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canfitpro Official Magazine | July/August, 2023
30 Inspiring Stories of Courage
ORDINARY PEOPLE DOING EXTRAORDINARY THINGS
Courage is the strength to face fear, pain, or adversity with bravery, determination, and resilience, often resulting in extraordinary acts of selflessness and heroism.
It is a chaotic world right now with change and uncertainty still lingering as most industries and professionals, including fitness, navigate the new world of work. This time of reinvention will require more from leaders at a time when leaders may be feeling less themselves (less confident, less knowledgeable, less motivated, etc.). Never has there been a time where leaders have had to call upon their own courage to lead and show others a path not yet travelled.
Sharing your story is an act of courage as it takes inspiring others to do the same. canfitpro celebrates 30 years by highlighting stories of courage to inspire fitness professionals to overcome obstacles, cultivate resilience, and empower their clients to do the same, in pursuit of living healthier and happier lives.
KENDAL NETMAKER
An award-winning entrepreneur and author, Kendal Netmaker is a master storyteller who uses his natural gift to help people shift their mindset and find the success they seek.
He speaks professionally to thousands of people worldwide on resilience, leadership, and the power of telling your story, weaving his real-life experiences into motivating lessons that empower and build more resilient leaders and organizations. From Sweetgrass First Nation, Netmaker and his siblings were raised by their single mother. Life wasn’t easy growing up on the reserve surrounded by poverty and few opportunities, but one moment changed his life forever. In grade five, he and his best friend shared a love of sports, but his family couldn’t afford extracurricular activities. So, his friend’s family stepped in. They paid the fees and drove him to his games and practices. It wasn’t until he was older that Netmaker understood exactly what this family did for him, and how different his life would have been without them. It’s this that has motivated him throughout his life and drives him still to this day. Today, Netmaker is a leading entrepreneur whose passion to succeed is contagious. He has founded and invested in five businesses, including Neechie Gear, a lifestyle apparel brand that gives back a percentage of their profits to help underprivileged youth take part in sports. Netmaker has won over 25 business awards, including being named one of Canada’s “Top 40 Under 40” and being runner-up at the YBI Global Entrepreneur of the Year. He is also the author of to Succeed: From Poverty To Podium.
Hear more from Kendal Netmaker at the OPENING CEREMONIES keynote address on Friday, August 18 at 10:00 AM
JANA WEBB
Broken back, broken brain, broken bank and then the icing on the cake, a broken heart.
These words define the reality of my last six years, but I did not let them define who I am today and who I aspire to be moving forward.
In 2016, I was at the top of my game, I was traveling around the world training pro athletes, I had just signed a lease for my first brick and mortar location to build the first JOGA HOUSE. I had JOGA certifications booked to capacity across Canada, my son was thriving, and I was casted as one of the stars on the reality show The Real Housewives of Toronto… then in less than five seconds all of that was dismantled. I was in a head on car crash in the Dominican Republic while down there training professional baseball players. My life flashed before my eyes. All I remember is seeing my son’s cherub face in my mind and I prayed that I would not die.
I did not die, but I did suffer many injuries that I am still managing and doing rehab for to this date. I had to figure out how to work with a broken back and a brain injury, how to be a single mom to William while not being able to move, how to build my business from a hospital bed and, most importantly, I had to figure out how to get my body and my brain back.
I worked through pain and confusion for years. I looked fine but vomited every day. I kept the secret that I could not remember who anyone was, and most times did not really know what I was doing or what words (and in what order) would be as the sentences left my mouth. My thresholds were challenged, my fuse shortened. Everything hurt; lights, crowds, moving. My personality changed. I was not the Jana I used to be.
This new broken Jana attracted a toxic relationship. I was weak and vulnerable. Little did I know how much pain my heart would go through over the next five years.
In summary, I was not healthy enough to run JOGA HOUSE and had to close the business which left me with a bunch of debt. I had to start over, I had to find the courage to move on and think about my business in a different way. I have had to persevere through pain and not feeling well just to keep my life and business going. I had the courage to keep showing up because there was no other option. I had to have the courage to leave a toxic relationship and trust that I would be OK on my own.
SHELDON GUY
At the beginning, I noticed something changing in my vision and I began to see doctors to figure out what was happening. The world was closing in and becoming darker by the day. I had no clue what was happening, and it was getting scary.
In November 2021, I was admitted into the hospital and was put through a battery of tests, but nothing was found. They had no clue what was happening to me. It took only three-weeks to lose my vision.
When I got out of the hospital, I made the decision to go back and coach girls’ basketball as I had a lot to share with the girls about pivoting and facing adversity head on. I let them know about my darkest hour - how I had thought of taking my life and not dealing with the challenges in front of me. I also told them that we all get to make the call on how we come out of things. I have been spat on and pushed down and I have had friends leave me, and now I am facing this all on my own and trying to advocate for blind people and helping them understand they are not alone.
If you wish to hear more on my story, please visit Sheldon Guy W5 Pivot on YouTube and it will give you more context on my journey.
Jana and Sheldon will bravely share, in a conversation facilitated by Mika Midolo, how the fitness industry helped them navigate their own personal challenges at the CLOSING CEREMONIES on Sunday, August 20 at 12:00 PM
MIKA MIDOLO
I graduated in 2000 from the Humber College Journalism program. After graduation I became a television and radio reporter, a PR representative, and an on-air talent for CP24.
After graduating from Humber and working at all these firms, I realized that I needed to keep both my body and mind in balance, and I found the perfect answer in Pilates. Movement has always played an important role in my life, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I loved gymnastics, swimming and participating in sports in my younger years and how it made me feel. I have always had a passion for how the human body moves, the potential it has and how it is connected to mind and spirit.
I immersed myself in the various methods of Pilates in 2001, adding weights and props as I progressed. I continued practicing during my pregnancies and post-natal (C-section delivery), and after enduring endometriosis and pelvic tumor surgeries. Pilates always brought my body back physically and mentally. In 2015, I obtained my PiYo certification, a class based on Pilates and Yoga techniques and 2018 I started training to obtain my certification in the Joseph Pilates method with the encouragement from one of my best friends, Linda Raponi. My Pilates Mat training was with East to West Yoga, and I received my full certification to teach all levels in 2021. I took courses in applying Therapeutic Techniques, received my certificate in Nutrition with Tosca Reno and canfitpro, and my certificate in children’s fitness.
In May of 2021, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. I did six months of aggressive chemotherapy treatments and one full month of radiation. Pilates restored my body, flexibility, strength, and mental wellbeing and still does. I believe and trust in the Pilates method. Pilates is for everybody and every body.
I also love to spend time with my family and friends, especially outdoors. I love to read, listen to music, dance, eat and travel. I am always open to reading new books and I plan to do Pilates all over the world. I look forward to moving with you!
Mika will share her courageous journey through cancer diagnoses, treatment, and recovery alongside Jana Webb and Sheldon Guy at the CLOSING CEREMONIES on Sunday, August 20 at 12:00 PM Join her Mat Class in the Trade Show on Friday at 2:15 PM
