Client Testimonials From Core Essentials

Top of Page

  To Whom It May Concern:

Tanna joined our team as Fitness Coordinator in September 2007. We asked her to work with our group of 15 - 17 year old female hockey players, many of whom thought they were in great shape. We are a Midget AAA Female Hockey program. After working with Tanna I think they would all say that they had something to learn about conditioning.

Tanna's enthusiasm was immediately apparent and the team responded positively to her approach. She was able to establish an excellent rapport with the members of the team, both on an individual and group basis. Tanna established a weekly regime for the girls and over the course of the year we saw tremendous gains in their strength and conditioning. A real testimony to the results of this program was near the end of the year we experienced some injuries (concussion, broken clavical) and had to play an important playoff game with only 10 skaters. The team came out of the gate strong and we were a bit concerned that they may tire by the end of the game. However, as the game progressed the girls continued to perform at a very high level and in fact showed no evidence of fatigue. Their ability to play such an important game and maintain such a high level of performance was in no small part due to the excellent work Tanna had done with them over the course of the year.

Tanna is a gifted trainer. She is dedicated, enthusiastic, caring, and motivated. Her upbeat, positive approach to health and fitness was an extremely important component of our very successful season as District Champions.

Thanks Tanna,

Dave Fraser

Assistant Coach, Mid-Island Extreme

Top of Page

 To Whom It May Concern:

I am nominating Core Essentials for the 2006 MISTIC Science, Technology & Innovation Awards because David Gilks, the owner, both embodies health and is one of the most passionate people I have ever met on the subject of fitness. He has a commitment to health that is boundless and appears to be on a personal mission to bring it to as many people as possible. both individually and collectively. including children.

He has initiated a project creating a foundation for youth in the community aimed at fitness. He is an expert in his field and a consultant to many, providing service to many clients including ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia), WCB, the Teachers Federation, IWA BC Forest Logging Rehabilitation Services, BC Amateur Hockey Association. He is an educator and role model for the fitness industry noted for his skill and expertise. His studies include alternative health: herbology, biokinesology, reflexology, acupressure, educational kineosology and fitness. But it's mainly his passion about fitness that inspires me, his belief in potential regardless of our starting point and his vision of making the world a better place, one body at a time.

I believe David wants to ensure as many people as possible exercise properly, maximize their exercise time/results and buy into the philosophy of health as a life-long prospect.

I first met David in May when I tentatively made an appointment to see him to discuss my increasing health concerns. I went to interview him, as I saw this coaching process as a potential long term commitment... important enough to get to know him a bit and understand his health philosophy. I had been to gyms on numerous occasions but felt I had affected little change and was still missing many pieces in my health awareness. I wanted an expert... someone who understood health from the inside out and could help me succeed in an area that I hadn't succeeded in much before. I not only needed a coach; I needed to challenge my assumptions and believe change was possible.

And so we began. Week after week I showed up with doubts, fears. and questions. I wondered whether I could do it, keep with it, sustain it. I had a lot of previous unsuccessful attempts, and a few that worked temporarily. Yet I really wanted to pull it off this time. I hoped there would be something in Core Essentials that would sustain me this time around.

I found inspiration in David. His enthusiasm. excitement. and encouragement of my process and progress have been instrumental in assisting me in creating a stronger foundation for health/fitness. His can-do attitude, no-nonsense approach and strive for excellence encouraged me to continually strive as well and throw in another sit up before the day is done. He encouraged me to make small changes and celebrate the little victories, particularly when I so readily discounted them. He helped me to see when I blind-sided and discounted my success/couldn't see past my old habits and old ways of remembering. He reminded me to notice what I had achieved ...that the day to day experience was also the journey to success, not just the end result: that I had in fact already created a new paradigm. Then I too began to notice the many changes... in movement, flexibility and weight loss. Pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. New patterns are being created. Inevitably I leave believing in my ability to change and am once again encouraged to hick it up a notch, yet again. It's all quite marvelous, really.

While I initially hesitated about submitting this because I wasn't sure whether it fit under technology, the more I think about it the more I believe it does. While I may not understand the physiology of the body as much as I'd like to -- not yet anyway -- I do know this: our bodies are an amazing mechanism that not only house our cells, our structure, and our beliefs... but our very essence. We are a technological marvel. And one who can help me understand the workings, metabolism, muscles, bio-kinesology, structure, impact of nutrition, and inspire and encourage myself and others to become more fit and improve all areas of our lives as a result... well that person has a gift and deserves to be recognized as an expert in innovation (which the dictionary defines as a creation resulting from study and experimentation or the conversion of knowledge and ideas into a benefit for new or improved products, processes or services).

In my first meeting with David when I tentatively shared my reasons for coming to Core Essentials and my hopes for my health, David listened intently and responded with great conviction: "You can change your life with this you know." I so wanted to believe him. I saw his belief and wanted and needed to believe it to be true and on many occasions in the first weeks/months needed to borrow/lean on his belief. Until mine strengthened enough to become a foundation that I could stand on.

This I know. I am changing my life. My thanks and deep appreciation to you David, for who you are and all that you do

Top of Page

  Dear David,

I am writing this letter to express my gratitude for all the assistance you have given me. As you know in 1999 I experience a severe auto accident and was in rehabilitation for an extended period of time. Working with the Physiotherapist was helpful but I found the strength training I did with you to be by far the most beneficial.

Following your directions with respect to the training sessions and the diet has helped me get back to a position in my life where the future is again looking bright. It has been a long road back to recovery and your individual support really made a big difference in how well I progressed.

Please feel free to pass on my comments to any potential clients you may have. I would highly recommend to anyone coming off an accident such as mine, that they seriously consider working with you along with any Physiotherapy they may be taking. Your help is invaluable!

Thanks again,

Frank Burke

Top of Page

 Hey Dave!

Hope all is well. Well, my season is over now. We lost in the semi-finals, but it was a great season for both myself and the team. I had a great season this year, and had my first CIS Interception which I ran back for about 25 yards! My strength and overall fitness was evident all year, and I found that my balance and overall level of physicalness was much higher. I guess what im saying is I FELT GREAT! I can't wait to get back home and start my intense summer training with you! If my game was effected this much with little over a month of Core Training, then I anticipate a much greater change after an entire 4 months!

Though I didn't start every game, I did achieve my goal and started as linebacker for a few games and made a great contribution. Now it's time to start my off-season training, and I cant wait to start hitting the gym! Can you tell me what my training schedule should look like? Formally I was going to the gym 6 times a week on a 3 day cycle. heavy upper, lower, and back and shoulders on Mon, Tues, Wed. then I do the same rotation but low weight high reps and take Sunday off. I found I got good gains with this, but im not sure if this is the right way to do things.

My plan now is to build my strength and bulk/size. I would like for my summer to be for fine tuning and sculpting. If you could give me some insight to how I should go abouts doing this, it would be greatly appreciated. Anyways, I've got to go study. During season its extremely challenging to get work done, yet alone quality work, so now its time to get my grades back up so I can stay in school! Thanks alot for everything! I look forward to hearing from you, and training with you this summer!

All the best,

Thaine Carter

Top of Page

  To Whom It May Concern:

I have nothing but positive things to say about Dave Gilks and all of the Core Essentials staff. I have had great improvements with my posture, my game, my general health and most importantly for an athlete being injury-free.

I started training last year at Core Essentials with Dave to try and improve for my sport of baseball. I came off my first year at the College of Southern Idaho being a non-starter. After a summer with Dave I went back to the school being the starting catcher and earned the First Team All-Conference catcher at the end of the year.

After my first summer with Dave, he taught my brother and I many things about training; the physical side, and more importantly the mental side. Because we were only able to train for a short period of time, he taught us skills to take with us to use at our schools during the fall and spring semesters. I have now received another scholarship to play NCAA baseball at Mesa State College. I believe my goal to play this level of college baseball would have been out of reach without my training at Core Essentials with Dave. We have learned to train to become athletes, instead of being one sport-specific.

My game has improved in the aspects of power, speed, arm strength, and most important to all baseball players being able to stay consistent.

Thanks.

Grant Vickers

Top of Page

 To Whom It May Concern

Now since this has happened so many have noticed the changes. The first thing they ask what "diet" are you on. No diet, just a different eating regime and eating very clean. I am doing this for my long term goal a "Fitness Competition".

So how did I start this amazing journey? I started with David Gilks from Core Essentials. David started working with me in late fall of 2005. David went through my eating plan I did for about a month and set up a fitness routine that met needs tailored to me. My aim at this point was to be able to wear a bikini top and shorts in the Dominican Republic in December 2005. Guess what? I was able to wear a bikini top and some shorts and to be able to walk around and feel comfortable with my body and feel really good about those changes. This was the start of a new me.

I have battled my weight all my life right from childhood. Doing many diets my weight would go down but back, but a lot heavier. At that time of dieting I restricted a lot of my food intake and exercised vigorously 3 times a day. What happened there I lost a lot of my lean body mass and my weight dropped, but I still had considerable allotment of fat on my body. This experience happened just before I got married in 1992.

I started to really think of working towards some fitness courses. This would help maintain my weight and keep myself active. That journey began and is still on-going. I had this philosophy or "Vision" if I could encourage, motivate and show someone at this type of build or heavier you can do this. Working really hard and giving yourself these goals, and this is possible for anybody. The results can be truly amazing!

I want to be out there for all the women. Being a person with this structure/build who is heavier, you can do this. There is so much support and encouragement when attempting this amazing goal. But all these goals are done in small baby steps. When you get closer to this goal it will blow your mind away and that this is possible no matter what your body type is.

My belief system is to believe in yourself that you can do this. You have so much strength to keep going to fulfill your "Dream"!

How did I start my journey? I was asked by David Gilks of Core Essentials if I had any long-terms goals. I have had one that I was not sure if I was able to do it with all the unsuccess I have had from the past. I thought I would I take a shot, what do I have to loose? So my goal was competing in a fitness competition doing the "Figures". The other part is to have this done before I turn 40 next year before July 1st.

So this began on Jan 9/06. The new journey began for me. This consisted of a new eating plan. The first part of the eating plan was very hard. So many different emotions, being tired and moody.

There was so much support from David at Core Essentials. Very good in helping with your anxiety with this new regime. He was able to help and explain why this was happening. Always made sure you understood "why". I find David very knowledgeable, easy to talk to and so very comfortable. He is always there when you need encouragement and a lift to get through it.

When I finally came back at the end of February this experience was so amazing. I walked in and David was so amazed as well as his staff. His first comment was "you lost your ass!" Other comments were, "you come in now walking tall, have a big smile, and look very happy." I'm not afraid to show my tummy!

I am showing a lot more of my body and wearing tighter clothing... feel very good about myself and I'm liking my body and the changes it is going through.

Other positive encouragement from Core Essentials is getting these hugs on how amazed they are with my changes. Lots of wonderful words like "awesome" and "unbelievable transformation"... I am truly amazed David.

The greatest thing that I am so proud with these changes is my stomach. I have lost a lot of weight around that area, I can't remember the last time I was able to be feel confident in showing it off. I was so proud of this accomplishment. Starting to see muscle development forming and feeling my ribs in my stomach area, I've never felt that.

What this shows me is that I can do this and there are so many more changes to come that I cannot wait.

So much encouragement and positiveness from whoever I talk to. Yes I have amazed so many and cannot believe these changes. I even get requests of what I should wear in my fitness classes when I teach. Lots of compliments. This makes me feel so good inside. I can't wait for changes...

Other experiences is keeping up with my clothe sizes. I can't seem to keep up with my clothes, they keep coming off. Spending a lot of in alternations. But so amazed how small I am getting...

These are the changes so far... getting a hourglass figure, slimming in my face, muscle definition in the upper body.

Also finding when buying new clothes looking at tighter/clingy and form fitting clothes.

When I started with David in fall I was a 40 in pants and now I'm in a size 34... unbelievable.

I have started to weigh myself a little more and when I do it is getting lighter. Makes me so happy and amazing of these results.

I could not have pursued this without David. He has guided me to something I thought I couldn't do in my lifetime. I was in a mind set of not doing it... David, thank you for this journey!

How have I changed is my attitude is different, happy, I feel I am on top of the world, lots of energy, I can look at my body in the mirror, walk tall and lifted, I feel free and I have no limitations on what I can do....

I know when I walked out of Core Essentials how wonderful I feel and how proud I am of my accomplishments. I know upon leaving David how amazed he was and proud of how I have progressed in those 2 months. I guess I blew him away...

I believe I can get to my final goal next year and I have the faith in myself in meeting my goals.

I know David has so much experience, motivates me to meet my goals and how important this is to me. He encourages and pushes to your limits and always gives lots of positiveness and so much support.

I am so glad that this goal was asked and now I see the possibilities to pursue this dream to a reality. This will be a overwhelming experience.

The ongoing battles I face or can't get a grip on it. Changes are happening to my body all the time. Every week there is a change. However, my mind is still back in the past. It doesn't seem to be connected to my body.

I get lots and lots of compliments and some are hard to absorb. I guess I am second guessing myself... is this real??? I feel I am in a dream!

I try really hard to accept these wonderful compliments. I need to accept these changes and look deep inside that this is me just waiting to emerge into this beautiful and amazing person. Thank-you David.

Shannon Baldwin

Top of Page

 Hi Dave,

Unbelievable!! Grant and I just finished up a great session of long toss and batting practice. While we were throwing we really focused in on keeping our pelvic floor flexed and it made a huge difference. I also really tried to shorten down that distance between my shoulder and chest while throwing and Grant could notice results instantly. He said the ball had better carry to it and everything overall just looked smoother. I tried throwing a few how I normally would and right away I noticed extra tension on my shoulder. Grant felt the same. We also kept that pelvic floor flexed while hitting and right after one swing I could notice a huge increase in my bat speed, which is without a doubt the biggest thing resulting in hard hit balls. While I was throwing to Grant I noticed how much quicker he looked too. Anyways, just wanted to let you know how good it went. See you Monday.

Jeff Vickers

Top of Page

 To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Granville MacLellan and I am a retired member of the R.C.M.P. I have had many experiences with gyms over the span of my life. I have found that although the equipment was available for use - very little instruction was available as to proper use.

My experience, however, with David Gilks of Core Essentials Health Management has been totally different. David is a man of excellence in approach and instruction. What I appreciate most about David is his "up-front" integrity. David is there to give clear direction on how to accomplish a healthy lifestyle and he invests "himself" as well as his time, expertise, and energy into helping you become successful in your endeavors. David Gilks is a "no-nonsense" kind of trainer and frankly the word is out, "that if you don't mean business and you are not serious and willing to work hard and do what it takes to be successful, then he doesn't want to waste your time and money nor his and that perhaps Core Essentials is not the place for you."

To date, since being under his direction I have toned up, lost weight, and certainly I have a higher energy level and am eating properly - all over a four month period. It indeed has been a encouraging time and I am looking forward to even further success in continuing to experience a healthier, more fit life. Thank you David, finally I have discovered someone with knowledge and integrity that is able to teach the proper techniques to achieve a healthy lifestyle. I couldn't have done it without you! Thanks for showing you care!

Granville MacLellan

Top of Page

 To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter in support of David Gilks, Medical Exercise Specialist and Personal Trainer at Northridge Fitness Center.

I worked with David on a WCB funded program for 3 months between February and April, 1999.

The one-on-one training and education I received from him was a welcome change from the programs I had attended in the previous year. Prescribed exercises that I had unknowingly been doing for a year with poor technique were quickly corrected. David would hold my shoulders in the correct position (as I couldn't hold it for long on my own), before executing the exercise, which made performing it less painful. Sharing his knowledge of anatomy, what muscles an joint actions each exercise used, and how they related to movements we do at work or at home, gave my workouts a sense of purpose. Encouraging mind/muscle awareness was another helpful tool for me.

A workout that focused on strengthening the whole body and not just the injured areas was also an approach that I hadn't been introduced to up to that point.

David is enthusiastic about his work, and loves to share his knowledge with others. His good nature, sense of humor, and caring personality all helped to keep me motivated throughout my challenging three month program.

Sincerely

Jane Patenaude

Top of Page

 Heartnews, December 2004

Our meeting on Sunday, November 21 was well attended and we all enjoyed our speaker, David Gilks, Medical Exercise Specialist and Master Personal Trainer. David is very passionate about the need for all of us to maximize our physical health thus improving our lives overall. His talk motivated many of us to get started on some kind of program that will help us improve ourselves.

The First Open Heart Society of British Columbia