[ Mother’s Day: Training, Motherhood, and Mental Strength
A Triathlete’s Perspective with Dr. Y. Kim Chu-Bédard ]
Was there a defining moment that led you to begin exercising, despite the demands of your life as a physician?
Movement has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My parents introduced me to sport early and through that, I learned discipline, resilience, and the joy of pushing my limits.
When I was younger, motivation was performance-driven. It was about medals, placements, and progress. But during residency, that shifted.
Training as a physician is demanding in every way — physically, mentally, emotionally. Exercise stopped being about achievement and became about preservation. It became my reset button. My therapy. My way of reclaiming space for myself in the middle of long hospital days.
Now, motivation isn’t about proving anything. It’s about showing up — for my patients, for my family, and for myself. A run after a hard shift or a quiet sunset ride isn’t just a workout. It’s how I clear my mind, refill my cup, and stay grounded.
Movement isn’t something I do. It’s how I stay whole.
From a medical perspective, what do you see as the most significant impact of consistent exercise on a person’s life?
From a medical perspective, the physical benefits of exercise are undeniable. But what I see as the most profound impact is on mental health.
Consistent movement is one of the most powerful, accessible tools we have to regulate stress, improve mood, and build resilience. It reduces anxiety, improves sleep, and supports cognitive function — all things that deeply affect quality of life.
Beyond physiology, sport creates connection. It breaks social isolation and builds community. You step into spaces where people share common goals, challenges, and passions — and that sense of belonging is incredibly protective for mental well-being.
In a world that constantly demands more from us, exercise offers both release and restoration. It brings clarity, calm, and joy. It’s not just about adding years to your life — it’s about adding life to your years.
As a physician who also trains, what does it mean to you to actively care for your own body and health?
As a physician who also trains, caring for my own body feels like an ongoing commitment.
Working in medicine has shown me how much lifestyle impacts long-term health, and it’s made me more aware of how I treat my own. Movement, recovery, and rest aren’t just part of my routine — they’re how I maintain balance in a profession that can be demanding and unpredictable.
Training also helps me stay connected to my body in a very practical way. It reminds me to listen, to adapt, and to respect where I am physically and mentally. That awareness carries over into how I care for my patients and my family.
What do you believe exercise means for women?
I believe exercise means empowerment for women. It’s about strength, autonomy, and resilience. Movement allows women to reconnect with their bodies in a way that is grounded in capability rather than appearance.
For many women, exercise becomes a space that is entirely their own. It supports not only the body, but confidence, mental well-being, and self-trust.
At every stage of life — adolescence, motherhood, career-building, aging — movement adapts with us. It reminds us that our bodies are powerful, capable, and deserving of care.
What inner reason keeps you moving, even on the hardest days?
The days I don’t feel like moving are usually the days I need it the most.
After a long night on call, my mind feels heavy before my body does. It’s easy to want to stay still. But I’ve learned that even a short, easy spin can completely reset my perspective. It clears the mental fog and helps me show up with more patience, more energy, and a better outlook.
What keeps me moving on the hardest days isn’t discipline, it’s trust that I will feel stronger, clearer, and more grounded on the other side of it.
Movement is how I take care of the version of me that everyone else depends on.
Among many sports, what led you to choose the one you practice now?
I like to joke that I blame my husband for my love of running and cycling.
It started as something we did together, and over time it became part of our lifestyle. We plan cycling trips around the world, train side by side, and share that space outside of work and parenting.
Sport, for me, isn’t just about fitness. It’s connection. It’s partnership. It’s building memories through movement. We cannot wait to share it with our daughter!
What does good athletic apparel or equipment mean to you?
Good athletic apparel is more than just aesthetics.
It needs to be durable, functional, and designed for the demands of the sport. When I put something on, I want to know it will support me through every interval, every mile, every long day. The right fit and thoughtful design remove distractions so I can focus entirely on how I’m moving and performing.
When your gear works with you, not against you, it becomes part of your strength.
Do you feel that what you wear for sport can influence performance or confidence?
Absolutely. Confidence drives performance.
When you feel strong and comfortable in what you’re wearing, you carry yourself differently. There’s a subtle psychological shift — you show up more prepared, more intentional, more ready.
When you look put-together and feel supported, you perform like someone who belongs there
As a physician and athlete, you are now entering a new chapter of motherhood — how has this transition shaped your relationship with your body and movement
Motherhood has transformed my relationship with my body in ways I never anticipated.
Experiencing pregnancy and recovering from a C-section gave me a deeper respect for what the body is capable of. I had to shift from constantly pushing and optimizing to listening and rebuilding. That transition wasn’t easy. As someone who was used to doing a thousand things at once and training at a high level, slowing down didn’t come naturally to me.But motherhood taught me patience. It taught me that strength isn’t just about intensity — it’s about consistency, intention, and recovery. There were moments when my body didn’t look or feel the same, and I had to accept that healing isn’t linear. Instead of chasing my “pre-baby” self, I focused on rebuilding from where I was.
Slowly but surely, my endurance & strength returned. But more importantly, my mindset evolved. I move now with more awareness, more gratitude, and more purpose.In many ways, I feel stronger than I ever did before — not just physically, but mentally. Motherhood hasn’t taken away from my athletic identity; it has deepened it.
0 comments