The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #InspireInclusion.  When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we will forge a better world.  When women feel inspired to be included, they experience a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. The campaign theme urges us to “Invest in women: Accelerate progress” (International Women’s Day, 2024). Despite progress in gender issues globally, it is still an unfinished business, and setbacks are still of concern. Canada is estimated to need another 160 years to achieve gender equality, and the challenges intensify as we get closer to that goal.

In the first episode of my podcast this month, I had a conversation with Dwayne Smith, who is the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at GoodLife Fitness. We explored the topic of women’s leadership and delved into the powerful theme of the 2024 International Women’s Day campaign, #InspireInclusion. We discuss the significance of breaking barriers and promoting a collective effort for a more equitable and inclusive future. However, fear impedes us from addressing biases and stereotypes to create a gender-inclusive world. A highlight from this episode is when we discuss ways we can work towards cultivating our courage to confront our fears and create CHANGE.

In my second podcast this month, join Meghan Jarvis and Debbie Bellanger as we explore empowering ourselves through knowledge of upcoming trends and utilizing our skills to achieve MO’re and create MO’re positive change worldwide. Three crucial ingredients from this conversation that I am going to focus on in this blog because they can help us take action and collectively #InspireInclusion are: 1) Career innovation (change) 2) Women’s empowerment and 3) Self-care (which just happen to align with my 2024 Power Words – CHANGE, POWER, and CARE 😊). Reflect upon these three points and how you can use them to #InspireInclusion.

1. Career Innovation (Change)

At its core, innovation is about intentional change, whether it be through new products, systems, processes or profession. We should consider innovating not only our actions and procedures, but also our approach to connecting with people to build community. Building a community to create a sense of belonging for women is extremely important. We are much stronger and can do so much more together than we can on our own. Being in a community is where you find support and inspiration to achieve your goals. Where #InspireInclusion and Innovation converge, powerful positive CHANGE happens!

Enter the “All Inclusive Fitness Professional”, or the innovation of fitness professionals becoming wellness pros. Becoming a wellness pro means approaching your work using a holistic approach. You have to recognize that client success is more than the number of sets and reps and exercise science techniques. We have to be mindful of, develop and innovate our coaching language, listening, and leadership skills. Since I began teaching group fitness classes four decades ago, there have been a multitude of changes from what and how we teach to what we wear. Change is constant if we want to keep getting better and it is important to embrace and recognize this. The ongoing drive to innovate and improve by embracing a change mindset offers hope for advancing #InspireInclusion. By meeting people where they are, we can inspire and offer hope, support, and encouragement.

Whether you’re a fitness professional or not, consider your current role and activities and identify opportunities for change and innovation where you need it the MO’st. How will you create innovation in your workplace to build community and #InspireInclusion?

2. Women’s Empowerment

Women’s empowerment specifically refers to supporting women’s self-worth and affirming that women have the “ right to influence social change for themselves and others” (World Vision Australia, 2024). In our podcast, Meghan shares how female fitness professionals need to celebrate and support women MO’re in order to create a sense of belonging for women. Meghan specifically mentions three groups of women to focus on to support: business owners, athletes and fitness professionals, saying that the best way to support these groups of women is by becoming a safe harbour (place for women to come for support, training, mentorship) and creating a non-judgemental space by meeting women where they are at (acceptance vs judgement).

There are many ideas and initiatives that have been developed to support women’s empowerment. It is crucial that we empower ourselves to utilize all available skills to advance our businesses, particularly in relation to technology. Technology is allowing us to accelerate and progress our business at rapid speeds. Knowing what is coming and at your fingertips is essential to help you work more creatively and efficiently, remain relevant and feel connected and included in this busier than ever, fast-paced world. I find it empowering! Knowledge is power and educating empowers us to MO’ve forward which is why we must continue learning and investing in continuing education.

The UN Global Compact and UN Women endorse 7 Women’s Empowerment Principles. While all of these seven areas are important, I find Principle 1 (Create high-level corporate leadership for gender equality), Principle 3 (Ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers) and Principle 4 (Promote education, training and professional development for women) the MO’st striking. What are your thoughts?

What does empowerment mean to you? When was a time you felt empowered? What knowledge or skills do you need to learn to help you MO’ve forward in your life and career and empower others through your commitment to #InspireInclusion? 

3. Self-Care is Essential

Addressing gender equity issues can be overwhelming. Many of us can be very driven by our desire to achieve MO’re and create positive change we forget about our personal needs as human beings for rest and recovery. However, we must learn and consistently remind ourselves to prioritize recovery and self-care in order to keep MO’ving and creating change. For women, this is especially important to remember and affirm. Many women have multiple and competing responsibilities caring for their families and children which can lead to a lot of stress. Juggling all of that while pursuing a career can be overwhelming. Caring for ourselves and caring for each other is essential and having that understanding can #InspireInclusion.

Debbie and Meaghan brilliantly shared their insights and strategies, reminding us to invest in ourselves and that self-care is more than luxury. It involves being inclusive of and caring for all aspects of your health, including sleep, mental health needs, nutritional, social, physical, and spiritual needs. I hope you will tune into our conversation on A MO’ment with MO!

What are your top needs for self-care? What is one area should you prioritize this month that will help you support yourself to achieve MO’re and commit to #InspireInclusion in the future? Let that be your focus, set a daily and/or weekly goal that will inspire you to act.

Last Words

If you are looking for MO’re ways to create change, improve your self-care, and empower yourself check out my “Guide to MO’ve Your Self-Care, Self-Development and Self-Empowerment Forward and Create Change in 2024”. Each year, I release a guide filled with my best insights and advice to help you have an amazing year. I invite you to download and fill out this guide for yourself. his workbook offers a chance to find your power words for 2024 and complete guided activities to help you achieve MO’re self-care, self-development and self-empowerment this year. Why not share the guide with a friend to #InspireInclusion – do the activities together to help each other achieve MO’re together!