One Step At A Time - She Walks Canada
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Photo Credit: Sam Gaetz
When Lindsay Sutherland Boal first decided that she needed to stop drinking, she didn’t tell a soul. Even her husband wasn’t in the loop for the first week or two. Fast forward two years and now she finds every opportunity to share her story of overcoming alcohol-use disorder as the founder of She Walks Canada, a national movement to support women seeking an alcohol-reduced or alcohol-free lifestyle.
“I had started walking as part of my sobriety journey. To celebrate my one year (365 days) of being alcohol-free, I mapped out a route that took me to the homes of six women that had really supported me in that year. Remarkably, the distance was exactly 36.5 km. It was kismet…a sign from the universe!”
The idea for She Walks Canada was born, and Sutherland Boal’s vision of creating a movement to bring awareness to alcohol-use disorder in women was full steam ahead.
“I didn’t connect with the idea of going to a traditional step program, but I knew I was drinking too much. I know that there are a lot of other women who are in the same situation - grey area drinking is not something we talk about so women are scared thinking of the worst scenario.”
Grey area drinking is defined as someone who doesn’t have a diagnosed and severe alcohol use disorder but is still drinking excessively enough to impact the quality of their lives (1). The global pandemic has had a frightening impact on women, with a 2021 study reporting a 41% increase in heavy drinking days amongst females compared to pre-pandemic levels (2). The launch of She Walks Canada on January 24 of this year - the second anniversary of being alcohol free for Sutherland Boal - is a timely addition to help combat this growing health issue.
Anyone can register for the free She Walks Canada virtual community, and start logging their kilometres in support of the movement.
“You don’t have to be ‘sober’ to join - this movement is for anyone whether you’re supporting a loved one, sober curious, interested in a healthier lifestyle or already living it,” encouraged Sutherland Boal.
The goal was to cross Canada virtually, but the movement has already logged enough kms (16,765 ) in the first half of 2022 to cross Canada twice.
“We’re going for a third and who knows how far we can go!” she explained.
Sarah Kate & Lindsay LOGGING SOME KMs across NORTH TOROnTO
In addition to the cross-country virtual step tracking, the organisation helps to connect women who need a community through weekly virtual conversations led by certified life and recovery coaches.
“Community was so important for me in my alcohol-free journey, so I wanted to build a safe space and community where we can support one another in a non-typical way and also raise awareness through the walk for a serious problem that doesn’t get enough attention,” explained Sutherland Boal. “We’re not a medical, recovery community - it’s simply a safe space to share our experiences, stories, and support each other.”
Upcoming guest speakers include Julie Bloom, a sought after mental health specialist based out of Montreal to talk about caring for yourself through self-compassion. Tanya Leach-Haye (aka Professor Tanya on YouTube) will be visiting to talk about self love.
For Sutherland Boal, she says that quitting drinking was the best decision she has ever made.
“I thought by quitting drinking my life would somehow get smaller and be boring. Was I ever wrong about that! I am healthy. I am resilient. I do not look my age (best beauty hack - stop drinking!!). I have boundaries. I get good sleep. I am grateful. I am a better mother, wife, friend, support, cheerleader, employee, partner... everything in my life is better. Everything.”
As for the future, she says she’s excited about it and She Walks Canada is here to stay.
“We’re committed to helping women lead their best possible lives….one step at a time!”
For more information or to join the movement, head to SheWalksCanada.com or follow them on Instagram at @shewalkscanada.
1 https://www.healthline.com/health-news/have-you-begun-gray-area-drinking-during-the-pandemic-how-to-know
2 https://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP68312.html
