Melinda first became a member of the Ignite family in 2018 as a U of S intern. Melinda continued to build relationships with the Ignite family as a client and is now joining the team as a physiotherapist.

Melinda graduated from the U of S with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Masters of Physiotherapy. Melinda has always had a passion for sports physiotherapy beginning with her time as a student trainer with Huskie Atheltics. Since graduating the physiotherapy program Melinda has continued to work with the Saskatoon Valkyries and the Saskatoon Hilltops. Melinda is continuing to build her career in sport physiotherapy by working towards her Sports Physiotherapy Certificate.

Melinda is dedicated to helping patients across the lifespan reach their functional and performance goals, and sharing her passion for exercise and an active lifestyle.

Melinda first became a member of the Ignite family in 2018 as a U of S intern. Melinda continued ... Read More

Craig holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (Great Distinction, 1999) and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (with Distinction, 2002), both from the University of Saskatchewan. During his undergraduate years, he was actively involved in Huskie volleyball (’93-94) and Track and Field (‘94-01).

In 2007, Craig earned his Diploma in Manual and Manipulative Therapy and achieved Fellowship status with the Canadian Association of Manual Therapists. Furthering his expertise, he became a Certified Speed and Agility Coach through the NSPA in 2017 and received Certification in Biomedical Dry Needling in 2020. Craig has been practicing physiotherapy in Saskatoon for the last 22 years.

From 2011 to 2019, Craig served as a clinical teaching assistant with the College of Medicine and, from 2010 to 2017, with the School of Physical Therapy at the University of Saskatchewan. His clinical focus is on orthopedic and sports injuries, emphasizing injury prevention and rehabilitation for overhead athletes, as well as speed training to enhance performance.

Craig has a strong background in sports performance and rehabilitation. He is the president and partner at CB Sports Performance, a local company specializing in high-quality sport training products that boost athletes’ physical capabilities and recovery. He also co-founded Centerfield Training, which offered elite-level training for Saskatchewan baseball players. Additionally, Craig serves as the Speed and Agility Coach and Team Physiotherapist for the Running Wild Athletic Club. Craig also is an assistant instructor with the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Youth Development Program. In addition to his physiotherapy career, Craig is deeply involved in baseball coaching. He was an assistant coach for Team Sask 13U in 2022 and has been a club coach in Saskatoon for the past decade, including the last two years as an assistant coach in the 15U AAA league. His extensive experience and passion for the sport contribute significantly to his coaching roles.

Craig resides in Saskatoon with his wife, Jana, and their three children—Livia, Sidney, and Rowen—all of whom are actively pursuing their own sports ambitions at the collegiate and provincial levels.

Craig holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (Great Distinction, 1999) and a Bachelor of Scie... Read More

Jillian was born and raised in Saskatoon and spent many years working in the non-profit/charitable sector. A desire to work in a healing capacity one on one with people led Jillian back to school, graduating as an RMT from Axiom Career College in 2024.

Jillian has always led an active lifestyle, being a gymnast in her younger years, working out at the gym, hiking and travelling. With her family, Jillian enjoys camping and road trips and spending as much time outside as possible.

Jillian takes a holistic approach to massage, treating the whole person, not just the condition. She takes time to listen to her client’s needs and goals and clients often describe her treatments as deeply relaxing and therapeutic.

Jillian was born and raised in Saskatoon and spent many years working in the non-profit/charitabl... Read More

Thomas grew up on a farm located outside of Prince Albert, SK. During his adolescence, he actively participated in a variety of sports, including hockey, motocross, running, and weightlifting. His passion for motocross led him to complete professionally in the Saskatchewan and Alberta provincial series, as well as Canadian National series. As an undergraduate student, he shifted his focus to powerlifting and competed at a national level. Today, Thomas is a hybrid athlete who balances strength and conditioning, CrossFit, and ultra running, completing his first ultra-marathon in 2022.

Thomas holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree in human kinetics from the University of Regina and earned his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 2016. His special interests lie in the areas of strength and conditioning, as well as endurance sports. Thanks to his education, athletic background, and extensive experience dealing with injuries during his motocross career, Thomas has become an expert in biomechanics, rehabilitations, and performance care. Thomas takes pride in not only helping athletes recover from injuries but also in optimizing their mechanics to achieve peak athletic performance.

In his downtime, Thomas enjoys spending quality time with his family, skiing, mountain biking, and going to the lake.

Thomas grew up on a farm located outside of Prince Albert, SK. During his adolescence, he active... Read More

Rhianna grew up in Saskatoon where she played hockey, box lacrosse, ringette, wrestled, and ran a little track.

In 2020 Rhianna finished massage therapy school in her efforts of learning more about healing modalities for the body. Continuing education is a passion of hers and she’s completed her cupping therapies, Fascial Stretch Therapy level 1, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, Mental Health First Aid. Currently she is working on her Sports Massage Therapy designation. She also completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2017. Rhianna also does play by play and colour commentary for local University hockey. When she’s not busy with one of her many jobs, she loves spending time with her dogs, being outside, reading and drinking coffee.

SPECIAL NOTE You may have the privilege of having Rhianna’s service dog in training Sully in your massage treatment from time to time. Please reach out to Rhianna should you have any concerns regarding this!

Rhianna grew up in Saskatoon where she played hockey, box lacrosse, ringette, wrestled, and ran ... Read More

A Saskatoon native who grew up playing a variety of sports, including soccer, hockey, badminton, volleyball and track. It wasn’t till later when he found his passion for football, leading to a successful career as an offensive lineman with the Saskatoon Hilltops and U of S Huskies. With the pursuit of performing his best, Mat was fascinated with the science of nutrition and it’s role within high performance and injury rehabilitation. Mat credits nutrition as the essential component for performing at his highest during gruelling seasons, returning from a major injury, and making the most of each offseason.

Mat is a local graduate from the University of Saskatchewan holding degrees in both Physiology & Pharmacology and Nutrition. His education and experience ranges from clinical to performance nutrition, and even food service management. His unique knowledge base and tools stem from his learning experience at the Canadian Sports Institute in Calgary.

Mat’s mission is to empower athletes with the knowledge, skill, and confidence to improve performance and adopt healthy eating habits that support both training and overall wellness.

In addition to his role with Ignite Health, Mat also works with the U of S Huskies football team and sports clubs in Saskatoon.

Services Offered:

Dietitian Consultation

During your Initial Dietitian Consultation, you will meet with our Sports Dietitian to discuss your nutrition and health goals. This session is designed to gather important information about your current eating habits, medical history, lifestyle, and any specific health concerns you may have.

What to Expect:

• Individualized Assessment: We will review your current nutrition intake, physical activity/sport, and any medical conditions or dietary restrictions that may impact your health and performance status. This helps us understand your unique needs.

• Goal Setting: Together, we will set realistic and achievable nutrition goals tailored to your lifestyle and sport schedule. Whether you’re looking to manage a health condition, improve sports performance, or simply eat more balanced meals, we’ll create a plan that works for you.

• Evidence-Based Guidance: The Sports Dietitian will provide you with science-based recommendations, practical tips, and resources to support your journey toward better health.

• Support & Education: You will receive support, education, and tools to help you make sustainable changes, along with the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about nutrition.

Whether you are seeking to manage a health condition, improve performance, or simply enhance your eating habits, this session is a great first step toward your health goals. We look forward to working with you!

1 on 1 RD Coaching

RD Coaching is suited for those that are on the mission toward time-sensitive nutrition and performance goals. Individuals will get weekly support to ensure they remain on track to performance at their peak.

Examples of when coaching would be ideal:

• Marathon or endurance race preparation

• Competitive sport training camp

• Preparing for peak performance at a tournament

• Provide optimal healing post-injury repair

• Overcoming poor performance

• Performing at different altitudes/climates

• Optimizing nutrition for travel and competition

• Preparation for combat sport competition (ie MMA or boxing)

• Specific body weight management goals

Focus:

• Continuous monitoring of progress towards a time sensitive goal, adjusting the nutrition plan based on feedback (and measurable when available), changes in physical activity, and results.

• Ongoing support and accountability using weekly check-ins to ensure things are staying on track, trouble shoot through obstacles, and make the necessary modifications.

• Fine-tuning meals and food choices, macronutrient distribution, or hydration strategies based on how a person is responding to the plan.

By working closely with a Registered Dietitian, you will gain the expert guidance tailored specifically to your unique needs, goals, and weekly challenges. With customized timely feedback and real-time adjustments, RD coaching helps you stay on track.

Team/Group Dietitian Presentation:

Join us for a dynamic and informative Team/Group Nutrition Presentation! Whether you’re looking to learn more about healthy eating, sport performance nutrition, or specific nutrition topics, this session is designed to provide practical and evidenced-based insight in a group/team setting.

Common Group/Team Topics:

• Sports Nutrition Fundamentals

• Fueling for Performance: Nutrition Before, During, and After Exercise (Training/Practice/Competition)

• Hydration for Athletes/Teams

• Nutrition for Recovery: Bouncing Back Faster

• Supplements In Sports Nutrition: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

• Meal Planning for Athletes: Building a Performance-Boosting Armoury

• Nutrition for Injury Prevention and Healing

A Saskatoon native who grew up playing a variety of sports, including soccer, hockey, badminton, ... Read More

Leah has been working as a physical therapist in Saskatoon since graduating from the University of Saskatchewan Master of Physical Therapy program in 2014. She has a background in orthopedic physical therapy and strength and conditioning. Through the years, Leah gained a special interest in pelvic floor physiotherapy, including prenatal and postpartum rehabilitation, incontinence, pelvic pain, and dysfunction. Leah holds certifications in pelvic floor physiotherapy and Biomedical Dry Needling. Leah strives to help her clients meet their goals through the integration of education, manual therapy, exercise prescription, and in collaborating with other practitioners invested in her client’s health.

Leah has been working as a physical therapist in Saskatoon since graduating from the University o... Read More

Growing up in small-town Saskatchewan Kerri fell in love with track and field at an early age. Training primarily in hurdles and high jump through high school, she ended her track career at the Saskatchewan Summer Games in 2000 winning the Pentathlon. 20 years later she returned to competing in sprints and currently holds the provincial records in the 50m, 60m, 100m sprints as well as long jump. She also is the national record holder in the 50m!

Massage was instrumental in seeing her through many injuries while running track and she quickly realized she wanted to help people in the same way. Graduating in 2002 she has practiced for the last 22 years in Saskatoon, operating her own business for 12 of those. After starting a family, she joined Ignite Athletics in 2016 as a member of the Fit Group and through their programming was able to get her fitness level back on track. In 2017 she joined the team to offer massage and Fascial Stretch Therapy to their clients and loves the energy and passion they exude daily.

Kerri believes in a holistic approach to health and nourishing your body through nutrition and therapy. She is passionate about living a well-rounded healthy lifestyle and integrates that into her treatments.

In her downtime, she enjoys cooking, reading, a cup of high-quality coffee, and spending time with her two boys.

Fun Fact: In the earlier years of her career Kerri massaged numerous celebrities including Kelly Clarkson, AKON, Dierks Bentley, and Rascal Flatts when they were in Saskatoon for concerts!

Growing up in small-town Saskatchewan Kerri fell in love with track and field at an early age. T... Read More

Read More