Baycrest

BrainMatters •Fall/Winter 2023 • 13 Most of our time is spent trying to stay as healthy as possible. We realize that you need to keep moving, challenging your brain and body. That's what we're all about. Joanne McLeod As cyclists, we were very excited to do the ride. It was a great cause and Baycrest has so much history in terms of helping seniors. Hal Johnson because it was a low-impact way to strengthen his lower body and keep his joints moving. It came naturally for Joanne, who was already training for a triathlon. The couple plans cycling trips, whether it's a week-long, 500km ride from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., or participating in a 100km charity ride in Halifax. (During the Pittsburgh trip, Hal and Joanne — avid baseball fans — caught a Blue Jays game versus the hometown Pirates.) "Everyone needs to have things to look forward to, in order to be excited about life. Cycling has impacted us a great deal. It's not just the physical benefit of getting out there, going for a ride, training. It's also the mental aspect of it," says Joanne. "Mentally, you feel really good after you've accomplished something, whether it's a 5km or 40km ride. There's an increase in oxygen to your brain. We have to think of physical and mental health as being connected." Just before the pandemic, Hal and Joanne sold their place in Oakville and moved full-time to their cottage in Muskoka, which they've owned for 20 years. That's where they run their business. Nowadays, the BodyBreak brand is still alive, albeit in a different form. Instead of pumping out fitness videos, Hal and Joanne focus on speaking engagements and brand partnerships, all while prioritizing their health and wellness. "We mix a little bit of work with a lot of keeping fit," says Joanne. "Most of our time is spent trying to stay as healthy as possible. We realize that you need to keep moving, challenging your brain and body. That's what we're all about." To stay fit, Hal likes to play hockey and take long walks with their dog, Chuck, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. He usually eats a big salad every day, packed with beets, lettuce, beans and carrots. Joanne enjoys running and swimming, as part of her triathlon training. When it comes to diet, she places a heavy emphasis on protein, whether it comes from chicken, salmon or Greek yogurt. The protein helps keep her muscles strong. "As we age, our muscles start to shrink, becoming less efficient at burning calories. That's why people gain weight as they get older," says Joanne. "By keeping our muscles strong, it helps with injury prevention, lessening the risks of a fall. And if you do get injured, the recovery time is much quicker." For Hal, diet, exercise and fun are the perfect combination for a balanced life. "Taking care of your health is the most important thing you can do in a day," he says. "When you're out and being active, the endorphins kick in. It's a drug that you don't need a prescription for. You just get out and move your body." Joanne McLeod and Hal Johnson at the 2023 Mattamy Homes Bike for Brain Health in Support of Baycrest

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