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CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

BUILD A HEALTHY, STRONG BODY

Lose fat and gain muscle

FEEL AMAZING EVERY SINGLE DAY

Improve your energy & mood

OVERCOME YOUR LIMITATIONS

Take on any task confidently

FINDING THE BEST PERSONAL TRAINER & HEALTH COACH IN CAMPBELL RIVER ISN’T EASY

Read what my fitness clients say about me…

Coach Donovan quite literally saved my life. A few months ago I was extremely unhealthy and suffered from constant anxiety. Now, almost 20 sessions later, I feel like a different person. Not only is he a very knowledgeable trainer, but he really helped me with my nutrition as well. Now I can’t imagine him not being a part of my health journey. On top of having an incredible eye for detail when going through the exercises (I had been living with hyper-mobile joints and never knew it), he is so empathetic and caring – he really advocates for YOU as a client. I never thought I’d stick with the gym for this long but now it’s my favourite part of the week and I look forward to having many more sessions with him!
Chloe Valentine

Youth Engagement Coordinator, Youth Can 20/20

Coach Donovan changed my life!!!! I was on a vacation visiting Campbell river for 2 months and he helped me absolutely crush my fitness goals. Extremely motivating, knowledgeable and empathic, he is the perfect coach. He is a gem of a person and extremely awesome to work with. He helped me out when I went back to Toronto by hooking me up with fitness experts there who would continue to help me with my goals. This showed me the true nature of his commitment to his clients. Going to really miss this guy. Anyone in Campbell river who wants to work on fitness, he is the guy! Thanks for everything coach! FYI- lost 18 pounds in 2 months 🙂

Vikram Luthra

IT Consulting

Donovan is an exceptional personal trainer and I recommend him without hesitation. He brings an authentic positivity to workouts – and backs it up with a deep knowledge set around fitness, strength training, nutrition, and health. I came to Donovan with a specific set of personal goals. He took the time to listen and to craft a unique program around my goals. The results have exceeded my expectations and significantly changed my life for the better.

Jeff Seedhouse, P.Eng. MBA

CEO, Avatara Software

Donovan has an innate ability to inspire people towards healthier living. He is a rare person who is truly driven by his passion for health and fitness. He frequently offers time and advice to people out of the kindness of his heart, whether it’s helping strangers in a health store pick out supplements or giving nutrition advice to friends or family to help them with their health challenges. Anyone who knows Donovan knows that they can turn to him with any health challenge and get the support, encouragement and information they need.

Torva Kristin Logan

IT Marketing Consultant, KLA Group, Inc

An amazing coach, trainer and educator. I started working with Coach Donovan with the goal of gaining the knowledge and experience to lead an extremely healthy lifestyle. Simply put I achieved that goal many times over. I learned all about nutrients as well as what I was putting in my body and what I should put in my body for either performance or general health. Then I learned on the fitness side how to properly train all my major muscles and a lot about human mechanisms. By the end of our 10 sessions, I had developed my own strength training routine and a meal plan. Now if your goal is just to lose weight, gain muscle or something with less of an educational emphasis this is still your guy. His extensive fitness and health knowledge allows him to craft the perfect recipe of exercises and eating habits to achieve any goal. Further, he is constantly learning from industry leaders and experts so that his training knowledge doesn’t fall behind. All in all, I couldn’t recommend Coach Donovan more and I look forward to continuing to work with him in the future.

Diego Christiansen-Barker

Chair, BC Youth Council

I’m on a mission and Donovan is giving me the tools to get there! I’m coming in as a total newbie to weightlifting and bodybuilding with really ambitious goals and a lot of bad habits. I knew in order to succeed I had to work with the experts, people who have a passion for their work and have the next level of knowledge. Donovan definitely knows a lot! Not only does he push me to finish my reps, but he also guides me through diet and general health coaching – not an easy feat! I wouldn’t be able to get the service and skills I need elsewhere. He actively works on my program and keeps me in line. Since working with Donovan, I feel like my mission can be accomplished and I want to impress him with my amazing strength ????

Mary Boscia

National Head, Records and Information, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)

I have found with having Coach Donovan train me, I have skilled instruction that helps me get the results that I am looking for. Donovan has so much knowledge of fitness and nutrition. He has taught me I don’t need to spend countless hours of cardio to get the results I desire. Instead, weight training a couple of days a week, and follow a primal diet, and now I am seeing results ?. I highly recommend Coach Donovan James!!

Judy Bevington

Nurse's Aid

Donovan is a great motivator and mentor and he is also confident and decisive; he has an excellent character, including a high sense of responsibility, team-work spirit and dedication to his profession.At all times I have found Donovan to be dependable, reliable, hard-working, courteous. He is one of the most pleasant persons you will ever meet. He is forthright, but neither intimidates nor intrudes. He is genuinely friendly as well as honest. You will also be impressed with his authentic and professional manner.
Roberto Duffoo

Retired

Donovan is an absolute delight to work with; he is incredibly knowledgeable, inspirational and has an authentic passion to help others become the best version of themselves! I love that he cares so much about his client’s success, happiness and health- this is so evident in his personal approach to each client and his unique gift in inspiring us to crush our goals! Thank you so much, Donovan, for your kindness, passion and for giving my son the confidence and motivation to thrive!
Shelley Sanders

Marketing Communications Specialist & Public Speaker, Self-Employed

Donovan is the real deal. If You are looking for a real holistic change and are willing to commit to making changes in your lifestyle as advised, you WILL get results! I am 10 sessions in and these are my gains: I break records and lift amounts I couldn’t possibly imagine handling a month ago. I fit into clothes that were now way to tight without effort now. I have had a 75 percent reduction in chronic pain from several conditions. I have re-hauled my entire diet to what it ought to be, and am watching myself heal and thrive with my new routines. Be warned though, He will encourage you to let go of those comfort foods and habits, ask for accountability, check on your progress and get on you to be better and strive more. The proof is in the lifting. I go on hikes and excursions I wasn’t fit enough for in June, I no longer use coffee, and love the confidence sticking with it has brought. I even decided to invest in another 10 sessions because making health my first priority is bringing relief to so many parts of my life. Just try.

Jennifer Tosoff

Sales Consultant

The first time I met with Coach Donovan he conducted a thorough assessment and then he developed a workout program specific to my needs and in accordance with his assessment. He adjusts the workout program as my needs change which delivers ongoing significant results. He goes beyond what is required of him as a coach and recommends reading materials to enhance his teachings on exercise, health and nutrition. I highly recommend Coach Donovan to anyone who is thinking of making healthy changes. You will not be disappointed! Thank you, Coach Donovan, for enabling me to make important changes and keeping me motivated.

Lucie Draibye

Nurse

I’ve been able to work with Donovan both as a coach and as a colleague and he probably the most detail-oriented guy I have ever met. As a client he would ask me every detail about why I chose exactly what I chose in a program and he treats his clients training the exact same way. Donovan is thoughtful, skilled and the trainer for you if you are looking for something personally tailored, effective and safe.
Coach Ari Benishai

Gym Owner, Strong

Coach Donovan has a passion for and expertise in a wide range of topics related to fitness and nutrition, which he uses to create a custom program tailored to each client’s individual needs. For me, training sessions are challenging and have helped me greatly increase my strength while allowing me to reach my fitness goals. I am never bored and enjoy learning from him, as we discuss all things neurological and health-related. I also really appreciate his positive and supportive approach! If you are looking for a trainer, I highly recommend Coach Donovan.

Stephanie Worster

Training Manager, Costco

A journey of a thousand steps and whatnot. I started working with Coach Donovan back in November 2019 and it’s been a godsend. I’ve always had weight and dieting issues, but Coach Donovan was able to create a program that’s unique to me and it WORKS!!! I love food and with the diet plan he created, it never feels like I’m starving myself or eating boring meals over and over. As for the workouts, they’re fun!!! You enjoy going to the gym. Donovan is also just a really great guy that you can talk to. I would highly recommend Coach Donovan to anyone who wants to make a change, whether it be a little change or a big one. Thank you, Donovan, for all your help so far, and I look forward to continuing the journey with you.
Graham Maclagan

Librarian, Campbell River Public Library

I was so nervous about joining a Gym, and I put it off for years! Then I saw all these people talking about a really awesome trainer at club fitness, so I worked up the courage to get in touch with Donovan. Right off the hop, he was so welcoming and knowledgeable. He made it so easy to feel comfortable starting a new program. I have been with him since August and could not be more happy with my new confidence and outlook on health and fitness. He’s so professional and seriously cares about everyone’s personal goals. If you are debating whether to try a personal trainer or not I 100% say go for it and get in touch with Donovan, you won’t regret it!
Kat Esau

Business Owner

Donovan’s knowledge and experience make him an amazing trainer! I thought I knew what I was doing at the gym until I hired him. His workouts are customized to suit your needs and goals, and makes working out fun! I’ve learned to use the gym equipment safely, effectively and am so grateful he’s assisted in rekindling my love for fitness.
Kristi Parker

Fitness Enthusiast