Heart Fit Clinic Biographies

Diamond Fernandes- Founder

Diamond is the Founder of the Heart Fit Clinic. He is a published author and cardiac rehabilitation physiologist.

He has completed Cardiology Module (2019) and the Fellowship in Advanced Metabolic Cardiovascular Certification (2020) from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine/ Metabolic Medical Institute. He is also completing his Fellowship in Anti-Aging, Metabolic and Functional Medicine. Diamond graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Science Health Physiology in 1997. He is a certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as well as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

He started at Total Cardiology in Calgary (Formerly the Cardiac Wellness Institute of Calgary) in 1999. From there he was recruited to Dubai to start a cardiac rehabilitation program in 2005, then moved to Kelowna in 2006 to manage their cardiac rehabilitation program.

When his father had a heart attack at 38 years old, Diamond made it his personal mission to help his father along with thousands of others living with cardiovascular disease. This inspired him to live out his passion and start in the field of cardiac care in 1999. He saw a big gap in the healthcare system to helping people with their heart health, so this inspired him to solve this problem by starting the Heart Fit Clinic in 2007.

He serves as an executive board member for the Canadian Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation (CACR). He also is a member of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology (CSEP), and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
He is the author of Beating Heart Disease – 5 Powerful Pillars to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease and is excited to complete his upcoming book Death of the Stress Test.

Favorite Quote: “Arteries are a muscle, not a pipe” ~Diamond Fernandes

Karen Xekominos – Edmonton Director

Karen is the Co-Owner and Director of Heart Fit Clinic Edmonton.

She has completed Cardiology Module (2019) and the Fellowship in Advanced Metabolic Cardiovascular Certification (2020) from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine/ Metabolic Medical Institute as well as a Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor, and Certified Nutrition and Life Coach.

She is passionate about helping people achieve their goals in health, nutrition and life.  Karen is on a mission to empower and educate millions of people how to improve their health from inside out. She believes that health begins at the cellular level and we all have the ability to improve our current state into something magnificent.

When our cells are not healthy they are unable to preform the right processes and as a result we become unhealthy which can lead to various diseases and issues. You can change your health situation no matter what it is, however you need to understand what you are missing, what you could be doing to yourself (unknowing of course) and what path to follow towards health.

Karen became compassionate about health and helping people when her husband suffered a heart event and died at the age of 31 years old without warning.  She is dedicated to help people identify their risk factors, get to the root of the problem and provide them with the knowledge that she has, to help others thrive and enjoy their life.

Favourite Quote “Nearly all disease can be traced to a nutritional deficiency” by two time Nobel Prize winner Dr. Linus Pauling

Catherine Taino – Vancouver

I’m Catherine and I’m a professional nurturer of hearts of all shapes and sizes or in short, a registered nurse.

I am entrusted with the responsibility of learning what makes each individual heart beat, becoming acquainted with the person behind it, then caring for it based on its own unique needs. Being naturally driven by my own love muscle, the Heart Fit Family allows me to do what I truly love, which is taking the time to really get to know you and ensuring that you always feel comfortable and cared for (while of course adding my share of humour and laughter while we’re at it!). Having exposure to the most innovative technology and specified practices accounts for continuous learning and exciting, unpredictable work days.

Outside of the clinic, what keeps my blood pumping is being a full time mom to my two fur babies: a Pomeranian and a Collie/Shitzu cross and religiously monitoring the scores of all sports from football to tennis. You can find me taking my dogs on a stroll, exploring a new cuisine or on the courts shooting hoops!

Katie Lister – Vancouver

I am a Program Nurse at the Heart Fit Clinic Vancouver.

I have been a Registered Nurse for seven years with wide ranging experience prior to joining the Heart Fit team in November 2020. I am passionate about preventative medicine, improving people’s vitality and reducing the risk of detrimental health outcomes. It is so rewarding to be part of the innovative, holistic, and individualized approach we use that positively impacts patients’ quality of life.

I love outdoor activities and spending time in nature. In my free time you will find me biking (including commuting to work), running, climbing, swimming, paddling, skiing, hiking, and camping. I also love travelling, learning new things, reading, and spending time with my partner and friends.