My name is Emily Allison, the Owner of Allison Athletics! I developed a passion for fitness after a workplace accident left my right shoulder permanently damaged, and exercise allowed me to reclaim my life!
I had a very active childhood, I spent it figure skating, cheerleading, competitive swimming, playing softball, hockey and volleyball. I enjoyed long summer days outside running, biking, and hiking with my friends and family. But as an adult I lost my drive for fitness, especially after joining the workforce as a welder- I simply didn’t have any extra time for my past passion.
That all changed in the blink of an eye after I sustained a workplace injury and I later learned that the damage to my shoulder was severe, and the pain would be chronic. The first few weeks, they were unsure of how much function I would ever regain in my right arm and shoulder. The following months were full of painful tests and countless physical therapy appointments. Soon I was discharged, they deemed there was no more they could do. I was dissatisfied.
I decided to take matters into my own hands. I moved to Edmonton, still in pain, working as a welder, but I was a woman on a mission. Every spare possible moment I had was spent researching my options. One day, while I was forcing my arm over my head with a broom handle, I had an epiphany! Why don’t I try strengthening it? I knew that there were muscles that helped support the shoulder girdle from my time as a Competitive Swimmer and Swimming Coach- besides it couldn’t be that difficult... right?
An obsession was born, as I slowly regained control not only over my shoulder but also over my life. I left welding when the industry crashed and jumped back into aquatics. Developing a swimming program for infants to adults, bridging the gap between swimming lessons and competitive swimming. I had hit my stride, but there was still more that I wanted to learn.
I eagerly tried every new idea to hit the fitness stream. Yoga, CrossFit, Body Building, Aerial Yoga, Trail Running, Ultra Running, Skiing (cross country and downhill), Hiking, Swimming, Olympic Lifting, Spin.... none of it was enough. I simply had to try it all, learn more and understand everything. I needed to chase every single thread of information. Ignorance and misinformation were simply NOT an option for me.
Finally, I gave in. I was already training friends and family for free. Additionally, I had coached several athletes to compete at a provincial level. This is my passion, I found it. I decided that if I was going to chase this dream, I needed to choose the best possible option for my education. I attended NAIT’s Personal Fitness Trainer Program and graduated with honours, after completing my Practicum with Seven Hockey. At the same time, I also gained my Yoga Teacher Training to help me truly optimize my education, to allow me to better serve my clients.
From there the dream became clearer. I wanted to be a cut above the rest. A trainer who provided athlete development, rehabilitation, yoga, and personal training all in-house. One who uniquely understood the perspective of the athlete, the ex-athlete who no longer knows their identity, the rehabilitative exercise client, the exercise junkie, and anyone with a crazy schedule. Regardless of age, race, gender, or athletic history.
Everyone is deserving of sustainable wellness and the benefits it has on life. You don’t need to have lofty athletic goals, sometimes the goal can be as simple as the energy to run after your kids, to be able to go on a hike without thinking, or simply to have someone in your corner rooting for you on your journey.
