Fitness has helped Robin Chiasson redefine how she views success.
I used to think that having an immaculate house, weeded gardens, and freshly baked cookies ready for the neighbors was what measured my success as a wife and mom,” says Robin Chiasson. But that’s changed over the years. “I define success as just being at peace with me,” says the 42-year-old. And it was working out that helped change her viewpoint. “Fitness has allowed me to take a step back from my busy life and focus on who I am as a person. I’ve discovered that I am happiest when I have mental clarity and a body that is physically fit. If I can achieve this balance, then everything else is like frosting on the cake!” 
Although she’s always been interested in fitness, it was seeing her best friend compete on stage that prompted her to push things to the next level. “I immediately said to myself, ‘I need to be on that stage!’”
The mom of two compares the challenges of fitness to giving birth. “Labour was hard!” she exclaims as a retort to anyone who says exercise is difficult. “If you hadn’t endured that temporary pain and discomfort of welcoming your beautiful baby into the world, you wouldn’t have experienced all of the rewards that came from motherhood,” says Robin. The way she sees it is that the moments in life that we remember the most usually come with some sort of pain or hardship.
And while being outwardly strong and lean are the obvious benefits of her healthy lifestyle, Robin says it’s the hidden benefits she finds the most rewarding. “The renewed energy, better sleeping habits, mental clarity, increased appetite, flawless skin, and a more relaxed outlook on life.”.
PHOTOS BY CHRIS V.LINTON Follow (@CHRISVLINTON )
