Photo: FitFest Founder Amanda Garant used her successful weight-loss journey as inspiration for the event. Photo courtesy of Colleen McCourt.

EVENT PROFILE – The First Ever FitFest

Living a happy and healthy life go hand in hand, and it’s the driving force behind the first ever FitFest.

The event is a family-friendly two day event that focuses on fitness, health and wellness,” describes FitFest Founder and Head Organizer Amanda Garant.

FitFest takes place at the Serbian Centre, 6770 Tecumseh Road East in Windsor from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on the weekend of April 14 and 15. Showcasing local small businesses in the health and wellness industry, the event features speakers, performances, demonstrations and live workouts, from boot camp style to yoga.

We have a line-up of speakers, and some coming as far as London to help educate and inspire,” Garant notes. “Our vendors range from healthy restaurants, personal trainers, yoga studios, chiropractors and more.”

Garant expresses that “FitFest” is all about celebrating fitness and not just surviving, but thriving in life.

Health and wellness can come in so many forms and this event will help introduce the businesses and people who can help them get the most out of their life,” states Garant. “Whether that means sleeping better, eating better, moving better or feeling better, FitFest truly has it all!”

The event is for every shape and size or workout level from those who are just starting out and looking for ways to improve their physical and mental health, to experts who are looking for new challenges.

It isn’t just about major chain big box gyms,” explains Garant. “I look forward to showing people some amazing people and businesses that are home grown right here.”

Garant informs us that one of her major sponsors, boxing champion Claudia Renkwitz of Universal Fitness, is attending to present athletic and functional training with very little equipment at their booth.

Andrea Docherty, a Registered Dietician who has become a regular on the “TKO Show” with Kara Ro on AM800 another sponsor along with Biz X and IN PLAY magazines will also be speaking and will have a booth. In addition, a London radio show host and Thermography Specialist, Pat Kennedy will be speaking at “FitFest” specifically about women’s health and how to prevent breast cancer.

The free live workouts will be a fun experience for those who want to try their hand at boot camp, which will be run by Cathy Judson from SweatBank. Yoga will also be run by Brandi Rivait and martial arts demonstrations courtesy of Hybrid Training Academy.

There will also be an acroyoga which combines acrobatics and yoga and pole fitness performances featured with a chance to give it a try as well, adds Garant.

For the event’s inaugural year, the celebrity appearance of

Rob Fletcher is sure to be a major draw and a legend to many. His countless accomplishments include: being a martial arts and fitness guru; a former North American kickboxing champion; a member of the World Champion WAKO U.S. kickboxing team; being featured on national radio and TV shows, including Good Morning America; an Author of Transform Your Life; founder of America’s Next Great Trainer, and more!

 “On top of doing a book signing at the Universal Fitness booth, then hitting the stage to take attendees through his own free live self-defense style workout, he will be using the Windsor FitFest platform to launch Canada’s Next Great Trainer” reveals Garant.

Garant says there is also a lot of excitement surrounding the event’s partnership with Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart charity.

They help local children, whose parents might be struggling to get them involved in extra-curricular activities and sports, be able to enroll them,” she says. “It’s a cause very important to me. Building a love of physical activity at an early age is so crucial for a healthy lifestyle.”

In 2016, Garant appeared on the cover and as part of a main cover story in Woman’s World magazine. She was featured for her 150-pound natural weight loss journey.

Over the past couple years, I have remained humble and grateful that my story of hard work and consistency has been considered inspirational and motivational to those who have become familiar with it,” says Garant.

She then decided last May that since her voice now carries influence, and if she was to be put up on a pedestal for natural weight loss, that she should be doing something greater than just accepting constant praise for her health accomplishment.

So she says she decided to give back to Windsor-Essex for supporting her every step of the way through “FitFest.”

People are more engaged and aware of what they are putting in their bodies and how important physical activity is than ever before,” states Garant. “A festival to celebrate that is something to brag about.”

The event is open to the public and cost is $5 at the door or you can purchase tickets in advance online. Children 12 and under are free.

Check out: WindsorFitFest.com for the latest show information.