Showing My Gratitude for 2020

Yes, 2020 was hard, and each and every person has had their life disrupted in many ways. But I don’t want to dwell on that today; rather, I’d like to show my gratitude for 2020. 

I’m grateful for the businesses that were able to stay open (like mine!). I’ve loved seeing the new and beautiful ways people have found to celebrate and connect. But the thing I am most thankful for are my communities, and I want to shout it loud so everyone can hear me! 

THANK YOU! 

At the risk of missing someone, I want to acknowledge the communities that helped me get through this past year. Thank you to:

My Run Club, The Sole Experience Running Company

• The Owners Eric and Lorie Muller, and my fellow run leaders
• Those who I lead
• Those who have become closer friends because of the Club, and who have become a part of me and my husband’s lives

My Gym, Unified Training Centre

When gyms had to close, the owner was on vacation. But the coaches quickly figured out how to teach online and keep us moving. Having classes to show up to every day created a much needed routine for us. Now we are back in person, and while it’s different, at least we can see each other in person! 

My First Gym, Fitness Unlimited

This is where I started my fitness journey when I was just 18, and where I became a fitness instructor. I haven’t attended any classes since Covid, but I have used the gym for some of my workouts. The large, equipped facility has been a welcome change of scenery some days.

My Friends & Neighbours

The restrictions have varied over the past ten months, but the number of people we have seen has remained minimal. I’m grateful for some of the adventures and unique ways we have found to still have a bit of social time with friends. We have: 

• Socially distanced cul-de-sac visits and even a birthday party
• Had an epic year for our Christmas light display 
• Enjoyed six-person backyard dinners
• Attended socially distanced outdoor concerts
• Gone boating and wake surfing
• Done weekly trail runs and breakfast “dates” with friends

My Family

This year brought too many tears and a lot of laughter to our family. Our immediate and extended family has always been very close, and it has grown stronger these past ten months. I love you all. 

My Pilates & Fitness Community

There are so many people to mention here! The opportunities to build closer relationships with people near and far has been unbelievable, and I am so thankful to have them in my life.

• Lesley Logan and Brad Crowell at Profitable Pilates – The Agency, The Agency Members, and all of the webinar presenters
• Noam Gagnon of Beyond Pilates – for working out with me and teaching me
• The Surrey Pilates Studio, Veronica and Ryan; thank you for the classes and the inspiration to do the fundraiser for Battered Women
• All the teachers who taught with me for the fundraiser: Karen from Just Breathe Pilates, Lori from Mindful Movement, Ryan and Veronica form The Surrey Pilates Studio, Sasha from Breath and Balance Pilates, Tracey from Pilates from the Center and of course everyone who attended and donated.
• I attended several online classes with April Tillman Pilates, and am grateful for her offerings.
• Hillary Opheim, my friend in LA who kept me motivated for a few months when we worked on a social media campaign of presenting options of Pilates exercises to address certain issues a client may be having.  Ie – poor shoulder mobility, tight hamstrings etc. 
• Most recently, I started working on a new course to grow my business and myself.  I’m thankful to Chantill Lopez and Anne Bishop for their guidance and teachings in the Pilates Masters Program. 
• Stevie Shayler is a client who I love, but she is also someone who inspires me with her teachings and podcast. Thank you for having me on the The Collective Experience Podcast. 
• Dr. Angela Macdonald, my chiropractor (who I should see more!) for her wisdom, her support as a client, and for having me on her podcast, Our Partner in Health. 
• Kayla Cameron Pilates for teaching in my studio and working out with me.
• 360 Pilates’ Benjamin Degenhardt and Alexis Ambruso for facilitating the round tables.
• To my online and in person students, thank you for your continued support and giving me great reasons to show up in my career everyday!

If I have missed someone (or many someones), please know that if you were a part of my life this past year, I thank you.

We are all missing interaction, but there are so many ways to find community if we try. Heck, my husband will literally try to find things to do in the front yard in hopes that another neighbour will be doing the same, so they can visit and have a beer. 

If you are looking for that community feel, you have lots of options both online or in-person. Have a look at our Services & Schedule, and let’s talk about what you need to find YOUR fitness community with b.Pilates & Fitness.