“I run mostly for my health, and to have a good life by having a good morning’s exercise."

- Abdi, 18
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Via The Guardian

"Movement through exercise, living healthy and well is my passion in life. It is equally important that I share this with theirs, so they too can enjoy a good quality of life."

- Sangil J.
Toronto, Ontario Canada

Via CanFitPro

"[to] feel good...get rid of jet lag... [and] clear my head"

- Ashley G.

Via Health

"[Exercise] is the best thing I’ve done for my own personal life. I have rheumatoid arthritis and you  just have to keep moving. I take tai chi, line dancing, use the exercise bikes and [do] strength and stretching [exercises]…the whole works.”

- Judy G.

"I was diagnosed with with Stage IA breast cancer when I was 26, after finding a small tumor was near the surface of my breast.

Cancer destroys your body from the inside out. I had days (and weeks) where I could barely make it to the bathroom, let alone go to work. Running really helped with my energy. When I started, I could barely run for one minute, but less than one month after I got the official remission announcement from my doctor, I ran my first half marathon. I was also dealing with anxiety and depression. Yoga really helped me through those days when I thought I just couldn't go on."

- Jen E., 31
Via SHAPE magazine

"I move to move forward physically and metaphorically! It clears my mind and is like meditation for my soul, body, and mind. I look forward to healthy aging and living well as I age. Older adults that move inspire me to keep moving :)"

- Alice B., 41
Alberta

"I am 26 now and fitness has become more than important in my life, it's what my life revolves around. I started running, casually, four or more years ago and in the last two and a half years have joined a triathlon club in Edmonton, Kinsmen Triathlon Club (KTC). I have raced several Olympic Distance Triathlons and this June I will be heading into my first Half Ironman: Boulder 70.3. Training is such an amazing and important part of my life, physically, mentally and also socially. I met my best friends through KTC and I look forward to workouts daily. I cannot imagine what my life would be like without triathlon and the amazing community I have found.

I very often am reminded (surrounded by some incredibly talented and high caliber athletes) that I was not always an athlete the way they are and have been. We all come from different backgrounds, mine just happens to be that I hated running and fitness. So I am constantly reminded of your [Mr. MacMillan] words: one day fitness will become important to you.
It is, more than you can know. Thank you. Thank you."

- Kristin S., 26
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
in a letter to her junior high gym teacher.

"It makes me feel better."

- Joan N., 55
Delta, British Columbia Canada

"With retirement coming, being overweight and inactive, I've decided it was time to make some life changes. [Moving also] changes [my] fiscal and mental health [too]."

- Randy S., 58
Edmonton, Alberta Canada

"I think the day that we thought about Bill Meyers going in the water was when nothing else was working for him anyway. And here he was relegated to a wheelchair, could not bear weight, could not feed himself, could not carry on a conversation, not even one word conversations...had no quality of life."

• -Dina Capek, RN