Business Echo - Dawn Thalheimer

For Dawn Thalheimer, empowering women is at the heart of everything she does. As an award-winning Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, she has spent more than a decade helping women build strength, confidence and healthier lives, with a particular focus on navigating the often-overlooked realities of perimenopause and menopause.

But Dawn’s impact extends beyond health and wellness.

As President of Kelowna Women in Business, she is helping lead and strengthen a community where women entrepreneurs and professionals can connect, collaborate and grow. A business owner, community leader and mother of five, Dawn understands firsthand the many roles women carry - and has built her work around helping them thrive through every season.

In this edition of Business Echo, we talk to Dawn about the journey that turned a personal interest in wellness into a career, the trust she has built within the Okanagan community, her approach to leadership and entrepreneurship, and why she believes women shouldn’t wait until they feel ready to take the next step.

OE: Please tell our readers a little about yourself and the journey that led you to become a fitness and nutrition coach.

DT: I've always loved learning and sharing what I've learned with others. Whether it's in fitness and nutrition or life in general, I find a lot of fulfillment in helping people understand things more clearly and apply that knowledge in ways that improve their lives. My background is in business, but over time I found myself increasingly drawn to health and wellness as I made changes in my own life. What started as a personal interest eventually became a career.

Today, I'm a Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach with more than a decade of experience working with clients of all ages and fitness levels. While I've coached many different populations over the years, I've developed a particular passion for guiding women in midlife through perimenopause and menopause. I also support those using GLP-1 medications as part of their health journey, helping them preserve muscle, optimize nutrition and build sustainable lifestyle habits that support long-term success.

As a woman in my 50s, I've experienced many of the challenges that come with this stage of life. I understand how frustrating it can be when the strategies that used to work suddenly don't seem effective anymore. That personal experience, combined with my professional training, allows me to support women with both expertise and empathy.

My goal is to simplify health and fitness, cut through the noise and help women build sustainable habits that fit their goals and lifestyle.

OE: After earning Bronze in 2024 and Gold in both 2025 and 2026 in the Best of Kelowna Awards, you've established yourself as a trusted voice in women's health and wellness. What do you think has been the key to building that level of trust and impact within the community?

DT: I think trust comes from consistency and genuinely caring about the people you serve.

I've never been interested in quick fixes or selling unrealistic promises. Instead, I've focused on providing practical, evidence-based guidance and supporting clients through the ups and downs that naturally come with creating change.

I also believe people appreciate honesty. If something isn't working, we'll talk about it. If progress is slower than expected, we'll adjust the plan. My clients know that I'm invested in their success and that I'm going to meet them where they are without judgement.

Being active in the community has also been important. Whether it's through speaking engagements, local events, Kelowna Women in Business, partnerships with healthcare practitioners or simply showing up consistently online, I've had the privilege of building relationships with many incredible women in our community.

The awards are an incredible honour, but for me, the real reward is seeing clients gain confidence, improve their health and start believing in themselves again.

OE: You have helped many women transform their health and confidence. Can you share a moment in your career that you're particularly proud of?

DT: One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing women realize that it's not too late to make meaningful changes.

I've worked with clients who came to me feeling defeated, convinced that weight loss was impossible at their age or that they would never feel strong again. Watching someone go from feeling frustrated and discouraged to feeling empowered, capable and confident is incredibly rewarding.

One client told me that before working together she felt completely deflated and couldn't lose a pound despite trying everything. Over time she lost more than 20 pounds, but what stood out most was how much lighter she felt mentally. She had more confidence, more energy and a renewed sense of possibility.

Moments like that remind me that this work is about so much more than numbers on a scale.

OE: You also currently serve as President of Kelowna Women in Business. What does this leadership role mean to you, and what impact do you hope to have on the organization and its members?

DT: Serving as President of Kelowna Women in Business is both an honour and a responsibility that I take seriously.

KWIB has created an incredible community where women can connect, collaborate and support one another. As someone who owns a small business, I know how valuable those relationships can be.

My goal is to help continue building an organization that empowers women at every stage of business. Whether someone is just starting out, growing a team or leading an established company, I want them to feel welcomed, supported and connected.

I also hope to help strengthen the organization's long-term sustainability so it can continue serving women in our community for years to come.

OE: As a mom of five and President of KWIB, how do you balance running a business with other aspects of your life?

DT: I don't know if balance is ever something you fully achieve. It's more something you continually adjust.

Like many women, I wear a lot of hats. I'm a business owner, a coach, a volunteer leader, a wife and a mom of five. There are certainly seasons when one area requires more attention than another.

What helps me most is being intentional with my time, setting priorities and accepting that I don't have to do everything perfectly. I've learned that success isn't about doing it all. It's about focusing on what matters most in the moment and giving myself grace when things aren't perfect.

The lessons I teach my clients about consistency, flexibility and sustainable habits are often the same lessons I apply in my own life.

OE: What's a piece of advice you'd give to women looking to start their own business?

DT: Start before you feel ready.

Many women spend years waiting until they have everything figured out before taking action. The truth is that confidence comes from doing, not from waiting.

You'll learn more from serving your first client, launching your first offer or attending your first networking event than you ever will from endless planning.

I'd also encourage women to build relationships early. Community has been one of the most valuable parts of my entrepreneurial journey. Surround yourself with people who support you, challenge you and genuinely want to see you succeed.

OE: If you had unlimited funds for one day, what's the first thing you'd do for your business?

DT: I would invest in creating a larger platform to educate and support women navigating midlife health challenges.

There's still so much misinformation surrounding perimenopause and menopause. I would love to create more accessible educational resources, host larger community events and expand opportunities for women to receive trusted guidance and support.

If I could help thousands more women understand what's happening in their bodies and feel empowered to take control of their health, that would be an incredible use of those resources.

OE: What's your favourite Okanagan spot to relax or find inspiration?

DT: I wouldn't say it's necessarily relaxing, but I find inspiration hiking Knox Mountain. Whether I'm chatting with others or enjoying a solo hike, reaching the top feels like an accomplishment every time. Looking out over the city and seeing how far you've climbed is an incredible reminder of what you can achieve just one step at a time. It's one of my favourite places to clear my mind, gain perspective and appreciate the beauty of the Okanagan.

OE: What's one thing about you that people might not know?

DT: Many people may not know that I wasn't born in Canada. When I was two years old, my parents emigrated from England, leaving their families behind to build a new life here with my older sister and me.

Looking back, I can’t fathom the courage that took. There was no email, texting, or affordable international calls. My parents took an enormous risk leaving everything familiar behind in pursuit of greater opportunities for our family.

Their resilience, determination and willingness to embrace change have had a profound influence on me and continue to inspire how I approach both life and business today.

OE: How can we reach you?

DT: Website: www.dawnthalheimer.com

Instagram: @dawnthalheimer

Facebook: @dawnthalheimercoaching

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-thalheimer/