| Taylor Armburst
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Last year 2020 was a year that we will all never forget; but most of us want to. For myself and my family, 2020 will be a year that I want to remember for always and this is primarily because of the birth of our first child. Our son Bowen was born in February just a couple weeks before a global pandemic was announced. Bowen is the silver lining for myself, my wife and the rest of our family.
Before Bowen was born I had a goal/mindset for 2020. And this goal was to focus more on time raising our new baby. I wanted to take a step back from working full-time+, to working part time. We knew it would be a sacrifice in money, but I had a feeling being around all of my sons’ firsts and having that extra time as a family would be worth more than anything.
….And I was definitely right about that to this day and I do not regret it for one second.
After taking an amazing extended parental leave of 6 weeks after Bowen was born, It was time for me to go back part time to work; but it was not an normal time to go back to work… I work as an x-ray technologist primarily in the ER/ICU at Kelowna General Hospital. COVID-19 was in full swing and the world was locked down. Every day after that and continuing on even today- I see potential and positive COVID-19 patients every single day. I feel honored to be on the front lines with my coworkers, but also I know in part what I am risking for my health and more importantly my family’s health.
Throughout the whole year and with everything that’s going on, Bowen has been our silver lining. For a baby and almost 1-year-old now, he has the calmest observant behavior I’ve ever seen, and his laugh will light up the room like no other; there’s no one more important in my entire life then him and as my father has put it, it is simply amazing what one person no matter how old or how small how they can change in your life for the better. When times are tough at work battling COVID-19 every day, I think about Bowen and I know I’m out here for him and his future. And I’ll never quit or let him down. |
| Chuck Tanner
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As with every one else I was blindsided with the Covid-19 epidemic. However, it is what it is! I’m sure as most of you living here in Kelowna and Canada for that matter feel how very fortunate we are when we look at the chaos and craziness of our southern neighbors in the US ! The issues with Covid, the Blacks issues, Political turmoil, etc., we definitely are a nation that is the envy of most of the world! For me personally I had my fair share of challenges and bumps in the road! My Dad had a major stroke and was put into hospice and told to get his affairs in order! My Son and his wife lost which would have been there first child in there pregnancy! I also witnessed our 12 year old cat get taken out of our yard by a coyote to which I wasn’t able to rescue him in time before he was carried off !
My fiancé & I were to get married in June (2020) in which we had to cancel because of Covid & obviously postponed it! We’re optimistic though that in the fall of this year that we can get married in front of our friends & family especially her two adult children and my two adult children and three grandchildren! My fiancé and I dated back in the early 80,s and then both went our separate ways! We both got married and both had a family and hadn’t seen each other in 30 + years! We both got divorced and 3+ years ago stumbled upon each other and got together! We decided we would marry but obviously not after this craziness in which 2020 brought upon us! So on the bright side besides us rescheduling our wedding, my Dad is making progress from his stroke and is out of hospice & back home now! My Son and his wife are pregnant again and expecting in late summer!
There is optimism in the air with the hope of this vaccination that hopefully by the fall we will have a somewhat a new normalcy! I’m grateful for Global fitness as it has been a blessing to me personally as I’m fortunate that they’ve managed to keep there doors open for the most part of this pandemic! I play Racquetball 3-4 days a week and enjoy the cardio work out with a handful of a few friends, and we manage to break a good sweat, a few laughs and a wee bit of a stress relief! I look at life a little differently now as I’m sure most of us do and appreciate life more than I did before 2020 came! I’ve been fortunate enough to have a good pension from my career as a locomotive engineer, (38 years) and realize how precious life is and how important health and especially family and friends are! Hope this story inspires people to appreciate how fortunate that they are and when storms come that we can over come it & that there is always a silver lining! |
| Jadie Reichenbach
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Covid 19 impacted us all in some way or another, however, the positive side of 2020 was that it gave me the best opportunity to build relationships with my 3 kids. The kids’ mom and I, now separated, adopted a sibling group of 3 about 8 years ago. We separated not long after we adopted them, so the time I’ve had with them since, has only been weekends or holidays. For most of the years, co-parenting, they have lived in a different city and at two locations, a different province. The longest I’ve ever seen my kids in a calendar year was about a month. I knew them but never had a deep relationship with any of them. Covid changed that as I was off work and they were off school. They came to visit me during spring break at the start of the pandemic, and never left. I got to see them for almost 6 months. We hiked A LOT and explored trails around the Okanagan. My oldest and I even hit the Apple Bowl track many times to run, do the stairs, and skip. We created a ton of memories.
All 4 of us feel blessed from 2020. |
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Jenna Francis
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My silver lining for this last year has been working with Shelbi. I started coming to Global in January of last year, not really sure how to work out on my own and very unsure of what I was capable of. I just wanted to live up to the potential I knew I had.
I booked her classes 3-5 times a week to take the pressure off of not knowing what to do, and the first class with her I nearly passed out. It was so challenging but I wanted to get better. I was finally getting in a groove with working out, and then COVID hit. I was lost again, the gyms shut down and I had no idea what to do. I reached out to her on Instagram and got signed up to have her make training plans for me (and my fiancé) and the rest is history.
I’ve never been stronger or felt more sure of myself in the gym. I am improving all the time and as a bonus I’ve lost 23lbs since the beginning of COVID and 60lbs since my heaviest. The photos show comparison from end of March until last weekend.
It’s the first time being healthy has been my lifestyle and that is my biggest win and silver lining! |
| Vanessa Richards
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I had been working with online personal trainer for 12 weeks, and over the course of the program I couldn’t believe how much knowledge I had the opportunity of obtaining. To provide some background information, back in February I was in a bit of a slump more or less mentally and physically, felt as though I was at my lowest point, and didn’t feel comfortable in my own skin. In March, I decided that I wanted to turn my situation around and so I started focusing in on my nutrition which of course is a battle in itself. From March until June I was able to lose 20lbs through diet changes and incorporating the gym however, it was at that time that I had started to hit a plateau. At the end of June, Keith took me on as a client and we got to work. He then created a highly tailored 12 week program that was designed to help me reach my goals which included:
- Continue to progress physically and mentally
- Become more comfortable within the gym
- Learn about and fully understand the importance of nutrition and macros
- What type of training to focus on to target certain muscles
- Lose 10lbs while gaining lean muscle
This program pushed my limits to say the least. Not to mention, we probably picked the hardest time of the year to complete an initiative that requires dedication, consistency, perseverance, and discipline. Keith’s commitment to helping me achieve what seemed so far in sight yet turned out to be actually within reach, was everything. From check-ins to video tutorials, and 100% support 100% of the time I could have not done it without him. He has been a mentor, a coach, and a friend and his knowledge speaks volumes. The plan was to keep progressing towards our goal by losing 1lb per week. Over the course of 3 months I had learnt that it is possible to lose weight and build lean muscle while having minimal restrictions, also based on my specific goals my plan happened to look quite differently than the next individual and it is not solely just about “staying within a caloric deficit” in other words.. not to be scared of food especially carbs and protein!
That it is okay to fall off the wagon every once in a while and enjoy yourself, as Keith always reminded me to be proud of how far we had already come. You just continue to push harder moving forward. I can’t thank Keith enough for being my biggest motivator either, it was his advice and infectious energy that kept me going making me feel that i could achieve anything that I set my mind to. He helped me overcome many mental obstacles as well, which is a huge piece of the puzzle. Keith ensured that I was growing, learning, and feeling like the best version of myself mentally and physically!!
I took away many things such as there is never an end… it is a lifestyle change, it is choosing to be happier all around, it is choosing to get up at 5:00am and hit that workout to start your day off. I may not train as hard, but I will continue to set goals in and outside of the gym, maintain a well-balanced diet, and ensure sustainability.
I am proud to say that we reached our goal 10 weeks into the program, and overall I have lost a total of 16lbs along the way making that a total of 36lbs altogether. Keith has also taught me that it’s not about the number on the scale, it’s about how you feel! Throughout COVID I spent countless hours of which had turned into days focusing on making time for myself, working towards leading a healthier life physically and mentally, and practicing self-love. I’m excited about the progress I have made and can’t wait to see where this next year will take me. It has never felt so good to finally feel comfortable in my own skin again, with confidence and strength. |
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Asia Snook
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At the end of 2019 I moved back to Kelowna after 4 long and unhappy years living in the Lower Mainland. I was so excited to be back with family and friends and be around fun, outgoing like-minded people. Enter: COVID.
I truly struggled with the world shutdown and not being able to do anything I had imagined when I decided to move back. However, the great outdoors were not shut down. Instead of spending money going out to restaurants, wineries, breweries and my usual go-to’s I decided to explore my hometown from views many wouldn’t see.
I got to do over 40 local hikes this summer since I couldn’t travel.
I bought a paddle board and got to experience some amazing Kelowna sunrises and sunsets.
I got a handful of memorable camping trips under my belt and even though I was disconnected from my phone, I felt more connected than ever. |
| Marylin Mah
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I have many friends who have children involved with Special Olympics. In the winter of 2019, I put in a last minute entry to help with a fundraiser for Special Olympics; diving into outdoor waters at -10 with my “special Pickleball” outfit (all cracked and squished pickleballs sewn onto thermal underwear).
Water was C-O-L-D-D_D_D!!!!
Took my breath away but I raised over $1000 in that one last day of entry. Hot tub after the swim hit the sweet spot. |
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Brett Wilson
Owner of Global Fitness
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As difficult as March and April were, learning to engage with family, friends, staff, partners and clients through social distancing (zoom, zoom, zoom!!), it has created a new way of looking at many of my relationships.
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| Darcia Fenton
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Had to undergo dental surgery and luckily the mask mandate helped to hide the swelling bruising! |
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Felipe Keeler
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My story starts in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Last year when this whole Covid started I was living in Saskatoon working at a flooring store selling flooring. I had a crazy boss. In the springtime I had a crazy experience with this crazy boss of mine witch made me want to change my life up.
In May I decided I wanted to move to a new city and start fresh. This was a decision I had to put a lot of thinking on due to the whole Covid stuff happening I wasn’t sure if it was going to be the right time to make a move. I had a study job, started building a relationship with a girl. But a lot didn’t feel right for me.
The biggest thing is that I was unhappy with my job and the place I lived. I started to plan out where I wanted to move to and spoke to my parents were in Canada I should move to. They both recommend BC and said that I would most likely enjoy BC over the eastern part of Canada. I’ve done a few road trips to the western part of Canada and I knew nature is where I wanted to be at since I am Brazilian and grew up in the jungles. I had no idea where in BC I wanted to move to. I started doing a bunch of research to see where I would fit best but I couldn’t make up my mind, so one day I pulled up the BC map, closed my eyes and pointed at the map and told myself were ever my finger lands is where I will move and sure enough my finger land in Kelowna. I have never been to this city before, but I had lots of people only say great things about Kelowna and how beautiful it is and if you are an outdoor person this is the place to move.
I set a date of end of June to make this move. I hunted out jobs which was very hard to do since I wasn’t in the city yet and I couldn’t show who I am to my potential employers. Lots of them didn’t take me seriously duo to me being in Saskatoon still. I found a flooring store that was hiring and I already have the experience so I sent my resume and no-one got back to me. I was determined so I called the store a few times and finally got myself a Skype interview. Sure enough the interview went great and they decided to hire me. So I was able to find a job and a place to stay in start of June, all is going great.
June 28th is when I drove to Kelowna. I said goodbye to my friends and my girl and I parted ways. Arriving to Kelowna started out great. Got settled in and started at my new job. I should mention two days of being in Kelowna I left my bike locked at the mall and came out and my bike was gone. Someone cut threw my lock and took it. A week prior I just spent a good chunk of money on this bike because it was my source of transportation until I got myself a car. I ended up asking around and people told me were to look and within two hours I was able to track down the homeless guy who stole my bike and was able to get it back. What a start to a new city.
For the first month things seemed to be going well. I got myself a car and was doing good at my job. Well at least I thought. Within a month a week I got let go from my job. That really hit me. I just spend a good part of my savings on my car so all the stress and worry started to come at me. I don’t know a single person in this city.
Three weeks later a saw an ad for another sales jobs. Went to the store to check it out and see what kind of place it was. I ended up speaking to the owner and he told me to come back next morning to speak to the other owner and ended up getting hired. Been with them since.
Fall hit and I started working out at Global gym. The gym for me is my source to letting anything I got build up inside of me to let go through my workout. I finally met a couple new friends at the gym witch really helped with my loneliness. Christmas came along and my girlfriend from Saskatoon decided to move here with me. Her and I both go to global gym and love it. It’s a time where we can share with each other. We both started getting into racket ball and tennis with our daily workouts.
Global gym has allowed me to make new friends and build an even stronger relationship with my girlfriend and my mind. Kept me company on my lonely times in this new city and has taken tremendous amounts of stress to my day to day stuff. I am grateful that I’ve been able to build small friendships to some of the people that work at the gym.
Thank you, Global gym for all that you have done for my health and keeping me company at times I didn’t. |
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Sean Minchin
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Looking back on the year of 2020, it should be easy for me to say that it was by far the worst year of my life. I think it’s fair to assume that that’s probably the mindset of most people, that have had the misfortune of living through the COVID-19 pandemic. I am choosing to look at it a bit differently, here is my story of surviving and growing in 2020.
Of course, we know the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on most people, it was no different for me. Being a first responder, I saw the fear and risk of exposure up close and personal. The virus brought new personal protection equipment, new protocols, and even changing our work shifts to 24 hours to limit exposure. Along with it all the stresses that came with managing an emergency scenes, and then a viral risk on top of the normal daily risks we encounter. Work aside like most people my relationship suffered and eventually after a few breakup cycles ended, to add another few in pebbles in the bucket of stress. It was at this time that I was faced with two paths, I could look on the negative side of things and ultimately not grow or chose the latter. I have tried to see some positive in the tragic events I have experienced, like being motivated to grow and work on myself. I started out with meditating every day. On my journey I have learned really there is no wrong way to meditate, however I feel now my mind is much clearer and focused after learning some different techniques. It was at this time I was faced with a new challenge, It started with a flood In my basement. Just as the restoration of my basement was finishing, an employee of the restoration company accidentally caused a fire in my house. Having been on shift that day I ended up responding to my own house bellowing smoke and flame. Something I’m pretty accustomed to, however when it’s your house it tends to change your outlook. To make matters worse I ended up pulling my deceased dog from the ashes. Yes, I understand the irony of a firefighter’s house burning, however I found no humor in the subject at the time. It was around this time that the gyms were closed and just about to reopen. As divine timing would have it global gym opened shortly after, allowing me to resume my workouts and taking my mind off past and current events.
With what transpired for me in the time leading up, I don’t know that I would’ve been able to survive 2020. Without having the ability to go to the gym and basically turn my mind off, I’m not sure what I would have done to get through it all.
In closing I want to thank Global Gym, I really feel being able to keep the gym open in a way saved my life. |
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Cam Martyna
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2020 was a wild ride! Business closures, toilet paper shortages and above all, no Squash!
When I played squash for the first time, on Court 1 at Global with my high school class, I was immediately hooked!
I’ve been playing ever since and my love for the game has only grown! Encased in those four walls with a racket and ball is my Happy Place, so I was devastated when the club had to shut down!
Yes, COVID rained on everyone’s parade, but there is always a Silver Lining – There is one, literally in the photo!
My wife and I spent more time outdoors and in the fresh air of the beautiful British Columbia mountains! Look out those views!
One of those unforgettable times was a two-night hike up to Berg Lake – just at the base of Mt. Robson. It was difficult choosing only 3 photos to share with you – Truly stunning views!
Getting our hiking boots on and exploring our enormous and spectacular backyard is my Silver Lining! |
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Richelle Seward
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2020 was like eating soup with a fork. Now, some of you may read that statement and laugh because of the many truths behind it, but the fork itself is what gathered all the good that came out of that year. The global pandemic placed a great level of precariousness on all our lives, mentally, spiritually, and physically. The amount of emotional turmoil that many individuals, myself included, experienced because of the pressure from social limitations was unplanned to say the least. As someone who relies on fitness to put my mind at ease, I felt like I had been robbed when Big White shut down, and soon after, all the gyms. As selfish as that may sound, I relied heavily on snowboarding and the gym for my mental health. It was an escape for me as I navigated through the steps I needed to take in my life to find myself again and fall in love with being on my own, a true journey through solitude. I bought a road bike despite never riding one before, and in just over two months I had logged over 1,200km. I hiked a few times a week, including Cascade Mountain in Banff. I felt like I had a great, well-rounded routine of activity to help me keep my anxiety at bay. It wasn’t until December of 2020 I was in a skiing accident and blew my ACL, MCL and meniscus. It was the universe’s way of telling me to slow down, which nearly made me lose my mind. My specialist said I would be lucky if I was able to ride next season. Knowing me though, I went at this injury with the attitude that said “Oh you think I’m injured? Watch me”. I had relentless persistency as I pushed myself every single day after my accident with proper rehabilitation and mediation, and slowly over time gained strength in surrounding areas of my knee. Two months later, my specialist told me that whatever I had been doing for rehab in combination with ‘great genetics’, I am back up on the hill (with a brace) and am able to resume all physical activity. My silver lining for this past year and moving into 2021, is finding gratitude for what we have access to. Living in Kelowna opens so many doors to fitness and outdoor activity that we truly took for granted in the past, I believe many of us can admit that. 2020 brought me patience, appreciation for friends and family, and authenticity to myself. I am truly grateful for Global Fitness and the members I can call family, you all make this facility feel like home. |
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Deb Asselstine
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2020, Did that just happen? It sure did, not sure my outlook would have been without Global supporting us throughout the year!
I couldn’t be more Grateful. Thank you Global!!!
Fitness to me is everything, helping me to be a better person for myself & others.
When Global had no choice but to close the doors because of the pandemic, my friends Sherri-Ann & Angela who are also members of Global joined together to
start home Zoom classes. Credits for setting up Zoom go to my friend Sherri-Ann. You are the best!
We kept to the same workout schedule as possible, adjusting where we all needed. Meeting with these girls and seeing the smiles on their faces every morning even though virtual was the best part of my mornings!
Still being able to get my workouts in, it didn’t compare to Global’s welcoming atmosphere staff & members provided.So, for me, having my friends, family & a fitness centre like Global has kept me grounded through the past year.
I have always been appreciative but now more so then ever. Makes my heart grow seeing the way people have come together this past year.
All the best for 2021! |
