Reflection
Time to Get Skinny: How Words Connect Us
If any of you know me, you know I would NEVER say that it’s “time to get skinny” as a way to motivate you to do your exercises. But, I did indeed use this phrase with a group of Somali women when I was hired to teach a group fitness class for the teachers at…
Read MoreA Cautionary Tale for Women: My 8-week Experiment with Steroids
Words by Fatima Lee Garsi This sounds scary already! What kind of steroids did you take FLG? Tell me. About five years ago, I was rear-ended in a car accident. I suffered from whiplash, a spinal fracture, a tear between my vertebrae, and a concussion. I had to stop exercising for some time afterwards, especially…
Read MoreAsk a Member: How Does Sister Fit Measure Up to Similar Gyms?
Words by Raida C. Hi everyone! My name is Raida. I am a member of Sister Fit whenever I’m in Toronto, and I also attend 9Round, a gym specializing in kickboxing fitness, when I’m out of the city. As I’ve attended both gyms regularly, I thought I’d outline my personal experiences at each space. So,…
Read MorePutting Skin in the Game: Invest – Commit – Conquer
Words by Fatima Lee Garsi Happy New Year! Well, Happy February! Do you like making New Year’s resolutions or goals? I do, but not the typical goal that demands upheaval and a complete lifestyle makeover – which is the kind of goal that often grabs our attention. As years pass, I am more realistic; I…
Read MoreGyms, Culture, and Identity: Why Gyms Could be a Spiritual Space
Words by Fatima Lee Garsi What is a gym? By definition, a gym is a place that has fitness equipment for people to use for their physical education. A place where people go to get buff, to sweat, to stretch, kick, jump, and punch their way into a better body. Gyms are a new thing…
Read MoreFine Ideals: Body Positivity vs. Body Neutrality
Words by Hollay Ghadery There’s this picture of me I posted on Instagram: I’m wearing high-waisted jeans and a blue and red houndstooth cardigan tied in a tight knot over my belly button. The bottom of the picture cuts off mid-thigh, the top, around my shoulders, so you can’t see my face. I took this…
Read MorePersonal. 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…
Read MoreBuilding 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…
Read MoreMainstream 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,…
Read MoreLeadership 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…
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