Jen moves for commitment and joy.

Jen is on a mission to open doors in equestrian sport. Through her platform @BlackEquestrians, she’s increasing representation and hopes one day to provide riding grants to Black youth, giving others the chance to experience the joy she’s found in horses.

For her, movement is more than exercise - it’s connection, therapy and the act of reshaping the stories we tell - and who gets to be seen in them!

Eric was only 10 years old when he began practicing the art of Kung Fu. When he turned 18, he switched to mixed martial arts, kickboxing, and boxing. Now, as a fitness professional, he’s combined what he’s learned from traditional and western arts into something uniquely his own.

“Moving my body is a change from just staying home and having screen time.”

When I first learned to ride my bike,” Nelly says, “my grandma held onto the back of my seat. As I was pedalling, my grandma let go without me knowing. Then I looked back and I noticed she had let go! This made me feel so proud of myself.”

Andrew and Maria move for health, joy, and the freedom to choose their own adventures.

Some days it’s walking or cycling. Other days it’s kayaking or skiing through blowing snow. Whatever the activity, they finish with stronger bodies, clearer minds, and stories to share.

For them, movement is how they keep up with their grandchildren, and with life itself.

This is what movement looks like. 

With its unpredictable winds and currents, Chile’s Strait of Magellan is challenging for ships to navigate. To swim the Strait’s frigid, turbulent waves in only a Speedo, swim cap and goggles is nothing short of incredible. But Madhu believes in making the incredible a reality. He has swum the English Channel, conquered Lake Ontario and completed the Marathon des Sables, a six-day ultramarathon in the Sahara.

Gledis loves keeping active.

“There are very few days in my week where I do not move my body in some way. Different activities invoke a different feeling. Running helps me with my anxiety. Yoga keeps me centered and focused on my spiritual journey. Slacklining keeps my mind steady, not wavering with emotions. Everything plays its part in a different way.”

“As a woman running wearing a scarf, I don’t fit the perfect image of a runner. But sport breaks barriers. When running, I say hello to people who I would not talk to if I was on a casual walk. When runners pass each other, there is that small exchange of words or head nods that makes you feel you belong to a larger community. At that moment, any difference between us disappears.”

“My favourite part of playing hockey is being with my friends in the dressing room and trying to score a goal on the ice.”

The number on Ben McKenzie's jersey may look familiar. That's because it's also the number on PK Subban's jersey.

Ben has been lucky enough to meet PK, but his love for hockey was etched even earlier, when he first stepped onto the ice at the age of 5.

Sagamok Anishnawabek First Nation band member Ambroise Stevens-Paquette recently won a gold medal at the Junior Canadian National Competition.

“On the spiritual aspect, weightlifting has given me the ability to believe in myself as an athlete. I have always struggled with self-doubt in sports,” she says.

Ambroise moves for strength and confidence.

“There’s the thrill of doing it, the feeling of accomplishment, and the feeling of well-being after. I want other people to share in that joy.”

Whether it's warm summer waves or frozen winter ice, there's nothing Geoff loves more than being on the lake. All year round, he'll assess the wind strength and direction, and set off on a two to three-hour session.

“For us, watching animals move as one with nature is really inspiring. It totally motivates not only movement and being outdoors but the protection of the planet!”

For some people, getting outside is not a choice they ever need to make. Every morning at 6 am, Anne and Jerome are led out the door by their dog, Gigi.