WHAT WAS YOUR FITNESS EXPERIENCE PRIOR TO MOVE?

As a yoga instructor I've always been drawn to mat related forms of movement. I used to run when I was younger but sore knees made this impossible. I tried to workout in a gym but really didn't enjoy it. I found yoga as a way to remove the impact on my knees and still get daily movement and flexibility. I have never lifted weights or any strength training except one CrossFit session years ago which I thought was not for me.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MOVE?

Whilst pregnant I developed PGP (Pelvic Girdle Pain) and have been suffering ever since. I've seen doctors, physicians and numerous physiotherapists. Once I arrived in Toronto I was told I needed to strengthen my glutes and limit the stretching. I walked past MOVE a few times - I loved the aesthetics and the fact that it was women only, but the RIG looked intimidating and I was terrified to go in. I plucked up the courage and Kelly greeted me and showed me around -  she instantly made me feel comfortable and accepted in her studio even though I was totally out of my comfort zone. Her approachability to the workouts made me forgot that I would have to actually lift weights at some point. I instantly knew this is where I was going to train.

HOW HAS MOVE HELPED YOU FALL IN LOVE?

This was not my world, I came in with flexibility and flow so I had to retrain my posture and learn new skills from scratch. The whole process has been so exciting and I was pumped by the challenge of something new - to push my body in ways it's never been pushed before. 

HOW HAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR BODY CHANGED?

I feel strong and healthy, my hip pain only crops up now and again when I get sloppy on my form, but the instructors are quick to notice and refine. I have definition in my arms, legs and abs that I'd never thought I have and I'm proud at the body staring back at me.

WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENT AT MOVE ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? 

I went from struggling to hold a kettlebell to lifting over my own body weight in back squats. Everything I've done at MOVE is a fitness first and I'm just so amazed at what my body can do with training.  

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP FITNESS GOALS FOR 2019?

To do at least 10 unassisted pull ups and be able to hold handstands for longer than 20 seconds.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MOVE?

I had signed up my daughter for a MOVE after school program and Kelly asked me why I hadn't been in her gym yet.  I told her I had never been to a gym in my life and that I only did ballet and Pilates.  Kelly explained how good it would be for me to try a different type of movement and told me a story about the journey of another Move member that I knew.  I was extremely inspired and Kelly's enthusiasm was infectious.  She wasn't giving me a typical fitness club spiel but seemed legitimately excited for me to try something new.  I signed up for a class the next day and absolutely loved it.  I was totally hooked!

HOW HAS MOVE HELPED YOU FALL IN LOVE?

MOVE has brought me back to my original love of movement and given me new ways to express it.  I'm so incredibly proud of myself for leaving my comfort zone and trying something so foreign to me.  It has given me new challenges and goals to meet and I love pushing myself just a little further with every class.  I feel so strong and toned and happy with my body these days.  I love how I feel in my own skin and the icing on the cake is that I also love how I look - something I never had over 30+ years in the ballet world.  I have also found a community of amazing women who support and inspire me and whom I'm excited to see every day.

HOW HAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR BODY CHANGED?

So much for the better.  I spent my life as a ballet dancer, constantly looking in the mirror and identifying all my physical "flaws".  I also got to hear all about what was wrong with how my body looked from most of my teachers and directors.  I have spent most of my life thinking "just 10 more pounds" but it never seemed to make me feel good about myself and there was always another 10 pounds and another.  These days I feel so strong and healthy.  Nobody talks about how I look, they are just focused on my technique and helping me achieve my goals.  I'm no longer ashamed of my body and hiding it under big t-shirts.  Now I love to show off what all my hard work has given me and I'm proud of my body, instead of hating it.  It's such an incredible feeling!

WHAT IS THE ACCOMPLISHMENT AT MOVE YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF?

Specifically that I can lift my own body weight in a dead lift.  In general i'm just so proud that I started something new and now I'm feeling like I'm getting pretty good at it!

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP FITNESS GOALS FOR 2019?

I would like to be able to do normal push-ups and at least one pull-up.  I also want to get my dead lift to over 150.  Generally my goal is just "more"!

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MOVE?

I chose MOVE because I heard an inspiring woman named Kelly Taphouse speak so genuinely about her passion for women's fitness and her dream of creating a unique space. A space where women can become comfortable, confident and strong while free from the pressure to achieve the unachievable bikini body.

HOW HAS MOVE CHANGED YOUR LIFE?

I became a member just over a year ago after finishing a course in Gerontology, in which I learned that strength training is vital to aging well and living longer. I'm a mother of three and want to be there for my family for as long as I can. I had never really been inside a gym before and I joined MOVE to get stronger, not look better. The changes to my body and my new love for fitness are the side effects that help me stick with my goals. 

HOW HAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR BODY CHANGED?

After doing personal training and classes at MOVE I'm doing things with my body that I could never do before I turned 40. I would never have imagined doing five pull-ups, deadlifting my body weight or demonstrating an animal flow scorpion for the class! I'm constantly looking for new ways to challenge myself physically and I fell sexy AF no matter what I look like on the outside. 

WHAT DOES STRONG MEAN TO YOU?

Being strong to me means having the physical and mental ability to train hard and continue to get stronger!

WHY DID YOU START COMING TO MOVE?

Because I needed something new and my friend told me about this place. I had read about it but was too intimidated and my friend convinced me. It was the best decision I ever made!

WHAT ARE YOU FAVOURITE AND LEAST FAVOURITE EXERCISES?

My favourite exercise - it's hard to choose one! I like pull-ups, back squats, bench press, and of course hand-stands. My least favourite is rotating plank (killer).

WHAT IS YOUR WELLNESS GOAL FOR THIS YEAR?

My fitness goal is to strengthen my lower core. After two C-sections, my lower abs are difficult to activate which leads to compensations in other areas of my body (back pain).

WHAT DOES BEING STRONG MEAN TO YOU?

Being strong is two fold for me. Physically and mentally. MOVE has helped me gain my strength back as my twins grew and you also helped me regain focus mentally learning about the new me after having kids.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVE MEMORY TO DATE?

My favourite memory was my first day. 10 weeks post partum with twins and learning about my body and movements all over again. Move provided me a safe, warm, and confidence boosting environment to learn and have a blast! I was sold on day one.

IN WHAT WAY(S) HAS MOVE IMPACTED OR INFLUENCED YOUR LIFE? 

You ladies showed me how awesome it is to surround myself with like minded, strong women. Along with the community and coaches you've become apart of my weekly routine! It's a no brainer!

WHAT IS YOUR #1 LIFTING GOAL FOR THE NEW YEAR?

I'm 10lbs away from a 200lbs back squat. I'm coming for you! 

WHAT DOES STRONG MEAN TO YOU?

Being strong to me means you have a healthy body and a healthy mind.

HOW HAS MOVE IMPACTED YOUR LIFE?

MOVE allows me to continue doing what I love even though I have gone through life changes such as being pregnant and being a mom.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE DESSERT? 

My favourite dessert is banoffee pie outside of MOVE and the kitchen stink inside of MOVE.

WHAT IS A FITNESS GOAL YOU HAVE MET SINCE STARTING AT MOVE?

I have been able to recover a lot faster and better with the programs MOVE offers. My numbers are slowly coming back after just 2 months of training after giving birth to baby #2. And I wouldn't have done it without MOVE and all the encouragements I've received within the community.