| Stacie is from Upper Nicola Band.
She is the daughter of
Jake and Monica Coutlee.
She is also a mother of two sons,
Jaimin and Evan Casimir.
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| As a survivor of trauma, Stacie developed an unhealthy relationship with food when she was young. Her anxiety also affected her breathing.
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| Using
food as a coping mechanism, Stacie gained weight and faced frequent bullying.
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| But her healing journey shifted in her 40s. In 2010, Stacie took control of her wellness through fitness and healthy eating. She lost more than 80lbs.
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| She then played in the World Masters Games Softball twice! Competing in Italy in 2013 and New Zealand in 2017.
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| In 2016, at the age of 48, Stacie experienced an emotional transformation. With new confidence, she chose to compete in a body-building competition.
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| She started a 20-week training program for the competition.
She worked out seven days a week, including five days of weight training and daily cardio.
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| “I
almost QUIT. Considering the commitment, I was under heavy stress and due to
the steep learning curve. Due to lack of knowledge, meal prep took close to eight
hours per one day a week. Through perseverance, I mastered the process within a
two-hour timeframe.”
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| More
than 200 hours of training and dedication later, Stacie was ready to compete.
“After being bullied for my weight … I never thought I would stand in front of
an audience and judges, all to be judged.“
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| In 2017, Stacie continued her fitness journey and became a trained yoga teacher. She had been practising yoga for two and a half years.
“This training helped me to learn about myself along with helping others.”
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| After becoming certified, Stacie partnered with a Yoga Therapist to facilitate “Yoga for Trauma," an eight-week program offered to Indigenous communities.
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| This was an opportunity to use her learning to help others understand their trauma from a new lens.
“Sharing my own story of trauma, I am able to help others.”
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| In
2018, Stacie reached another milestone when she began her MBA program, which
she is set to complete in 2021.
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| After graduating, Stacie plans to become a personal trainer and to compete in her second body-building competition.
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| “I love helping people heal and transform." Thank you, Stacie, for sharing your journey.
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