"What I'm trying to do in my life now is not define myself or let Parkinson's define who I am. I'm just choosing to focus on other activities and family and friends ... and learning how to impact and possibly change and hoping to reverse some of the symptoms — and that's through [meditation] and reading and exercise and painting."

- Robyn L., 43
British Columbia  Canada

Read more about Robyn's experience with Parkinson's and her new book, Most of Me: Surviving My Medical Meltdown

"I wanted to learn [to skate] as soon as I saw Kristi Yamaguchi skate during the 1992 Olympics. Unfortunately, I was only two years old, and the Quad Cities didn’t have an ice rink yet. Once we did, I was signed up for lessons. About a year later, I received my first pair of white skates for Christmas.

I strive to build strong skaters at the grassroots level so that they may continue on to be regional and maybe even national level competitors.

I am excited and feel a sense of responsibility to pass down the techniques and mantras I have been taught."

- Katherine W.
Davenport, IA 

Via Let's Move Quad Cities

"...in 2009, after settling into a new town, my neighbor asked me the question… “are you a runner?”  “Well, I run.”  “Good, be ready to go tomorrow morning at 5:30.” I prepped like a race day and had my gear laid out the night before. Tested my headlamp. At 5:30 AM I ate half a banana with peanut butter and a few ounces of coffee. Then I found out that this five-mile loop we ran from our houses was done three times a week.

For the next five years it was the perfect scenario; my neighbors turned into my best friends, and we had so much in common – from running together to having children the same ages. Running was no longer something I did to be better at something else. It was no longer an event in itself – marathon weekends became normal family weekends with a marathon taking up one of the mornings, like golf. Rather than celebrate by going out to eat and drink, I came home and made lunch for the kids. Running became a part of my life that was easy to maintain. The sense of community and the social aspect were addictive. My friends were the reason I discovered that I was a runner…

So now here I am, just moved to a new town again and started a new job… And so I am out asking everyone I meet…. Are you a runner?"

- Sara

“The best part of living an active life is the way I feel. I love feeling strong, confident and capable. And I think that physical activity can do that for a lot of people.”

- Ali
Via ParticipACTION

"It might seem antithetical to give myself one more thing to do [when planning a wedding]. But I now know that when I’m juggling a lot, squeezing in a workout is one of the best things I can do for myself. It gives my brain a time-out, drains away some of that pointless panic energy, and lets me come back to the world with fresh eyes and the wherewithal to stop and look around. Sure, there’s a lot to be stressed out about right now. And there’s plenty to be thrilled and joyful over. I can’t eradicate the bad entirely. But I can feel them both."

- Kelsey M.
Via Refinery 29

"One reason I do yoga is so I don't punch somebody in the throat. When I was younger, I would get so angry I would have nosebleeds. Inconsiderate people, liars, people who are self-absorbed—they're the worst. I do yoga so when I'm confronted with somebody like that I can stop, count to 10, and say, 'How may I help you?' I'm still getting there, but it's definitely easier. I can let things roll now."

- Jyll
Via Yoga Bodies: Real People, Real Stories, & the Power of Transformation

"I love a new challenge and working toward a big ride or event. Having a goal in mind keeps training fun and motivating. I work for the BC Cancer Foundation, so the Ride to Conquer Cancer is near and dear to my heart on both a personal and professional level."

- Jennifer N.
Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
Via April's issue of Canadian Living

“Every time I had a craving or got grouchy, I went for a run. Through Run to Quit, I learned that running took my mind off of the cravings.”

- Ryan D.
Whitby, Ontario Canada
Via Run to Quit