As many of you begin preparing for our Virtual Physical Training Program, I’d like to introduce another group within our Landing Strong community who have been training right alongside you, although their mountain looks a little different. From left to right: Jordan, Kell, Krista, Ronnie and Belinda. Maria, out West, is also training as an alternate.

Our Landing Strong Kilimanjaro Training Team has been quietly working toward an extraordinary goal: travelling to Tanzania on a leadership expedition where they will help guide a group of Nova Scotia students, support community service efforts, and ultimately summit Mount Kilimanjaro. Their service project includes helping to build a school dormitory for girls in a remote Maasai community, allowing them the opportunity to attend high school; something most of us might take for granted.

Who could have imagined that recovery from operational stress injuries might lead to standing on the highest peak in Africa? Yet healing sometimes asks us to challenge the stories we tell ourselves about what we are capable of. This team is doing exactly that. They are confronting limiting beliefs, leaning into discomfort, and discovering strength in places they never thought to look.

While you may not be summiting a literal mountain, the journey you are on is no less meaningful. Every step, whether it’s a walk around the block or a mindful pause in your day, represents movement toward health, resilience, and connection.

As you train from home, imagine yourselves walking alongside them. Allow their journey to inspire your own. They climb for themselves, but also on behalf of our broader Landing Strong community. They remind us that healing can take many forms, and sometimes the view from the summit is simply knowing you didn’t give up.

Warmly,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

As the calendar edges toward a new year, many of us may be tempted to delay a commitment to physical health: “I’ll start later, after the holidays, once things settle down.” But waiting for perfect timing can mean missing the gentle nudge your body and mind are already asking for.

What if instead of postponing positive change, we stepped toward it: slowly, kindly…right now?

At Landing Strong, we’re launching a virtual physical activity program designed to help you take that first step, in whatever way feels right for you. This is not about pushing harder or “getting fit first” before you join. It’s about understanding your why, setting a goal that feels attainable, and breaking down the barriers that can make trying something new feel intimidating.

Perhaps your goal is a 10-minute mindfulness session a few times a week. Maybe it’s a gentle walk around the block, or even a 5–10 km hike in the woods. All of these paths count. What matters most is that you choose what best supports your wellbeing.

There is no fee to participate. When you register, a member of our team will connect with you individually to help set goals that are meaningful and achievable. You decide the level of involvement you want and the type of support you need. Along the way, there will be opportunities to connect with fellow members of the Landing Strong Community, moving forward together, each at our own pace.

This is not a time for criticism or comparison. It’s a time for compassion, care, and choosing yourself.

Let’s not wait for the “right moment.” Let’s be good to ourselves now. Register today and take your first step forward…your team is waiting! 

Visit www.landingstrong.com under “Virtual Training” tab or click Here for more details. You can also email info@landingstrong.com to register and confirm your one-on-one session to set your goals for 2026!

Warmly,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Last week, I had the privilege of co-facilitating a women’s retreat: a week defined by courage, connection, and a collective willingness to step into truth. As the days unfolded, two powerful phrases emerged from the group, each capturing the heart of our work together.

The first was “Release and Peace.” It came from a conversation about what it really means to heal: the brave act of turning toward the hard stuff rather than away from it. Too often, we carry our struggles quietly, believing that if we push them down far enough, we can move on. But healing rarely works that way. It asks us to name the weight we’ve been carrying, then slowly, gently, let it go. Release is the doorway; peace is what waits on the other side.

The second phrase, and the one that stayed with me long after the retreat ended, came after a participant shared something deeply vulnerable. She stood tall, looked around the room, and with a mix of pride and humour declared, “Deploy the hugs!” Instantly, the group rose to meet her, not out of sympathy, but solidarity.

That moment captured the essence of community healing: when we bring the hidden parts of ourselves into the light, shame loses its grip. Secrecy isolates. Sharing reconnects. And sometimes, what we need most is not a solution, but a circle of people ready to stand with us, arms open, hearts open, reminding us that we don’t have to carry anything alone.

Release. Peace. And yes…deploy the hugs.

Warmly,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

Some news stories stop us in our tracks, reminding us of the quiet heroism that often goes unseen. This week, reports of the devastating apartment complex fire in Hong Kong have done just that. With at least 94 lives lost and more than 70 injured, including 11 firefighters, the scale of the tragedy is almost impossible to comprehend. Families are grieving, communities are shaken, and many are still waiting for word about loved ones.

When events like this reach us from across the globe, they also shine a light on the people closer to home who stand ready to protect us. In Nova Scotia, the vast majority of our province is safeguarded not by full-time professionals, but by volunteer firefighters: neighbours, friends, and community members who drop everything when the call comes in. They leave the comfort of their homes so that others might stay safe in theirs.

Firefighters everywhere share this same commitment: a willingness to step toward danger so that others may step away. It is a level of courage and selflessness that is easy to overlook until tragedy reminds us just how essential it truly is.

Today, we pause to think of those in Hong Kong who are grieving, those who are injured, and those who continue searching for survivors. We also extend appreciation to the good people here at home who serve with humility and heart. Their actions reflect something core to who we are as a province: when one of us is in need, others rise.

In honouring them, we honour the best of ourselves.

Warmly,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong

As we enter the colder months, many of us notice that the journey we’re on feels a bit longer and heavier than expected. If that’s true for you, take heart, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Healing rarely follows a straight line. It asks of us patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to care for ourselves even when motivation feels scarce.

With the holiday season approaching, and winter right behind it, it’s easy to slip into hibernation mode. Snacks, blankets, and Netflix have a way of calling our names this time of year. Although rest is important, too much withdrawal can leave us feeling sluggish or disconnected. This year, instead of settling into the long winter, we invite you to consider stepping into something new.

Four members of our Landing Strong community are currently training to hike Mount Kilimanjaro next March. Their journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we set intentional goals and lean on one another for support. You don’t need to travel across the world to be part of their team. You can join them virtually through our online training program, becoming part of a larger community moving toward health together.

Now is an ideal time to reflect on what matters most for your physical wellbeing. Attached is a goal-setting form you may find helpful as you take the first steps (click here). Give yourself a few quiet moments to consider what you want for your body, your energy, and your health in the months ahead.

Remember, training begins from exactly where you are today.

If you have questions about the virtual training or goal setting, please reach out to Gill Ring, our communications manager, and she can support you at gring@landingstrong.com. 

One small, honest step is enough to start the journey.

Warmly,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong