Our Fresh Start Health Retreat Team Members
Laura Hosein, Medical Herbalist
Program Director
Laura is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. She was an instructor at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine for 5 years, as well as taught at the Canadian Schools of Natural Nutrition in Vancouver and Victoria. Her role is to support and guide you through the program.
Experience: 8 yrs
Ania Kastashchuk, BA, BS
Program Manager, Senior Program Director
Ania is a co-founder of Fresh Start. She is an experienced program facilitator, educator, researcher and Live Blood Analyst. Ania deeply understands the healing process and specializes in individual program planning and Program Directors’ training and support.
Experience: 19 yrs
Dr. Lise Maltais ND
Naturopathic Medicine
Dr. Lise is a Naturopathic Doctor, Accredited Bowen Therapy Instructor and Homeopathic Physician. She is a Founding member of the Quebec Association of Naturopathic Medicine and has trained the first Bowen Therapists in Quebec, Alberta, and Alaska.
Experience: 32 yrs
Dr. Jeremy Unwin, DTCM
Live Blood Analysis & Casual Therapist
Dr. Jeremy does the before and end-of-program Live Blood Analysis assessments. His past clients include the Royal Ballet (United Kingdom), Cirque du Soleil, Elton John and David Furnish. Dr. Jeremy has been treating and lecturing around the world.
Experience: 19 yrs
Sandra Kelly, HHRT, CCht, CACCF
Bodyworker and Live Blood Analyst
Sandra brings a unique combination of 35+ years with a research background, and advanced training in energy healing and emotional wellness. Sandra is a Holistic Health Practitioner. Her modalities include: contemporary cupping, reflexology, aromatherapy and many others.
Experience: 14 yrs
Sandie Sparrow
Colonics & Program Director
Sandie is a knowledgeable professional and a very compassionate person. She is a certified colon hydrotherapist, certified life coach, laser specialist, and wheatgrass grower. Sandie studied psychology at the University of Waterloo, and Somatic Experiencing™ with P. Levine.
Experience: 10 yrs
Caroline Miskenack, RN BSN CNP
Emotional Wellness Specialist
Caroline is a Certified Nurse Psychotherapist, experienced in a broad range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, post-traumatic growth, substance use addiction, grief and loss, chronic health challenges, burnout, relationship difficulties, and life transitions.
Experience: 14 yrs
Glenda Bennett, CHPC™ TICC BOC
Emotional Wellness Specialist
Glenda is a highly experienced Trauma-Informed & Body-Oriented Life Coach, as well as a High-Performance Coach with over 7 years of expertise in guiding individuals through life challenges big & small. She draws from Somatic, Hakomi, Gestalt, Polyvagal, Organic Intelligence® & other methods.
Experience: 7 yrs
Kristi Birnie, BAA
Intuitive Energy Healer
Kristi offers CranioSacral Therapy, Jikiden Reiki and a sweet and deep fusion of the two modalities woven together. She is also a Yoga Nidra instructor. Kristi enjoys dancing, growing her own herbs & flowers. In the past, she was an influential colour designer and worked with Arc’teryx brand.
Experience: 14 yrs
Shannon Flaherty
Somatic Therapist
Shannon brings a grounded, wholehearted atmosphere to her sessions, and believes strongly in the power of judgment-free connection– with self. Naturally curious, she continues to develop her understanding and practice through books, presentations, and workshops.
Experience: 10 yrs
Laurie Williams
Bodyworker & Yoga Instructor
Laurie teaches Fresh Start yoga classes and is a multidisciplinary bodyworker with incredibly strong hands who specializes in Thai Yoga and Deep Tissue massage, as well as does abdominal massage and reflexology. She has extensively travelled throughout Asia when getting her advanced training in Thai.
Experience: 20 yrs
Steven Thomas, R.Ac
Registered Acupuncturist
Steven’s acupuncture style is very gentle and pain-free for those sensitive to the feel of acupuncture. He offers deeper sports acupuncture for those who are ready. Steven uses an intuitive approach and incorporates other techniques such as Gua Sha, Tui Na and cupping.
Experience: 19 yrs
Janine Calder
Walk Guide & Evening Activities Organizer
Janine is an experienced walk guide and a person of various interests, from snorkelling to gardening. With her, you’ll learn a lot of interesting facts about the local area and nature. Janine works as a Youth Counsellor with Princess Cruise Lines.
Experience: 44 yrs
Madeleine Ramsey
Fitness Instructor, Walk Guide
Madeleine has been in the fitness industry for over 40 years as an athlete and a coach of Synchronized swimming. Her passion for athleticism throughout her life shows in her contribution to supporting others in their journey towards their health and fitness goals.
Experience: 41 yrs
Tina Knowles, Practical Herbalist
Cook/Kitchen Assistant
Tina believes we all have the capacity in us to be bringers of light. Tina has attended spiritual, paranormal and UFO festivals and has had many experiences with unexplained phenomena. She has DCS / DEC in Practical Herbalism with Wild Rose College of Natural Healing.
Experience: 9 yrs
Erin Malin, BFA
Chef
Erin began her work life as an actor and writer in Toronto, but her passion for food and the drive to create something new every day led her to switch careers. Erin was a Chef for the National Ballet of Canada and a Food Stylist for Pamela Anderson’s Netflix Cooking show From Pam with Love.
Experience: 17 yrs
Melissa Wescombe, RHN
Chef
Mel is a graduate of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and is passionate about vegan nutrition. She has completed a Pharmaceutical Compounding Certification. Born in Australia, Mel loves nature, cats, camping and being by the water. Mel has her own food blog.
Experience: 10 yrs
Andre LaFrance
Chef
Working as a culinary chef for more than 30 years, Andre has the experience and passion for food at Fresh Start. Andre graduated from the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts in Vancouver, BC, and has international culinary expertise. He makes every meal with creativity and heart.
Experience: 32 yrs
Breanne Harder
Cook/Kitchen Assistant
Growing up, Breanne helped her parents at their family Bed and Breakfast. Before school, she would get eggs and make food with her mom, who was a very good cook and a vegetarian all her life. Breanne loves creating new recipes.
Experience: 4 yrs
Ashley Vader
Cook/Kitchen Assistant
Ashely worked with herbs at Harmonic Arts Botanic Dispensary, where she prepared/ cooked herbal decoctions, extractions and syrups. She also prepared a hand-made yogurt at a local organic brand Tree Island, and worked at an organic farm.
Experience: 6 yrs
Allison Barlow, B Com
Program Consultant
Allison is an experienced and compassionate soul with a genuine interest in helping others in their pursuit of quality of life. Allison is a certified Health Coach with knowledge of Regenerative Detoxification and a solid understanding of the effect of stress on physical health.
Experience: 26 yrs
Amanda Brown
Program Consultant
Amanda is a highly experienced Natural Health Consultant with a profound dedication to holistic healing and wellness. Her experience as a Holistic Dental Hygienist has deepened her understanding of Holistic Health and the power of the human body’s natural healing abilities.
Experience: 34 yrs
Vasili Kastashchuk
Senior Program Consultant & IT
Vasili is a co-founder of Fresh Start, a visionary, and the one who inspires the entire team behind the scenes. Vasili has been called a clairvoyant because he often sees what is in the very depth of one’s heart. His words changed many destinies.
Experience: 19 yrs
Jay Maybin
Assistant Manager
Jay is a skilled business leader with over 30 years of experience. He opened a local Home Hardware store, started a large store with 100+ employees and helped develop a sustainable recycling program. Jay is a life coach, and enjoys hiking & playing the piano.
Experience: 33 yrs
Disclaimer: Not all practitioners above are present for each program session. This is subject to their availability, as they run busy personal practices and travel for training. We cannot guarantee that any of the team members listed above will be available when you come or that you will be booked or work with him or her. Additionally, we have a minimal number of registered therapists (sometimes none) who may be covered by insurance and cannot guarantee that you’ll be working with them. We hand-pick practitioners based on their skills, healing personality and alignment with our company. Many of our guests keep returning because they are impressed with the quality of service the Fresh Start team offers.
Also please note that the website updates cannot always catch up with the team changes.