Our Team – Optimize Physio

Therapists

Arri McWatt

Physiotherapist, Owner

Arri (he/him) graduated with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy in 2010 from the University of Alberta. Since then, he’s gathered extensive experience working with clients of all ages (from 5 to 95!) and all levels of mobility and function.

Challenging himself to create unique treatment plans to optimize outcomes for each individual truly drives his passion for physiotherapy.

Voted YEG Fitness Physiotherapist of the Year 2017
Certificate in Medical Acupuncture by the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute
Certified in Spinal Manipulation (Jim Meadows) with the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta
Level 1 and Level 2 components of the Advanced Orthopaedic and Manual ManipulativePhysiotherapy program offered through the Canadian Physiotherapy Association
Muscle Mobilization and Deep Tissue Massage
Mulligan Mobilization with Movement
Fascial Movement Taping (RockTape/K-Tape)
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Vestibular Rehabilitation Certified
Selective Functional Movement Assessment Level 1
Finalist for YEG Fitness Physiotherapist of the Year 2016
Certified in SIGVARIS compression clothing fitting
Physiotherapist for CrossFit Armoury athletes at Western Regionals 2014, 2015 and 2017

Aaron Norris

Physiotherapist, Owner

Aaron’s (he/him) passion for physiotherapy is evident in the positive attitude and energy he brings to the clinic each and every day. After acquiring his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with Honours from Memorial University in his hometown of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Aaron graduated from the University of Alberta with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy.

Aaron grew up with a passion for movement and sport, playing baseball, basketball, volleyball, hockey and golf. He loves working with people and so Physiotherapy was a natural fit for him.

Aaron’s built extensive experience working with clients with a wide range of ages and backgrounds, and loves helping people become better versions of themselves.

Outside of the clinic, Aaron’s active in hockey, golf, cycling, Olympic lifting, CrossFit, and Peloton. He also loves playing guitar and spending time with his beautiful girls.

Voted YEG Fitness Physiotherapist of the Year 2016
Level 1 and Level 2 components of the Advanced Orthopaedic and Manual Manipulative Physiotherapy program offered through the Canadian Physiotherapy Association
Certified in Spinal Manipulation (Jim Meadows) with the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta
Muscle Mobilization and Deep Tissue Massage
Fascial Movement Taping (RockTape/K-Tape)
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Selective Functional Movement Assessment Level 1
Physiotherapist on the rehab team of the Edmonton Rush Lacrosse Club of the NLL from 2011-2013

Courtney Von Wackerbarth

Physiotherapist

Courtney’s (she/her) passion for physiotherapy originates from overcoming health issues of her own. After bouncing around the healthcare system without answers, a physiotherapist properly diagnosed her with a rare form of arthritis. This inspired Courtney to pursue physiotherapy so she could help others with that same level of passion and care.

Courtney graduated from the University of Alberta with a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy in 2018, and now thrives on collaborating with clients to develop effective treatment plans.

Courtney specializes in Pelvic Health Therapy. A pelvic health physiotherapist is specially trained to rehabilitate the pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor muscles are the same as any other muscle in the body and requires just as much attention. Learn more about Pelvic Health

Level 1 Advanced Orthopedic and Manual Manipulative Physiotherapy program offered through the Canadian Physiotherapy Association
Certified in Internal Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
On Point Needling: Upper and Lower Quadrant Dry Needling

Anastasia Muchinsky

Physiotherapist

After completing her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with Distinction at the University of Alberta, Anastasia obtained her Master of Science in Physical Therapy.

Anastasia is a Certified Vestibular Therapist and can help anyone suffering from dizziness, vertigo, balance issues and more.

Her treatment style values longevity and providing individuals with the tools to be successful outside of physiotherapy.

Originally from Minsk, Belarus, Anastasia is bilingual – speaking English and Russian. Anastasia dedicates herself to performing a comprehensive assessment because she knows everyone has a unique story and body and deserves the time for it to be fully understood.

Master of Science in Physical Therapy
Certified Vestibular Therapist – Dizziness and Balance Rehabilitation Clinic
Level 1 Advanced Orthopedic and Manual Manipulative Physiotherapy program offered through the Canadian Physiotherapy Association
Upper and Lower Quadrant Dry Needling – On Point Needling
Bilingual – speaking English and Russian.

Taman McWatt

Physiotherapist

Taman (he/him) graduated from the University of Alberta with a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy in 2015. Taman enjoys treating active individuals of all ages. He has a special interest in developing personalized exercise plans aimed at reducing injury and maximizing performance.

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Taman’s work week is split with two days a week at Optimize and three days a week at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital where he specializes in working with patients who have had amputation(s), stroke and spinal cord injury.

A former hockey and volleyball player, Taman now stays active doing Olympic Weightlifting, mountain biking, rec hockey and helping to coach his kids’ sports. The rest of his spare time is spent hanging out with his wife, his two young children, his friends and his dog. Taman’s hope is to help people return to the activities they enjoy free of pain and with the tools and knowledge to prevent future injury.

Master of Science in Physical Therapy
6 years experience in specialized rehabilitation. Experience and expertise managing pain and maximizing balance and functional mobility in patients who have experienced: stroke, spinal cord injury, major limb amputation, brain injury, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis
Orthopedic Division Level 1 Manual Therapy
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Biomedical Dry Needling
Selective Functional Movement Assessment

Seth Waselenchuk

Physiotherapist

Seth (he/him) graduated from the University of Alberta with his Bachelor of Kinesiology in 2019. While there, he spent time with the Golden Bears Varsity football team, followed by beginning working as an assistant, and then a kinesiologist at Optimize.

This time with patients is when he found his appreciation for showing others how strong they could be, and opening their eyes toward the benefits of moving their bodies intentionally. He continued down this path and began teaching group fitness classes, working as a personal trainer, and in 2020, was accepted into the Masters of Science in Physical Therapy program at the U of A. He graduated the program at the end of 2022 and knew there was no place like home, immediately accepting a
job where it all started, at Optimize!

Seth’s treatment style revolves around putting the patient first. Your goals are his goals. He begins with education, ensuring everyone understands what could be creating their pain. Then, through collaborative discussion a treatment plan is developed, focused on building up strength and confidence through movement. By the end of your rehab journey he hopes you leave at a level better than where you were at prior to the injury. In his mind, there is no greater feeling than reminding someone how much they are truly capable of!

Master of Science in Physical Therapy
Bachelor of Kinesiology, CSEP-CPT
Certified Personal Trainer – Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology

Steven Canduro

Physiotherapist

Steven (he/him) wholeheartedly believes in the benefits of exercise and movement when it comes to overcoming injury, and is exactly why he is pursued his career in physical therapy.

He graduated with distinction from the University of Alberta in 2019 with a Bachelor of Kinesiology. While working through his Kinesiology degree, Steven chose to major in Sport Performance—sport and physical activity play a major role in his life and overall outlook. Steve completed his Masters of Science in Physical Therapy program at the U of A in 2022. We are so thrilled to have Steve back on the Optimize Team!

Bachelor of Kinesiology, Major in Sport Performance
Master of Science in Physical Therapy

James Dean

Physiotherapist

James (he/him) graduated from the University of Alberta in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy. In 2001, he started a small four-bed clinic in St. Albert and slowly grew that to 6 clinics over 2 decades.

In 2004, James was awarded the Young Entrepreneur Award of Distinction by the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce. While very busy professionally, James has found the time to serve his profession through volunteer work.

James leads and active lifestyle and is a 4 time Ironman finisher and CAT 2 cyclist. James also enjoys fishing and adventuring with his wife and four children. James and his wife, Dr. Celine Gannon, have raised over $50,000; and collectively the group raised over $2 million dollars for the Alberta Division of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

With over two decades of experience, James brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to Team Optimize and the West Edmonton Community.

Level 1 and Level 2 components of the Advanced Orthopedic and Manual Manipulative Physiotherapy program offered through the Canadian Physiotherapy Association
Vestibular Rehabilitation Certified
Acupuncture
Upper and Lower Quadrant Dry Needling

Peyton Walker

Physiotherapist

Peyton (she/her) graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2020. She continued on her passion for rehabilitation medicine while working as a Kinesiologist at Optimize and in 2024, graduated from the University of Alberta with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy.

Peyton’s interest in rehabilitation stemmed from her own experiences as a competitive dancer and certified dance instructor with the Canadian Dance Teachers Association. Throughout her years of competition, she suffered multiple injuries, some of which were left untreated. As an undergrad, she developed an interest in rehabilitation, and her first visit to a physiotherapy clinic solidified her decision.

Peyton believes that everyone can reach their full potential through movement and a positive, inclusive environment. She strives to help her patients achieve their goals in a fun and enjoyable way and encourages them to remain active for life.

Bachelor of Kinesiology
Master of Science in Physical Therapy

Gillian Altheim

Doctor of Chiropractic

Gillian (she/her) is passionate about improving the mobility and overall quality of life for her patients through excellent chiropractic care. She has a special interest in women’s health; in particular postpartum rehabilitation. This passion has led her to pursue additional education and certifications around women’s health during pregnancy and after birth.

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Gillian grew up in Alberta playing hockey and enjoying nature. After obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Alberta, Gillian graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto, Ontario.

Doctor of Chiropractic
Neurofunctional Acupuncture Certificate from McMaster University
Postnatal Rehabilitation Certificate and GrowCo Rehab Ambassador
Clinical and Athletic Taping
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

Casey Macleod

Registered Massage Therapist

Casey (she/her) graduated from Grant MacEwan in 2009 with a diploma in Massage Therapy and is currently registered with NHPC.

She continues to expand her knowledge in the health and fitness industry and even has her diploma from NAIT in Personal Fitness Training and a certificate in Corrective Exercise.

Casey knows that working at Optimize with like-minded people and in a relaxed atmosphere allows her to do her best work!

Dynamic Cupping
Orthopaedic Massage
K-taping – Pro Course
Therapeutic Massage
Relaxation Massage
Sports Massage
Prenatal Massage
Myofascial Release

Ashley Nawrot

Registered Massage Therapist

Ashley (she/her) graduated from the ACMT Massage Therapy program in 2020 and is a current member of CMMOTA. She has completed her first level Graston training and is looking forward to expanding into other modalities.

Ashley is passionate about helping her clients live a healthier life and enjoys working in a team with the same goal.

Therapeutic Massage
Relaxation Massage

Yris San Gabriel

Registered Massage Therapist

Yris (she/her) attended the Massage Therapy College of Manitoba, presently known as the Evolve College of Massage Therapy, in 2012 graduating from the 2200 hour advanced remedial massage therapy program after 2 years of studies at the University of Winnipeg for Athletic Therapy.

Having practiced in Winnipeg for 11 years, she has worked with professional teams and centralized her specialty in sports and occupational injuries.

Yris is trained in Swedish techniques, myofascial release, trigger point release, stretch therapy, sports massage, neuromuscular stretching (PNF), hydrotherapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, and dynamic cupping. She is registered with the Massage Therapist Association of Alberta (MTAA).

Yris enjoys cycling both indoor and outdoor, yoga, attending music festivals, and playing recreational tennis and golf. Having recently moved to Edmonton, she hopes to enjoy more of the river valley with her dog, Cece, and will be attending all the Jets vs Oilers games at the arena. Yris is also ambitiously building hours to receive her pilot’s license.

Myofascial Release
Trigger Point Release
Stretch therapy
Sports Massage
Neuromuscular stretching (PNF)
Hydrotherapy
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization
Dynamic Cupping

Briana Wice

Registered Massage Therapist

Briana received her Honours B.Sc. in Kinesiology from McMaster University in 2021. In her time at McMaster, Briana captained her Field Hockey team while also working in the disciplines of strength & conditioning and exercise rehabilitation.

Her desire for constant learning led her to pursue an Honours Diploma in Massage Therapy, and soon after, her Certification in Fascial Stretch Therapy. Briana is also a Kinesiologist and has experience working with various conditions including Spinal Cord Injury and Multiple Sclerosis.

Now a full-time Massage Therapist who draws on her experience as a Kinesiologist and an athlete, Briana’s treatment style combines Fascial Stretch Therapy with Sports Massage and Therapeutic Massage techniques. This treatment style allows the client to remain clothed, therefore maximizing treatment time, and allowing for an easy transition from the table to the gym for mobility and corrective exercises.

Briana uses her skills to help everyone ranging from athletes looking to level up their performance, to the rapidly growing population of “desk dwellers” who are looking to combat the deleterious effects of sitting slouched at a computer screen for 8+ hours a day. Her mission is to empower her clients to gain a greater understanding of their own bodies, so they can get out of pain, and get on with life.

B.Sc. in Kinesiology
Fascial Stretch Therapy
Sports Massage
Therapeutic Massage

Kinesiologist

Kelsey Gitzel

Personal Trainer

Kelsey (she/her) is a Personal Trainer here at Optimize, she graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Kinesiology majoring in sport performance.

During school, Kelsey got the opportunity to be Panda’s Rugby Strength and Conditioning Coach and post-graduation she has continued on coaching.

Athletics has always played a large part in Kelsey’s life and her goal is to use her past experiences with her present knowledge to further the industry and help athletes reach the next level while also bringing more females into the strength and conditioning scene. She is extremely outgoing, always ready and eager to learn and never shy to ask questions or step outside her comfort zone. Kelsey is currently training for a triathlon so if you are ever looking for someone to swim/bike/run with, hit her up!

Bachelor of Kinesiology

Tyana Gall

Kinesiologist, Strength, Conditioning & Performance

Tyana (she/her) is a 4th-year Bachelor of Kinesiology student who aims to empower athletes to reach optimal health and performance. Her passion is athletic therapy, and she enjoys working alongside athletes, guiding them toward their journey to peak physical well-being.

As a former hockey and lacrosse player, Tyana brings a unique perspective to her work, shaped by her lifetime experience in sports. Her first-hand understanding of the physical demands and challenges athletes face has fostered her profound love for all things sports.

Beyond the clinic, Tyana is a trainer for a U15AA female hockey team and a collegiate-level baseball team. Her commitment to community involvement is evident through her coaching of minor lacrosse and contributing to farm work back home.

Tyana is an advocate for raising awareness about Type 1 diabetes, seeking to dispel misunderstandings surrounding this genetic illness. She strongly believes that diabetes should never be a barrier to becoming a high-level athlete or achieving one’s goals.

Nicole, Kinesiologist, Optimize Physiotherapy

Nicole Wlasichuk

Kinesiologist, Strength, Conditioning & Performance

Optimize Kinesiologist Nicole (she/her) has a genuine passion for helping others and finds purpose in injury management through the power of exercise.

Rooted in a desire to enhance people’s lives, she takes pride in providing individuals with the tools to optimize their quality of life and well-being.

With a special interest in athlete injury management, she understands the unique challenges that athletes face. Nicole takes pride in empowering her patients to regain their strength and resilience, helping them achieve peak performance.

Outside of Optimize, Nicole is a true sports enthusiast herself. Whether lacing up her skates for a game of hockey, perfecting her swing on the golf course, or simply soaking in the great outdoors, she lives and breathes an active lifestyle.

Bachelor of Kinesiology
EMR

Calder Ivey

Kinesiology Student

Calder (he/him) is in his 3rd year of his Bachelor of Kinesiology program at the University of Alberta.

At a young age, Calder knew he wanted to be a Physiotherapist. In high school, he took an athletic management course, which started him on the path.

Calder has always been involved in sports and has been a downhill ski racer for most of his life. Have a fun ski or snowboarding story? Calder’s your guy! He loves hearing them!

When he’s not hitting the slopes or studying hard, you can find him exploring the mountains through skiing, hiking, and even cliff jumping. The possibilities for adventure are endless with Calder!

Jamie-Lee Spady

Kinesiologist, Strength, Conditioning & Performance

Jamie-Lee (she/her) understands first-hand the challenges of injury recovery. Having experienced her fair share of injuries growing up, she was inspired to help others in their journey towards healing and wellness.

Jamie-Lee’s primary goal as a Kinesiologist is to help her patients get back to doing what they love and she believes that a personalized and thoughtful exercise prescription is key to achieving that.

When she is not helping her patients, Jamie-Lee loves to spend time outdoors and at her family farm. Being active is a priority for her and she loves playing hockey and attending rodeos. Currently, Jamie-Lee is completing her practicum hours for Manual Osteopathy and is on track to graduate in 2024.

Bachelor of Kinesiology

Kate Manning

Kinesiology Student

Kate (she/her) is currently working towards her Bachelor of Kinesiology at the University of Alberta.

Kate’s always been passionate about athletics and finding the full potential of what a body is capable of doing. Her goal as a Kinesiologist is to help others work towards their own specific goals, whatever they may be.

While in school, she has had the opportunity to play on the varsity rugby team. (go, Pandas!) Training at a high level of sport has given her great appreciation for the role physical activity and health play in maintaining a functioning body./p>

Kristen Sitek

Kinesiologist, Strength, Conditioning & Performance

Meet Kristen (she/her), Kinesiologist at Optimize Physiotherapy. Her fascination for the human body movement and sports has always been a driving force in her life.

As a former competitive soccer player, she saw the importance of understanding the intricacies of body movement, which led her to earn a degree in Kinesiology. Kristen takes great pride in helping her patients recover from injuries and achieve their health goals.

With a focus on rehabilitation and sports performance, she plans to pursue a degree in physiotherapy in the future.

When Kristen is not working, she loves game nights, especially if “Just Dance” is involved! She also enjoys spontaneous adventures with her friends.

Bachelor of Kinesiology

Support Staff

Ashley Potter

Clinic Manager

Meet Clinic Manager at Optimize since day one! Since Ashley (she/her) enjoys working in an atmosphere with a close group of like-minded people it’s been a seamless journey.

Prior to her physiotherapy experience, Ashley worked as an Interior Design Technologist designing kitchens. Currently she is working towards getting her Elementary Education Degree, and plans to contribute to the growth and development of Optimize as she finishes her degree.

Jack Elliott

Assistant

Meet Jack (he/him), one of the friendly faces you’ll meet at Optimize. As a Clinic Assistant, he is an integral part of the team that keeps things running smoothly and ensures that every patient has the best possible experience.

Jack’s cheerful demeanour and helpful attitude will make you feel welcome and at ease.

When he’s not working, you can find Jack on the ice as the goalie for the St. Albert Comets. He’s also a dedicated coach for a local basketball team, sharing his love of the game and helping young players develop their skills. Jack’s passion for sports and his active lifestyle make him a perfect fit for the Optimize team.