Taylor Evernden is a strength and conditioning coach and the founder of ORKA Performance, a multi-clinic rehab and performance facility based in Alberta. With over a decade of experience, Taylor has coached athletes across the Premier League, NHL, MLS, CFL, and other elite levels of sport.
Taylor holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Saskatchewan, where he competed with the Huskies Men’s Soccer Team, and a Master’s in Strength and Conditioning from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia—one of the world’s top programs for high-performance sport.
In addition to his coaching work, Taylor has contributed to the development of coaches across the country as a coach educator with Canada Soccer, specializing in the Sport Science stream. His academic foundation, international experience, and commitment to education continue to shape a performance philosophy rooted in both science and sport.
Taylor Evernden is a strength and conditioning coach and the founder of ORKA Performance, a multi...
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Lauren holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Calgary, a Master of Strength and Conditioning from Liverpool John Moores University, and is a NSCA-Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
Lauren began coaching at a young age and found her calling in strength and conditioning while completing her undergraduate degree. She then worked at a variety of different gyms to get as much experience as possible before deciding to move to Liverpool to complete her masters degree in strength and conditioning.
Upon completing this program, Lauren began working as a performance coach at ORKA Performance, and eventually worked her way up to the Head of Strength and Conditioning at the flagship location in Calgary. Across her career, Lauren has worked with professional and national-level athletes for many years across hockey, rugby union, rugby league, lacrosse, volleyball, rowing, soccer, football, and almost every sport under the sun. She has rehabbed, and continues to rehab, complex injuries in close collaboration with physiotherapists and sports medicine doctors. She has founded programs to bring more women into sport, developed the next generation of youth athletes, and is still involved in running many of ORKA’s education courses for coaches and clinicians.
Now coaching virtually, Lauren has worked alongside Taylor and Travis (owners of ORKA Performance) to build a service that provides individualized performance programs grounded in objective testing data, so athletes get the same level of attention and accountability wherever they train. She has particular expertise in return-to-sport programming for athletes coming back from injury, and offers case consultations for coaches and clinicians navigating complex return-to-play decisions.
Lauren is driven by developing both physical and mental resilience in her athletes and building an atmosphere of performance, community, and excellence — in person or online. Outside of coaching, she’s usually with her family, coaching her niece or nephews sports, spending time with her partner Chase, or finding some new sport to explore.
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Calgary, a Master of Strength and C...
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Jayse is currently completing his masters thesis through the University of Regina studying the biomechanics of throwing sports, and holds his NSCA-Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
Jayse’s passion for sport began at a young age, playing a variety of sports before focusing on football—later competing at the University of Regina as a running back, an experience that shaped his understanding and love for the training process. Following his football career, he transitioned into the Strength & Conditioning Coach for the University of Regina Rams Football Team and Cougars Basketball Teams. Jayse has worked with athletes at all levels, ranging from those just starting their training journey to CFL players.
Jayse takes an athlete-centred approach, forming a collaborative environment to build up and empower each athlete—focusing not only on the “what,” but the “why” behind their programs. Outside of coaching Jayse loves adrenaline rushes and the outdoors, whether it’s high-energy adventures or embracing nature while hiking, fishing, or hunting.
Jayse is currently completing his masters thesis through the University of Regina studying the bi...
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