SOUL FUEL Fitness Fitness Expert Choreographer Seventh Stage Productions LaRouge Entertainment FITPOP Dance Fit Actor
MOVING PEOPLE TO LIVE BETTER LIVES

Moving People into their Power

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Hi. I’m MJ Shaw, an Entrepreneur and Fitness Expert.

While life is beautiful, I believe the the human existence is a bit of an obstacle course. I provide resources to help lean into our individual and collective power, enabling us to better jump our hurdles and enjoy this one precious life.

I’ve been leading people in movement (fitness, dance, yoga) for 30 years. After developing training programs and working for other studios for two decades, I founded SOUL FUEL in 2019, where you can find me teaching classes and leading a growing staff and community of clients. You’ll also find me working as a Choreographer, Coaching business clients, Speaking for events, and attempting to find time write.

Alongside a 30 year career as an actor, choreographer, and theatre director, I founded and ran several small businesses: feminist theatre company Seventh Stage Productions in 2006, international retreat company Dynamic Retreats in 2010, dance fitness program FITPOP in 2015, and co-founded corporate entertainment company LaRouge Entertainment in 2008.

I hold an HBA in Theatre, minors in Religion and Politics, and MA in Drama Studies from the University of Toronto. I’m a graduate of the Sheridan College/UofT ‘Theatre & Drama Studies’ program, where worked on faculty for 5 years. Fitness certifications include: Canadian Federation of Coaches, ACE (PT & Group), canfitpro (PTS & FIS), Yoga Alliance (500 hours), PIA (Reformer & Mat), AFAA (Group), BATD (Ballet, Jazz, Tap) and more.

I transitioned into family life in my 40s and am proud mother to Samuel and wife to Daniel. Together we work to enjoy our lucky lives and amazing community, as well as give back to it.

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2016. I was confused and judged and now I’m in. I’ve really enjoyed reading about people’s ’just a decade ago’ journeys. It feels like both yesterday and lifetime ago. My day to day is very different now. At this age an
This year of the Snake has felt like shedding years of skin. When I allow self-reflection and compassion to play the leads, I can garner the greater good and growth. But rage and despondence have made their cameos too, and I’ve just about exhau
Happy Merry Joyful day out there! Annual Christmas Day drive from Ottawa to Orillia to share our time with all parents. Tough year this round, but we’re keeping the vibes high for Sam and our spirits. Wishing you and yours a lovely holiday time
November was busy. It felt universal. Yeah, you too? I’m inviting a less is more, connection over consumption, rest/recovery over racing mood in December. Or at least joy and meaning in whatever you do! Sending you all goodness and a recap f
Whew, it’s one of those periods when you feel a bit like a beat up punching bag. It’s times like these I find myself asking: Is my HRT dose off? Is it the change of seasons? Is the weird economy putting people on edge? Are the algorithms
Choosing Dan was a great life choice. I’m so glad he chose me too! I married the Nice Guy and it really has changed the way I move through life. He’s my loving and loyal partner and we full belly laugh together every.single.day. The wedd
This summer ended with a homecoming to Nova Scotia, where my paternal family settled in 1751, where I was born and spent much of my childhood. But this trip was for my father who has been diagnosed with ALS. He wanted to show Sam his home and pass

10 Fun MJ Facts:

  1. MJ began as Melissa-Jane Boehner in Nova Scotia to a big extended family. She grew up mostly in a French community just outside Ottawa.

  2. MJ’s first movement passion was gymnastics, until she broke a bunch of bones at a competition and moved her efforts towards dance and drama.

  3. MJ signed with her first talent agent when she was age 10 at the national public speaking finals. She didn’t win the contest, but she started acting.

  4. MJ used her university scholarship money to backpack Europe the summer she turned 18. Her budget was $50 a day, there were no cell phones, and she had only her travel book to guide her. 

  5. MJ worked as a Student Intern for the Prime Minister’s office (under Chretien) during her second summer of university, which peaked her interest in politics.

  6. MJ’s memorable past Joe Jobs: cleaning the Argonauts residents, credit card phone sales on night shift, cocktail waitressing at a strip club.

  7. MJ worked as a singer/dancer with Celebrity Cruises, where she ran a ship-to-port promotions company on the side and saved up enough to buy her first house.

  8. MJ worked as an Associate Publicist with Deb G at rock-it promotions for 3 years, being mentored by one of the best in marketing, PR, and business. 

  9. MJ sang and danced with The ElastoCitizens for 10 years, a funk-band that played regularly at the Horseshoe, Lees Palace, appeared in movies and made music and magic.

  10. MJ founded Dynamic Fitness & Retreats which lead a dozen retreats in the Caribbean, Central America, and Ontario. She folded this company to start SOUL FUEL Fitness.