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Karina LeBlancNo life journey is without bumps, and it is by overcoming those bumps that people become stronger and more resilient. Karina LeBlanc is no different.

“My family moved from Dominica in 1998,” she recalls. “I was eight and shy. I was bullied a lot in school and that was hard, but I knew my parents decided to come to Canada so that we could we could have more opportunities. Everything changed though when I started playing sports. The longer I played the more confident I became.”

Turning points? There always is at least one. In her case, LeBlanc recalls a few. “When I was 15 I watched Donavan Bailey when he won the gold medal. I remember the look on his face, there was so much passion. That was the moment when I knew I wanted to follow that path.”

At the time there weren’t too many soccer team. At the age of 15 LeBlanc was devastated not to be chosen to play. “It was then that I realized in some ways you can control your destiny, by controlling the work ethic, I could train for fifteen minutes more every day. I ended up being selected for the national team at a young age.”

Fast forward 17 years later, LeBlanc says, “I am fortunate enough to be attending the 5th World Cup in my home country.” A child’s dream come true by all means, she agrees.

Another key to success: the right people

Aside from hard work, LeBlanc says, there is another ingredient to her success: “Surrounding yourself with the right people who are going to make you better every day. One person like that was Dr. Wilbour Kelsick for me,” LeBlanc says.

“I would be always looking to be better. I am 35 and there aren’t too many people of my age that are still in the game. It is because I have been meticulous about choosing the right people who could get me on the field but also help me stay there.”

There is no big secret, LeBlanc says. “I do not cut corners. I do everything I need to do to keep myself in top shape.”

LeBlanc credits Dr. Kelsick not only with insisting that she gets regular checkups. “In sports, when you have any ache you have to think outside the box. You have to understand where that pain, deficiency and or dysfunction is coming from.”

You have to understand where that pain, deficiency and or dysfunction is coming from.

After a few regular visits, LeBlanc says, “I felt loose, fluid and prepared and I got my fastest time ever…” She needed no more convincing.

The power of being proactive

“He is not trying to impress, and I like that. He does not just address the pain but works to find out the root of the problem,” LeBlanc explains. As she has come to realize often during her career. A problem is never arises just by itself, but it is usually the symptom that draws attention to a complex of issues, is what LeBlanc learned along the way.

“There is no negotiating with your body,” is what LeBlanc believes. “You have to be proactive, getting your body in check before injuries happen.” Some you cannot prevent, but the preventable ones should be caught before they get established.

One of the techniques that works well for LeBlanc, a trademarks of MaxFit Institute and one of Dr. Kelsick’s specialty, recently featured in a recently published book, is fascial release. “It makes a huge difference,” LeBlanc says. It is an invaluable tool because fascial release is not something she can do at home, she explains.

Whole body therapy

One of Dr. Kelsick’s approaches to preventing and treating injuries is to look at the body as a whole, rather than try to isolate the affected area from the rest. That aligns with the integration philosophy that MaxFit Movement Institute was founded on. Fascial release that applies to the whole body rather than the portion that is visibly affected makes a huge difference in the recovery process.

“After I retire, I will still keep seeing Dr. Kelsick,” says LeBlanc. The reason is straightforward: “As an athlete, once you start loving your body enough you start taking care of it.”

And when it comes to taking care of the body, whether you’re a professional athlete or someone who practices sports for recreational purposes, it should never just a walk in and out. It takes dedication and understanding of the body’s miraculous capacities but also its need to be taken care of. It is that simple.

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What our clients are saying
  • "‘I've been a patient of Dr. Kelsick for the past 10 years, and Dr. Rite for the past 4, and the two are truly amazing at what they do! Although their titles are Chiropractors, they both have such a wide base of knowledge and understanding of the body, that I often feel as if our sessions are a combination of chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy, and occasionally even nutrition. As such, when I see them, I know I am being taken care off. As an athlete, and simply an injury prone individual, they have both truly made a difference in how my body functions. I definitely recommend =).’ "
    Sabrina Nettey
  • "‘Dr. Kelsick and his team are truly amazing. They’ve been putting me back together and keeping me moving for more than 15 years and now take care of my whole extended family, from my 86-year-old mom to my teenage daughters. Dr. Kelsick goes the extra mile to understand exactly what is going on with your body in order to provide the very best solutions. No problem is too complex or challenging. Think Dr. House with a far better bedside manner!’ "
    Peggi Peacock
  • "‘As an athlete my goal is to have a fit and healthy body, and Maxfit Movement Institute helps me maintain this goal. The team of Doctors are truly gifted, and their positive outlook on life is amazing. Thank you for making a difference in my life.’"
    L Murphy
  • "‘The difference with the staff at MaxFit, especially Randy and Wilbour: they take the time to assess and determine the source of your aches or pains. Not only do they treat whatever it is, they explain how to avoid it happening again. I have tried many physio-therapists but none of them come close to MaxFit. Highly recommended. ‘"
    Dave Harkness

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