"Running has been my faith, my crutch, my drug of choice, and besides my lovely wife, my best friend. It has opened many doors in my life of 59 years. It clears my mind, makes me feel good, provides a ‘good’ pain, running has challenged and rewarded me so much. I truly believe my running has affected my family in a positive way. It gives me great joy to see our children and grandchildren running- that’s remains my biggest reward and satisfaction- watching the grandchildren continue the ‘Family Tradition.’"

- Joe M., 59
Read more about how running is an integral part of Joe's Life

"Because staying fit helps to improve every other part of my life, both inside and outside of the gym!"
- Chandra M.
via Ladies World Fitness

“And I realize, although I have often been hungry and in pain during this endeavour, it is invigorating to be out in the wild and to have to fend for myself. Not having any reward or media coverage dangling at the finish has also made this a uniquely personal endeavour, and pure in nature, just like when my father and I first toured across Canada.

I have missed this.”

- Ryan C.
As he conquers his ride of the Tour Divide in 2012

Read more of Ryan’s many cycling adventures in his book, A Purpose Ridden.

“My dad…passed away on May 30, 2015.”

“Determined, I signed up for the 2015 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon a few weeks later with the motivation to cross it off my dad’s Bucket List, and my own….My training made me feel closer to my dad during an extremely difficult time and gifted me a small glimpse into his experience with running. Every time I would lace up for another training run, I wore my dad’s road ID badge to remind myself why I was doing this. It is difficult to put into words how thankful I am to my dad for helping me find a passion for running. He is, and always will be, my inspiration to “hit the bricks”.

- Katie M.

Read Katie’s full marathon experience and dedication to her dad via The Running Room.

"Dance for me is so much more than exercise. I have always been happiest when dancing...Some days I am better at it than others, but what is clear is that dance defines how I approach every day. There is a saying that ballet is training for life."

- Patrick G.

Learn more about Patrick's training and dance performances here.

"I live by the credo that all life systems - brain, heart, relationships, career, energy, perspective, clarity, hope - function at a higher level when the body runs smoothly at a superior fitness level."

“…the tremendous duress my sport thrust onto both body and mind presented a microcosm of the peaks and valleys of life itself. The swings up and down, during a long day at sea, brought into view all the physical and emotional terrain we travel on life’s journey. One hour you’re strong and moving effortlessly across the surface. The next you’re in crisis and digging deep to stay in it. You’re low. You’re on empty. If you can somehow tap down to the depth of your drive, take one baby step, then another, you are soon climbing back up the next slope of the next mountain. You’re responsible for yourself in the water - on your own, independent, never allowed out onto your escort boat, or even allowed to touch the boat - but your team is there to assist you when you’re in trouble and lose your way.  Again, just like life. And when you reach the other shore, the pride of not giving up is fuel for your life out of the water.”

- Diana N.
Speaking about her reason WHY she completes long distance swims in her book, Find a Way.

"Staying connected to the beauty of it all. Hard to see and feel it if you don't move it."
- Valerie A., 60
Nanaimo, British Columbia Canada