Episode 25 with Georgette Reed (Health and Wellness Coordinator for Edmonton Rescue)

OpsFitness Podcast

1. Tell me a little about yourself and how long have worked for EFD for and in what capacity?

I have had a keen interest in Sport, Fitness, Health and Wellness all of my life. I am a certified track and field and strength and conditioning, coach with 43 years of competitive experience under my belt in the sports of athletics, bobsleigh, swimming and water polo, I now put all of my knowledge and expertise to good use as the Health and Wellness Coordinator for Edmonton Fire Rescue Services and Mental Health First Aid, Psychological First Aid and R2MR (first responder) instructor for the City of Edmonton. I have worked for the City for 5.5 years, before that I was at the U of A.

During my athletic career, I represented Canada in the Olympic Games, the World Athletics Championships, The World Bobsleigh Championships, The Pan American Games, The Commonwealth Games and many other international events. As a competitor, I won 17 national titles (15 in the shot put and two discus titles). Upon retiring from competing, I was the head cross country, track and field coach for the Univ. of Alberta for 10 years, and helped develop champions at the provincial, national and international levels. I was also a mentor/coach for Special Olympics Athletics athletes and coaches in Alberta. Currently, I coach veteran paralympic athletes and others interested in improving their throwing skills. I also sit on the board for Athletics Alberta and am the current President of the Edmonton Track and Field Council.

2. What was the hardest time of your life? What tools did you use to get through it?

Two times - dealing with my first major injury as a swimmer - dealing with not being able to just work through it: learning about rest and making a change in to a different direction. Moving in a different direction is what took me from swimming to track. At the time of the injury, it was devastating but looking back on it now, it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

The second "hard time" came in my involuntary shift from being a coach at the university - to being unemployed (and overqualified for many jobs) and then my transition to working with the city,;first as a personal trainer in city rec. centers. Again, difficult at the time (and sometimes still stings a little) but definitely one of the best things that ever happened to meas it brought me to EFRS!

3. What are your greatest successes?

Helping others to shine (inspire and motivate them to be)...Olympics and coaching at the Olympics pretty cool too! :)

4. Now that you have experienced life a little, what would you tell your 20-year- old self?

You don't need a lot of stuff...collect experiences and be wise with your money and your heart!

5. Who is your greatest role model and why?

Anyone who has the strength and courage to continue to try when they have been knocked down...Anyone who, regardless of the circumstance, finds a way to keep moving forward - even in small steps.

6. Any particular stories that stand out from your days serving behind the front line? How has fitness played a role in it?

Too many to write about..lol.

Fitness and overall health (spiritual, emotional, physical and mental) have always played integral roles in my life

7. What is your favourite failure that has led to success?

No real failures...just a wide range of experiences :)

8. What do you feel most proud of?

My ability to be of service to others

10. What do you want your tombstone to say?

She Shined brightly and was a guiding light to many