Melanie Bussiere
Co-Founder, Ballroom Coach, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Melanie is a patient, organized dance instructor and a knowledgeable, innovative fitness coach. From an early age, Melanie has been active in both competitive sports and the performing arts. She participated in competitive volleyball and Graeco-Roman wrestling all through high school. She also performed regularly in dance performances and competitions throughout grade school and high school (various styles). In 2006, Melanie began training in ballroom and began teaching at Fred Astaire in 2009, where she met her dance partner, Lionel. After competing as an Amateur in International Latin and Standard for several years, she took a break to complete a Bachelors Degree in Linguistics.
She became a certified Personal Trainer in 2013 and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) in 2016. She worked as a Personal Trainer and Gym Manager at Snap Fitness in Westboro, the Glebe and Kanata from 2014 to 2016, at which time she co-founded New Again Fitness. Melanie has also been the Manager of numerous dance and fitness facilities in Ottawa.
She is fortunate to have been the fitness trainer to Canadian Amateur and Professional Ballroom and Latin champions. Melanie is particularly interested in helping clients to come back from previous injuries and enjoy an athletic lifestyle. She enjoys adapting techniques from both fitness and dance to address the particular needs of her clients. She has trained clients in preparation for joint surgery, taught dance as a therapy to those suffering from Parkinson’s disease, and she trains clients of all ages to prepare for competitive and recreational sporting events. She is fully certified in First Aid. CPR A, C and AED. She holds additional certifications in Sports Nutrition (NSCA) and Trigger Point Therapy (William Huhn Method).
Melanie is currently Canadian National Ballroom Champion over 30, and in January of 2020 she became a World Dance Organization Ballroom Finalist over 30. She is also a competitive Bikini Fitness Athlete (Canadian Physique Association). Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Melanie has been fortunate to train high level competitive dancers and stay at home moms alike from all over the world online. She never hesitates to give back to her community and participates regularly in charity events around Ottawa
