Heather Young Spotswood & her Fitness Journey

At CLPT our athletes are inspiring. They come from all kinds of different backgrounds with all kinds of different goals. Here is a short story of Heather Young Spotswood and her fitness and wellness journey:

"Just over a year ago, I started a journey to become a better version of myself. I learnt

to eat better, be more active and like myself more. It was hard to make some of the

changes, but I lost 25 lbs and my whole being was just in a better place. I then realized I

need to add to this new way of life and get stronger to continue to get healthier. Enter

Coach Cindy. She got me on a strength program only at first, to help me start working

my muscles and build them up. Pushing me outside my comfort zone but always

listening when I struggled and helping me navigate the challenges of the work outs. My

basement has become a pretty good little home gym. That is constantly expanding!

Fast forward, I then decided I wanted to run the 5 km distance at the Oakville 21.1 and

see how much my hard work had paid off. I had previously, ran 5KM twice at the

Georgina Spring Fling. I am not a runner but am always up for a challenge, so I again

asked Coach Cindy to get me on a program to help me get ready for the 21.1. It was

tough, but as each run training day passed, it got easier. As race day approached, I had

set my mind that anything under 45 min would be a success. Race day came and I

surpassed my previous 5Km time by 5 minutes and finished under the 45 min mark I

had set. I was so proud of myself. I was thankful to the people who supported and

encouraged me. Of course Coach Cindy. My friend Susan always had words of

encouragement and listens when I need her on days of struggle. My wonderful

husband Dennis, who always tells me he loves me the way I am but supports this

journey I am on and gifts me new equipment per my request on those celebrated

occasions.

With the training Cindy gives me, it helps me to combat the emotional and overthinking

part of running, as well as the endurance side. It really helps me when you have

someone to push you and that really wants to see you succeed. How it has changed me

not just physically but mentally, is more than I could have imagined. I would never have

thought it would have the positive effect on all parts of my life that it has. I will not likely

ever run a marathon, but I will run another 5 km and maybe even 10 km in the next year

with a new appreciation for what I can do and new time goals."