Sparking Well-Rounded Wellness in 2026 

By Fiona Cascagnette, Chief Operating Officer, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka

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A new year is often a time for setting renewed health and wellness goals. Many of us re-commit to gym visits, or set goals to start a new routine, new class, or new healthy eating program. 

Every step toward a healthy lifestyle is a positive one, and at the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, we like to think about wellness in a well-rounded and holistic way at every time of year. 

In fact, the Y around the world has long been synonymous with health in “spirit, mind, and body”. As our charity has grown in the region and across the country over the past 175 years, we’ve expanded our focus on physical health to recognize the many elements that strengthen our individual and collective wellness. Those include strong social connections and equitable access to opportunities that spark confidence and help people of all ages ignite their potential. 

Today, at a time when many people are feeling more stretched and strained by financial, relationship and health stressors, our YMCA centres and community programs are places where people of all ages and backgrounds feel valued, connected and safe, and have the support they need to shine. That support includes opportunities to improve physical wellness, of course, but it’s also so much more than that. 

In programs like Second Tracks, the focus is on expanding access to skiing and snowboarding, but beyond the significant benefits of regular outdoor activities are life-changing connections and experiences. A partnership between the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, Blue Mountain Resort, and North Shore Ltd., this program removes financial and social barriers that prevent young people from participating in these popular winter sports. It was designed to help youth gain confidence, build resilience, and develop lifelong skills. 

Similarly, at Silver Club, weekly meetings bring seniors together in communities across the region to make new social connections and participate in enriching activities. Those connections and friendships often grow, with participants getting together outside of the club to exercise, socialize and even establish new routines that help them thrive as they age.  

Every moment in programs like these builds strength, confidence, and positive relationships that endure far beyond the program. For some, these impacts last a lifetime. 

Whatever your wellness plan is for 2026, we encourage you to consider how it can strengthen your overall physical, mental, and social health. Give yourself time and grace as you establish any changes in your wellness routine. 

If you need some support to spark your next step, consider our Y@Home+ resources, where members have free online access to on-demand fitness videos, monthly challenges, healthy eating meal plans, wellness programs and guided series, as well as child and family activities. 

Want to help someone shine this year with the gift of well-rounded wellness, confidence, and connection? Learn more about how you can spark potential by visiting: www.ymcasm.ca/shineon.