About Helena Smolock

Helena’s passion for movement began in her youth. An initiative-taking and enthusiastic athlete, she participated in numerous sports throughout her school years, including volleyball, baseball, soccer, floor hockey, and track and field, where she competed in the 100-metre sprint.

Her commitment to physical activity was recognized through the Canadian Physical Fitness Awards, earning Bronze, Silver, and Gold distinctions, along with the prestigious Award of Excellence. These early achievements helped establish the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of physical fitness, discipline, and personal achievement.

Although athletics played a significant role in her life, Helena initially envisioned a very different future: she wanted to become a criminal lawyer.

During Grade 13 at Woodroffe High School in Ottawa, Ontario, Helena requested a work-experience placement to earn academic credits and gain firsthand exposure to the legal profession. She was placed in the Criminal Division of an Ottawa courthouse, where she spent nearly three months observing the justice system.

Near the end of her placement, Helena observed a murder trial. The experience profoundly affected her and prompted her to reconsider the career she had imagined for herself. At just 18 years old, she found herself at a crossroads, uncertain of what direction to take next.

After two weeks of reflection, the answer became clear: her future had been unfolding around her all along.

Helena had already been working part-time after school at Catherine’s Lady Fitness, where she taught fitness classes to participants of varying abilities and trained individual clients. What began as a part-time job had become something far more meaningful. She recognized that her passion for movement, her ability to connect with people, and her interest in helping others improve their lives were pointing her toward a lifelong career in fitness and wellness.

More than four decades later, Helena continues to build upon that early foundation. Through Velocity Athletic Training, she brings together practical industry experience, ongoing education, mentorship, and a commitment to helping people take a proactive role in their health.

Her work spans corporate wellness initiatives, workplace fitness programming, individualized training, and integrative health strategies designed to support people in achieving their personal and professional goals. She also mentors aspiring entrepreneurs, encouraging them to develop their expertise, define their unique value, and build businesses grounded in service and integrity.

Helena’s journey demonstrates that a change in direction does not have to mean losing sight of one's purpose. Sometimes, the right path is discovered by recognizing the work that has already brought meaning and fulfillment.

Today, she remains committed to helping individuals and organizations move beyond limitations, build healthier lifestyles, and discover their own potential.