Alive Times October Edition by Alive Fitness & Wellness

alive times OCTOBER 2017

ALIVE AMBASSADOR

MOM LIFE

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

FEMALE FOOTPRINT

EATS

WELLNESS REAL-TALK

Kelsey Davidson, Owner of Alive Fitness and Wellness with Kelsey.

Contents 03

ALIVE AMBASSADOR

Our first ambassador Rhiannon is back to tell us all about how she kicked butt this summer, with her article- I Am FEMALE Spartan.

MOM LIFE

FOOTPRINT

Highlighting another incredible story of loss, recovery, and the positive change you can make through your heartbreak and grief. Gillian Hatto bares it all for us here.

New mom Melanie Cedar explores the successes, struggles and true miracle it is to be a mother. EATS . Laura Berg- clothing designer, yogi, spin instructor and nutritionist gives us a run down on her fav energy bites for the fall.

Editor Brooke Cupelli

WOMEN IN BUSINESS Consignment shopping is all the rage these days, as it is both good for the wallet and the environment. We talk to the owner of The Clothing Bar Calgary, Katie Evans, about her journey is business thus far.

WELLNESS REAL-TALK Real-talk it is this month, as Kelsey Davidson brings you through some hard truths you may not be facing in life, fitness and parenting.

ALIVE AMBASSADOR

Rhiannon

I finished my third and fourth Spartan races this summer and it was so much more challenging than last year. Thankfully I trained really hard this summer before the races. First I ran the 5K foam fest with my Mom. I think it was hilarious because she doesn't like mud, wet feet, heights or running. I had to help her through a lot of the course because she would get scared and wasn't sure if she could get over some climbing obstacles. I slowly showed her where to put her hands and feet and kept telling her she could do it. I'm proud of us and I hope our whole family can do it next year. It would be so much fun for all of us to do it. My favourite part was when I wasn't tall enough to get over one of the inflatable rollers so my mom gave me a boost and I slipped head first over it into a puddle full of mud, water and foam. It happened so fast and when I came up with a face full of foam everyone had stopped and was laughing.

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I changed it up this summer and instead of doing crossfit I signed up for a week long ninja camp at injanation in Calgary. It's tough to do but after my initial run of the course I was moved into the group with the older kids. I was so thrilled to be strong enough to spend the week on the course with kids a couple years older. My favourite course there is the military course because it pushes me to my limits. It's got a wall climb about 8 feet high I had to scale, rope climb and twisting monkey bars to cross.

My biggest accomplishment there is improving my course time by over a whole minute. Â I think I'm good at obstacle courses because I'm comfortable with my body and how I need to move it. I don't doubt myself ever and just go for it. I can't wait to try it again. Next were my Spartan races. I had the choice of doing a 1.5k or 3k and decided to try the 3k in Red Deer to see what it was like. I'm so glad I was working on getting ready for it because it was a whole new course resembling a mini adult course that even had spear throwing. I ran, crawled through mud, hauled sand bags, climbed the ropes and did some burpees. Calgary race came and I showed up for the 3k knowing I could do it. I did but it was harder because there was a lot of running up and downhill. Coolest part was I kept up with the 13 year old kids and even passed them when I completed the courses and they were left doing burpees. It's always awesome when you're just as strong and leave it on the course as proof. The rest of summer I did a couple of hockey camps getting ready for the season. Conditioning camp is coming up and then hockey evaluations. I'm feeling healthy and strong heading into the new hockey season and looking forward to playing my favourite game with my friends again. My mom always says that quote, "and though she be but little, she is fierce!" This summer I proved it again.

Do you know an inspiring young lady that would make a great Alive Ambassador? Email us to let us know!

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FEMALE FOOTPRINT

Gillian Hatto Our beautiful baby girl, Hazel Rose, was born on May 29th, 2014 at 10:12am. She was born with squishy cheeks, pouty lips, bright blue eyes, and gorgeous red hair that stopped everyone in their tracks. We never knew a baby could be so perfect! She made us the happiest parents in the world. We couldn't help but boast about what a lovely baby she was - so quiet and happy, a great eater, and a champion sleeper. Hazel gave me my most treasured gift ever and I'll always be grateful to her for that - the gift of motherhood. Everyone always told us how lucky we were, and we knew it. When Hazel was just 3 months and 2 days old, she passed away suddenly, silently, and unexpectedly in the night. My husband, Gareth, and I are forever changed and yearn to go back in time to be with her again. We think of her every moment of the day and miss how she felt in our arms and the sweet smell of her skin. What we wouldn't give to count her little fingers and toes or to sing her to sleep, nestled in our arms. Over a year after losing Hazel, we had her baby brother, Elliott, and he makes us smile and find joy every single day. Then, sixteen months later, I gave birth to our second daughter, Lily Pearl. During pregnancy, Lily was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition known as Trisome 13, and she passed away after just 28 minutes in my arms. I know I'm still living in a fog and really, it's that fog that makes it possible for me to keep putting one foot in front of the other, as it's simply too much to comprehend. None of us, no parents EVER, should have to say goodbye to their children. The laws of nature hold that a child will naturally outlive her parents, so it seems wrong and impossible for this to be our fate.

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Being three years into my grief journey (I call it a journey because I know I will never stop grieving but I will also never stop growing and learning) I've learned a few things about myself. One is that I want to hear my daughters' names every single day. I want them remembered and spoken of and I want them to have a lasting impact on this world, just like I know they would have had if they had the opportunity to grow into the beautiful, smart, kind, funny and incredible people that they should have grown into. I've also learned the importance of being around others who know our pain and understand our grief. Losing a child is an incredibly isolating experience. I began going to support groups for bereaved parents and meeting others who could understand my pain. It didn’t take long before I knew that that's what I needed to do; I had to build a community of support and let others know that they are not alone. I’ve learned that through sharing your grief and your joy, you can find strength and hope that will allow you to keep going, keep living, and keep finding a reason to love yourself and to do things that can be so difficult after losing a child. In memory of Hazel and her sister Lily, we created "Hazel's Heroes" which invites families to take part in a healing retreat where they will be given the opportunity to honour their child, heal some of the pain in their hearts, and potentially help other families going through a similar experience. Our goal is that this retreat can be provided at no charge for parents and we rely solely on the generosity of those in our community. Our first retreat was on May 26-28, 2017, at Mount Engadine Lodge in Kananaskis. It was an incredible weekend of healing and friendship and included 14 bereaved mothers, a psychologist, an artist, a photographer and a volunteer. We feel honoured to be able to create a space where hope and love grow. We hope that we are making our daughters proud and it gives us strength knowing that Hazel’s and Lily’s legacies will live on, always.

www.hazelsheroes.ca.

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MOM LIFE

Melanie Cedar I never could of expected or anticipated, or even imagined what being a mom felt like before that moment I pulled my baby boy up onto my chest and felt his skin on mine for the first time. I knew I loved him the moment two little lines showed up on that little stick - but the extent of that love was completely misunderstood and underrated; No way could I have ever anticipated the bliss that I now feel each moment of every day with him here. Becoming a mom was something I wanted and had dreamt about my entire life, and after ten months of a ever-growing belly and a month of interrupted sleep, the fact that I’m actually a momma still hasn’t sunk in. It’s true when they say you don’t know what love truly means, what it is, or how it even feels, until you have a child of your own - and in writing this, I know I’m lengths away from getting across how beautiful it feels to hold a creation of love in your hands. Life with a newborn is involves learning a new, intimate language that only is understood by two people, those two people being a mom and her baby. Each day in life as a new mom small successes are taking place - a hunger cry is distinguished from a cry that’s fighting sleep, completing everyday tasks has gone from two free hands to one now taken up by a small human, and changing diapers in the back seat of the car can now be accomplished in record time. The coolest thing about these little victories in this new life is that they now all involve something beyond yourself - they are celebrations of growth and discoveries of an magnificent new relationship.

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By the end of my pregnancy, I found myself in a slight panic when I realized I didn’t finish any of the books I had began to read that had to do with pregnancy and babies. By the time the first week with our new baby had come and gone, I quickly came to the conclusion that no amount of words on paper could teach me what I could only learn from my baby. This further made me unravel the incredible bond and understanding between mother and child, and I began to grasp what an exclusive experience it is. If there was any advice I could give to anyone becoming a mom or those who are new moms like myself, it would be listen to your baby first, then to others second. Do what works for you and your baby, and trust the definite fact that you know your baby better than anyone. Support is paramount during the postpartum period. Let others cook for you, let them clean, let them speak positivity into your life and tell you what a good mom you are - and further, believe it. Let your husband look at your body that no longer looks the same as it did and let him tell you, “it took you nine months to get this body babe! Be proud of it.” (Yes, my husband actually said that…he is the best, ever). Allow people to ask you what you need and answer them back honestly. Put your phone down, these tiny humans grow quickly. The last thing I ever want to think is that I should have spent more time looking at my baby than looking at Facebook. If you have a significant other, take time to literally stop and hug them every day. Hug them for a long while. Kiss them, talk with them, and remember your relationship is a priority - a solid foundation with the one you love with make navigating through parenthood all the more enjoyable. I was not given this child to raise, I was granted this child to watch him grow. I will provide him with sunlight and water, I will love him and encourage him. I will direct him but never dictate him. The love I have for this little life is untouchable.

Alive Times

EATS

Laura Berg

Laura is the founder of, Nourish Sweat Soul- an ethical clothing brand, founded in Calgary. She has dedicated her life to fitness, nutrition, and wellness. She wanted to share with us a perfect recipe for fall! Pumpkin Spice Powerballs (Gluten-free, Grain-free, Refined Sugar Free, Vegan) (Makes approximately 16, 1-inch balls) 1 cup packed pitted medjool dates* 1/4 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 cup cashews 1/2 cup sunflower seeds 1 tsp each pumpkin spice and cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla 1/3 cup pecans finely chopped (for coating) 1. Blend the dates and pumpkin puree in a large food processor until a rough paste has formed, 2-3minutes. 2. Add in the rest of the ingredients except the pecans and process until the dough will stick together between 2 fingers. If the mixture is too dry add in 1 tbsp of water and process again, repeat if necessary. 3. Roll 1 tbsp of dough into a ball and coat in pecans. 4. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge or freezer. These can be eaten straight out of the freezer without thawing.

http://www.nourishsweatsoul.com/

Alive Times

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Katie Evans Katie Evans is a fashionista, with business sense and a huge heart. Not only does she own a consignment store, making the world a better place by keeping clothes out of landfills. But, she also has a huge presence in Calgary for fundraising and supporting local. We were able to sit down with Katie this past week. Check out what she has to say. Who you are and what you do? I'm the owner of The Clothing Bar in YYC! I work at the shop 24/7(physically, or at least in my own head!) I love what I do, and wouldn't give it up. Why you became a business owner/creator? Â I couldn't handle suppressing my creativity. I also hated working for someone else, to the point my mental health took a tole. I knew I needed to step up and create my vision, or I may never have the life I wanted.

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Your story of success (cause it totally is one?) Â t has never quite felt like a success story to me! It has always just felt right. It's never been easy but it has come natural to me. I was laid off from my corporate job feeling as though the world has ended. That lasted all of 3 days when I realized this was the only chance I had to make something for myself. I pulled up my socks, stopped feeling sorry for myself, and began started throwing some things together. 2 months later I was open for business! From figuring out how to find a retail space, to hiring employees, I have continuously learned along the way and honestly, could not have gone any where with my business without surrounding myself with the right people. Â The journey has been worth every risk/penny/cry session/laugh and it is not a story without all those things and more. Do you have any advice for people in a rut with their career? If no doors are open, then open one for yourself. Whether it is taking a course you've always wanted to try, or moving to a new country because why not? As long as its something you want to do, then do it. There is no right or wrong, as long as you learn from it.Â

https://www.clothingbarboutique.ca/

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WELLNESS REAL-TALK

Kelsey Davidson Are you ready to hear this? Are you ready for this? And I mean it. Are you really ready to hear 5 of my HARD AND HONEST truths?! This morning I was having an open and honest conversation with a friend, and this sparked a topic that I feel very passionate about and it is "choices and life lessons". I truly feel that you have the choice to be happy and healthy. It frustrates me when you don't see your true value, it infuriates me when you doubt yourself and it upsets me when you sit on your pain for long periods of time. Why does it create a fire within me? Because I'm passionate, and I feel very deeply on what you feel. My biggest hope and desire for you is to see your limitless potential and have you feel ALIVE. It is YOUR choice to OWN your life and learn from it. Or be a bystander and watch your life pass by. YOUR CHOICE! It is YOUR choice to be happy and healthy. Today I'm dishing out my hard and honest truths to create a stronger YOU, all from my heart. If you are ready... Read further... If not... then STOP

Here it is, my 5 HARD AND HONEST truths: 12

Alive Times

1. It's not your office jobs fault you are 10lbs over weight. (I gave you fair warning, I'm being honest) You have the choice to either go for a walk/workout at lunch, wake up earlier for your workout or do it after work, park farthest away from your building and please pack or choose a healthy lunch! YOU HAVE THE CHOICE! As a result of YOU not taking action on your health, you are 10lbs over weight. NOT the job you have. 2. Kids can LOSE too! In life there are winners and there are losers. (Oh yah, I'm going there) Even at young ages, you will have winners and you will have losers. This teaches our children so much more than the actual sport. Society as a whole took away winners and losers in children's sports. WHY? Because of PARENTS and FEELING being hurt! Parents that were getting too competitive, were getting too involved and trying to pressure their kids. Hey, I get it I want my kid to succeed but I also want him to know, that it takes hard work, determination and dedication to have a winning result! Feelings- well, sorry kids -- loosing sucks -- not getting the job I applied for also sucks-- but talking about feelings and not allowing there to be a winner SOLVES NOTHING! Kids can handle loosing, it's a part of growing up. Adults need to learn from this too. 3. Eating great one day is not going to make you skinny! Eating like crap one day is not going to make you fat! 4. Your happiness is YOUR CHOICE. It's what you do EACH AND EVERY DAY, that gives you the body you have! So what if you have Â glass of wine on Friday night, it's a glass! Enjoy yourself. Reward yourself. You're allowed to LIVE LIFE while living a healthy one! Being consistent and living life in moderation IS A MUST!

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We have all had rough times and rough days. I'm not devaluing what you went through or are going through. What I am saying is that you have the choice to either sit on it OR move forward. As much as that first step forward is scary and painful, it is THE MOST IMPORTANT step you will ever take in your process! Give yourself that first step and life will brighten up.

5. Doing a 100 sit ups daily or a 100 squats daily will NOT strengthen you. It will actually do the REVERSE! By doing those large reps you are working your aerobic system which is oxygen dependent. Thus meaning, IT'S CARDIO! If you want your squats or your sit ups to be effective- work against gravity and slow down your tempo. Adding external weights like a barbell or dumb bell will increase the load forcing your legs/core to work harder. Increase the resistance and slash your reps down. THIS WILL STRENGTHEN YOU -- NOT 100+ reps!

THERE IT IS! My 5 hard and honest truths, I hope I didn't offend you or upset you. It all comes from my heart. I'm sharing these truths with you to show you how to GIVE YOURSELF CONTROL of your life. How to break free and start living a life of moderation and ALIVE! Stop feeling HELPLESS, you have people around you to support you and encourage you and if you don't REACH OUT. Find your tribe that will (Alive Fit Fam) and LOVE THEM HARD!

http://www.alivefitnessandwellness.com/

Alive Times

"Go where you feel the most ALIVE."