"I love cycling most of all because it gives me freedom. It's about being outside, the wind in your hair (that's right, you don't always have to wear a helmet) and the sights and sounds of life in the city or countryside. Why would anyone want to have an cycle exercise machine or go to a spinning class? Just get on a bike and go somewhere."

- Peter K.
Via Why I Love...Cycling

Read more about Peter's lifelong ride!

"Northumberland Strait. 13 kilometers of cold water, tide, jellyfish and current. It was time to go for it, and it was in that moment that I decided I would swim the Northumberland Strait, the Gulf of the Saint Lawrence River’s southernmost tip. This going to be my way of saying goodbye. It was going to be my way of giving back to honour my brother....

Swimming requires absolute care. Each stroke practiced with precision and concentration is essential to achieve maximum efficiency in the water. Proper breathing and relaxation is necessary to keep the mind focused and calm. Mastering the stroke and breath are key to successful marathon swimming.

When observed, swimming can teach us how to live. If each day and every waking moment within it is honoured and treated with focus and right thought, immense power emerges. Any difficulty that exists begin to disappear with no effort. Life becomes fun, peaceful, and joyous.

Training to swim the strait has taught me how to live a happy and prosperous life again. Instead of treading water, I become one with it. Similarly, instead of opposing life and wanting it to be different, I flow with it. Swimming has taught me to rise above loss and tragedy. It’s shown me that life is both impersonal and precious. To treat life with care and mindfulness is to honour it."

- Michael P.
Via Canada Helps

"Twenty years of sweat, smiles and shimmys! Sharing my love of movement in class is truly the best part of each and every day. This is my WHY- my IT Factor- in fitness and in life."

- Johanna W.

“When I was young my parents were a very positive influence on my life. They were very encouraging of me to try extracurricular activities.

My mom was a blessing the entire time. She did so many things for me growing up. I think my mom was the main reason that I got into sports. She was the one that motivated me to go out and try athletics.

My father was a pole vaulter when he was younger and for me growing up is something where I got to watch him jump. I started pole vaulting when I was five or six years old. Growing up being coached by my father, it turned out perfectly for me. He’s always been a great motivator. He’s been there every step of the way, fail or succeed, I know he will be the one there to help pick myself up from my boot straps...Something I can always count on."

- Shawn B.

“Lindsay and I really have a lot of fun rowing. Her and I’s philosophy that is similar but may be different from other people, is that we view it as a skill and an art and more than just a physiological activity. It’s everything - it is trust in each other. It is all the little things everyday that need to be taken care of, taking care of our the bodies and our mind.”

- Patricia O. with Lindsay J.

"That pressure that I impose to myself made me stronger. I've put so much energy into cycling, so many sacrifices. I gave everything to succeed and my goal I to be the best in the world. And until I achieve that goal, I won't stop pushing."

- Hugo B.

“Road cycling is kind of like therapy for me, I relax and I have the time to think about a lot of stuff. It makes me feel really good."

- Karol-Ann C.

"When I’m in my kayak, I really feel like leaving everything aside, to be in sync with the water, with nature. My body is connected to the boat, it reacts to how I feel.

When you’re really able to let everything go and to think about nothing, that’s when you’re able to reach extreme speeds but also have a lot of pleasure.”

- Emilie F.