In April 2016, I decided it was time to dive back into the fitness world, recognizing the ongoing struggle of starting and sticking with physical activities—an essential part of my lifestyle. Back in the day (from 2010 to 2012), pole dance fitness was my jam, but after my move from Brazil to Canada in 2013, I tossed it aside, thinking other stuff was more "crucial." Fast forward, and now I see my fitness as a top-tier priority, on par with other crucial aspects of my life—a topic I'll spill more beans on in an upcoming post.
Ready to kickstart my fitness escapade, I hooked up with a coach at Report Fitness in Montreal. I went all-in for the 30-minute HIIT class workouts, scoring a two-week trial for a cool $25. The first session knocked me out; even sitting on the toilet the next day felt like a quest. But I told myself, "Nothing's gonna beat me this time," and I was committed to seeing it through. The daily workouts turned out to be doable, and come May, the fear of throwing in the towel started creeping in.
In a burst of inspiration, I decided to take on a year-long online challenge: throwing up daily fitness videos and pics on my Instagram. Making this commitment public meant my ego and pride would be my wingmen. External opinions had some say over me, and surprisingly, I'm kinda grateful for that. Without much overthinking, I spilled the beans about my challenge, setting the stage for a year of consistent fitness-related posts.
At the start, my Instagram was just basic photos or screenshots of self-recorded videos, taken without a tripod—just my phone leaning on a kettlebell. As time rolled on, creativity kicked in, pushing me to spice things up. Post-HIIT classes, I dabbled in yoga poses, took a crack at tricky positions like L-Sits. Slowly, I pumped up my gym routine, throwing in pull-ups and taking on various internet challenges, all fueled by my ongoing admiration for athletes like Fanny Josephine.
Diving deep into calisthenics, I hooked up with elite athletes in Montreal, joining sessions and sparking a passion for challenges. I initially shared my fitness journey with one workout buddy and later with another, whose support and hype were game-changers. Surrounded by these incredible athletes, I tackled challenges and embraced calisthenics training, giving a big "no thanks" to the genetic expectations that said visible abs weren't in my cards.
Fast forward to the end of my 365-day challenge, and I'd evolved into a gritty, disciplined warrior, pulling off muscle-ups and strict muscle-ups, flaunting some killer core strength. My dedication was etched into my physique, featuring a solid six-pack. I didn't have a specific goal in mind, but the challenge shook up my life, drilling in the importance of discipline and nurturing self-belief and confidence, even if it started on the modest side.
Of course, the journey wasn't all cheers and applause; critics threw shade about my lack of a structured program or my unconventional methods. But my unwavering passion highlighted the real deal—the importance of chasing what truly matters.
Looking back on that game-changing year, I'm filled with gratitude and pride for staying true to my heart and gut. That whole experience was the kick-off to fitness becoming a lifestyle, a vital piece of my ongoing adventure.
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