Testimonials
Harness Dog Sports Coaching
Karen is an exceptional instructor for both humans and dogs as she is patient yet firm and really meets the student at their level of expertise and experience. She is extremely encouraging and even allowed me to practice skijoring with her dog which I was pleasantly surprised to be able to do! She was also flexible with a time change for the lesson due to severe cold conditions. I was thrilled to learn the basic skills of skijoring and leave the lesson with the equipment that fit my dog so that we can continue to practice what we learned right away. I highly recommend this wholesome woman who follows her dreams and passions with integrity. A rare role model that walks the talk and has done the work behind everything she stands for. So glad to have reunited with you Karen after all these years. Thank you for being you! I look forward to being your student again soon:)
Cynthia MacLean
It was absolutely INCREDIBLE! Karen was so much fun and an amazing teacher, not just for skijoring but for xc skiing techniques as well! I’ll definitely be taking another lesson in the near future :)
Maggie also loved getting to meet all of Karen’s dogs, they’re all the same breed which was so fun to see!
Kindly,
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Natali Robinson
Karen is a warm and lovely coach! She inspires her students and made us all feel good about our efforts. We learned so much and had a great day bonding as a team. Such a great experience and lovely meeting Karen and her pack! We will never forget this day!
Zoe Elizabeth
Had a great time with Karen.
I just followed Yours Outdoors on Facebook. I'm attaching two photos from the lesson that you're welcome to use to help promote the lessons.
Take care,
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Laurie Sweig
Personal Training
Working with Karen as our personal trainer has been such a great experience! Although we meet online, Karen has completed detailed baseline assessments of our starting condition and any injuries or areas of concern. Karen planned our program making use of the exercise equipment that we have on hand, she designs fun and interesting workouts that are both challenging and achievable. The atmosphere is very encouraging and we have a lot of laughter mixed in with the sweat and effort to improve our lifestyle. Karen has designed several customized series to target our main areas of concern; shoulders and hips, which have been effective to improve range of motion, decrease pain, and help to build a routine around taking time for our health with purposeful movement. Karen has also provided us with video clips to review specific exercises, so that we can continue to practice between our training sessions. She offers nutritional advice, encourages us to reach our goals, and she brings creativity and a positive outlook to solving all of the challenges to keep us inspired and moving. We highly recommend her services!
Stephanie and Carmine Benincasa
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When I met Karen our discussions soon turned to an interest in cross country skiing. Some twenty years later, Karen has started a business as a personal trainer and I now work in a group home. With the goal of achieving a better work-life balance, I tuned to Karen for help with improving my fitness routine. Although I had adequate flexibility my cardio was in the "to be improved" zone.
After our first meeting, I felt newly motivated and inspired to work towards a higher level of fitness. I now report back to Karen at monthly training sessions. Already, I am making progress in this new exercise routine.
A guided approach to improving fitness will serve me well in my overall aim of achieving a better work-life balance.
-Cathy D.
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Health and Mindset Coaching
As a participant in Karen’s 'Aligning With Your True North Program,' I’ve experienced a remarkable transformation. Inspired by the health differences I observed at my mother-in-law’s retirement facility, I realized the urgent need to prioritize my health. My main challenge was integrating regular exercise into my life sustainably. Knowing why exercise was important, I struggled to make it a habit.
Karen’s program taught me to approach this goal with self-compassion and understand that setbacks are opportunities to learn. Together, we broke down my goal into achievable steps, shifting my mindset to prioritize exercise. This mindset transformation was crucial; without it, I would have likely reverted after the program. Now, I exercise at least four times a week, and it has become a welcomed, integral part of my life. I feel more energized, tackle my work responsibilities and home projects with newfound ease, and enjoy the confidence of slipping into clothes that once felt tight
Karen’s program is powerful and life-changing. I highly recommend contacting her if you’re ready to prioritize change in your life; simple willpower isn't enough. Working with Karen is liberating and truly impactful!
- Brenda Bach
Karen is a wonderful Life Coach! I felt at ease right away to delve deeper into issues, and through her guidance have figured out how to better cope with some very stressful situations. Our sessions have resulted in me uncovering some things about myself that I would have otherwise not discovered, and have provided me with alternative ways of viewing situations. So glad for her program!
-Kumari
I greatly benefited from Karen's coaching. She is compassionate, fun, and a powerful motivator. The sessions helped me to become aware of the thoughts and beliefs that were not serving me and shift them for success.
-Melanie
My sessions with Karen have been super helpful! She has helped me to become motivated to make some changes, and what I've found is that these changes have caused a ripple effect in that I feel calmer over-all, and so I make better choices in other areas of my life as well. I was amazed at how inspiring and energizing her program was. Karen is a natural Life Coach for sure! Her enthusiasm and humour, her intelligence, kindness and warmth have made me feel totally comfortable with the whole process. I am so pleased with how this program with Karen have impacted my life, in such a meaningful way.
-Margo
Karen is such a breath of fresh air. She has an infectious laugh and energy. Receiving mindset coaching from Karen was so helpful. She was able to help me reframe some of the language I was used to shift my perspective on how I viewed my relationships. "Growth Mindset," she said. What a simple yet actionable statement. Karen is supportive, and an excellent listener, she guides you with actionable steps and tools to shift you into a "Growth Mindset." I loved working with her. If you're searching for someone to assist you in seeing your blind spots and bring them into clear vision with kindness, compassion, and some fun energy, Karen is the perfect person to guide you.
-Chantelle
Karen is detail oriented, caring, supportive, and encouraging. She started by gaining a thorough understanding of the areas in my life where I wanted to see progress, and customized her approach to address those needs. She provided straightforward tactics to work on the issues identified, and accountability checks to help ensure that I was practising those techniques. She celebrated with me the small successes that built on one another to achieve my larger goals. I would highly encourage anyone who feels "stuck" in some areas in their life to do a program with her so they can experience the results for themselves.
-Ed
I loved working with Karen. She's so positive and upbeat, and I looked forward to our sessions every week. She had lots of good ideas, resources and new ways to approach or think about my life. The ideas she presented and the goals we set have slowly integrated into my life, and positive change is happening for me, and will continue beyond the program.
This was a great experience and many thanks to Karen for working with me.
– Leslie
Karen is someone who leads by example and in so doing inspires other. She is honest and real. She creates an atmosphere that helps you to feel your time with her is safe so that you can share what you need to. We laughed, we thought, we learned. It was time well spent. Her bubbly, enthusiastic and supportive personality makes her a natural life coach.
-Jo Ann