Fit to Lead evolved out of Mary Phaneuf’s passion for two things:
1. People
2. Fitness
Mary worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 16 years. During her tenure, her passion and goal setting ability took her from the position of sales representative to the Director of Professional Education in a short 12 years.
In 1996, Mary got her certification to teach group fitness classes through the American College of Sports Medicine. Mary pursued her career in the pharmaceutical industry but truly loved teaching fitness classes for various gyms such as:
Premier Fitness
Sports Clubs of Canada
Super Fitness
System Fitness
The AstraZeneca Corporate Fitness Center
In June of 2007, Mary decided to pursue what she was most passionate about full time: raising her two year old son Nicholas and her fitness career.
She resigned from her position, as President of Canada’s largest on line Continuing Medical Education Company, in pursuit of motherhood and fitness and figure competitions. She thought that if she wanted to be a role model in fitness, she had to pursue excellence in that regard.
She diligently pursued this goal as well. In July 2008, Mary competed in her first figure competition. Although not a finalist, she was proud to appear on stage and look like she belonged amongst both seasoned veterans as well as women half her age. Mary’s transition photos can be seen in the photo gallery.
Mary’s passion for fitness , her journey to the stage-and all the lessons that came with it- inspired Mary to start Fit 2 Lead.
