Integrated Support Team Member Profiles:

Leo Thornley, MSc, CSCS, CEP
Leo Thornley works with Canoe Kayak and Sailing National team athletes.  He works closely with the coaches and athletes in training camps and at competitions both domestically and internationally.  Sport science services within the CSCA are coordinated by Leo, who has been with the Centre since 2002.  Leo has a BSc in Sport Science from the University of Brighton (UK) and a Masters degree in Kinesiology, specializing in Environmental Exercise Physiology from Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS.  Leo is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a Certified Exercise Physiologist with the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology. 

Emma Neupert, MSc, CEP
Emma Neupert is a CSEP Certified Exercise Physiologist.  She completed her BSc (Hons) in Sports Science and Physiology at the University of Leeds in England.  She finished her MSc in Exercise Physiology at the University of Calgary in 2007, where she specialized in training program periodization and the physiological assessment of high performance athletes.  At the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic, Emma manages the Canada Games Sport Science Program.  She also works with other identified high performance training groups such as track and field, canoe/kayak and other provincial team members, providing physiological support both locally and on location at training camps.

Colin Guthrie, PhD
Since 2004, Colin has been working as the mental performance consultant and lead IST member for the Canadian Sailing Team's Olympic and Paralympic athletes.  The duties with the National team require a busy travel schedule, but when home, he finds time to work with developing sailors and coaches from the Atlantic region.  In the past, Colin has worked with a variety of provincial Canada Games Teams and varsity Athletic programs.  Colin was raised in Nova Scotia, representing the region as an athlete on the Canadian Sailing Team.  His education is comprimised of a BSc and MSc from Dalhousie's Kinesiology Department and a PhD in Behavioural Kinesiology as well as a Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies from Temple University in Philadelphia.  Colin is the Eastern Region Representative and full member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association and holds an adjunct professor position in Dalhousie University's Kinesiology Department.

Kjerstin Baldwin, PhD
Dr. Kjerstin Baldwin, PhD, R. Psych. is a registered psychologist working in sport and health psychology.  She has been providing performance enhancement and personal counseling services within the Canadian Sport Centre network since 1997 in Winnipeg, Calgary, and latterly, Halifax.  Kjerstin has provided support for developing and national team athletes, including Olympic medalists, in both summer and winter sports.  Additionally, she has attended numerous multi-sport events including several Canada Games as well as Pan-Am and Olympic Games.  she was a national cross country ski team member and has coaches skiers at many levels.  Kjerstin is also a psychologist with LifeMark Health working with individuals, employers, and third party referral sources to address coping with pain and illness, to manage mental health, and to support return to work.

Darren Steeves, MSc Kinesiology, CSCS, CPT, CEP
Darren Steeves has completed a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology at Dalhousie University.  He has served as the Provincial Director for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) from 1997-2001.  He holds both NSCA certifications, Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.  He is also a member of the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology and is a certified Exercise Physiologist.  Darren has tested, trained and consulted with thousands of athletes from minor through to professaional and Olympic level.  He has served as the head Strength and Conditioning Coach and Exercise Physiologist for Dalhousie University for the past 10 years as well as working as a consultant for the CSCA for the past 9 years.  He has had regular appearances on ATV's morning show Breakfast Television, the Life Network's Taking it Off, CBC's Maritime Noon and has contributed and written articles for Men's Health, FITNESS and Canadian Living magazine on a variety of topics.  He has served as a column editor for the Nova Scotia Fitness and Lifestyle Association's newsletter and the Southender magazine.  Lastly, Darren is currently sponsored by Adidas as part of their Three Stripe Team.

Anne Marie Armstrong, BScAHN, PDt.
Anne Marie Armstrong has been a practicing Dietitian for almost 10 years.  Anne Marie is a graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, graduating in May of 2000 with her BScAHN (Applied Human Nutrition).  She completed the Integrated Internship option through MSVU and was registered as a Professional Dietitian in June of 2000.  Anne Marie has a special interest in the area of sports nutrition and in the Spring of 2004 began working with athletes and coaches in association with the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic and Dalhousie University.  Her expertise includes helping athletes with practical meal planning, grocery shopping and eating before, during and after activity.  Anne Marie also works as a Community Dietitian with Loblaw Companies Limited (Atlantic Superstore) and has a part time practice at Cole Harbour and Elmsdale Integrated Health Services.

Monica Palmer, RMT
Monica Palmer is a Registered Massage Therapist with MTANSand a graduate from ICT Schools.  She has been treating athletes with the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic since 2008.  Monica has been providing rehabilitation care for developing and national team athletes, including Olympic medalists.  She works closely with the Canadian Sailing team and the Canadian Canoe Kayak team.  Monica is the team therapist for the St. Mary's University Track and Field team as well as part of the support staff for all varsity athletes at the University.  Monica is employed with LifeMark Health and is located at the St. Mary's Tower.