Emma Zilberman-Vegas founder and Head coach
Emma is a 57kg/63kg OPA/CANPL powerlifter. She started barbell training in 2010 after struggling with confidence, body image problems and an eating disorder for most teenage/adolescent years. Upon discovering powerlifting in 2015 and first competing in 2016. During this time she started training others to help them discover their inner strength and advocates to prioritize strength training at any age. Working now for 13years with populations from 14 to 84 years old, Emma always believes an athlete is a mindset and anyone can go on to “make their mark”. Her current training focus is on powerlifting, bodybuilding, injury rehabilitation and return to sport and sport psychology.
In powerlifting Emma has been coaching for 9 years, represented Team Canada 3x and been a Team Canada Intern Coach 2x. Emma placed 1st in NAPF ‘22 and in CPU Nationals ‘23. Emma has a highly accomplished roster of athletes who compete from the local to international level through a variety of age, gender and weight classes.
David Vegas founder and Assistant Head Coach
David is a 105kg OPA/CANPL powerlifter with over 20 years of experience in the gym. His athletic journey began in childhood, earning medals in soccer, baseball, football, and swimming. As a teenager, he was introduced to the gym by his father, who passed down classic bodybuilding techniques inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Driven by a passion for helping others, David has coached individuals from ages 9 to 70, guiding them toward becoming the strongest and healthiest versions of themselves. His coaching experience spans strength and conditioning, amateur bodybuilding, weight loss, calisthenics, injury rehabilitation, and recovery.
For the past nine years, David has focused exclusively on powerlifting. He has coached on the international stage for Team Canada three times and Team OPA at Nationals in 2025. At Make Your Mark Fitness, he supports athletes competing at all levels—from local meets to world championships—while continuing to pursue his own goal of representing Canada as a national team athlete.
REGINA PErsonal trainer
Regina is a 69kg OPA/CANPL powerlifter. She graduated from the Kinesiology program at the University of Toronto in 2019 and she has been a certified personal trainer through CanFitPro since 2016. Regina is also certified in Olympic Weightlifting for Beginners through the NCCP since 2018. She completed her Emergency Medical Responder in 2019, and Firefighting School in 2021.
While studying and working for the University of Toronto as a personal trainer, weightlifting group instructor and Olympic weightlifting coach, Regina worked with various students, professors, and athletes from several of the school’s sport teams. Having the opportunity to work with such a vast range of individuals gave Regina the valuable experience and perspective to not only be able to tailor an exercise program exactly to someone’s specific needs, but also understand the various phases required when preparing to perform at your best and in competition.
She has worked with a wide range of clients through her time working as a trainer at Women Fitness Gym, The Lawn Tennis Club, and Private Rehab Studios over the last 10 years.
Regina believes that physical activity is the key to a balanced lifestyle where everyone can enjoy eating the food they love in moderation and enjoy conquering challenging activities. Regina would love to work with you and explore the possibility of the body’s capability to excel in different exercises while finding the joy in doing so!
xena CEO of happiness and head of security
Xena’s main duties are to provide happiness and comfort to all gym members. She takes security seriously and will also bark to let everyone know someone new has arrived to the gym. Her requests are pets, head scratches, belly rubs, and of course treats.
Warning: workout times may increase due to an overload of cuteness!
Alex Schella personal trainer
Alex is a 63kg OPA/CANPL powerlifter and a triathlete. Representing Canada at 2024 Powerlifting World Championships, Alex prioritizes strength training while also impressing the value of good cardiovascular health. Alex has a passion for helping clients achieve their goals, regardless of how big or how small!
Argie Sugue personal trainer
Argie is a Junior 93kg OPA/CANPL powerlifter and strength coach who began lifting in 2022 before discovering powerlifting in 2023. Since entering the sport, he has developed a strong passion for strength training and the role it can play in building both physical capability and confidence.
Argie began coaching in late 2024 and works as both a personal trainer and powerlifting/strength coach. His approach emphasizes strong technical fundamentals, injury-aware training, and helping individuals build confidence through strength. He aims to create a supportive training environment where clients can develop sustainable habits and progress safely over the long term.
Argie completed his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology (Health & Science) at York University in 2026 and has been a Provincial level referee with the Ontario Powerlifting Association since 2024. He is also currently studying massage therapy, further expanding his ability to support athletes through both training and recovery. Through coaching, education, and involvement in the powerlifting community, Argie is committed to helping people of all experience levels get stronger and move better.
Christina Potito Athletic Therapy
MYM Proudly Partnered with CP Athletics Therapy! We welcome Christina as part of the team, her services will be available at MYM Bi-Weekly!
Christina Potito is a Certified Athletic Therapist, Registered Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, and a 69kg OPA/CANPL Competitive Powerlifter.
As owner and head therapist of CP Athletics : Complete Performance Therapy, she specializes in rehab for powerlifters - as a powerlifter.
Over the past three years, Christina has worked and travelled with Team Canada twice, sponsored and provided treatment at multiple local, provincial and nationals meets, and is now joining with powerlifting gyms to make efficient and specialized rehab more accessible to lifters.
Christina believes that “NO” is never the answer. There is always a way to heal, strengthen, and fix an injury through proper planning and movement exercises.