Leisure Program.

Ryan is full of energy, is always ready to have fun, and is committed to helping people live freely! He has worked very hard to develop his skills as a fitness professional and is one of the top fitness instructors in Canada.

Joining the UFIT Team in 2007, he has helped hundreds enjoy his contagious free spirit approach to life and has proven to be a great leader.

SHAWN MACNUTT
Instructor

Shawn is from Charlottetown, PEI and lends his talents to Cavendish Farms during the days. He is the heart of the recently formed UFIT Cares Foundation that supports families at Christmas time as well as the Canadian Cancer Society. Shawn is always in a great mood, ready to try anything, and will lift you up with his natural ability to make you smile. Since hanging up his hockey skates, Shawn has developed a passion to help others by becoming a UFIT leader in the Charlottetown community. He has put in hundreds of hours practicing and preparing himself for a teaching role with UFIT, however, his most amazing qualities were there long before UFIT got a hold of him. He has the most unbelievable spirit and incredibly giving soul; you’ll instantly feel supported, comfortable and at ease in his presence. His selfless manor allows one to quickly recognize that his reasons for giving are solely about helping others succeed.

Trish McNeill
Instructor

Trish is a high energy, fun loving girl who grew up mainly in Charlottetown, but is now enjoying the country life in Belfast. Trish has loved every minute of her career with UFIT and feels very blessed to be a part of the team. She loves to share that powerful, uplifting energy that living an active, healthy life can bring to people of all ages. She has a lot of experience working with children, and enjoys her time spent with them, whether it be babysitting, daycare, private schools, after school programs, or events through UFIT. She is excited to have the opportunity to lead classes, boot camps and even personal/group training! Trish joined the UFIT team in 2009 and is looking forward to many more years of keeping fit, having fun, and ‘Lovin’ Life’ with UFIT!

Denise Fleming
Instructor

Denise was born in Charlottetown and grew up in Toronto where she studied dance at a very competitive level throughout Canada and USA. She married high school “sweetheart” Bill, and now together with three children, are living in Charlottetown. Denise has an infectious and electrifying spirit and a gracious caring nature that will leave you feeling both energized and supported. She expresses being “very excited to have UFIT as part of my life and proud to be part of the amazing UFIT community”

Robbie Doherty
Instructor

Robbie Doherty is proud to be UFIT’s newest instructor! He was born and raised in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and is currently enrolled in the Marketing and Advertising Management program at Holland College. Robbie is a competitive curler and has won two provincial championships at the junior and mixed levels. He was named to the first All-Star team at the national level at the 2009 Canadian Junior Championships. Robbie is excited to be on the UFIT team, and can’t wait to learn and grow as an instructor, as well as meet new friends. His passion for helping people and his contageous smile are guaranteed to make your UFIT experience a memorable one!

Melanie Johnston
Instructor

Melanie Johnston, native of Charlottetown is currently enrolled in 3rd year Chemistry at UPEI. She is a head facilitator with the Charlottetown Kids Camps and enjoys working with people. She was the team captain for the Colonel Gray Volleyball Team and possesses amazing leadership qualities. Melanie has been a long time UFIT participant during both high school and in University. She was looking for a class that was challenging and fun following her athletic career, and UFIT was the perfect fit. She moves with grace and ease which, teamed with her leadership qualities, make her an absolute natural. Melanie is eager to help people enjoy fitness while feeling free and having fun.
Welcome to the team Melanie!

Krista Dykstra
Instructor

Krista was born and raised in South Rustico, PEI and presently lives there with her husband, Ken and their four young children, two girls (Jaelyn & Ava) and two boys (Locklin & Bryce). Krista developed her musicality and love for the stage through stepdance, which she has done all her life. She now shares the stage with her two daughters. Krista also earned a B.Ed and figure skated before finding her love of UFIT and it’s community. She brings a special caring nature and genuine fun-loving spirit to each and every class. She’ll have you toe tappin’ from the get go!

Dustin Thompson
Instructor

Dustin was born and raised in Kensington PEI and was actively involved in Judo for many years. He took part in UFIT Bootcamp losing 35 pounds and he quickly became a leader within the UFIT community. Dustin apprenticed with UFIT for 5 month following his involvement as a participant. He worked diligently throughout his training and is now leading UFIT Bootcamp classes with his unique blend of creativity and continuous encouragement. Dustin cares in a very special way about each and every participant and gives unconditionally to see those around him succeed. He’ll go out of his way every chance he gets to lift someone’s spirits, motivate them give just a little bit more and support all every step of the way.

Marcel Petitpas
Instructor

Marcel is the newest addition to the UFIT staff in more ways than one. The 18 year old, Summerside native is currently living in Cornwall enjoying his first year of university at UPEI studying kinesiology in hopes to someday become a physiotherapist. A former hockey, football and Rugby player, his lifelong passion for fitness transpires into his classes as he brings a fun and high pace tempo to every class, letting his youthful energy come to the forefront. Marcel is excited to be a part of UFIT and hopes to be involved for many years to come “UFIT is an amazing organization filled with amazing people. I seem to meet someone new and inspiring with every class I teach”

Mike Thomas
Instructor

Mike has been teaching bootcamp since 2011. Using bootcamp to excel with his own personal fitness, he developed a passion for helping others achieve their goals. Mike possesses outstanding dedication and leadership qualities and his artistic and creative ability help him to create interesting and uplifting bootcamp sessions. His focus is on giving each participant the best experience possible, leaving each person feeling that they’d accomplished more than they believed they could. Mike is an exceptional addition to the UFIT Team and he looks forward to each opportunity he has to help people feel strong.