Skimble

Maria has never been one to sit still. As a former member of Canada’s youth power cheerleading team, she’s flipped, tumbled, and soared through the air on the world stage.

Today, her moves look a little different: more likely on a climbing wall, skiing down a slope, or biking a mountain trail — but the drive behind them is still the same: a love for movement and the belief that it can indeed transform lives.

“I’ve always been into athletics and love being active,” Maria says. “But I know a lot of people don’t know where to start. So I wanted to create something that could guide them.”

Her tech background gave her the perfect springboard too. After a career that began at Google and included a stint at a mobile analytics startup that was later acquired by Yahoo, Maria had both the skills and the entrepreneurial itch to build something of her own. She’d even run a small mobile business back in high school.

Plus, the timing couldn’t have been better: smartphones were beginning to change how people engaged with health and fitness, and Maria saw an opportunity: a trainer right in the palm of your hand, one that could deliver expert-led workouts anywhere, anytime.

She co-founded Skimble and launched its flagship app, Workout Trainer, available on both Android and iOS. And from day one, the mission was clear: make fitness accessible to anyone, at any level, with personalized training plans and plenty of free content.

“We want to make fitness accessible for everyone at all stages of their journey,” Maria explains. “A lot of our training is free, and you can upgrade to our Pro+membership in-app if you want to really make a commitment.”

Over the years, Skimble’s reach has expanded globally, getting millions to become (and stay) active on their own terms. And Maria hasn’t forgotten her roots in the startup world either. She regularly shares her insights by mentoring emerging founders and investing in early-stage startups.

“I want to help the next generation of entrepreneurs find their footing and thrive,” she says.

The company’s growth has also allowed Maria to keep exploring new ideas to deliver on Skimble’s mission. The list is extensive: AI-driven training, more comprehensive workout libraries, even innovative social features. She’s building a platform that doesn’t just keep people moving — it keeps them connected.

Looking into the future, she sees the ad-supported model continuing to play a central role. “Ads let us offer a free tier so that anyone can access and try out our services before committing,” Maria says. “That’s huge for inclusivity in fitness. And as our audience grows, so does our ability to give them more. More features, more workouts, more motivation.”

In Maria’s eyes, movement is more than just exercise; it’s a way to live better, longer: “if we can help someone build a healthier, happier life, and remove barriers to getting started, then we’re on the right track.”