strike | condition | roll
About Us
We believe that there is a hero in everyone – an individual who possesses qualities that make them an inspiration. It is our mission to help each and every individual, no matter their story, find their inner hero.
The Space
Located in Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver, our space is inspired by West Coastal elements. Keeping true to the Lolo Shipyards we’ve incorporated raw woods with industrial metals and greenery. Hero is a space where you can feel inspired, powerful and at ease.
Challenge yourself in our functional training area complete with turf, Rogue free weights and rig, and equipment hand picked by our coaches. Our martial arts area features a Zibra matted jiu jitsu and striking section complete with heavy bags, hand pads and thai pads.
While you get your workout in, feel free to drop your kids off for a play in our kids correl.
Take advantage of our free locker service and filter water and enjoy our spa like washrooms complete with hair dryers, shower products, and towels, so you can leave your workout feeling refreshed and ready to start or finish your day.
Enjoy a snack or beverage after your workout or pick up some supplements, body healing products or browse our Hero merch in our retail section.
“Success is a state of mind and is manifested in hard work, dedication and a beliefe in ones self.”
We celebrate where each individual is today and help them make goals for the future. We foster a positive and encouraging environment where people can step out of their comfort zone without the risk of criticism, comparison or intimidation.
We believe that every human CAN participate in the activities they’ve always wanted too but never dared.
Our Programs
Kids & Youth Programs
Woman & Teen Girls Programs
Jiu Jitsu Programs
Strike Classes
Functional Fitness Classes
Private and Semi Private Training
Our Team
Jaime
Owner // Operations
Meego
Partner // Head Coach
Nolan
STRIKE // Operations
Nelly
JITS Kids & Youth
Dee
CONDITION & LIFT + Nutrition
Mehran
BOXING COMPETATIVE TEAM
Wilson
COMBAT Kids / Youth
Thays
STRIKE
Rosalia
STRIKE Boxing
Meego
Partner // JITS // STRIKE // LIFT // CONDITION
Meego has been training in martial arts since he was little. He started TaeKwonDo in 1985 and in 1994 he received his 3rd Degree Black Belt from the World TKD Federation, Seoul-Korea. By that time Meego had won over 30 gold medals, 13 Silver and 12 Bronze both nationally and internationally. Meego also studied the art of Shaolin Kung Fu and he carries a black belt in Hapkido and a black belt in Kyokushinkai Karate.
In 1994 – 2004 Meego stated training Muay Thai at ChiangMai Muay Thai gym in Thailand. Then, when Meego arrived in Vancouver in 2008 he began his journey in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is a black belt under Pacific Top Team.
Meego is ACE certified, First Aid certified and has certificates in strength & conditioning, CrossFit, kettlebell and group training.
Fun Fact: At first Meego is very shy, but he talks more than anyone we know!
Jaime
Partner // Operations // STRIKE
Jaime began boxing in 2005 at the Astoria Boxing Club – Fraser Arms. With over 50 matches in her amateur competitive career she was a repeating BC Champion, North West Champion, Golden Gloves Champion, 2 time National Bronze Medalist and was on the National Team in 2010. In 2012 Jaime turned pro, winning her debut. By early 2014 she was ranked at #2 in Canada.
In 2015 Jaime took a break from boxing and started practicing Muay Thai and BJJ until she suffered a shoulder injury in 2017. She’s now back on the mats kicking and rolling.
Jaime’s an active feminist and advocate of women’s rights. Her main focus is to eliminate gender bias and micro aggression in male dominated sports and industries while providing support and a safe space for women to train.
In In 2018 Jaime started and the first women only / women run boxing class in BC and 2019 Jaime was honoured with the Community Sport Champion Award for involving women and girls in male dominated sports. In 2020 Jaime hosted the very first all women’s competitive boxing card in the lower mainland called Queen of the Diamond.
Fun Fact: Jaime loves to knit, paint and she made the moss walls in our gym.
Nelly
Kids, Youth and Women’s JITS
For the last 5 years Nelly has been focusing on training different disciplines such as kickboxing, combat wrestling, Sambo & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Pacific Top Team. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been her main focus for the last 3 years but she is always working on her development as a multidisciplinary student. Nelly is dedicated to being a mentor and coach to both women and girls, especially in sports that are male dominated or can seem intimidating to women and those who identify as female.
During Nelly’s free time you’ll find her in nature, enjoy long walks, reading & visit coffee shops. She tries to keep her focus on enjoying what she’s doing in the present moment.
Fun Fact: Nelly use to collect mexican restler masks
Nolan
Kids, Youth and Adult STRIKE
Nolan has been training since 2016 and is now a competitive Muay Thai athlete. He’s been working in his passion for the last 4 years teaching kickboxing and managing a boxing gym. He’s now at Hero running the Muay Thai classes for adults, kids and youth, as well as doing private training.
He loves music and collecting vinyl records and cooking in his spare time.
Fun Fact: his favourite thing to do is utilize the sensory deprivation tank and visualize what he wants to achieve in his life.
Rosalia
STRIKE Boxing
Rosalia has been boxing competitively since 2004, and is a repeating BC champion, and Canadian Bronze and Silver medalist. She use to sit on the board of directors for North Burnaby before Hero coxed her to the “bright side”.
In her spare time Rosalia loves to cook and actually has an instagram account dedicated to her delicious recipes.
Fun Fact: Rosalia hates cheese on her marinara sause!
Thays
STRIKE
Thays (pronounced Tay-ees) has moved to beautiful North Vancouver from Brazil. Before landing in Canada, she studied Muai Thai while living in Thailand where she also competed. She also has a background in strength training, conditioning and functional athletics.
Thays has a true passion for boxing and kickboxing and enjoys enspiring her clients, especially women and girls in the combat sport world.
Fun Fact: By night Thays is a chef and kitchen manager.
Dee
LIFT // CONDITION
Dee has been in the fitness industry for 10 plus years and is focused on strength and athletic training. With a back ground in power lifting and Functional training, you can usually find Dee in the gym lifting heavy things. Dee also has a background in nutritional coaching.
When he’s not coaching, Dee spends his time mixing and producing music for local artist and spending time with family and his bernese, Odin.
Dee is currently doing private strength and conidtion coaching as well as LIFT and CONDITION classes.
Fun Fact: Dee loves romantic comedies – he say’s he “doesn’t mind them”, but we know the truth.
Mehran
BOXING COMPETATIVE COACH
Mehran has been involved in Amateur Boxing over 25 years. He has served Boxing BC as a board memeber for 3 terms.
Mehran became a certified Boxing Coach in 1996 and have been fully certified level 3 coach since 2006. He’s taken multiple athletes to Provincials and Nationals and is currently running our competative boxing team.
He’s very involved in the community and also coaches kids basket ball.
Want to join our competative team? Let us know, we’ll make it happen.
Fun Fact: Mehran is one of the top eye wear designers in North America.
Wilson
Lil HEROES / COMBAT Kids / Youth
Wilson has been studieing the art of jiu jitsu and kickboxing for years and now gets to apply his knowlage in coaching both kids and youth and our Lil Heroes (ages 4-5).
Wilson brings a fun, focused and explorative aspect to our team. In his free time he’s busy competing in BJJ or hanging out with his mom. We all love our moms.
Ali Chernoff
Registered Dietitian & Sports Nutritionist
Proper nutrition is 80% of the equation to optimal health and performance. After your initial assessment our Ali will create a customized meal plan that is tailored to your medical conditions, food allergies fitness level and food preferences in order to meet your nutritional goals to achieve optimal health for life as it is a lifestyle change
Ali also offers educational virtual workshops, healthy menu planning, and environmentally friendly meals in mason jars. In addition, she currently offers food tours that focus on how to read a food label!
Since 1993 she has been involved in numerous activities related to the field of nutrition. She provides services that include conducting educational sessions to groups and individuals on sports nutrition, weight loss, gut health including IBS, healthy snacks, Diabetes, heart smart tips and basic eating principles.
Ali has also been very involved with SportMedBC, conducting one on one work with athletes and onsite counselling.
She writes for numerous health and wellness magazines, including IMPACT Magazine, Canuck runner, and Pacific road racers. In addition, she has been quoted in articles in several publications; Chatelaine, Georgia Straight, Metro, Today’s Parent, Vancouver Courier, The Province, Verve Girl, The Vancouver Sun and Ottawa Citizen. She has also been featured on CityTV (Breakfast Television and CityCooks), CTV (Olsen On Your Side and the 6pm news), PBS (Chowtime cooking show), Joy TV (First Talk with Tamara Bull) and Women’s Network (the Shopping Bags).
Ali started a second company called Energy Essentials 24-7 Inc. to develop healthy whole foods such as a 7% M.F. cheese, Essential which was sold in 2016. She has co-authored and self-published two books; Good Food Baby and Good Food Toddler.
FAQ
What should I bring / wear to class?
Wear comfortable workout clothes and indoor training shoes. You can bring a bottle for water. We also provide water bottles.
STRIKE: Wear comfortable workout clothing. STIKE is done on the mats so shoes are not nessisary or permitted. You'll need to bring your own handwraps and bag gloves, or you can purchase them at the front desk.
JITS: For Gi you'll want to wear fitted clothes such as a rash guard and tights to wear under your gi. You can wear your own gi or we have gi's for purchase. For No Gi you'll want to wear comfortable, fitted clothes. Some prefer to wear loose shorts over their leggings.
How early should I show up?
Please show up 5-10 min early to class. If you are running a few minutes behind please call or email us and give us a heads up so we can hold your spot.
If this is your first visit to Hero, please show up 10 - 15min early so you can sign a wavier and get aquanted with the gym.
Do I need to be fit or have past experience?
Hells no! All fitness and experience levels are welcome! All of our classes are designed to challenge you, but we will also be diligent in providing different variations so you can work on building up to your goals. And we always encourage you to take a break whenever needed. Our motto is "try" and we're here to help.
Do you supply water?
Yes, we have a filtered water station, and if you fogot your water bottle we have bottle for purchase. We also provide free lockers and towel service for during your class and towels for showers afterward.
Do you have Gloves, Wraps, Gis to borrow?
Yes, we do. For your intro week we have glove and wraps or. agi for you to use. Once you've concluded your free week we do ask that your purchase your own equipment (we sell gloves, weraps and gis at the gym) or you may rent them from us for a fee.
Sadly we can't offer free equipment to class pass participants.
Are there showers?
Yes, we have two showers (one accessible) and one washroom with a changing area. We do ask that you try to come to class changed and ready to workout and save the showers for after class.
Can I watch my kids class?
Yes, we have a sit down area where you may watch your kids in class. You're also welcome to sit outside by the windows and watch them.
I have kids, can they hangout while I train?
Yes, we have a kids homework / engagement area so your kids can come and hangout while you get in a workout.
Child minding for kids under 7 is provided at $5 / hour at select times.