Wellness Meets Belonging: Fitness, Friendship and Fun By Hellen Juma
For over a decade, Hellen Juma searched for something many women quietly long for; a true sense of community. A space where wellness is shared, friendships are real, and growth happens naturally.
In just under two years, that long search has unfolded into a powerful journey of renewal. A wellness journey rooted in movement, strengthened by community, connection and enriched by culture. Through every step, conversation, and shared experience, Hellen has discovered true holistic wellness on a different level.
Finding What I Had Been Looking For
I have been looking for a community like this for a decade.
When I finally found SistaWalk, it felt like everything I had been missing came together in one place.
The benefits have gone far beyond physical wellness. Yes, I’ve experienced weight loss, better heart health, improved sleep, and fewer pre-menopause aches and pains, but that’s just one part of the story.
What I gained is so much more and the deeper impact has been in the connections that I’ve built.
I found new friendships, mentorship and a space to learn and grow.
SistaWalk has also brought a new level of accountability into my routine. Having people who show up consistently motivates me to do the same. It has strengthened my workout habits in ways I couldn’t achieve on my own.
And unexpectedly, I found something else, my backyard gardening tribe!!!
That, for me, was the icing on the cake. What started as a search for fitness became a journey into holistic wellness
Moments That Fill My Cup
It’s honestly hard to choose just one standout moment because every experience with SistaWalk leaves me feeling fulfilled.
Every time I show up, I go back home with my cup filled.
I treasure the heart-to-heart conversations we share along the walking trails. There’s something deeply healing about walking side by side, opening up, and being heard.
The wellness workshops have also been transformative and insightful. I’ve learned so much from professionals, and I’ve even adapted my current eating lifestyle based on what I’ve gained from those sessions.
The summer picnics, charity walks and gardening experinces; Each moment adds something valuable.
And then there are the hikes.
One experince that will always stay with me is the Elk Island hike.
I had visited Elk Island before, but experiencing it with a guide completely changed my perspective. It opened my eyes to the richness of what surrounds us, the history of the bison, the diversity of flora and fauna, the scent of the forest, the quiet mystery of the swamps, the beauty of the landscapes.
It was immersive. It was grounding. It was unforgettable.
I’ve always loved being in nature, but that experience left a lasting imprint on my heart.
As John Burroughs said, “I go to nature to be soothed, healed, and have my senses put in order.”
That hike delivered all three.
In a world filled with speed, stress, noise, and constant demands, these walks and hikes reset me. They restore my energy and prepare me for whatever the week ahead brings.
A Sisterhood That Reflects Us All
One of the things I value most about SistaWalk is its inclusivity.
This is a community where diversity is not just accepted; it is celebrated.
Women from African, Caribbean, Caucasian, and Asian backgrounds come together with a shared purpose: Wellness, Connection, Fitness and Joy.
We share more than walks/hikes: We value and share culture
From food like jollof rice, to expressions like pole pole, to dances, stories, and community initiatives, every interaction enriches the experience.
What makes it special is that every woman is welcomed as she is. Age, colour, religion or background doesn't matter.
We see each other, value each other and appreciate each other..... And that make me feel truly at home.
What I Keep Showing Up: The 3 Fs
I show up for three simple reasons:
Fitness. Friendship. Fun
Through SistaWalk, I’ve made amazing friends for life. I’ve also built professional relationships at a level I never imagined.
In fact, I’ve developed more meaningful connections in these past two years than I did in the previous eleven years combined.
That says everything.
After eleven years in Canada searching for connection, I found growth, belonging, and community in just two years.
And for that, I’m truly grateful.
And I remain deeply grateful to Maroro for introducing me to this incredible community.
A Message to Women Starting Their Wellness Journey
If I could say one thing to any woman thinking about starting her fitness and wellness journey, it would be this:
Start with day one. Just show up for yourself
That first step has the power to rewrite your entire journey.
There’s a saying in my family that has always stayed with me:
“Whatever fitness activities you do today will determine how healthy you will be in a decade. The 20s take care of the 30s, the 40s take care of the 50s, and the 60s take care of the 70s.”
So I’ll ask you:
How healthy do you want to be in the next decade?
Will you look back with regret or will you be active, strong, and thriving?
One of the fittest 96-year-olds I know once said something I will never forget: “Keep walking and you will age just fine like good wine.”
And that’s the truth. Wellness doesn't happen overnight. Its built step by step, day by day and choice by choice.
So take that first step.
Your future self will thank you!
April Spotlight Reflection: Fitness, Friendship & Fun; The Power of Belonging
Hellen’s story reminds us that wellness is not only about physical strength, but about the spaces we find ourselves in, and the people we walk alongside. After years of searching, she didn’t just find a walking group; she found community, connection, and a sense of home.
For many of us, life can feel isolating. We move through routines, responsibilities, and expectations, often carrying the weight of everything we need to do for others. In that process, we forget that we, too, need community. We need people, connection and spaces where we can simply be.
That’s where the real transformation begins.
Hellen speaks about the “3Fs” Fitness, Friendship, and Fun and while they may sound simple, they represent something deeply powerful.
Fitness is the commitment to your health; the quiet promise you make to your body to keep moving, to keep strengthening, to keep showing up.
Friendship is the reminder that you are not alone and that there are others walking beside you, encouraging you, laughing with you, and holding space for you.
Fun is the joy that makes the journey sustainable and the lightness that turns effort into something you actually look forward to.
When these three come together, something shifts. Wellness becomes less about routine or discipline and more about lifestyle.
Reported by SistaWalk CommunityMember Spotlight Series — April 2026
