I have been blogging for almost four years now. I started out writing not about fitness, running and tips to live a healthier life, but about an abrupt change in my life when my husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. In an instant, cancer changed our lives: we moved from the United States (Washington) to Canada (Calgary, my husband’s hometown); we transitioned from work as outdoor adventure guides to chemo treatments in the hospital; we moved out of our little trailer in the mountains and into the basement of my in-laws’ home. Life changed fast. I had always kept journals to process life change and pray out my thoughts, so in lieu of answering many emails and phone calls, I started blogging about our cancer journey five months into our marriage.
What started as information about how Mikey was doing soon changed to chronicling our adventures together on the days he felt good, getting a backpacking trip in here and a trip to the Stampede in there.
During that time, I received my permanent residency and was able to begin working. I was looking for money fast with Mikey unable to work but no “Now Hiring” signs that I drove by seemed to fit the bill for me. Waitressing? Not my passion. Receptionist? Too much sitting. Since we were living at home and our expenses were low, Mikey encouraged me to go with my passion and I decided to pursue my personal training certification. Soon thereafter, I was certified and working in a gym!
First day of work photo!
I loved going to work, even with the long hours and endless networking that comes with building your client base. This California girl getting used to Canadian winters was one thing, but waking up at 4:30 am to get to the gym by 5 am and work through the day was entirely another! Despite the long days, I loved the core of my job as well as its flexibility, which allowed me to pop in and out of the gym and make it to almost all of Mikey’s treatments at the hospital. Who would have thought that his cancer would have led to the opening of a new passion and career for me? (It led to many other things as well, including our first kayaking trip with young adult cancer survivors, the foundation of our adventure therapy-based non-profit, a film tour and a sailing trip!)
A year after working in a gym setting and a break from the regular with a post-chemo and –radiation celebration, I set out on my own to train as an in-home personal trainer around the Calgary area. But I’ll let my video tell you the rest of the story!
I invite you to join me for adventures in the wilderness, workouts in the basement, fitness advice as I learn it and new opportunities as a FitFluential Ambassador to tweet, blog, Facebook and shoot videos as they come my way!
Live well & be well, friends!
-Bonnie
You know what I noticed? This is a story of happiness. You have taken all the elements that make up your life and made a happy life! What an amazing ability.
Thanks so much, Alexandra! Your comment actually brought a tear to my eye as I reflected on how good God has been to us; it’s not my amazing ability but his grace. 🙂 Thanks for the read and comment.
you inspire us each day Bonnie. GOd has given you such a gift and i can see that in your writing and in your relationship with Mikey. thank you for pursing that passion, great video!
Thank you, Linds! You CONTINUE to lift me up…love you so much. 😀
Your blog and tweets and videos all inspire me – to get out there, to enjoy life fully – being in the moment, and to remember what’s important. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you a little better and I love how honest and open you are in everything. Keep posting and I’ll keep reading! 🙂
Bonnie! This so great. Love the video and love reading your blog as always:-)
This week I definitely thought of you as I had to take the week off from running (heel pain that I did not want to get worst) and had to do something else to keep pushing myself…
Ended up trying one of Jillian Michaels DVD…ouf! Intense, hard, but did it twice this week and will do it again this weekend.
Ate real food all week and moved more thanks to your motivational posts!
Thinking of you and really hoping to see you even if just a little when I go to Calgary before the Retreat.
Thanks for encouraging me to be healthy.
Love you and have a great weekend
Karinexox
Hey Karine! Thanks so much for note…what a blessing! YOU are a major part of why I continue to write and your encouragement goes a long way in my heart! 😀 Way to try something new! Jillian is no joke. 😉 Keep eating well and MOVING – so many ways besides running but of course I love that you love that too. 😉
…hoping we can share a drink (a wine OR a green smoothie?!) when you’re out here too…can’t believe we’re missing that! Love you lots and thanks for your words, Karine. 😀
What a wonderful story of your journey! I had no idea that your husband had suffered from cancer, and I’m very sorry to hear that, but I am happy to see how you both have been able to use that bad situation to make a wonderful life!
Thanks, Diana – we cannot complain about our journey because it is our story and because God has done SO much in and through us as a result. We are often humbled by what a beautiful life we’re able to live and know that everyone has something rough going on; suffering is one thing we can expect in life. But so is joy, if we choose it!
What a journey… bless you guys for making the best of your lives thru adventure, health & fitness.
I love the first pic. Cute.
Love that first part of your video, too. haha. Kind a cold and windy for this so. cal girl. 😉
Nice job on the video! The kayaking looks fun.
Thanks, Christine! Your comment means a lot to me. 😀
Bonnie! Thank you for sharing your story. I love how your blog has evolved into this positive, happy space to share your life & inspire others. You radiate, beautiful girl.
(I love your FitFluential profile page 🙂 )
Thank you, Allie! You are a huge encouragement to me…thanks for your words. 😀