We have a team of professional coaches at Altitude ready and capable of helping athletes of any skill level achieve their health, wellness or sporting goals.
Josh Downer
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
– Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
– Eleiko Certified Olympic Weightlifting Strength Coach
As the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Altitude, Josh designs and implements evidence-based training programs for clients ranging from general fitness enthusiasts to elite athletes. Josh’s passion for fitness and high-performance sport began at an early age with martial arts training and later expanding into training and competing in bobsleigh.
With over a decade of experience in the fitness and sports industry, Josh has developed a keen eye for movement analysis and exercise physiology, thorough knowledge of hypoxic training and a passion for helping people achieve their optimal performance and health goals. Josh leads and guides all coaches to ensure Altitude members receive the highest standards of coaching available. Josh is currently completing his Master’s in Kinesiology at the University of Toronto.
Yaath Rajshankar
Strength and Conditioning Coach
– Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
– Bachelor’s of Kinesiology
– NCCP multisport certified
– Paddle Canada – Tandem Moving Water
– Outdoor Council of Canada – Hiking Field Leader, Paddle Field Leader, Overnight Leader
– Pending – ACMG TR Course Instructor
Growing up, Yaath played various sports but dedicated most of his time to playing competitive soccer. After career-ending concussions, he transitioned into studying Kinesiology at the University of Toronto and found a new passion for the outdoors. Yaath is now an avid outdoorsman and rock climber. Yaath is a 4-season adventurer who loves to embark on multi-day backcountry expeditions, whether paddling, trekking, or mountaineering. He is currently training for sports climbing and is working towards being a big wall climber and a stronger mountaineer in the future. Yaath actively strives to combine his life passions with academia in his professional practice at Altitude Athletic Training.
Laura-Ellen de Vries
Strength and Conditioning Coach
– Master’s of Human Movement Sciences
– Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
– NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (RSCCD*D in progress)
– Running Mechanics Professional – Level 1 – in progress
– NCCP Certifications:
– Weightlifting Competition – Introduction – Trained
– Gymnastics Foundations – Artistic – Certified
– Gymnastics Foundations – Trampoline – Trained
– Gymnastics Introduction to Competition WAG & MAG – in progress
Laura-Ellen is a dedicated and highly knowledgeable coach, known for her innovative methods and commitment to helping clients achieve their fitness and performance goals. With a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from McMaster University and a Master’s of Human Movement Sciences from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, she combines a strong academic background with practical experience.
Laura-Ellen has served in various coaching roles, including Lead Coach of Fitness and Performance at the University of Toronto, Head Coach at the Canadian Sport School, and instructor at Camosun College. She holds multiple certifications, including NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and several NCCP certifications.
Passionate about integrating scientific research with practical training, Laura-Ellen creates effective, individualized programs that empower clients to reach their full potential.
Book A Coach Consult
Schedule a complimentary meeting with one of our expert coaches to discuss your goals and the best training options for you.