Jenna Ferreira voted winner of Coffs Coast’s personal trainer of the Year competition
Readers have weighed in and we can now name your choice for Coffs Coast’s personal trainer of the year. Check out the winner and all the finalists.
Coffs Harbour
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Self-made businesswoman Jenna Ferreira was beside herself to hear she had won the Coffs Coast Personal Trainer of the Year competition.
“I am absolutely shocked. Holy s--t, this is cool,” Ms Ferreira exclaimed.
The last time the Coffs Coast Advocate ran the reader vote, Ms Ferreira also came out on top, so the back-to-back victory is especially sweet.
Ms Ferreira’s journey has been anything but an overnight success story.
In the early 2000s she had been running group fitness classes at a local gym.
“I never thought I’d be a personal trainer because I liked the group thing,” she said.
“But I didn’t want to go back to hairdressing and group fitness is just a love job.”
So she took the plunge and established Jenna Ferreira Health & Fitness, and has been running her own business for the past 10 years.
She offers physical training and nutritional advice, and very much moves with the times.
While Ms Ferreira still provides face-to-face sessions, a large slab of the tuition is done online – with Zoom hangouts to clients across Australia and as far away as Canada.
That evolution allowed her to survive and thrive through the Covid lockdowns when gyms were very much in the firing line and forced to close.
“I was the busiest ever through Covid because people were wanting to train from home to stay active and for their mental health,” she said.
Ms Ferreira gained 27 per cent of the votes cast in the reader poll, and there was strong support for all of those nominated.
Here’s what some said as they supported their favourite personal trainer:
Michael Lockman: “Dave Corsar for best personal trainer 2023! Dave is very hardworking, passionate and a super nice guy. He’s battled through a heap of challenges through Covid … but he’s always been there for his members.”
Kiri Kaihau: “Melissa Starkey for Best PT. She is amazing. One of the best PTs around. Really easy to talk to, so helpful.”
Ashlea Homes: “Jack Davey. He knows everything there is to know about muscles, nutrition, programming and then uses all of that to create person specific programs. As well as that he is caring.”
Susie Dosanjh: “Martin Symmons. Very well qualified and years of experience.”
Nikki Kennedy: “Allen Willis. He never let’s me settle for less reps or weights than he thinks I can do. And he always has a smile on his dial. My success at managing my back injury, I owe to him.”
Germaine Srhoy: “Keith Donald. Hands down Keith is the best PT I’ve ever had, and he is head and shoulders above any physio I’ve ever had during my recovery from a significant leg injury after a horse riding accident.”
Steve Zaal: “Hamish Bancroft. Am amazing PT whose focused on not only physical health but mental wellness. All PTs tailor programs and give specific dietary advice but with Hamish you dive into a deeper level.”
Alexander George: “The Hungry PT (Jake Why) has been the most inspirational and caring personal trainer I have had and shows he actually cares to help you with your goals.”
Lauren Mary Reibelt: “Javed Khaksar. Professional, genuine and caring.”
Katy Lee Carroll: “Best PT Tamzin Rebel. Has an online platform that allows you to train anywhere.”
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