Testimonials
Alyssa Holmes
University of Vermont/ PHF Montreal Women’s Ice Hockey Player
I have been working with John for the past 8 years. He has helped me tremendously in my hockey career all the way from junior to NCAA and ultimately Pro. Without John I would not be the player and dedicated athlete I am today. He is a quality S&C coach that finds the right balance between pushing you outside your comfort zone while successfully and safely increasing strength. I highly recommend John and Game Changer Performance to any athlete or individual looking to take the next step in their career or fitness goals.
Dan Lomas
New York Riptide
John is a one of a kind human being. We first began to get to know each other as peers training together with a mentor of both of ours Travis Kanellos. From a young age John showed how dedicated he was to not only improving himself, but all of those around him. This trait has only grown as John has grown into his adult and professional life as a coach. John’s knowledge, programming and coaching style helped aid me in recovering from a catastrophic injury to feel better than I did pre-injury. His attention to detail and willingness to constantly listen, learn and teach separate him from others in the business. I am excited to see John continue to grow as a person and as coach while having an incredible impact on every person he interacts with.
Kara den Hoed
Nipissing Women’s Hockey
I met John when I was in my junior hockey career, when I was an athlete that knew they needed to be in the gym but did not have much desire to enter the gym and take that step. John quickly took me out of my comfort zone and changed my whole mindset. I am now a successful collegiate level athlete, and lifting is one of the most important parts of my routine. John is a very knowledgeable S&C Coach, who dedicates all of his time and effort into his athletes. When I first started, I experienced a lot of joint pain and John has programmed for me in order to eliminate that pain. Game Changer Performance is a place that feels like home, and you will not find someone more dedicated to an athlete’s success than John. I would be nowhere near the athlete or person I am today, experiencing so much success, without the help of John and Game Changer Performance.
Maddie Suitor
Union Women's Hockey
I first started working with John in the summer of 2022 during the offseason after my freshman year at college. After my freshman year at the division 1 level, I felt like I was a step behind on the ice. That summer, I started to train with John and I accomplished things that I never knew I was capable of doing. I became a much faster and stronger athlete over that summer and I saw these results translate onto the ice. John ensures that he creates a program that is geared towards your needs and what will make you a better athlete. Game Changer Performance is the place where I have grown into the athlete that I am today and it’s because of John’s determination and coaching that I have become a much better hockey player these past few years. John’s time and effort into each athlete shows how much he wants each athlete to get better and succeed and I am very grateful for his coaching that has taken my game to the next level.
Courtney Rice
Concordia Women’s Hockey
I’ve known John for close to 6 years now. When I first met him, I was an athlete who had absolutely no idea how to lift. I was weak and did not use my size and build to my advantage, which put me behind in my sport. After a year of training with him, I was one of the strongest, fastest, and most successful junior players on my team. Now, I am playing Collegiate level hockey with a team that has been extremely successful (national champions & silver medalists) over the past couple years. This wasn’t only because he taught me how to train, but also because he changed my whole mentality. He taught me drive, passion, and grit. He taught me that even on days I swore I couldn’t do something, that I could. He strives to see his athletes succeed, and will do everything he can to steer them in the right direction. John cares about his athletes and holds us accountable, especially when we need it the most. He’s extremely adaptable and knows how to alter programs to each athletes needs, and encourages this so that there are no injuries. He’s also extremely helpful when it comes to nutrition, vitamins and supplements info, or even just a shoulder to cry on. John, Game Changer Performance, built me into the athlete I’ve always wanted to become, and for that I could never thank him enough.
Carter Islip
Guelph Gryphons Football
I met John in the summer of grade 9. I was coming off a successful season but knew that in order to take the next step I was gonna have to make a significant leap in my physical status. The moment I stepped into the gym with John he changed me as an athlete as well as a person. His remarkable knowledge of S&C and sport allows him to create programs to fulfill your desired needs. John also instills valuable lessons, as through his experience in U-Sports he teaches you the work and mindset it takes to reach your goals. When I first started, John noticed my lack of flexibility in certain exercises which hindered my athletic performance. He was quickly able to change that with his exceptional programming. With John’s dedication, he played a significant role for me becoming the successful collegiate athlete I am today. No one is more committed to making you succeed than John. Game Changer Performance has been like a second home to me as I would not be the athlete or person I am today without it.
Sarah Bestic
U Waterloo Women's Hockey
John’s knowledge and expertise, combined with support, gave me precisely what is required to get me to that next level of performance. John will push you, but still know your limits. He lightens everyone’s day by just his presence, and everyone who has an opportunity to train with him is blessed. He is a game-changer!
Emma Suitor
Western U Women's Hockey
In my 3rd year of playing hockey at Western University, I had torn my ACL. I underwent reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation and played the last 6 games of my 4th year. While I was able to play, I didn’t feel that I was back at the level I needed to be – both physically and mentally. Following that season, I reached out to John. I knew I needed to gain my strength and confidence back and seeing the way he had worked with his athletes, I knew I needed a coach like John. From the very beginning, John helped me to establish foundational movements, and I saw what my body was capable of. He worked tirelessly with me to find solutions to alleviate pain, while also pushing me out of my comfort zone. John has a unique ability to coach and push you when you need to be pushed but also shows understanding and care when his clients need it the most. Mentally, I was limiting myself on the ice and through training but John was able to help me break down that barrier and trust myself again. Throughout that process I was able to build strength in ranges that I have never had before, and this gave me the confidence to trust in my knee again. In my next season I was able to play without limitations, and I fell in love with training again. I will forever be thankful to John and Game Changer Performance for making me a better hockey player and human.
Miranda Campbell
Wilfrid Laurier University Women's Basketball
I had the pleasure of being coached by John in my 2022-2023 basketball season at Wilfrid Laurier University. John always put a smile on everyone’s faces and brought such a contagious, positive energy to work. He is able to facilitate a comfortable environment, where he listens to his athletes and is able to create such strong, trusting relationships with them. Throughout our year together, he pushed me to my limits in every single session we had, and I truly can’t thank him enough for doing that. He helped improve my overall strength, while still understanding that I was in-season. His strong interpersonal skills make him an incredible coach to any type of person, and he is always willing to learn and adapt to new situations. John is the type of coach that you want to work hard for, because he shows that he believes in you and is supporting you to reach your full potential. You will not regret choosing Game Changer Performance or trusting John with your S&C needs!
Laura Ellis
University of Toronto Women's Hockey
John has transitioned from a training partner, to my coach, and most importantly a friend, which is a testament to his character. After training alongside John for our respective sports in high school, I watched him evolve from a dedicated athlete to a knowledgeable coach and knew I wanted to continue my training with him. I always admired his work ethic and dedication to getting better which had an impact on my effort in the gym. He understood that my goal was not only to excel in my hockey career but also to develop as a well-rounded athlete and person and he embraced this holistic approach to training. John’s has an extensive knowledge of strength and conditioning. His thoughtful and researched training plans consistently allowed me to improve my fitness test scores and establish myself as a leader within my team’s training sessions. His ability to tailor his programs to suit my unique needs and goals ensured that my progress was not only significant but sustainable.
His investment in his athletes goes beyond the weight room with his continuous check-ins and unwavering personal support. Since moving on from being an athlete, I owe a lot of my love for physical fitness and overall health to John as his guidance instilled a value of lifelong physical activity in me. I’m fortunate to have had worked with John throughout my career and would recommend him to anyone looking to advance their athletic careers and have outcome based results in the gym.