Cat Smiley (born June 21, 1974) is a Canadian strength and conditioning coach, hiking guide, fitness and nutrition expert, and business owner of Smiley Fitness Retreats, based on Vancouver Island.
Recognized as a multi-disciplinary fitness leader specializing in adventure-based performance coaching for beginner-level women. She is regarded as a pioneer of Canada’s boot camp fitness movement and competed internationally in freestyle skiing, including at the FIS World Cup and X Games Global Championships.
A finalist for the role of trainer on The Biggest Loser, she is known for her tough coaching style and leading private programming with lifestyle-reset formats.
She has worn a size 14 throughout her twenty-year career, breaking industry norms and representing fitness from the reality of a larger size. She holds multiple fitness certifications and advocates for conservative values within her business operations.
Career
editSmiley began her athletic career as a freestyle skier, competing in moguls for New Zealand before transitioning to halfpipe. She competed at the FIS World Cup level and participated in the X Games Global Championships, where she competed alongside early leaders in women’s Superpipe including Sarah Burke, Marie Martinod, and Jen Hudak. She was on the bronze-medal team for Australia (continent) at the 2003 Global X-Games, becoming New Zealand's first X-Games medalist.
In 2001, she founded The Original Boot Camp™, an outdoor training program that operated in Whistler, Pemberton, and Squamish, Navy SEAL inspired physical conditioning with military style format. In 2008, she launched Whistler Fitness Vacations adventure retreats.[1][2]
In 2020 the company became Smiley Fitness Retreats when she moved to Vancouver Island, where she continues to coach clients using structured, performance-based methods in outdoor terrain.
Smiley is a three-time recipient of the Canadian Trainer of the Year award from the International Sports Sciences Association.[3][4] She has contributed coaching methodology and business strategy to professional organizations including the IDEA Health & Fitness Association.[5] Her retreat program has been included in curated lists of top weight loss destinations[6] and received recognition in 2023 as Adventure Guide of the Year. [7]
Training Philosophy
editSmiley’s approach integrates outdoor movement with performance-based programming, blending structured training with terrain-based activity and lifestyle coaching.
Media and Publications
editSmiley was a lead character in Whistler Stories, a 13-episode documentary series aired on Slice and The Life Network, documenting her dual role as a freeskier and fitness coach in Whistler.[8] She has been cited as a fitness and weight loss expert in various national publications and recognized for her work with the obese population.
Books
edit- The Boot Camp Workout (2005) – Waterstones
- The Planet Friendly Diet (2015) – Amazon
Certifications
editSmiley holds multiple certifications from the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), including:
- Master Trainer
- Certified Personal Trainer
- Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Specialist in Exercise Therapy
- Fitness Nutrition Specialist[9]
References
edit- ^ https://www.issaonline.com/blog/post/how-an-issa-education-changed-cat-smileys-life
- ^ https://www.cbc.ca/news2/background/exercise_fitness/fitness-vacations.html
- ^ https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/local-sports/local-fitness-instructor-repeats-top-fitness-award-2471560
- ^ https://www.straight.com/life/natures-gym
- ^ https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/the-best-boot-camp-moves-youre-not-using
- ^ https://eluxemagazine.com/travel/the-best-weight-loss-retreats-around-the-world
- ^ https://ghpnews.digital/awards/fitness-and-nutrition-awards
- ^ https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler-news/whistler-stories-to-air-next-week-2463547
- ^ https://www.issaonline.com/blog/post/how-an-issa-education-changed-cat-smileys-life