How I got here: my physical fitness journey

Training with Ottawa Wolves RFC circa 2013.

The people who know me really well know that I was a late bloomer when it came to physical fitness.

It started when my school threw me on the rugby field in Grade 7. Despite my doughy form, the sheer volume of tasks needed to build a team means there’s room for all body types on the field. I loved that my size had its benefits. As I kept playing (and training to play) my body started to even out. Eventually my role on the field changed… and after a decade of rugby, I had the amazing honour of captaining a team.

After rugby came the outdoors. My craving for the forest and the mountains led me to the Yukon, where I’ve done more running, trekking, skiing, and adventuring than ever before. The mountains have a special way of teaching you about yourself: backcountry success calls for physical and mental preparation, but that work and the sense of accomplishment that follows is within reach of almost anyone who is willing to do the work.

Through those initial vulnerabilities about my own body, I also became deeply aware of the need to show respect and support for anyone who wants to become stronger. Recently, I also started transitioning from athlete to coach by spending more time working with the Yukon’s rugby and biathlon youth programs, and I was fortunate to join the Wicked Ram Fitness instructor team earlier this year. I realized that somewhere between growing from a 12-year-old rugby heavy into a mountain fitness coach, I learned a lot about passing on good advice about fitness excellence – whether in the gym, your living room, or on a hill.

So all this is to say that I’ve been working hard lately on this next part: a new career as a personal trainer in Whitehorse. I’m so excited to be committing to spending more time sharing an important part of my life with the community.

If you're looking to take the next step in your wellness journey and want to see how I can help, let's sit down for a (free) consultation. Book yours online at https://mfancie.wixsite.com/mysite/book-online.