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

Last night as I was leaving the office, I was drawn to a surprising, uplifting sound coming from a nearby tree. Curious, I approached slowly, realizing that the tree was alive with movement and birdsong.  Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of starlings gathered together, their voices blending into a chorus that filled the evening air (listen here).

I stood for a long moment, mesmerized. How did they all know to gather here, in this one spot? Was it the guidance of a single leader, or something deeper—an instinctive wisdom, written into their very DNA? These birds are about to embark on their long journey south, facing the uncertainty and challenge of winter. Yet they do not go alone. They sing together, hang together, train together, and ultimately fly together.

There’s something profoundly reassuring in this idea. As humans, we too face seasons of hardship and transition. While our instincts may tell us to withdraw when life gets difficult, healing requires community. Like those birds, we are stronger when we connect; when we lend our voices to a shared song of support and understanding.

At Landing Strong, we believe that recovery isn’t a solitary flight. It’s something we do together; encouraging, guiding, and lifting one another as we move toward brighter days ahead.

Because sometimes, the surest way to face the winter is side by side.

Warmly,

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

This week, I am reminded of the importance of community. During our Surviving to Thriving program, my colleague and fellow clinician, Charisma Grace, shared that she has been deeply mindful of her family in Jamaica. While her loved ones thankfully weathered the recent hurricane unscathed, they are profoundly affected by the devastation in their community and country. Even across the ocean here in Canada, Charisma feels the weight of her home country’s experience; a powerful reminder that our sense of belonging and care extends far beyond borders.

In moments like these, we are called to pull together, recognizing that true resilience depends on our ability to operate as a world community, not as isolated nations or individuals. When one community suffers, we all feel the ripple. When one rises, we are all lifted.

This message was beautifully echoed in a newsletter I received this week from Makers Studio in Windsor, Nov Scotia. Their work highlights the strength that grows from creativity, collaboration, and shared purpose; evidence that community begins at home, in the ways we show up for one another each day.

For healthy countries and a healthy planet, we must first build connected communities right where we live. Thank you for being part of ours. Thank you for noticing, asking, and caring about those around you.

Together, we stand strong.

Warmly,

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

This week, I’m in Debert offering a five-day Veteran’s program. Each morning in the six am darkness, I lace up my boots, sling on my backpack, and head out for a practice hike. One local warned me to watch for coyotes. I laughed it off until the next morning, when the beam of my headlamp caught the fleeting form of a coyote skirting around the side of a building.

For a moment, I wondered if I should stop walking in the mornings. The thought came quickly, followed by another: how often does fear of the unknown stop us from moving forward?

It’s easy to let fear grow large in our imagination. Perhaps there are more coyotes out there. Perhaps they’re waiting just beyond the edge of the light. But courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s moving forward, even when we feel it. So, I adjusted my pack, imagined an offensive stance, and kept going.

No encounters today. Truth be told, the coyote I saw yesterday looked more afraid of me than I was of it.

Tackling trauma can be a lot like meeting coyotes on a dark road. Our fears, real or imagined, can keep us locked away, isolated and alone. But when we walk together, shining light on what scares us, we find safety in connection and strength in numbers. Sometimes, just stepping forward is enough to remind us: we’re not alone in the dark.

Warmly,

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

As I continue my trek out west, I’ve been intentionally carving out time for reflection and relaxation. There’s something deeply restorative about hiking through mountain trails, enjoying magnificent views with nothing connecting me to time except the amount of sunlight left in the day.  It is these moments that allow my thoughts to settle and drift.

Between hikes, I find myself drawn to local coffee shops. Each one tells a story about the community it serves. There’s an authenticity in these spaces; a warmth that comes not just from the coffee, but from the people gathered around it. I’ve come to believe that nothing captures the heart of a place quite like its café culture.

This photo was taken at Deadwood Junction in Greenwood, B.C., a former gold mining town that still looks as though it has one foot in the past.  In a nearby community, Rock Creek, I discovered  Rags, Relics and Rutabagas, a curio shop that perfectly embodies the town’s spirit: quirky, creative, and full of character.

Moments like these remind me of the importance of slowing down, stepping away from the busyness of life, and creating space for calm and wonder. Whether it’s a quiet trail, a cozy corner in your favourite café, or simply a few minutes spent in stillness, these small acts of self-care help us reconnect with ourselves.

Where do you go to find your calm? What practices help you reset and restore your balance?

Wishing you these precious moments.

Warmly,

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

Late last night, I landed in British Columbia for a long-anticipated hiking trip. The air felt different the moment I stepped off the plane: crisp, pine-scented, carrying the promise of mountain trails and open skies. Early this morning, Joe and I laced up our boots and set out to explore the foothills of Kelowna. The trail wound through a patchwork of gold and green, with the first light of day brushing the hillsides in soft amber hues.

Halfway through the climb, we crossed paths with a man who paused just long enough to exchange a few words that lingered long after he continued on his way. He told us that each morning, without fail, he completes a 10-kilometre loop through these very hills. His voice carried the warmth of experience; the kind of calm that comes from knowing exactly what matters most.

The mountains, he explained, remind him of his home country, Zimbabwe. His daily ritual of hiking connects him not only to nature, but also to his faith, and to the priorities that give his life meaning. Now 63 and in semi-retirement, he’s come to understand that the best investment he can possibly make is in his own health.

That simple truth stayed with me. In a world that constantly demands our time and energy, it’s easy to forget that the most valuable return on investment comes not from wealth, possessions, or accolades, but from the strength and vitality that allow us to do the things we love.

There’s something profoundly grounding about meeting a person who has distilled life’s lessons into simple, intentional practice. His daily hike isn’t just exercise; it’s a form of gratitude, a moving meditation, a declaration of commitment to living fully.

As we continued our ascent, I thought about how easy it is to delay joy; to tell ourselves we’ll take better care of our bodies or make more time for what we love someday. But perhaps the lesson from the mountain is this: someday begins with the next step we take.

So, here’s my invitation to you: do more of what brings you life. Invest in your health not as an afterthought, but as a priority. Find your own mountain, whether it’s a hiking trail, a creative pursuit, or a quiet moment of stillness at the start of your day.

At Landing Strong, we’re getting ready to launch our upcoming Virtual Hiking Program, designed to help you take those first steps, literally and figuratively, toward investing in your wellbeing. Now is the perfect time to make sure you have comfortable walking shoes or boots, and to set the intention that your health matters. We’ll be circulating more information soon but remember: the biggest part of preparation lies in the decision that you are worth the effort.

Here’s to meeting your own mountain and discovering who you might become when you reach the summit.

Warmly,

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