Sanaz Moaveni

Clients at INLIV are intimately familiar with Destinations. They are a key part of what makes the INLIV experience unique and act as the motivation for all the hard work we put in to our personal fitness and health journeys. For many clients, their Destinations are the fulfillment of a dream, the conquering of a fear, or the promise of an ultimate challenge. They often manifest themselves in the boldest of terms: climbing a mountain, running a marathon, biking an endless stretch of highway or attempting the extreme. For all of us, a Destination is the laying down of the gauntlet, the courage to say “I will.”

This was no different for Sanaz Moaveni. As a young woman diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis – and having arrived in Canada only a few years ago form her native Iran - Sanaz was used to challenges. Every day provided her with a new one: climbing down a set of stairs, walking outside in the rain or snow, carrying her groceries, trying to stay independent and learning a new culture. Likewise, at INLIV, she faced a litany of challenges every time she stepped onto the fitness floor or into the yoga studio: lifting a weight, balancing on ball, controlling her muscles or staying focused.

Somehow though, these daily challenges were not enough for Sanaz. She wanted more, and she wanted something that challenged her identity as well as her health. In the end, she decided she wanted to walk farther than she ever had.

For a person with MS, walking the 5km Mother’s Day race is the boldest of Destinations. For Sanaz it would be both conquering her fear and doubts, while presenting the ultimate physical challenge, and it would not disappoint.

The Mother's Day Walk took Sanaz some 3 hours to complete as she took numerous breaks along the way – in weather that was less than ideal and amidst a course that was being taken down around her so the streets could be re-opened. The last kilometer saw Sanaz walking along the side of the road as traffic passed by. For Sanaz, the race was not about winning, but finishing, which she did with a quiet determination and rarefied dignity not seen in many people. In a single day, Sanaz reclaimed her identity as a strong, independent person and conquered her fear at the same time.

But then again, Destinations tend to do that…