On today’s episode, I chat with Kate Van Buskirk. Kate is a 2-time Canadian Champion, former Canadian record holder, and has represented Canada on 10 international teams. Kate discusses how she has adapted to the new normal throughout the pandemic, and how it has affected her. We discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on athletes and what the future of sporting events is going to look like, virtually. Now a veteran of the sport, Kate has diversified her interests and commitments over the past years. These include sitting as an Athletics Canada Board Member in the role of Female Athlete Representative; hosting and producing The Shakeout Podcast with Canadian Running Magazine; acting as an ambassador for Fast and Female; and working with Canada Running Series in broadcast and other media roles. On this episode we dive into: Tips on how to start for new runners and avoiding injuries along the way.What she has found has helped her stay connected to her love of running and motivated to keep going throughout this pandemic. The adaption of races in these times and the rise of virtual events.Her work with different foundations, specifically “Fast and Female.”The importance of lifting other females up and how physical activity shouldn’t be looked at as punishment, but instead a reward.How to build a routine that is sustainable and learning how to move your body in different ways.The take-home: Kate Van Buskirk continues to amaze me with her drive, motivation, and energy. As COVID-19 changed everyone’s life, Kate was forced to adapt as an athlete in so many ways. She recognizes that one should make light of the circumstances and stresses the importance of a routine that is sustainable for you. Kate believes that keeping a motivation to be active in females is extremely important and aspires to promote a life long passion for movement in females at any age. She aspires to encourage females to stay healthy and active in sport, and prides herself in witnessing the positive impact this will have in life and beyond. Females should feel good in their bodies and develop competition in the right way towards one another. Girls are often extremely competitive and it’s not healthy, and it’s time we let go and support women and be active together. Let’s help each other and lift each other up, rather than put each other down. We must normalize stories of failure and struggle, and learn from someone’s story who has reached a point of success that we all look up to. During this pandemic, everyone has been effected in their own way. Kate stresses the importance of being gentle and kind with yourself and how beneficial having a community to reach out to with genuine supporters is. In these times, what you put out there is what you are going to get back.Get in touch with with Kate : Business Instagram: @K8vbeastConnect with Michelle:@muvelifehttps://calendly.com/muvelife/introcall