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Emma

@emma_makeyourmark

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Co-Owner/head coach @makeyourmark_fitness
SBD Canada link in bio @sbdcanada
Team 🇨🇦 4x athlete/coach
Just for lifting&Emma thoughts☺️
Work with me ⬇️

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REGISTRATION OPENS JULY 21, 9AM for our first local meet in our new home! Sign up on the @ontariopowerliftingassociation website.

We can’t wait!

Sign up and be a part of #makeyourmark history 💪

#powerlifting#hype#meet#compete taken in Make Your Mark Fitness by @emma_makeyourmark

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3 months ago

Trying to decide if to just dump a bunch of content into this IG or just start from my life now.

It’s hard starting a new IG, but it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while.

It’s felt weird posting personal stuff mixed up with my business, so much that I started losing some of my personal life I used to share. The emotional things. The introspective stuff. The Emma-thoughts. And maybe no one wants to read that, but honestly I write it for me.

I write for myself to remember how I felt. Remind myself of the struggles I bounced back from. The hard work I’ve put into mental and physical growth.

As I recover from my hip injury again, it makes me want to post about it. To share my thoughts as it’s something that had helped me before when injured in the past.

So I guess that’s what I will be doing. Sharing the good, the bad, the sad, the exciting lifts and sometimes boring stuff. But it’s the stuff that makes me who I am. And it’s ultimately something I’m so proud of. Proud of the person powerlifting has shaped me into.

-end ramble-

Photodump from my first IPF Worlds on June 12, 2023 as open 57kg @makeyourmark_fitness @sbdcanada by @emma_makeyourmark

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3 years ago

CONFIDENCE.

Underrated part of lifting. I’ve realized recently how you approach the bar, the vibe with which you step on the platform can really affect your chances on making a lift.

I used to be so nervous on meet day— and tbh I still am. But as soon as it’s time to approach the bar I begin to smile and tell myself that “I got this”.

No more wondering if I’ll make the lift. No more doubt. I believe I’ll make it, and whatever happens next happens but at least I gave it my best shot.

—

It’s taken me a long time to unpack my worlds performance. So much time that I haven’t shared a lot of photos. I was upset for the last half a year. Upset that my body failed me when I finally had my chance on the big stage. Upset that my “last hurrah at 57kg” wasn’t how I dreamt it. But looking back at these photos - of me strutting on and off the platform - I’ve come to realize I still came in there with the energy I wanted to. I am not a naturally confident person. It takes me a lot to put myself out there. Recently I put the belief in myself I never had and it made my lifts skyrocket in ways I never expected.

I still had an amazing time and experience I will NEVER forget. An experience I am still SO SO SO GRATEFUL I was able to have. An experience I am CONFIDENT I will have again. I don’t know when it will be or which weight class. But I won’t stop fighting for my chance again.

I believe in my strength. I believe in my training. I believe that when I step on the platform I will make the lift. And that’s the best way to set up for success. Confidence (or squatfidence™️).

I no longer look back with sadness. I look back and smile at this amazing opportunity I was given to represent #teamcanada. I can’t believe it took me so long to feel this way. But it happened. I’m filled with pride and the confidence is back. The next time I step on the platform I will just be happy to be there and will take more time to soak it in. Those 9minutes go by quick and I don’t want to miss a second because you ultimately never know when it’s your last meet, and this certainly was not mine.

@makeyourmark_fitness @sbdcanada @sbdapparel @cpupowerlifting @ontariopowerliftingassociation by @emma_makeyourmark

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3 years ago

MYM isn't built for everyone, and that's exactly the point.

We believe in:
✔ Community over crowds
✔ Coaching over confusion
✔ Long-term progress over quick fixes

Whether you're an athlete or just starting your fitness journey, MYM is for people ready to commit to getting stronger.

Come train with us. DM to book a tour!

#makeyourmark #mymfitness #strengthcommunity #powerlifting #torontogym taken in Make Your Mark Fitness by @emma_makeyourmark

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3 days ago

Small change to the lifting schedule for MYM classic !
Second session on Saturday has an 11:30am weigh in time instead of 11am.

Can’t wait to see everyone on the platform!

Spectators welcome 💪

#powerlfiting #makeyourmark #squat#bench#deadlift taken in Make Your Mark Fitness by @emma_makeyourmark

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5 days ago

Time is ticking ! Our first local meet in our new gym is happening in 7wks!!! Register now to be a part of the action 💪

Whether you’re a new lifter, seasoned competitor, looking for your Nationals QT or just want to have fun lifting at a hype event, there is space for you!

DM if you have questions!

#makeyourmark#powerlifting#compete#liftheavy taken in Make Your Mark Fitness by @emma_makeyourmark

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a month ago

Equipped bench is fun. 3months in and hit some big milestone weights for the first time!!! Hubby has been learning with me and im so happy to have his support ❤️ ❤️

Now to pause it and not dump that last little bit. The hardest part was feeling 142.5 on my right wrist. The lighter weights were ok tho. Definitely need to build up tolerance to the 130-140kg before going heavier.

@sbdcanada @makeyourmark_fitness

#powerlifting#equipped#equippedbench#bench#makeyourmark taken in Make Your Mark Fitness by @emma_makeyourmark

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a month ago

MYM heads to Commonwealths!
Best wishes to our athletes who are competing.

As well Dave is Assistant Coach from Sep 17-22 and Emma is Head Coach from Sept 22-27 taking care of the all Team Canada!! Let’s go team 🇨🇦

Sydney @srwbandit Sept 17 bench only and Sept 19 3lift 63kg Jr

Riley @_bresky_ Sept 17 bench only 105kg jr

Vlad sept 17 bench only 120kg open

Constance @cconstance1 Sept 21 3lift M4 76kg

#powerlifting#makeyourmark#commonwealths#commonwealthpowerlifting by @emma_makeyourmark

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a month ago

Registration for our first IN HOUSE local meet closes in a few weeks !

Whether you are a new lifter looking to compete for the first time, a seasoned competitor, or looking to get your new Nats QT before thing deadline , then this meet is for you!!

Everyone is invited to #makeyourmark

Sign up is linked in bio, our site or the OPA website

@ontariopowerliftingassociation @canadapowerlifting @emma_makeyourmark taken in Make Your Mark Fitness by @emma_makeyourmark

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a month ago

The 2026 @canplcentrals Recap.

Special thank you to @emma_makeyourmark , David and the rest of the @makeyourmark_fitness for putting on an amazing meet.

🎬: @strengththroughcinema

@canadapowerlifting
@canplcentrals by @emma_makeyourmark

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a month ago

SWIPE TO MEET THE COACHES…

Emma Zilberman-Vegas | Founder & Head Coach

Emma discovered strength training through her own journey of building confidence and finding strength, eventually discovering powerlifting in 2015.

With 13 years of experience working with clients ages 14–84, Emma believes that “an athlete is a mindset” and that strength training has a place in everyone’s life.

Her coaching focuses on powerlifting, bodybuilding, injury rehabilitation, return to sport and sport psychology, from helping beginners discover their strength to coaching athletes at the international level.

A 9-year powerlifting coach, Emma is a 3x Team Canada athlete, 2x Team Canada Intern Coach, 2022 NAPF Champion and 2023 CPU National Champion. 🏆

Her goal? Helping every person who walks into MYM discover what they’re capable of and Make Their Mark. 💪

David Vegas | Founder & Assistant Head Coach

With over 20 years in the gym, David’s passion for strength started young, from competing in multiple sports to learning classic bodybuilding techniques from his father as a teenager.

David has coached clients ages 9–70, helping people become stronger and healthier through strength & conditioning, bodybuilding, weight loss, calisthenics, injury rehabilitation and recovery.

For the past 9 years, his focus has included powerlifting, coaching athletes from local meets all the way to the world stage, including 3 international competitions with Team Canada and Team OPA at the 2025 Nationals. 🇨🇦

Whether you’re stepping into the gym for the first time or chasing your next competition goal, David’s focus is the same: helping you become the strongest version of yourself and Make Your Mark. 💪

Regina Zheng | Personal Trainer & Strength Coach

With nearly 10 years of training experience, Regina brings a strong background in kinesiology, personal training and Olympic weightlifting to the MYM team. 💪

A University of Toronto Kinesiology graduate and CanFitPro Certified Personal Trainer, Regina has worked with everyone from beginners and general fitness clients to university athletes and competitive lifters.

Her approach is all about creating training that fits the individual, whether y by @emma_makeyourmark

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2 months ago

Meet the faces behind Make Your Mark Fitness. 👋

For David and Emma, MYM has always been about creating more than just a gym. It’s a place where beginners, everyday strength enthusiasts and competitive athletes can all feel supported, build confidence and become stronger; inside and outside of the gym.

Because at MYM, “An athlete is a mindset.” 💪

Emma has been a strength coach since 2016, with a passion for helping women discover what strength training can bring to their lives, not just physically, but through confidence, discipline and discovering their own inner strength.

Her experience also extends to the highest levels of powerlifting:
🏆 2022 NAPF 57kg Champion
🏆 2023 57kg National Champion
🇨🇦 Represented Team Canada internationally
🇨🇦 7+ international competitions as a Team Canada coach, including serving as Head Coach at the 2026 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships

David brings his own experience as both an athlete and coach:
🏆 2nd Place, Provincial Bench
🇨🇦 Team Canada Coach at 3 international competitions
🏋️ Coach at 6 National Championships
🍁 Team Ontario Coach, 2025–2026

But you don’t need a medal, competition goal or years of experience to train at MYM.

Whether you’re learning how to lift for the first time, looking to become stronger and healthier, or preparing to compete on an international stage, David and Emma believe there is a place for you here.

You don’t have to consider yourself an athlete to start. An athlete is a mindset and strength is for everyone.

Welcome to the MYM community. We’re glad you’re here. 💪

#MYMFitness #MeetTheOwners #AnAthleteIsAMindset #StrengthCommunity by @emma_makeyourmark

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2 months ago