Bootcamps For Change
I just got home from my first event with Bootcamps For Change (I will refer to them as BFC from now on) and feel so happy and inspired as I write this! Shoutout to Sara Bucks for being my workout buddy :)
Today's event was a fundraiser for Bootcamps For Change, a fantastic initiative dedicated to homeless youth. They run weekly in-shelter fitness programs for homeless youth and host monthly fundraising bootcamps (like the one today)!
What I LOVE about Bootcamps For Change is that not only are they bringing fitness programming and education to those who otherwise may not have access, but they are using it as a way to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. As the classic "give a man a fish" saying goes, you can give people handouts all day but until you give them a means of providing for themselves, there will be no lasting change. This is their model; they help homeless youth become personal trainers and get other jobs in the health and fitness industry so that they can eventually get themselves on their feet. Also, BFC was started by two amazing young WOMEN; Katie and Kam, who are incredibly smart, kind and inspiring!!
Today's Bootcamp was held at FORME Fitness and consisted of a great workout lead by Brit McQuarrie and Bruce Waithe. BFC showered us with fabulous goodies after the workout including bowls from Bio Raw and cold brew coffee from Brust Beverage Co.! After the workout we sat and ate our bowls (delicious) and the BFC team told us all about their work and their own personal stories. These are my takeaways:
- We are SOOO lucky to have the ability, time and money to exercise. I have talked about this before but it really hit home hearing it from the people who are actually in the shelters every week working to make fitness more accessible to homeless youth. Too often we make excuses like "it's too cold out" but imagine not even having running shoes? Imagine not having access to a gym? Exercise is SUCH a privilege and a gift, and as the privileged we need to stop describing working out as a chore or a drag or something we dread; it's a blessing!
- There are 2000 people on the streets each night in Toronto. This weekend was a snow storm, and a lot of people probably skipped their workouts to avoid leaving their warm cozy houses because of it. If we can't even stand be outside for the few minutes it takes to get to the subway/gym, think about all the people who don't have a choice.
- Exercise is a key part of obviously physical health but more importantly mental health. Getting the minimum amount of physical activity we are supposed to each day is a basic human need and right. Just like how we need a certain amount of calories and water, we NEED a certain amount of daily activity. Some people don't have the ability to satisfy this basic human right, and BFC is working to change that.
- The BFC team really put things in perspective for me and was very humbling and inspiring. They are so selfless and are actually making a real impact in the city and are expanding nation-wide. So often in the fitness industry we are so focussed on the physical aspect of fitness and it was so refreshing to talk to people who are in the field doing research on the link between mental health and physical activity. This has been my mindset for a long time now but I wish I had more knowledge and education in the science behind it; regardless it was fantastic to meet others who share the mentality and are working in the field. I am really excited to get more involved with Bootcamps For Change, and you can too by volunteering your time, attending a fundraiser bootcamp, or donating! For more info you can click those links or contact Katie and Kam personally:
Katie Heggtveit: 647 244 0097
Kam Kuzminski: 306 501 1510
Monday's: 3:30pm & Friday's: 1:30pm
PS. I can't wait to try all the new goodies they spoiled us with!! Thank you to Bio Raw, Brust Beverage Co., Graydon Skincare, Organic Traditions, Tealish, Vital Proteins, Lakanto, and Sapsucker!
