Leina Comeau

March 12, 2025

From rock bottom to resilient: how fitness gave me my life back

WHO AM I

My name is Leina, and I’m a personal trainer with a background in psychology, blending my passion for women’s mental and physical health. I grew up active—any sport, you name it! My family made sure of it, not just with sports but with endless “functional training” disguised as yard work or sparring with my brothers in and out of karate class. I was always kept on my toes—literally. They toughened me up in ways I didn’t realize I’d need.

THE PHYSICAL STRUGGLE

At 16, I tore my ACL. A year of waiting for surgery, another year of painful rehab. I watched people move freely while I struggled just to walk with crutches. I was warned my leg might never be the same.

That was the first time I truly understood what it meant to lose something I had taken for granted. Movement is a privilege, never a guarantee. That’s when I committed to training seriously and vowed never to take my body for granted again.

THE MENTAL STRUGGLE

But life had more lessons in store.

Later, my world flipped upside down. A moment stole my voice, my confidence, and the person I used to be. I went from getting good grades to struggling to focus, from feeling safe to being unable to walk in public without fear.

Things that were once effortless—crossing the street, having a conversation, recognizing myself—became impossible. I was drowning in self-blame and shame, and silence swallowed me whole. I was trying to put pieces back together that no longer fit. The past couldn’t be erased, but I refused to let it define me. With patience and love, I rebuilt myself into a stronger, more resilient version of me.

FITNESS SAVED ME

Fitness didn’t just help me recover physically—it saved me.

When everything felt out of control, lifting weights was the one thing I could control. The weight in my hands, the movement of my body, the steady rhythm of my breath—lifting wasn’t just about strength anymore; it was about survival. It became my escape, my meditation, the one place I could feel alive when I felt numb everywhere else. With every rep and every set, I reclaimed pieces of myself. Strength wasn’t just physical—it became the foundation of who I am.

PROS AND CONS OF BEING A PERSONAL TRAINER IN TORONTO

At first, stepping into the field can be overwhelming. It’s competitive, and you have to put yourself out there. As a female trainer, I know there are still too few of us, which fuels my passion to keep going. The diversity in Toronto allows me to meet people from all backgrounds, each with their own goals and stories. That’s what makes this journey so fulfilling—knowing that every connection, every session, isn’t just about helping women grow; they are helping me grow too.

WHY PERSONAL TRAINING?

The fitness community is one of the most welcoming and empowering spaces I’ve known—a place to feel safe, supported, and at home in our bodies. I remember when I first started training, watching women transform—going from self-doubt to confidence, from avoiding the gym to tackling exercises they never thought possible. I saw them light up with every milestone, whether it was lifting heavier, seeing visible change, or simply feeling strong in their own skin.

Everyone has their own struggles, their own journey—and that’s what makes it beautiful. If I can help even one woman feel stronger, more confident, or push through a tough time, that means everything to me. That’s when I knew: PT wasn’t just something I loved—it was my calling. I train to give back what fitness gave me: confidence, resilience, and belonging. We don’t just train for today. We train for all versions of ourselves—who we were, who we are, and who we will be.

I know what it feels like to struggle, to feel disconnected, to know you deserve more but don’t know where to start.

I’ve heard it all:

“I don’t feel healthy. I don’t have support.
I don’t feel comfortable in my own skin.”

And I’m here to say: you belong here.

FUTURE GOALS

I still struggle with putting myself out there on social media, and I’m challenging myself to change that. My goal is to transition to online coaching so I can reach more women—not just in Toronto, but everywhere. More than anything, I want to build a safe, empowering community where we lift each other up, embrace who we are, and grow together.

If you’ve ever doubted yourself—fitness-related or not—I want you to know: you are stronger than you think. And I’ll be here to remind you every step of the way.