MEET THE TEAM
Kelly Taphouse is a certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Coach with over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. As a mother of two, an author, and the visionary founder of MOVE Fitness Club Toronto and MOVE Costa Rica, Kelly has truly made her mark in the wellness world. Her undeniable passion for fitness has been the driving force behind her remarkable journey.
Kelly's mission is clear: she is dedicated to helping women become stronger both inside and out, and protecting the ever so delicate relationships we have with our bodies. Her own personal experiences as a fitness model for ten years opened her eyes to the damaging effects of an industry fixated on superficial ideals. This realization inspired her to create MOVE, a boutique fitness experience that prioritizes empowering women through strength training and fostering a positive body image.
In pursuit of a more balanced life filled with adventure, nature, and sun, Kelly and her family split their time between Costa Rica and Toronto. This lifestyle choice aligns with her holistic approach to well-being, as she believes in the importance of nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. With a focus on creating a sanctuary for wellness, Kelly latest project, Gracias madre, has her building a WELLNESS sanctuary that will promote overall health and happiness .
Kelly Taphouse's impressive journey, combined with her genuine passion for empowering women, showcases her commitment to making a positive impact in the fitness industry. Her dedication and expertise make her a sought-after Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Coach, inspiring countless individuals to embrace their strength and live their best lives.
Education and Certifications:
Diploma in Health & Fitness Promotion from Humber College
OFC Group coach
OFC Strength Training
OFC Personal Training
kelly taphouse
founder
claire almajose
MEMBER SUCCESS, GROUP COACH AND PRIVATE COACH
Why we love her:
Movement-based coach and dance artist whose practice is deeply informed by their background in performance. With years of dance training, Claire brings a strong understanding of body mechanics and control into their work as a trainer.
They specialize in helping clients move safely, efficiently, and pain-free through a focus on alignment, mobility, and functional strength. Their approach emphasizes longevity, supporting individuals in building bodies that not only perform well, but feel good to live in.
Their mission is to build trust, foster community, and create inclusive spaces where individuals feel supported in their movement journey. Through a balance of technical knowledge and creative insight, they guide clients toward meaningful, lasting results while helping them feel confident and capable in their bodies.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS:
NASM CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER
FIRST AID + CPR/AED CERTIFIED
TRAINING IN PERFORMING ARTS + DANCE PERFORMANCE – CENTENNIAL COLLEGE
POLE DANCE LEVEL 1 & 2
Why we love her:
Malikae’s passion for movement comes from a lifetime of sport. As a former NCAA Division I and professional soccer player, she spent years competing at an elite level before transitioning her experience as an athlete into a career helping others become stronger, more confident, and capable in their bodies. Malikae Dayes- Resume.pdf
After playing professional soccer in France and Denmark and representing Jamaica internationally, Malikae developed a deep appreciation for the discipline, resilience, and confidence that can be built through training. Malikae Dayes- Resume.pdf Today, she brings that athletic background into her coaching while making strength training approachable for women of all fitness levels.
As a coach, Malikae is passionate about meeting people where they are. She combines strength, functional movement, mobility, and athletic-style training to help clients move well, build confidence, and recognize what their bodies are capable of. Her coaching experience also extends to youth athletes, where she focuses on developing strength, speed, agility, coordination, and power. Malikae Dayes- Resume.pdf
At MOVE, Malikae’s goal is to create an environment where women feel supported, challenged, and empowered to make strength and movement a consistent part of their lives.
Education and Certifications:
• ISSA Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Malikae Dayes- Resume.pdf
• Youth Training Certification
• Strength & Conditioning Certification
• Nutrition Certification
• CPR/AED Certified Malikae Dayes- Resume.pdf
• Master of Science in Business & Management — University of Maryland Malikae Dayes- Resume.pdf
• Bachelor of Arts in Communications, French Minor — University of Maryland
MALIKAE DAYES
NEW MEMBER EXPERIENCE, GRoup coach, personal COACH
Why we love her:
As a former varsity basketball player and national champion, Leticia knows firsthand how strength training can change lives—on and off the court. She wasn’t the tallest, fastest, or strongest athlete, but through relentless dedication in the weight room, she built herself into a high-level competitor.
Her journey is proof that strength isn’t just physical—it’s mental, emotional, and deeply empowering, especially for women navigating the pressures of sport and society.
With a fierce passion for performance, Leticia has spent years guiding girls and women to unlock their full strength potential—whether they’re chasing championships or showing up for themselves in everyday life.
Her mission is to help women feel powerful, capable, and confident at every stage of their lives through the transformative power of strength and conditioning.
Education and Certifications:
Diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion – Loyalist College
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – University of Guelph-Humber
NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Canfitpro Certified Personal Trainer
lETICIA LOPEZ
group coach, personal trainer
Why we love her:
Thea is a passionate personal trainer who has been working in fitness for several years. Her journey with her body image, fitness, and holistic health has been long and complex. Hard work and perseverance have seen her through both her hardest workouts and her biggest challenges.
Thea thrives on seeing her clients get stronger with each workout, and lives to lift them up. Her understanding of the scientific principles of strength training is something she is extremely passionate about in order to help her clients make incredible strides in their own training. Knowledge is often a barrier to success, but it doesn't have to be!
Strength training is a well studied discipline, and there are some hard and fast rules that everyone should know. With a community of committed women everywhere you look at MOVE, and well educated trainers to help guide the way, the community has the keys to the castle. And the biggest key of course, is always consistency.
Education and Certifications:
PERSONAL TRAINING SPECIALIST CANFITPRO
STANDARD FIRST-AID + CPR C
2015 (ONGOING + UP TO DATE)NATIONAL LIFEGUARD
SWIM INSTRUCTOR
AQUATIC FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
thea mckay
group coach, personal coach
Jaycel
MEMBER experience, group coach
Why we love her:
dr. claire bacareza
chiropractor, group coach
Why we love her:
Dr. Claire always knew she wanted to work in healthcare, but it wasn’t until she discovered the power of movement that she found her true path – a path she continues to learn on every day. Movement became her portal into helping others heal, connect, and feel empowered in their bodies.
As an educated and compassionate clinician, Dr. Claire is dedicated to exposing women to the benefits of movement by challenging themselves, reconnecting, and honouring their bodies in ways that feel good.
She combines her deep understanding of the human body with a genuine commitment to helping others, creating a supportive training environment where women feel strong, seen, and confident in choosing to make the time for themselves.
Education and Certifications:
·Doctor of Chiropractic, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College
Neurofunctional Acupuncture Diploma, McMaster University
Bachelor of Health Science in Kinesiology, Ontario Tech University
Agatsu Kettlebell Instructor Certification (In Progress)
