Kari Primak
Age: 22
Occupation: Customer Service Representative, Can-Fit-Pro
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Family: Single
My biggest physical accomplishment(s) to date: becoming a certified Fitness Instructor Specialist through Can-Fit-Pro, completing the “Midsummer Nights Run” 30 km race, being a member of the varsity Cross Country team at Wilfrid Laurier University
In the News: Gearing up for Sears National Kids Cancer Ride
Giving back from coast to coast
Throughout my life, I have always had a passion for fitness and lead a very healthy, active lifestyle. This passion led me to complete my Honors Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education at Wilfrid Laurier University. In my time at Laurier, I participated in numerous intramural activities, such as volleyball and a championship-winning Ultimate Frisbee team. I also enjoyed being a member of Laurier’s varsity cross country team. My love for team motivation in sport lead me to complete my Fitness Instructor Specialist certificate through Can-Fit Pro at the end of my first year and henceforth, I began teaching group fitness at the Laurier Athletic Complex. In the summers, I combined my passion for dance and children by being a dance instructor at Appleby College Summer Camp. My participation in the Ride has a great deal to do with my passion for the cause and a lot less to do with my experience as a cyclist. My life as a cyclist, unlike most of my fellow riders, has been fairly short. I am certain that my passion for the cause, along with the support and encouragement of my incredible family, friends, and co-workers at Can-Fit-Pro, will be the force that drives me across the country.
I very vividly remember first hearing about this incredible event at the Toronto Can-Fit-Pro conference in the summer of 2007. I was so inspired by the cause and knew that I wanted to be a part of this event some day. Two years later after graduating from university, I began working for Can-Fit-Pro. Shortly after beginning with the company, I learned they were looking for someone to represent the company in the event, because Can-Fit-Pro is one of the major sponsors of the ride. I jumped at the opportunity and feel so honored to be the sole representation of Can–Fit-Pro in the Sears Kids Cancer Ride.
I have always been conscious of my role as a global citizen and feel it is important to give back to society while learning more about oneself and the world. I am doing this ride becauseit very much fits with my philosophy and outlook on life. Not only do I thrive off challenge and adventure, but I also thrive off being a part of something that has a lasting impact on the lives of others. Being so fortunate in my life, I recognize that it is my responsibility to represent those who are less fortunate and do not have the ability to represent themselves. Cancer is a tragic diagnosis at any age, but a child diagnosed with cancer is unimaginable. I believe we all must work together to ensure that children are not robbed of their childhood by dealing with such a diagnosis. I live by the philosophy that one should embrace opportunities that arise in one’s life, and this is an opportunity that I could not overlook.
Events and opportunities like this shape who we are as individuals. I consider this the opportunity of a lifetime and I know that it will have a dramatic impact on both my own life and the lives of others. The driving force that inspires me to train for the ride is the children and their families that deal with the reality of the disease every day. I am incredibly excited about meeting these children and their families throughout our journey from coast to coast. Cycling across Canada has been a long time dream of mine and I can’t think of a better way to live that dream than to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer.
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi
