Jackie moves for life
“Movement or activity or exercise changes over time… find the desire to keep moving for as long as you can.”
Jackie fell in love with movement in school and never stopped chasing the feeling of learning, improving, and being outside. Today she still trains across swim, bike, run, strength, and yoga, using that foundation to keep hiking, canoeing, and backpacking at the center of her life.
Jackie’s relationship with movement started early and stuck for a simple reason: she loved it.
Her first organized activity was physical education class at school, and she remembers being hooked right away. She loved moving her body, playing with others, learning skills, and improving over time. That same enthusiasm is still there today. “The same is true today,” she says, “but with a bit less physical vigour although the same level of enthusiasm and desire.”
Jackie still trains regularly to stay strong and capable. She continues to swim, cycle, and run, and she pairs that with yoga and weight training to stay limber and resilient. “Currently, I am still swimming, cycling and running along with yoga and weight training to keep me limber and strong,” she says. That base supports what she loves most now: time in nature. “This all sets me up nicely for hiking, canoeing and backpacking,” she says.
Hiking, in particular, gives her what she needs beyond fitness. “Hiking gives me peace of mind and a vigorous heart in which to appreciate the beauty of nature,” Jackie says. She also knows the outdoors offers lessons that only effort can teach. Some hikes feel endless with no reward while she is in them, but she trusts what comes afterward. “Tough hikes at the time seem to be endless with no rewards,” she says, “but when done the reward is a stronger body and mind,” she says. The memories she returns to are often quiet ones. “Mostly, it is the sunsets over a lake that fills my memory bank,” she says.
Jackie still keeps a competitive thread alive as well. She trains for road and trail races, mountain bike races, and she aims to do at least one triathlon each year. The sport mix is wide, but her favorite part stays consistent. “Being outside surrounded by chirping birds, green leaves and water brings me joy when moving my body,” she says. She also laughs about nature’s downside. “At the same time, nature brings bugs,” she says, naming them as her least favorite part of hiking.
Jackie prefers movement as something shared. Most of her sports can be done solo or with groups, but she chooses company when she can. “I prefer to share the activity with others as it makes the experience more fun,” she says.
She also carries a long view of what movement can be. Jackie believes activity changes shape over time and that the motivation can shift, and still remain true. “Movement or activity or exercise changes over time,” she says. “It may start as friendly competition between friends, for weight loss, for meeting other like minded folk or being inspired by another,” she says. What matters is the commitment to keep going. “For whatever the reason,” she says, “find the desire to keep moving for as long as you can.”
Jackie moves for life.
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