Makala (she/her) grew up on the Island, and played a wide variety of sports throughout her childhood. She picked up rowing in her teenage years, and it quickly became her favourite activity on her schedule. This discovery lead her to the Women’s Rowing team at the University of Victoria, and to choose to do a degree in kinesiology.

While rowing, Makala discovered a passion for coaching and sharing her love of sport. She spent over 8 years facilitating learn-to-row camps, youth performance programs, as well as masters athletes sessions. Later in her degree, she began work with the Pacific Institute of Sport Education, as a Physical Literacy Instructor for children, leading both in and out of school programming.

Over her many years as a movement educator, she has had the pleasure of working with infant clients all the way to athletes in their nineties. In her clinical practice, Makala focuses on education, collaboration, and bringing a sense of fun to movement - whether you are a kid or an adult, enjoying your activity is key.

Coming from a sporting background, Makala understood importance of keeping your body ready to tackle anything. Dedicated movement programming has kept her playing sports to this day, despite encountering many injuries along the journey.

First, these looked like quick stretching routines at the end of a soccer practice, and then later, dedicated strength work in the gym to excel during racing season. Now, having retired from competitive sport, this looks more like being ready to go for a hike with friends, have a long day on the bike, or even addressing a nagging injury to be more comfortable during the work day.

Working as a kinesiologist allows Makala to blend her favourite parts of coaching with her passion for human anatomy, and gives her the ability to empower her clients to find movement that helps them feel good and keep doing the things they love.

Away from the clinic, you will find Makala on her bike, either somewhere on the peninsula or out on a gravel road in the forest. These adventures are usually centred around the next stop for coffee or finding a tasty snack. When not riding, she is spending time laughing with her favourite people, baking delicious treats, or looking for whales.