Gill Whelan
For launching a wellness resource for Newfoundlanders
Gill Whelan had been a fitness instructor for almost a decade when she took a hiatus in 2017. While the St. Johns-based coach was passionate about fitness, she was disillusioned by the toxic messages pervasive in the industry: Often fitness is centered around making people feel like they need to change, she explains.When the world went into lockdown, Whelan saw how her family and friends were struggling to stay healthy and emotionally balanced. So, she created Whelan Wellness Virtual Bootcamp. For $52 a month, subscribers have access to daily workouts, yoga lessons, mental health discussions and workshops about mindful eating and nutrition. Within 24 hours of launching her four-week program, 121 people had signed up. At its peak, the virtual community reached 6,000.Newfoundlands many rural communities have long had limited access to wellness resources. The current shortage of health care workers makes it harder than ever to address concerns before they escalate into medical problems. While systemic issues still need to be addressed, Whelan is empowering people who want to take charge of their well-being. Its the most supportive group of like-minded individuals just wanting to feel better.Valerie Howes
