Meet Melissa Gunstone.
Melissa has dedicated her career to helping aging adults stay strong, confident, and independent. A graduate of Western University’s Kinesiology program, Melissa began her journey working in a physiotherapy clinic where she began to notice a trend that set her on a path she didn't expect. Melissa watched many older adults complete their post-surgery programs on schedule, only to be sent home with exercise sheets and uncertainty. Despite weeks of progress, they returned home without the skills, support, or confidence they needed to maintain long-term strength, balance, and mobility.
One particular client - a neighbour in his late 70s recovering from knee surgery - changed everything. When Melissa offered to continue supporting his program one-on-one, she witnessed something powerful. Simple daily walks around the block became milestones. His mobility returned, but more importantly, so did his confidence. That's when it hit her: there was a critical gap between clinical discharge and independence. In her words, “the system gets you back to baseline and sends you home with no motivation, support or direction to surpass previous baselines, progress and prevent further injuries”.
Melissa started small, designing personalized programs that blended safe movement with practical education and real encouragement. What began as one-on-one support soon expanded to group classes in retirement communities, where she saw the joy and confidence that came from moving and connecting together. Each experience reinforced her belief that seniors don’t just need exercise programs, they need connection, purpose, and strategies to protect their independence.
From these beginnings, HomeStretch grew into a trusted team of kinesiologists serving older adults across Canada. Under Melissa’s leadership, the team has supported thousands of clients through in-home care, retirement community workshops, and specialized fall prevention and brain-and-balance programs. Every service is guided by the same vision: helping seniors build strength, improve balance, and feel more confident in daily life.
Melissa has also designed a full product line of tools to assist with activities and have been adopted by other service providers and are being used around the country.
The team at HomeStretch knows that the later stages of life aren’t about slowing down, they're about staying steady, active, and connected. Melissa and her team believe every person deserves the chance to feel stronger in body, sharper in mind, and more connected to their community, no matter their age.
If you’re ready to protect your independence and invest in better health, now is the time to begin. HomeStretch is here to support you or your community with programs designed for aging adults, built on expertise and compassion.
Book your call today and take the first step toward greater strength, confidence, and connection.
Melissa - Founder - HomeStretch Active Living & Fall Prevention Coach at Sturdey.com
Learn How Melissa and HomeStretch can help you Today.
“Leading a team of Ontario-based kinesiologists offering personalized, fun, fall-prevention training for seniors in Toronto, Niagara, Oakville.”
How We Help
Personalized Care
Every body is different. Your hobbies change, your goals are unique, and so are the challenges you face as you age. That’s why your kinesiologist works with you to create a progressive, individualized plan you can follow safely at home. Whether you’re rebuilding strength, improving balance, or working toward overall wellness, our goal is to help you feel supported, capable, and motivated every step of the way.
Build Confidence
Fear of falling is a real and a common challenge for older adults. Starting a new training plan can feel intimidating, Where do you begin? Which exercises are safe and effective? With HomeStretch, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Your kinesiologist designs a program that’s not only safe, but also progressive, helping you rebuild strength, improve balance, and move with confidence in your everyday life.
Stay Independent
Aging can make everyday tasks feel harder, but the right support makes a big difference. With proper tools, personalized exercises, and expert coaching, we help you maintain strength, mobility, and confidence in daily activities. Our goal is simple: to help you stay safe at home, connected to the people you love, and independent for as long as possible..
Our Vision
To help older adults across Ontario move better, feel stronger, and live more confidently — one step at a time.
Our Mission
To create a world where every older adult has fast, easy access to expert movement support at home — no waitlists, no travel, just strength, balance, and confidence made simple.
Meet Our Ontario Team
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![Kayleigh Bush - Kinesiologist - Profile Picture]()
Kayleigh Bush
KINESIOLOGIST
Serving St. Catharines & Niagara Region
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![Kinesiologist - Frank Avella]()
Frank Avella
KINESIOLOGIST
Serving Thunder Bay Area
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![Kinesiologist team member - Javon]()
Javon MacDonald
KINESIOLOGIST
Serving Burlington, Oakville & Hamilton
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![Logan post- toronto personal trainer for seniors]()
Logan Post
KINESIOLOGIST
Serving Scarborough, East Toronto and Oshawa
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![Victoria- Cambridge Kinesiologist for seniors]()
Victoria Jones
KINESIOLOGIST
Serving Cambridge, Kitchener & Waterloo
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![Katie Sewell - Dundas Kinesiologist for seniors]()
Katie Sewell
KINESIOLOGIST
Serving Dundas, Cayuga, Caledonia & Surrounding areas
The Kinesiologists Behind Every Success Story
Every HomeStretch Kinesiologist is dedicated to helping older adults move with confidence, prevent falls, and continue doing the things they love.
Melissa Gunstone
Founder, R.kinAfter years of serving seniors throughout British Columbia, Melissa recently returned to her roots in Norfolk County, Ontario, where she continues to grow HomeStretch's mission of making expert movement support accessible to older adults wherever they live.
Melissa believes that aging doesn't have to mean slowing down. With the right guidance, support, and exercise prescription, older adults can maintain their independence, reduce their risk of falls, and continue living life on their own terms.
Kayleigh Bush
R.Kin, Niagara RegionKayleigh was recently awarded the Diamond Award for Best Kinesiology Exercise Therapist at Niagara Orthopaedic Institute.
As a former varsity cross-country athlete, Kayleigh developed a strong appreciation for movement, performance, and long-term health.
Today, she works closely with older adults across Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Welland, and Pelham, helping them improve balance, strength, mobility, and confidence through personalized in-home exercise programs.
Javon MacDonald
R.Kin, Burlington, Oakville, HamiltonJavon holds a Bachelor of Human Kinetics and is currently completing his Nursing degree at Mohawk College to further expand his ability to support clients' health and well-being.
Javon works with seniors across Hamilton, Burlington, and Oakville, creating customized programs that improve mobility, reduce pain, build strength, and make everyday activities feel easier and safer. His supportive and encouraging approach helps clients move with greater confidence and continue doing the things they enjoy most.
Victoria Jones
R.Kin, Cambridge, Kitchener, WaterlooVictoria is a Kin and Certified Yoga Teacher who takes a holistic approach to helping older adults move well, feel better, and stay independent. Combining therapeutic exercise with the mindfulness and nervous system benefits of yoga, she helps clients build strength, mobility, balance, and confidence.
Victoria integrates evidence-based exercise, functional mobility training, and breathwork into her sessions. Her calm, supportive approach empowers clients to better understand their bodies and create a sustainable foundation for lifelong movement and healthy aging.
Frank Avalla
R.Kin, Thunder Bay In addition to his kinesiology work, Frank works as an Ergonomist, helping individuals optimize movement, reduce injury risk, and improve physical function in everyday activities. His experience spans injury rehabilitation, balance and vestibular rehabilitation, and working with older adults to help them maintain independence and confidence.
Frank is passionate about helping seniors across Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario stay active, move safely, and continue doing the activities they enjoy most.
Logan Post
Exercise Physiologist, Toronto Logan is a Certified Exercise Physiologist, Master of Fitness Science, and Certified Personal Trainer who believes exercise should be both effective and enjoyable.
Logan has experience working with individuals of varying health backgrounds, specializing in chronic disease management. They believe lasting health comes from finding movement that fits naturally into a fulfilling lifestyle.
Serving seniors across the Durham Region, Logan helps clients discover enjoyable and sustainable ways to stay active, improve function, and achieve their personal health goals.
Join Our Movement
At HomeStretch Active Living, our strength comes from the people who care deeply about helping others move with confidence.
If you’re a kinesiologist or movement specialist who believes in compassionate, community-based care, we’d love to connect. Together, we’re building something special - one program, one connection, one movement at a time
Loved meeting the team? Let’s get you moving.
Now that you’ve met the people behind HomeStretch, take the next step toward better balance, strength, and confidence.