Harder Better Faster Stronger

As most of you probably already know, I’ve been going through a super rough time with a lot of big changes lately, but what a lot of you probably don’t know is how much I’ve struggled to get through it. Breakups are never easy, and when you suddenly have to consider moving and selling a car, plus starting a new full time job, and taking care of three fluffy creatures on your own, the aftermath can become so overwhelming it’s scary. Though my Instagram feed might not really let it be known, I’ve had mornings that were almost too much to bear, afternoons where I just wanted to cry in bed watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and nights where I’ve felt more alone than I ever thought possible.

Luckily, I have a secret weapon that I truly credit for keeping me sane over the past couple of months: my Nike workouts.

When I first started attending NTC classes at The Academy of Lions, I was downright terrified. Everyone looked so fit and strong, and they were all decked out in crazy cool Nike gear. Standing in my stained white t-shirt with rainbow hair, I really let my social anxiety get the best of me, and for weeks I avoided speaking to anyone. But then something shifted: as I started to master the workouts, I also started to feel stronger and braver, like I really belonged to a team and we were all in this crazy life roller coaster together. I fought to overcome my shyness and insecurity, slowly making friends with the other women at the workouts, and it wasn’t long before I joined the Queen West running club too.

Long story short, I became totally hooked, and at this point I workout with Nike three times a week. At running club a massive group of neon athletes take to the streets, crowding sidewalks and pushing through the city together. Thursdays I join all sorts of inspiring women for Nike Training Club class with master trainerEva Redpath, who is easily the most fit, inspiring, and sometimes sort of insane (in the best possible way) lady I’ve ever met. And now, starting next week, I’ll be out one more night each week for the new “Choose Your Winter” program, a special set of classes built to get people out and sweating despite the cold. Each week we’ll be taken to a surprise destination for a special fun workout, and I can’t wait to see what the awesome team at Nike has in store for us!

I honestly can’t even express how much of a difference these workouts have made to my routine, and to my mental health. No matter how exhausted, down, or overwhelmed I feel when I arrive at running club or NTC each week, I always leave with a massive smile, sore legs, and the energy to take on whatever the day has in store for me. Though life really did its best to break me down this Fall, I’ve never felt stronger, and with my new fitness goal to run a Spring marathon, I can only see things going up from here!

Want to join in and get your sweat on? You can sign up for free NTC classes here, or come out for running club Wednesday nights at 6:15 leaving from 548 Richmond St. W (there are all sorts of Nike running groups all over the city too if you’re not located in the west end)

Magical mural by Maya Hayuk

*Note: Some or all of the items featured in this post were given to me as a gift from the maker, but I only write about products or services that I genuinely adore, I promise!*