Have you ever wondered why some kids are more content staying inside playing video games and uploading selfies to Facebook, rather than taking in some fresh O2? Well sometimes it is a financial issue, and sometimes it is a lack of experimentation and opportunity. Either way, every youth deserves the chance to challenge themselves and discover what they are capable of.
Outward Bound Canada does exactly this. Their mission is to change lives through outdoor challenge and discovery. Dare to Leap is a fundraising campaign created to raise awareness and funding in order to allow underprivileged youth in our city the opportunity to experience the trip of a lifetime with others in similar situations. To do this, they allow students the chance go on expeditions in both wilderness and urban settings with the price tag based on family income. At Innovative Fitness Four Seasons, we are consider ourselves privileged to have one of the courageous individuals participating in the Dare to Leap event training with us: Eric Bojm!
Eric will be rappelling down Vancouver’s Shaw tower, the third tallest building in the city on April 16th 2015. Yes, that’s right. Rappelling down the side of a 149m high building in the heart of the city.
Along with all that courage, Eric is nothing short of a great role model. When he was asked what Outward Bound meant to him, he replied “it’s so important to have a way for kids to connect with the wilderness and discover the incredible beauty of the outdoors, just like I did.” Eric also mentioned how beneficial getting out into the environment is and how future generations need to experience its beauty in order to develop the leadership skills to properly conserve and protect it. Outward Bound Canada gave Eric the opportunity to participate in a 25-day trek near Pemberton when he was sixteen years old, and now with this rappel, he finally has the opportunity to give back to something that had such a strong impact on his life.
Before the “leap”, Eric is going to have to muster a lot of confidence in order to take those first few steps off the edge. To assist in the physical challenges he may face, we at the Four Seasons location have incorporated grip strength, balance, coordination, and core strength into his routine workouts. Even though we can physically prepare him, we have to wonder how his mental state will be on ‘leap’ day! To ease his mind, Eric’s fellow lawyers and staff at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP have been extremely supportive of this initiative! The law firm has a strong history of giving back to the community and Eric is pleased to continue that tradition.
Innovative Fitness would also like to ease his mind a have offered to contribute upwards of $20,000 worth of in-kind sponsorship directly towards the event! There’s certainly something in the air, and I believe that would be Eric’s charismatic charm! It’s no doubt why he is getting so much support. Although he is doing this event in hopes that he will be able to make a difference in the lives of others, he is also planning on taking the event as a personal challenge. When he was asked how this jump would impact him he said, “it’s exhilarating to push your boundaries and get out of your day-to-day comfort zone. It’s all about the support you find from others and the satisfaction you feel after accomplishing something you never thought possible. That feeling is something that I would like these kids to experience by having access to the wonderful outdoor programs and activities that Outward Bound has to offer. I am being given the chance to push my limits, meet new people, and make a difference for those who deserve it the most.”
What IF you could?
For more information about Dare to Leap and Outward Bound please visit their webpage or Eric’s personal fundraising page.
Sean Allt,
Club Manager
Innovative Fitness – Four Seasons
p. 604-609-5450 / c. 604-314-8627
www.InnovativeFitness.com
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