The conversation begins, innocently enough, with a psychological game. I flip an imaginary coin for Eva Redpath. If it’s tails, her local workout program instantly transforms into a global fitness empire. But if it’s heads, she immediately achieves international acclaim as an actress. Even before the make-believe coin begins its descent, she says, “Heads!” I’m surprised – not by the answer but by the speed of it, and her absolute certainty. I shouldn’t be. Everything about Redpath is taut, fine-tuned and spring-driven – body and mind both. “There’s stories that I want to tell, through my acting,” she expands. “There are characters that I want to become. And through the fitness there’s women that I want to inspire. But I think it’s possible to do that as an actor as well.”

Gallery: More pics of Eva Redpath

It’s not as if Redpath needs to choose between one or the other; she sees her acting career and the workout regime that she created – Body Conditioning by Dancers – as manifestations of the same entrepreneurial spirit. “It’s a business,” she explains. “In fact both Body Conditioning by Dancers and Eva Redpath, the actor, are businesses – and one is now helping fund the other.”

Despite the fact that she has roles in two upcoming Canadian feature films, Pay in Full and Shark City, it is the inspiring, high energy fitness classes for women that are currently bringing home the bacon. Her program fuses elements from dance and fitness, while also featuring choreographed exercises set to music. But the benefits extend beyond the physical. Redpath describes herself as a combination educator, role model, confidant and motivator. “We are there for an hour and fifteen minutes that they are going to spend on themselves,” she says. “I present the participants with challenges, and they have to walk in ready to meet those challenges. And the confidence that they get out of actually letting me push them is incredible. They routinely surpass their expectations. And at the end of the eight-week sessions that I run, I see a transformation in every single woman!”

While radiating positivity, she talks about the dark period out of which her workout program was born. After committing herself fully to acting, she hit a rough patch and found herself down and out, without money for rent – or almost anything else. The dire circumstances forced her to come up with a way to support herself, and she drew upon her background as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor and dancer. But it is clearly Redpath’s passion that drives the classes, just as it fuels her up-and-coming acting career. But which will ultimately prevail? Acting? Body Conditioning by Dance? It’s a coin toss.

Eva Redpath met with photographer Franco Deleo at his Toronto studio for this exclusive TORO Woman shoot and revealed insights into her personality in the following Q&A.

Q: What is your present state of mind?
A: Optimistic. I feel like all of my hard work has started to align things, and I feel that I’m starting to reap the rewards of all that hard work.

Q: What is the quality you like most in a man?
A: Sensitivity. I’m a really emotional person, so if I can connect with a man who’s willing to be on that journey with me then that’s a really deep spiritual bond.

Q: The quality you like most in a woman?
A: Reliability. I’m extremely lucky to have surrounded myself with women who will be there for me through the thick and the thin, and I’m truly grateful for that.

Q: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A: Living healthy, feeling strong, being confident and inspiring others.

Q: What historical figure do you most identify with?
A: All those who have inspired change in the world.

Q: Which living person do you most admire?
A: Women who have started their own businesses, and especially the female celebrities who have used their status to benefit others.

Q: What is your greatest extravagance/indulgence?
A: Eating at fine dining restaurants all over the world. I lived in Shanghai for a year and a half, and I was very fortunate to be able to dine at Jean Georges restaurant there. He’s a famous French chef, and I had to eat at his establishment in New York city as well. But, really, I’ve eaten all over the world – fine dining, and just the most extravagant food.

Q: What is your most treasured possession?
A: My memories. The places that I’ve travelled in the world, the things that I’ve seen, the people that I’ve met.

Q: Which talent - other than ones you are blessed with - would you most like to have?
A: I’d love to be able to sing. Now I love dance, but it’s very rare that a dance will bring me to tears. But someone singing a song live, and it’s over. I’m a mess.

Q: Other than your present occupation, what occupation would you like to try?
A: How about a motivational speaker? Inspiring women to explore their full potential.

Q: If you were to die and come back as a person and/or thing, what do you think it would be?
A: I would like to come back as a doctor or scientist who solves some of the diseases that we haven’t quite conquered yet.

Q: What is your greatest fear?
A: Death.

Q: What trait do you deplore most in others?
A: Racism. I have zero tolerance for that ignorance.

Q: What trait do you deplore most in yourself?
A: Self doubt. It comes from high expectations that I place on myself. And, on a somewhat positive note, it helps keep those expectations in perspective.

Q: What is your greatest regret?
A: Nothing. Each challenge makes you a stronger person.

Q: What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
A: Status for it’s own sake. But I think it’s fine if you use status for a good end.

Q: Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
A: Breathe! [laughs]

Q: What is your most defining characteristic?
A: My sensitivity. I feel what you’re feeling. And it makes me one of those people that you’ll open up to, trust and confide in. I think it’s because I’ll relate to how you’re feeling, and I think that’s special about me.

Q: What or who is the greatest love of your life?
A: My family.

Q: What is your motto?
A: Hard work and perseverance are the keys to success.

For more information about Body Conditioning by Dancers, check out www.evaredpath.com. And watch our for her performances in the upcoming features films Shark City and Pay in Full.