A milestone in fitness turned into a moment of giving back in Portage la Prairie this past weekend. Local trainer and business owner Shea Fust celebrated 15 years of running Shea Fust Fitness with an anniversary event that raised $1,400 for Central Plains Cancer Services. “It was a great way to celebrate together while also giving back in the name of a good cause,” Fust says. “Central Plains Cancer Services is something that touches all of us in one way or another, whether it’s been a family member, a friend, or even a client who’s been impacted. Choosing this cause made the celebration feel bigger. It gave us a chance to come together as a community and make a difference in a way that really matters.” A leap of faith that paid off Fust launched her boot camps in 2011 after what she calls a big risk. With a kinesiology degree and a lifelong love of challenges, she decided to see if Portage was ready for group fitness. “I remember at a young age throwing my family or friends into a challenge,” she recalls with a laugh. “It started with me just wondering if that would go well in Portage. I put up posters at Honeybees and Sobeys, just hoping 15 people would sign up. That was my goal, but I ended up getting 56.” That early success gave her the confidence to leave her job and pour herself into the business full-time. “I didn’t know how it would be received or if people would be interested, but that first session was very powerful for me. Portage is so great at supporting local businesses, and I think word of mouth just carried from one person to the next, and here we are.” Growth through challenge Fifteen years later, her passion has only grown stronger, fuelled by the relationships she built with her clients. “One thing I can say for sure is my passion has definitely not died out. It’s only grown, and I think that is largely due to the relationships that I’ve built. I really care about the people I work with, and it’s so rewarding to see them feel good, be strong, and change their lives,” she explains. She adds that the spirit of challenge has always been at the heart of her work. “I've always loved a challenge. I think it’s important for us to push ourselves in that way, and I wanted to offer the opportunity for people to do that. When you’re put in a situation where you’re challenging your fitness or nutrition, you come out stronger on the other end. And I love what it does not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.” A pandemic pivot When COVID-19 arrived, Fust says she had no choice but to adapt. What began as an experiment in her living room has now become a thriving online community. “I was actually on vacation when the pandemic hit. I came home, and everything was shutting down. The word ‘pivot’ came to mind. Clients encouraged me to try online, so I set things up in my living room and did a little feeler. From there, it just grew.” Today, Fust runs her classes through Zoom, offering both live sessions and recordings for those with busy schedules. “This has been a blessing in disguise because it’s allowed my business to grow to the largest it’s ever been. I can train with people in MacGregor, Brandon, B.C., the States, and even Nepal. It’s been excellent.” Giving thanks For Fust, this 15-year milestone is as much about her clients as it is about her business. “I wanted this event to be something that made my clients feel special, because they are. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be celebrating 15 years. This milestone is about honouring what we’ve built together and the journey that we’ve shared," she adds. The $1,400 raised over three days was entirely thanks to their generosity. “Events like these always turn out well because of them. They’re the ones who show up, who give generously, and who are always there when it counts. In my books, they’re truly amazing.” What’s next Looking ahead, Fust hopes to keep building connections and inspiring others to challenge themselves. “I hope to continue to inspire people to take care of themselves, to form connections, and to give back to the community. And I hope to make a positive impact wherever I can.” For now, her classes remain online, with occasional in-person gatherings. People can sign up by connecting through Facebook or by emailing sheafust@outlook.com. “It’s about more than fitness. It’s about connection, support, and celebrating what we can achieve together.” Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@portageonline.com. PortageOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the PortageOnline app.