The Soko Team

Dan Grant is an internationally recognized body transformation coach certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and is the owner of Dan Grant Fitness Coaching Services. He currently trains (in person and online), lectures in the USA and Canada, and writes. His professional webpage is http://www.dangrantfitness.com.

Dave Gabriele has been a practitioner and a teacher of martial arts for over ten years. His expertise falls within the Chinese systems of kung fu, qigong qnd taiji. Through years of practice and calisthenics, accumulated experience from teaching and extensive applied research in martial arts, general health and nutrition, Dave Gabriele feels he can contribute to a reader's understanding of such topics. In 2006, he received a B.A. from York University and he is currently studying at TSTCM to become a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Jenny Lee Ferguson has been writing since she learned not to eat the crayons. She currently attends Toronto's York University and is looking to support her Cracker Jack habit with her pen. She lives and loves in the GTA, but would consider trading in for a steer wrestler with a llama farm.

Justine Kim is a proud alumnus of Ryerson University's Journalism program, 2004. She then went on to achieve her Bachelor of Education at Queen's University. Her love of writing and teaching others come together in her work for The Soko, as she is able to inform readers of the newest trends in health and nutrition. Although she has no formal education, she is a self-professed health aficionado. Whenever she has free time, she is at the gym running on the treadmill or trying out the latest dance, step, or yoga class.

Laura Hart is a fashion business student at George Brown College with a B.A. in English from Queen’s University. She has been working with The Soko for about three years, first as an intern and now as a staff writer for Her Style. In addition to writing, Laura acts as a stylist for fashion shows, has participated in L’Oreal Fashion week and enjoys being part of the visual merchandising team at her current job.

Lisa Xing is a fourth year journalism and psychology student at Carleton University. She has covered everything from politics to social issues to arts in her academic journalism. Dating back to her toddler years, Lisa has had an inherent love of and interest in style and unique fashions (namely, making her own).

Lua Farnoush is a student at York University, studying for degrees in Business Administration as well as the Concurrent Education program. She is a self-proclaimed addict of footwear, Facebook, and her fussy Chihuahua named Zoë. Comfortably settling into her 20s, Lua lives with her dog in a quiet neighborhood of North York.

Based in Toronto, Lyra Pappin is a columnist for The Soko and a staff writer at PopMatters.com, with work published on CBC.ca and in the Chicago Tribune. She has an English degree from Queen's University. She enjoys reading, traveling, writing, running and drinking wine... but not at the same time. Contact Lyra at lyra (at) thesoko (dot) com.

Matthew Stefanson is a young man with big dreams. A man who thinks that ghosts may or may not exist and an avid supporter of Canadian music. A man who firmly believes that writing about himself in the third person narrative is the most fun he has ever, or will ever, have. The sort of fellow that you wouldn't want in your corner during a barfight, but one that you'd love to have at your sporting event or box social.

Natasha Leitao is a writer and consultant living in Ontario. Originally from Saskatchewan, her educational background is in psychology. Her interests include statistical analysis, travelling, cocktail hours and of course, dating. Look for Natasha in the local cable channel hit series "What's in Your Garage".

Niki Naderi is an English and Communications major at York University and aspiring novelist. Her inspirations include Don DeLillo, Carrie Bradshaw and Winnie-the-Pooh. Niki loves random walks, ranting and being up north, but also spends a lot of her time observing the dating rituals of our species (in a non-creepy way), giving her a plethora of relationship advice to share with one and all.

Peter Liu is busy finishing a BA in English at York University. He has been a vegetarian for six months (and counting!) and is devoted to living a healthy lifestyle while sharing his accumulated knowledge with Soko readers. In his spare time, Peter loves scouring the internet for good food recipes, and can usually be found in old bookstores looking through comics and taking in that old book smell.

Sam Stilson currently lives in downtown Toronto where he works as a writer and musician. A graduate from York University's Creative Writing program, Sam has produced articles for several magazines both online and print. Providing the 'everyman' take on men's fashion and grooming, Sam uses his dapper fashion sense to produce a patchwork guide to hair, clothes, and toenails.

Sarah Stefanson is Lead Editor and a weekly columnist for The Soko. She is also Editor of livedress.com and Assistant Editor of cahoots magazine for which she writes a sex column called "Sense and Sensuality". Once upon a time she was a quasi-famous musician in her corner of the world, but now she lives the quiet life of a writer in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan with her perfect fiancé and their adorable newt. She has done more than her fair share of dating and is much better at giving relationship advice than taking it. Contact Sarah at sarah (at) thesoko (dot) com.

Shanda Stefanson has lived in Scotland and Italy, travelled France and Greece and is currently working as an ESL teacher in South Korea. From reporting for the local newspaper in her home town in rural Saskatchewan to writing, directing and starring in plays at University, her experience is varied and vast. She is now working toward her goal of seeing every continent before settling down to "real life."

Stacey Noronha, a graduate of the University of Windsor’s Women’s Studies program, is giving her passion for writing a second chance. While taking classes at York University, teaching piano, writing and cooking up a storm, she also finds time to devour fashion magazines and Jane Austen classics. Notorious for her shopping skills, her addiction to text messages and her enormously large jewellery collection, Stacey is also an avid traveller. Regardless of all these strengths, she has a tragic weakness for milk chocolate, Calla Lilies and strongly believes that you hear Puccini when you fall in love.

Vanessa Agosta is a Can Fit Pro certified personal trainer and the general manager for an on-site fitness company called G Force Home Training. Vanessa advocates a lifestyle that balances health education, exercise, healthy eating, and meditation. She creates fun and effective workout programs for her clients, and specializes in weight loss, posture correction, and sports performance exercise. The trainer keeps herself in shape by running, dancing, practicing martial arts, lifting weights, and eating 5 to 6 small, healthy meals throughout the day.