Barby Sklaling began her physical wellness journey back in the 1990s when she was living in Vancouver. At the time, Barby says she at the beginning of many life changes, living as a single mother and trying to get through hardships, overcoming addiction, and rebuilding feelings of self-love and worth.
She joined a Vancouver dragon boat team and underwent weight training, canoe paddling, strict dieting and running. It was her first time running and the experience led her to seeing an event on television with large crowds: the annual Vancouver Sun Run. Barby had to give it a try.
“I just registered and ran with the crowd," she recalls of her first time. “I experienced many challenges during my run with massive blisters, injured toenails, slipping on ice, running in the cold rain with no proper attire… the list goes on!"
It may have been outside of her comfort zone but that first experience was the beginning of a 30-plus-year tradition that includes running on her Carrier Sekani Family Services Sun Run team for the past 14 years.
Running changed everything for Barby, who says physical exercise helps with her mental health and gives her a more positive outlook in her daily life. Remembering her challenges in running is a way to look at life; there are challenges but they can be overcome. On one Sun Run, Barby realized she had brought running shoes that were too small for her swollen feet.
“My feet hurt, so I took off my runners and ran with my socks. I would not stop because everyone running made me want to keep up with the crowd! Finally, in my last minutes I squeezed my feet into my runners without socks and pushed with pain to the finish line! I did not want to be a failure to myself."
There are many stories Barby likes to tell about her years on the Sun Run. Laughing, she tells about one time she purchased and carried a large Discman shaped like a dinosaur to listen to music on the run. Somebody bumped into her and her dinosaur went flying one way and the disc in the other direction. But she picked both up, plopped the disc back in and ran on.
Living in Prince George, Barby says there are extreme weather challenges to overcome, especially exercising in the cold and dark winter months. But she says she draws on inspiration from her Indigenous peers, friends and younger generations persevering through it.
“We have much support with the Indigenous Sport Physical Activity Recreation Council (ISPARC) and training as part of Indigenous Run Walk program," says Barby. “I love doing this training alongside my coworkers. We are closer in our work relationship and create lifetime friendships!"
The 30x30 Active Challenge is a good place for anyone to start their own physical health journey. Barby says nobody is too old or out-of-shape to start; exercise for a few minutes at a time and go from there.
“My small successes motivate me to achieve beyond what I can do right now. I don't think about age… I do this for my own well-being,“ says Barby, adding one of her biggest accomplishments was hiking Mount Robson.
Join FNHA's 30x30 Active Challenge and maybe next year you can share your own story as a Wellness Champion!
