HOW DID YOUR CAREER IN FITNESS BEGIN?
I fell in love with movement at a young age. I started coaching gymnastics at 12 years of age and realized how much I loved teaching. I coached throughout high school and when I graduated I went into physical education at UBC. Group fitness was breaking ground. I took classes as part of my own fitness and then started teaching. That morphed into a career in health and fitness.
HOW DID THE TSAWWASSEN WELLNESS CENTRE COME TO BE?
I worked in quite a few “gyms” in my twenties. As a manager of these facilities, I was amazed at the difference between the number of actual members vs those who attended. So many people were paying for their memberships, not exercising and therefore not getting results.
As a health professional I wanted to help people get fit, feel better and be their best self. It wouldn’t happen if they didn’t show up.
So, I opened my own Studio where it mattered that clients showed up. (we still call our clients if we haven’t seen them in a while. J ) With a focus on small group numbers, it meant we could get to know our clients, their goals and support them to be successful.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU EXERCISE?
I move my body 6-7 days per week as it keeps my head straight. As I age (53 years old now), I am finding that recovery is an important part of healthy aging. So my exercise regime involves a mix of Pilates, Fascial Conditioning, running and cycling. I take at least one day a week off of cardio and focus on stretching, breathing and rejuvenation.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT?
Healthy aging and feeling great. Self-care is the new health-care. I get to help re-define what it means for men and women to age because age is just a number and aging is an attitude.
Active agers are 50+. I am often in disbelief that is me!! I am passionate about supporting men and women to stay independent throughout life. That means we can perform all of our daily activities without assistance and anything extra that interests us. Travel? Holding our grandchildren, hobbies and social activities.
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE MIND BODY CONNECTION?
The mind and body influence one another. We are one and cannot be separated. The more aware we are within ourselves, the more choice we have in how we are. Awareness brings change and change brings choice. Pilates helps us be more aware of our body, how to move well, stand taller, have solid balance and coordination. We move with confidence instead of fear of injury or falling. We engage in life more when we feel good in our skin.
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