E063 Hillary Fitzgerald Exercise Helps Mental Health
Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 63
Date: April 11, 2023
Participants: John Webster, Isabelle Sinclair, Cameron Earnshaw, Sheila Webster and Elise Seifert
Guest: Hillary Fitzgerald
Start times and Segments:
[0:00:35] What’s On Your Mind: We welcome new regular co-host Isabelle Sinclair. She introduces herself to us – from playing basketball in her youth, to university life.
[0:10:59] Expanding Minds Interview: [Physical and Mental Wellness] We interview regular guest Hillary Fitzgerald in the areas of Physical and Mental Wellness. Hillary and her clients feel improved mental health from working out and moving that body. Exercise is a stress reliever. It helps you sleep better. It improves our mood. It does not need to be intense movement. Activities like going for a walk do a wonderful job. Consistency is important. It helps to make it social, with people encouraging each other. Getting through hard workouts makes us feel resilient. It reminds us that we can do hard things and get through them. For many, the way exercise makes us feel mentally is the most important aspect of it.
[0:32:20] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron teaches music students of all ages. One of his adult students lit up when Cameron started to play the blues on the guitar-amp setup he put in place for himself, for the first time.
[0:36:21] Move That Body: Drinking water is important. Sheila found out that using a travel tea steeper was a good way to add a bit of flavour, which in turn had her drinking more water.
[0:39:57] Running Popup: John’s approach to wellness doesn’t need to be formal. There’s different ways to approach (1) identifying areas of wellness; (2) identifying activities that foster these areas; and (3) checking in from time to time.
[0:41:33] Flipside of the Coin: The stolen diaper bag incident.
Quotes and Take-Aways:
Isabelle – I learned a lot about myself throughout the process of playing sports and I wouldn’t change a thing, because it was so integral into how I am as a woman now.
Isabelle – Playing sports is such a good way to build character and to develop skills that translate into your future life and career goals.
Hillary – I see all the benefits that exercise has. I see it in myself and I see it in my clients. They might be stressed with their job. They come in and do a workout. They’re instantly less stressed when they got there.
Hillary – Exercising consistenly is key, especially for your mood.
Hillary – I don’t think anyone is doing everything, because everyone has a life. If we take a break and not be so hard on ourselves, we can try to start small. That’s a good way to approach getting back into shape.
Hillary – Sometimes workouts can look very daunting. We think, “I don’t know if I can get through this.” You’re able to push through. Then once you’re done, whatever your day looks like, or whatever you have going on in your life, you can push through a little easier because you’ve done that.
Hillary – I often say, “we can do hard things”. I even shout it out sometimes.
Hillary – Most of my clients say that they’re coming to workout or move their body because it helps their mind. It helps them mentally. It helps them deal with stress. It makes them feel better. It makes them confident. It makes them have a better day.
Cameron – Sometimes it’s referred to as G-A-S: guitar acquisition syndrome. Most of the guitarists I know have suffered at some point.
Cameron – It was nice. I needed that – finding joy in the way you made a difference in someone else’s day.
Bulletin Board Quote brought to you by Cameron: He had a wicked case of “gas”, which is not what you think.
Guest Information:
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle and Julie