I am 55 years old, and recently retired after a successful 35 year career with Canada Post Corporation. I am also a certified personal trainer, and my goal in retirement is to help people live happy and healthy lives through fitness. I am married with 3 children, all in University.

 

I have been active my whole life, playing many sports (mainly recreational), coaching my kids’ sports teams, and working out at the gym.

 

I have suffered chronic back issues (degenerative disc disease, lower back), and when I was 48 years old, things were feeling rather bleak. In discussion with a surgeon, I am grateful that he pointed out that although I was clearly a candidate for surgery, once you go down that path, there are no guarantees, and you can’t turn the clock back.

 

I decided to make one last attempt at working on managing my pain without surgery. I started swimming regularly, working out my core, and eventually started cycling and running. The rest is history. Where just a few years ago I thought my life was doomed to one centered on pain management, I now have triathlons and half marathons under my belt. I wouldn’t have believed it was even possible back then! I plan on continuing to compete in events (current goal is a half iron man), and to focus on health, fitness and general wellbeing. Where exercise and fitness were once a “necessary evil”, it has now become a passion and a focal point in my life.

 

So now I’m retired, but I feel way too young to fully retire! My life is centered around fitness, and if I can share my passion, my experiences and my journey, helping others find that passion, I couldn’t think of a better way to live my life.