September 16, 2024
On October 9th during Mental Illness Awareness Week, Canadian Olympian Clara Hughes will return to Halifax for Let’s Keep Talking, our annual celebration to recognize outstanding Nova Scotians making strides in mental health support, education, and advocacy.
In 2014, Clara spoke to Nova Scotians at our first-ever Let’s Keep Talking event when her cross-Canada cycling tour called Clara’s Big Ride stopped in Halifax to raise awareness and combat the stigma surrounding mental health.
Foundation President and CEO Starr Cunningham asked Clara to share some thoughts and insights in advance of her keynote address for Let’s Keep Talking, presented by Bell Let’s Talk. Find her answers below and then register to hear Clara’s story on October 9th.
Note: Excerpts have been edited for length and clarity.
Starr: We all know staying active is good for our physical health, but what have you learned about the impact of exercise on your mental health?
Clara: Movement is my medicine… Even as a retired athlete, I can find it challenging to get out the door many days. I look at physical activity through the lens of circulation. If I can frame [physical activity] as creating movement in my body, brain and spirit, and set the bar as low as it can go with just walking to the post box, I know I can do it, and I always feel better.
Other times I hike for weeks at a time and find a rhythm of movement in nature that allows for some massive shifts in my mental health and wellbeing. Everyone is different, but the important thing is to know that even the smallest outlet of movement is more than nothing, and this tiny little something can be a lifeline for a person struggling.
Starr: What gets you through your tough days?
Clara: Community. Friendship. Reaching out when I want to shut down.
Getting into cold water, even a cold shower, always offers a reset too. It doesn’t necessarily change how I might be feeling when the struggle is very real, but for a moment I feel like I can do the hard things and make it through. I also find deep meaning and impact in stillness. I have a regular morning and evening meditation practice and leaning on this helps me tremendously when I have tough days.
Starr: How important is community-based support for individuals and their families?
Starr & Clara at Clara’s Big Ride in 2014, our first Let’s Keep Talking event.
Clara: Community-based support is crucial. It takes time to build trust and understanding, so to have support close to your home provides a sense of comfort and familiarity that better allows these key elements to grow. Not everyone has the capacity or time to travel to receive care and support. Practically speaking, community-based supports allow more people to receive the care they deserve; the care that everyone deserves.
Starr: What are you looking forward to most about your time in Nova Scotia?
Clara: I’m looking forward to seeing and feeling the legacy of that long journey across Canada ten years ago, during Clara’s Big Ride, to witness how the dream of mental health access, care and acceptance has continued to live on for so many people through this fantastic community of caring and support. I look forward to hearing inspiring stories from people I meet and learning from what they’ve been through, what they’re going through, and how they find the way. It’s a real honour to be invited back to Halifax for Let’s Keep Talking, and to be trusted to be in the community space. This is a privilege and responsibility that’s not lost on me. I’m humbled.
Starr: What messages will you be sharing in your Let’s Keep Talking keynote?
Clara: Healing is ongoing and true healing happens in community. Every person has a story to share and the capacity to listen. I hope I can share some Olympic magic, too!
Join us for Let’s Keep Talking on October 9th. Register now to secure your free seat.
