Vital Steps' Staff

Jo-Ann James, Vital Steps founder, began her career in health and fitness over twenty-five years ago, committing herself to a lifetime of helping others attain their health goals. knowing that it would take a lifetime commitment to be successful. Through the years, her dedication has taken many forms, from consultant to fitness and wellness spokesperson, fitness director to wellness center owner. Jo-Ann was formerly the Director of Fitness for both of Toronto's prestigious McGill Club for Women and the Columbus Center in Toronto, Canada.

Jo-Ann trains instructors in functional exercise protocols, including self-defence techniques and is recognized as a Certified Personal Trainer, a Medical Exercise Specialist, a Post Rehab Technologist and has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She has appeared on City TV's Breakfast Television, CTV's Canada A.M., CFTO's Eye on Toronto, & formerly featured on WTN's Beauty Guide and Mind, Body & Spirit as a fitness expert. In addition to television appearances, Jo-Ann has demonstrated innovative exercise techniques and provided advice in articles for Chatelaine Magazine, Modern Woman Magazine, The Toronto Star daily and numerous other local and national newspapers.

A specialist in women's fitness and health issues, Jo-Ann has conducted seminars on wellness, stress management, strength training & post rehab training which is to enhance the functional conditioning level and hasten the recovery of clients with musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and neurologic disorders. (Vital Steps Post Rehab program does not provide any aspect of medical treatment of a client's condition). She is a frequent seminar leader to school boards, colleges and universities and professional associations.

Jo-Ann is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario located in London, Ontario with a B.Ph. E. Bachelor Arts in Physical Education. Her certifications include an M.E.S., P.R.T., O.F.C. and Can Fit Pro certified to lead classes in safe exercise design, strength training and training older adults. You can find her leading classes in aerobics, stretching and many other exercises at her North Toronto fitness studio.

In addition, Jo-Ann in her 25 years has trained entertainment and media celebrities, health and fitness enthusiasts, business professionals, athletes, trained and mentored numerous fitness professionals in Canada, the U.S. and Internationally. Jo-Ann is currently a professor at George Brown College, and presently designs at-home online fitness and nutritional management websites for various corporations.