“Physical activity not only becomes a way to move your body and get in shape, but it’s also a way to connect with who you are, know who you are, and also share a pleasurable experience with your peers, whether they’re girls or boys”

Words shared by Sophie Grégoire Trudeau during a press conference in Montreal on Thursday, following an announcement that she has accepted the role of spokesperson for the FitSpirit Foundation (Fillactive en français!)

Founded by Claudine Labelle, FitSpirit is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help teenage girls discover the advantages and the enjoyment that come from taking part in physical activity. Since 2007, FitSpirit has helped over 110,000 teenage girls in Quebec and Ontario get active…But it’s about so much more than just physical activity.  The goal of FitSpirit, as stated on its website, is to help teenage girls discover the fun of being active and healthy with friends. 

“Everything is a question of balance…the issue is not the food or the exercise, the issue is a lack of healthy construction of self.  THAT is the issue.”

Role model Sophie Grégoire Trudeau encourages a “holistic approach…because a healthy lifestyle includes exercise, nutrition, healthy sleep patterns, a healthy group of friends”.  She spoke about the healthy, non-competitive and compassionate nature of FitSpirit, and its philosophy that no one is left behind.

In fact, after the press conference, Ms. Grégoire Trudeau led some of the girls and other willing participants around a downtown block of Montreal for a ceremonial race. At the end of the race, she kept looping back to accompany those who were a little further back to the ‘finish line’. No one left behind.

So what did I think of Sophie Grégoire Trudeau?

What I saw and heard yesterday illustrated to me a beauty and strength of spirit that far outshine her very real and clear outer beauty (and there’s no disputing that she’s absolutely gorgeous!). Speaking intelligently and eloquently, her words brought me to the brink of tears more than once, and I wasn’t the only one in the room who made this comment once the press conference was over. I’d be remiss not to mention that she is incredibly down-to-earth, and as far as I can see, has both her heart and her head in the right place. I think she is an excellent role model for teenage girls across the country and I think that she is both the perfect ‘fit’ and the perfect ‘spirit’ for the FitSpirit Foundation 🙂

So, I know you’re all wondering…did I get a selfie?  You bet I did!

Possibly actually better than the selfie itself is the photo taken by my dear friend Julia of AskMamaMOE.com … a photo of us taking that selfie (and others photographing us taking that selfie LOL):

Two inspiring ladies: Our First Lady & my BFF @montreal_mom 💗💗 #MtlMoment #FitSpirit #FillActive pic.twitter.com/QL2t3VCklR

— Julia a.k.a.Mama MOE (@AskMamaMOE) April 14, 2016

An inspiring woman, a phenomenal organization and a beyond-worthy cause.

Worthy of note is that FitSpirit is sponsored by Québec EN FORME, Saputo, TELUS and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. To learn more about FitSpirit, and about how you can get involved yourself, involve your kids or their school, visit FitSpirit.ca . You can also Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, Follow them on Instagram.

On that note, I wish you fitness of mind, body & spirit 🙂

Tanya