WHO WE ARE
COACHES
"Behind every successful team is a dedicated Coach who refused to let them be anything
but the best they can be"
- Unknown
Melissa Paauwe
UESCA Certified Running Coach
UESCA Certified Ultrarunning Coach
Melissa dabbled in running her whole life but it wasn't until she enlisted the help of a Coach did she really see her potential. With progress came confidence, in all aspects of her life, encouraging to her start her own coaching business to help others find their potential. Melissa's approach to her clients is very individualized - everyone's plans are designed for them and all levels are welcome in the WRTWC community.
Melissa has raced at elite levels in the full and half marathon, with top 10 finishes nationally in both events. She won the Alberta Provincial Time Trial in road cycling in 2017, and has represented Canada at Multisport World Championships (Elite Duathlon, after claiming the national title in 2017).
Laura Henderson
UESCA Certified Coach
Laura is a CPA who is happily married and a mother of two young children (plus a big fur baby). All of that keeps her pretty busy, but she's also passionate about travel, sports of almost all varieties, and, of course, running! She has run to some degree for most of her life, but her true love affair with running started when she ran her first half marathon in 2011. Anyone who knows her knows that she can talk about running for hours, because she truly believes in the positive power that running brings to our lives.
She's so excited to join WRTWC as a coach so that she can help others experience this. She wants to help people see that anyone can be a runner, you just need the right motivation, training plan, and community to support you!
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Claire Bird
UESCA Certified Coach
UESCA Certified Endurance Sports Nutrition Coach
Claire is a mom of 4 and married to Coach John Bird. She started running for fitness and mental health when the kids were young. To stay motivated she signed up for the Calgary Marathon and was hooked after that! As of writing this post (April 2023), Claire has ran 22 marathons!
Claire loves being in the mountains whether it be skiing, hiking, or backpacking with her family. Having a coach helps Claire balance her running goals and busy life for optimal success and fun. Claire is excited to join the WRTWC coaches roster so she can help others feel successful in their own running journey.
One of Claire's running resume highlights include getting her Abbott 6 Star medal in 2023 in Tokyo. She's no stranger to the marathon majors, as a result, having run Boston 3x. Her experience as an accomplished runner as well as someone who juggles a busy schedule is invaluable to anyone who has a hard time "fitting it all in" while tackling some big goals!
Paula Johnston
UESCA Certified Coach
Paula is an RN, mother to two teenage girls, a certified running coach, and much more! She loves being out in the mountains trail running or hiking and involves her daughters as much as they'll let her.
Paula started running a decade ago with a bucket list item of running a marathon. Since then she has completed numerous marathons, along with every distance up to a 50k ultra. She believes that running can change your life in the best way possible, and has experienced how positively a coach can impact a runner and their success. She is thrilled to be able to help others experience the same thing.
Bre Gustafson
Canfitpro Certified Personal Trainer
and Running Coach
Bre was born in Australia and grew up very passionate about sports and fitness including swimming and running. When she moved to Canada she decided to make a career change and turn her passion into her career. She got her personal training certification in 2014 and started her journey. Since then she hasn't looked back and has since become a certified running coach, as well.
Bre became a mother at the end of 2020 and has spent the last year learning how to share her fitness and running journey with her son. You will often see Bre outside stroller running and enjoying the amazing pathways Calgary has to offer. Bre is excited to join WRTWC and help runners become faster and stronger and return from injury smartly.
John Bird
UESCA Certified Coach
McMillan Certified Coach
VDot Certified Coach
John ran track and cross country in highschool but really fell in love with the sport in 2014 when he ran his first marathon in Toronto. Since then, he has completed 5 of 6 majors with his wife and gearing up for his sixth star.
John is a dad to 4 very active kids. If John isn't running or flying, you will find him skiing, hiking and backpacking with his family in Calgary's big backyard.
John is happiest supporting others reach their run goals. All of John's teammates can attest to this fact, hence why he makes a great Coach! His commitment to being a pace bunny for Calgary Marathon, not just once but twice, is just a small window of visibility into his desire to give back to the run community.
Dr. Rae Laberge
DTCM, RAc, CHN Holistic Nutrition Consultant
With a background in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Holistic Nutrition and a personal perspective as an accomplished ultra runner, Dr. Rae can help you dial in your diet and take your running to the next level. Dr. Rae's holistic approach takes a deeper dive into your overall health and works to support your unique nutritional needs, training goals and health status.
In addition to working with athletes of all levels, Dr. Rae's specialties include working with individuals on fertility/family planning, digestive issues, sleep, and overall health.
Whether you're seeking to shave a few minutes off your PB, looking to support digestive issues, support athlete recovery, correct hormonal imbalances, or tune up your overall nutrition, Dr. Rae is a one-stop-shop for guidance and education.
AMBASSADORS
Christina Saviskoff
Brianne Cooper
Stephen Kallir
Amber Vrataric
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Steen Hendry
Catrinel Popescu
Laura Witczak
