In Focus | Guillaume Chiasson

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Guillaume Chiasson.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I’m from a small island in New Brunswick called Miscou Island. I have been in Kelowna for just over three years now.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My girlfriend, Meg. She’s just as weird as I am and by far the best person that I know!

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Somewhere warm, with beautiful beaches so that I can surf. I would probably choose the Philippines or Indonesia.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
There is so many great local stores, but I love Kootenay Coffee and Naked Cafe.

What is your favourite activity?
Working out in my new facility is definitely at the top of my list!

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
I stopped reading at PIZZA!

What is a hidden gem you enjoy in the Okanagan?
My not-so-hidden gem is definitely hiking to the top of Pin Cushion Mountain.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
When I was learning a new language (English) there were a lot of small embarrassing moments.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Making finals in the Can-West Games in Vancouver this summer! I have to say that winning fitness competitions are definitely inspiring. Also, being picked to finish my Masters in France for three months was one of the most inspiring things ever!

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My dad is a lobster fisherman, after fishing was over, we used to take his boat out to go swimming far away from the coast and fish lobster barehanded with a stick and a net!

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
By offering free classes once a month to anyone is one of the ways that I give back!

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Cruelty towards animals, the way we treat them is unfair. The beef industry has one of the worst ecological outcomes and it is inhumane.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Paddle boarding on Kal Lake and snowboarding Big White!

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Mira-Bellevue on my bike is definitely where I like to go.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
Stopping the waste, no more printing phone books or flyers. I also want to see more local, organic and vegan/vegetarian restaurants!

If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
To create a perfect balance between business, family and traveling!

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
Even though vegetarian and vegan people tend to talk a lot about their food choices, I don’t, but here it is: I’m vegetarian!

What is the name of your business/organization?
Our incorporation name is GC Health and Fitness Inc., but we do business as Crossfit Okanagan.

What does your business do?
We offer a fitness program that includes a wide variety of functional movements. Anyone can do it, we have clients from any age, body type or background. We also offer personal training and rehabilitation programs. On top of that, we have Kinesiotherapy, RMT and physiotherapy coming to our facility soon.

Why did you get into/start this business?
It was meant to be! With my Bachelor degree in Kinesiology and Masters in Business Administration (MBA), my only goal was to one day start a business where anyone can come to get more fit and healthy. I also wanted a place where people were having a good time and avoiding the doctor! I’m confident to say that our facility is more successful than any other medicine since our type of physical activity does not only cures all kinds of diseases, it also prevents them!

What is the goal of your business?
To be a successful 'one-stop-shop'. A place where you can stop for any kind of treatment, or physical rehabilitation, without running from one clinic to another. Our goal is to make Kelowna a more fit and healthy city!

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Working up north in Fort McMurray, AB. More precisely, it was a struggle being away from my loved ones and working long hours in very harsh weather conditions.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Everything happens for a reason, I wouldn’t change a thing in my life!

Why do you think it is important to shop local?
We love to support local. As a small business owner, it is important to help out other small businesses as much as possible. The quality of local is also better, the food is fresher and there are so many great, local businesses in Kelowna.

Give someone that you think deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My girlfriend, who spent 25 hours a day for the last month helping me with the new business. I also want to give credit to my dad who flew in from New Brunswick to help me with the renovations.

My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
Kettle River Brewery.

Other information you would like to share:
I really think that staying fit is the best way of avoiding any kind of disease and helps to keep you medicine-free. If you would like to get started but aren’t sure if it’s for you, just contact us for a free assessment and we can give you a session or two for free so you get a good feel of it!

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna.