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Compelling stories, rants, and raves!
Pain to Power: Post-Traumatic Growth
By Fatima Lee Garsi On December 11th, we held the first session in our Deep Health Speaker Series – and wow, what a tremendously rewarding time. It’s not easy convincing people to get together to casually unload their deepest traumas. Preparing for this event was perhaps the most challenging thing I have done in years. …
SPECIAL EVENT | Pain to Power: Finding Calm in the Chaos of Identity Body Image and Disordered Eating
Click HERE to register for this event!
A Brand Change for Sister Fit
By Fatima Lee Garsi Since its inception, Sister Fit has been a space open and affirming of diverse identities. Recently, you may have noticed that we have made a deliberate shift in our branding and services to more clearly and consciously include LGBTQ+ people and diverse women, in addition to Muslim women. Some Muslims have…
Personal. Political. Powerhouse. Meet Lina Khalifeh from SheFighter!
Words by Fatima Lee Garsi Photography by Keemya Parsa Meet Lina Khalifeh! I’ll always remember the first time Lina came into Sister Fit. When she saw me, her eyes widened in surprise. She wasn’t shy to tell me that she expected me to be a conserative looking Muslim woman from Pakistan. Instead, she was met…
12 Amazing Facts You Need to Know About Arnis
By Fatima Lee Garsi If you’ve ever been curious about this intriguing art, here are 12 amazing facts you need to know about arnis. I was first introduced to arnis when I was living in Taiwan in my twenties. I saw an ad on a blog for expats that said “stick fighting” and felt compelled…
Building an Authentic Identity • Asmaa Hussein from Ruqaya’s Bookshelf!
Words by Fatima Lee Garsi Photography by Keemya Parsa Meet Asmaa Hussein: Ruqaya’s Bookshelf lady! That’s what I’ve been calling Asmaa since I’ve been acquainted with her through my circle of friends. I think merging her with the name of her indie publishing company reflects my impression of her. She has built a strong and…
Mainstream Fitness – Creating a Culture of Jerks
By Fatima Lee Garsi In the last ten years, I’ve ebbed and flowed through the fitness world as a certified personal trainer. Actually, it’s felt more like a battle. Many, many battles. I’ve worked for Goodlife Fitness, LA Fitness, boutique style gyms, a private women’s only studio, a physio/massage clinic, my own studio in Kitchener,…
Leadership Identity Series: Episode 3 – Unwavering Reema Gets Down to Business
Words by Fatima Lee Garsi Photography by James Ip Meet Reema Rafay: Reema Rafay is a business beast! I was first intrigued by Reema several years ago when she added me to an annoying FaceBook group about body transformations. I suppose I get annoyed with anyone who adds me to any group! Reema however, impressed…
The BEST Diet!
By Fatima Lee Garsi This is NOT clickbait! I promise! I have been studying nutrition for several years and in 2013 became a Certified Nutrition Coach with Precision Nutrition. I’m aware of all the latest diets out there…Atkins, keto, paleo, low-carb, carb-cycling, calorie counting, baby food (which my mom insisted I do when I was…
Leadership Identity Series: Episode 2 – From Canada to Barbados!
Words by Fatima Lee Garsi Photography by James Ip Meet Fatimah: I am pleased to introduce you to Dr. Fatimah Jackson-Best! Fatimah Jackson-Best is indeed the best! This is a lady who is the real deal; there’s something about FJB (I hope she doesn’t mind the acronym!) that is real nice. This is someone who…