Kent discovered CrossFit in 2008, using it as an off-season training tool during his university summers while swimming varsity at the University of Alberta. Kent mostly went to university to swim and kill time, without a clear vision of what his career would look like. He studied in the Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation, but it wasn’t some grand plan—it just made sense given his athletic background. The real growth happened outside the classroom, where coaching opportunities and early leadership experiences slowly shaped the direction he'd eventually take. He had hoped to dive deeper into CrossFit, but balancing competitive swimming during the school year made that difficult—and after graduating, like many former athletes, he hit that post-sport identity gap. The structure was gone, and nothing seemed to match the challenge or community he was craving.
Part of that struggle came from not being able to find a gym that truly checked the boxes—not just in terms of training, but also professionalism, leadership, and a sense of real business operations. That changed in 2016–2017 when Kent experienced a breakthrough at Cristini Athletics in Ontario. The coaching, the systems, and the energy finally aligned—and it sparked not only a renewed love for CrossFit, but also the belief that gym ownership could be a legitimate and fulfilling career path.
Over the years, Kent's coaching journey has included everything from teaching young kids on the pool deck as a teenager to leading as Head Coach in Lethbridge, where he unknowingly got his first real lessons in culture-building, leadership, and entrepreneurship. He had a natural ability to create energy, build excitement, and get people engaged—and it showed in both performance and community.
His time coaching in the Toronto area—both in the pool and in the gym—added another layer, giving him hands-on experience with high-performance athletes and day-to-day members alike. It was during this phase that he also experienced different leadership styles, learned what to avoid, and ultimately clarified the type of environment he wanted to build. Across all levels, he saw the same truth: if you build up everyone—not just the top performers—you create a hard-working, positive environment where the whole team levels up. That mindset became the foundation for how Kent leads today.
When Carlee finished her schooling at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto, Kent and Carlee moved to Kamloops in 2017 with a desire to return to Western Canada and enjoy everything the BC Interior has to offer. They came to Kamloops with a blank set of expectations—while they hoped to own a gym eventually, it wasn’t something they thought would happen so soon. At the time, Kent was coaching competitive swimming in Kamloops and Carlee had launched her solo chiropractic practice, The Movement Mechanic. But when the opportunity to take over a struggling affiliate came up in early 2018, they jumped at it. Kent rebuilt the gym from the ground up.
Today, Tournament Capital Strength & Conditioning (TCSC) has grown into one of the largest and most active coached fitness communities in the BC Interior. With a multidisciplinary health clinic, a growing team, around 400 active members, and a thriving calendar of events (including their flagship event, the Tournament Capital Classic), Kent has turned a vision into a strong, trusted community built on high standards of coaching and care.
Kent’s coaching style blends curiosity, intention, and high standards. He’s worked with beginners, competitive athletes, and Olympians—but what matters most to him is the relationship behind the coaching. Relationship-building sits at the very top of TCSC's core values, and Kent lives it daily—whether that’s saying hello, being curious, welcoming new faces, or simply showing genuine friendliness. That connection drives everything: member success, performance progress, and the culture that keeps people coming back. He’s known for remembering names, coining nicknames that tend to stick, and delivering programs built for consistency and real results. There’s space for competition at TCSC, but Kent is driven to impact everyone who walks through the door—because everyone deserves to feel coached, supported, and capable.
He’s also fiercely protective of the gym environment. To Kent, three things are non-negotiable for creating a great training space: positivity, hard work, and energy. He believes negativity and complaining can tank the energy of a group faster than any workout. Everyone has tough days—but showing up with effort, a solution-focused mindset, and respect for the room is key. TCSC is built to be a place where people work hard, stay positive, and lift each other up—especially on the hard days.
When he’s not coaching or dreaming up new projects, you’ll probably find Kent with his laptop, a caffeinated beverage, and a whiteboard—thinking about what’s next for his gym, his people, and the community he’s worked hard to build.
Outside the gym, Kent enjoys hanging out with his wife Carlee and their dog Bean—especially in the sunshine. Whether it’s golfing in Kamloops or escaping to the U.S. for a hot-weather getaway, they’re always chasing summer. A lifelong sports fan, Kent’s man cave is his happy place, complete with sports on TV, darts, and a pool table. He’s always planning the next big sports trip—and is never far from a plate of wings, steak or sushi!
For consulting, coaching insights, or to connect with Kent beyond the gym, visit www.coachkent.fit.
