Constantine Poulos

Background

Constantine (Kosta) graduated from York University in 2009, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology as well as a diploma in Athletic Therapy. Additionally, he has completed a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology at York University in the area of epidemiology (2012), and Master of Science degree in Exercise Science at The University of Toronto in the area of biomechanics (2019). Kosta has been a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association since 2009. Between 2009 and 2019 Kosta provided strength and conditioning services to athletes competing at various levels of sport in Canada and internationally.

In the Fall of 2020, Kosta joined the team at Performance Redefined. Since then, he has been working closely with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to improve and expand the provision of fitness and wellness services, education, and support available to fire fighters in the United States and Canada. Being of service to others is important to Kosta, and he finds satisfaction and meaning in helping fire fighters improve their health and well-being. Selfishly, Kosta enjoys working with fire fighters because of what they provide him. Their stories, experiences, personalities, and capabilities are an endless source of motivation and inspiration.

Activity Habits

Outside of work Kosta works as an Athletic Development Coach at Novanta Sports Performance; a company that provides performance services to athletes in Southwestern Ontario. Sport and exercise are a big part of Kosta’s life. He participated in structured sport from childhood into early adulthood, which developed the habit of being active often. For him, sports were a source of physical challenge, and sparked an interest (that has turned into a love) in physical training and the adaptability of human physiology in response to training. Although he is no longer involved in structured sport, he still draw motivation from these factors.

Being active makes him feel good (physically and mentally), and adds structure to his day. He enjoys strength training, olympic lifting, running, hiking, swimming, and boxing. Balancing work and personal responsibilities sometimes makes it challenging for Kosta to be as active as he would like.

Perspectives on F2T and fire fighter wellness and fitness

In Kosta’s opinion the F2T program is not just directed at improving fire fighters’ fitness, but rather a fire fighter’s overall well-being. Although exercise and physical activity are critical components to this mission, other factors such as nutrition, mental health, social well-being (and more), can’t be ignored and shouldn’t be address independently. The F2T program integrates other components of wellness into its offerings, and is designed to be interoperable with other programs/initiatives to improve a fire fighter’s wellbeing.

Kosta would like fire fighters and departments to know that the program is the product of the experiences, reflections, observations and scientific research of fire fighters and passionate civilians at the coal face of fitness and wellness in the fire service. He believes that this program is built on sound principles and evidence-based practices, and tailored to meet the needs of fire service personnel.