Physical activity has always been part of my life. Not in an over explicit way, as in “hey, let’s go for a bike ride because it’s healthy”, but in a “hey, let’s go for a bike ride because that’s what we like to do” – we grew up as active kids and as habit has it, my sister and I are very active adults. My dad continues to be an active role model (he’s walking the entire Bruce Trail) and being on the move is our way of life.

When I was in high school I fell in love with fitness, I still played spots, but loved working out, loved moving and grooving and feeling strong. I looked forward to heading to the Hamilton YWCA Saturday mornings with my mum for aerobics (this was the 90s) and that’s definitely when and where my love for fitness grew. I got my group fitness certification, indoor cycling certificates, water aerobics certifications, and started leading classes right away – I loved it.  I loved inspiring and motivating others, challenging people to be their best self, live their best life, but even more, I loved the community that I became apart of  – my Tribe.

On March 17, 2012 I said this goal out loud. It actually really scared me in spite of being something I had always wanted to do. I sat thinking “is this seriously what I’m going to write down, but then people will know”. Growing up I didn’t really know anyone who owned their own studio – I had no clue how to do it? is this even a “real” job? So I tucked that thought away, but as most you know it was never  far from my mind.

Moving to Toronto in 2010 showed me that yes it is totally doable and a real job! I met some amazingly fierce females who were following their dreams and I realized I can do it too – in fact I am!

My new goal is to open Tribe, an indoor cycling and yoga studio here in the heart of TO and I plan to do it next year (a year earlier, but hey why wait!). My goal is to build a fitness community, a supportive and inclusive studio where everyBODY belongs. A studio that is an electric filled energy mood lift – whether it’s a cardio party high and a calming yoga zen.

So I need your help.

I am currently in a contest through Genuine Health that will fund me 10K to make this fitness dream come true. All you need to do is vote – once a day. Nothing to fill in, just click the link and click vote!

Here’s the link. Please vote, share,  feel my gratitude, then get a sweat on when we open – and believe me you’ll know when that happens!

http://www.genuinehealth.com/innerchampion/heather-gardner/

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. – Jane Howard