I ’ d like to start by saying thank you . Not just for the things that you do for the athletes , but for allowing us to have a voice . Creating space for us to share our stories and raising awareness is such an important part of ending the stigma that surrounds mental health . As I work closely with my clients , I see the impact that taking better care of their bodies has on their overall wellbeing , and I wake up grateful everyday that I ’ m here to make a difference .
I ’ ve always been a runner . As a kid growing up and through junior high , I was part of the track and field team . Mind you I never placed high on the podium , at that time in my life winning didn ’ t matter . I ran as an outlet and to escape all the things that being
a teenager meant . As I got older , I never stopped running , in fact just weeks after my daughter was born in March of 2016 , I was back up to 10k twice a week with her in the stroller !
This was our time to get outside , go exploring and I ’ m convinced that she loved it more than I did . Her eyes got wide , and she would smile at all the flowers and trees as we rolled by . destructive path . It ’ s still heavy to say this out loud , but I wanted to end my suffering . I thought about taking my life . I reached out to close friends of mine at a local church , and they offered me support and resources . Slowly and surely , I began to properly grieve , process my loss , and take better care of myself . I can ’ t imagine where I ’ d be if I didn ’ t reach out for help when I hit rock bottom . I started going for short runs and with my headphones on full blast I ’ d leave behind the pain in every stride . One day , 5K didn ’ t hurt as much anymore . I decided to move back home to N . B as I was in Alberta without family when all of this happened . I joined a gym that a friend recommended and suddenly it was like I found my outlet . Something just clicked that week , and lifting weights was the ultimate therapy .
Fast forward five years and I could not be more thankful that fitness found me . It saved my life and has given me purpose . I started a mobile health coaching / fitness company right after Covid19 shut gyms down so that I could reach people in their homes . I know firsthand the impact that poor lifestyle choices have on physical and mental health . Introducing small changes slowly can have a huge impact over time . This could mean better sleep hygiene , cutting out sugar and processed foods , or even walks outside . If I can help someone get up from a fall in their journey , to feel heard and supported , and guide them to discover strength they never knew existed , my job is done .
Thank you for allowing me to share my experience . I ’ m excited to see what 2022 has to offer me in my own personal journey to wellness .
Aspen got sick that summer . She was then diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called SMA . Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 affects 1 in 10 000 children . In 2016 there was no treatment that proved to be successful , and as a result , Aspen died in October . She was almost eight months old .
I couldn ’ t run . I couldn ’ t function . Eating , sleeping , breathing and all the things that you ’ d think would feel okay just didn ’ t . I went down an extremely dark ,