Below Armour has teamed up with Canadian Working to provide the Below Armour Variety Sequence — an unique characteristic content material collection designed to focus on and promote people and organizations who’ve demonstrated a dedication to develop the game of operating, assist those that are underrepresented and assist others. The collection will characteristic tales and podcasts highlighting these extraordinary Canadians who’re making a distinction of their communities and on the nationwide operating scene.
In only a few brief years, Samantha Powderhorn’s life reworked from one in every of wrestle and hardship to 1 crammed with accomplishment and resilience. Lower than 10 years in the past, she was fighting weight problems, battling most cancers and dependancy, reeling from the lack of her brother and going by means of a divorce and homelessness. Powderhorn’s journey has been arduous, however in 2021, the whole lot modified when she began operating.
Time for a change
Powderhorn is initially from the Sayisi Dene First Nation, a small reserve at Tadoule Lake, a fly-in neighborhood positioned half an hour (by airplane) from Churchill, Man. She skilled dependancy, neglect and trauma whereas rising up, and in 2015, she was identified with most cancers. Two weeks later, she misplaced her brother.
Later that yr, motivated by a need for a greater life for her and her children, she left her abusive marriage and moved to Winnipeg. “I used to be homeless with 4 children, pregnant, with 4 suitcases,” she says. “I overcame lots that will break lots of people, however I usually take into consideration how I grew up, and the way I don’t need that for my youngsters. I’ll work exhausting to ensure they don’t have that.”
Through the pandemic lockdown, like many individuals, Powderhorn took the chance to be extra lively. She sought solace by means of bodily exercise, and in April 2021, she began operating.
The primary time she went out, she may solely run for one minute, however she was decided and keen to problem herself, so she pushed herself out the door once more the subsequent day. Every day, she ran just a little farther than the day earlier than. Over time, she was capable of run farther, and commenced to imagine that change was potential. Lastly, at some point in mid-April, she was capable of run two full kilometres with out stopping. When she lastly paused, a tune by her brother’s favorite band started enjoying by means of her earbuds. “I began crying, as a result of I felt that non secular reference to my late brother,” she says. “He was at all times telling me to get wholesome and stay a more healthy life-style, and that’s after I started to like operating.”
Earlier than lengthy, two kilometres turned 4, then 5. “After I run, I actually really feel that it’s my time to only assume, really feel, cry, scream and speak to myself,” she says.
An enormous achievement
Powderhorn ran her first 10K race in November 2022, on the Polar Bear Marathon in Churchill. That’s the place she met Jim Scott, who turned her coach, serving to her discover ways to practice successfully for longer distances, and learn how to keep away from harm. “Sammi has adopted the tradition of operating, and has superb self-discipline, difficult objectives and willpower,” says Scott. “She is an inspiration.”
A yr later, Powderhorn returned to Churchill, desiring to run the half-marathon. As a part of her coaching, she participated within the 2023 Reconciliation Run from the previous residential faculty in Birtle, Man., again to the reserve at Birdtail Sioux First Nation, organized by Trechelle Bunn. Then she turned injured and needed to scale back her coaching, however she nonetheless went to Churchill to run so far as she may.
“I began operating, pondering I used to be solely doing the half, as a result of that’s what I used to be coaching for,” she says, “however I ended up operating the total Polar Bear Marathon. I’m the primary girl of Sayisi Dene First Nation to finish the total marathon!”
The 2023 race had 20 individuals line as much as battle -26 C temperatures, operating totally on a gravel path. Every participant has a driver accompany them with snacks and water and for defense from polar bears, that are routinely seen on the course. “No person bought within the automotive, however I did see a polar bear,” she says. “I’d say, about 15 km into the race, not too far-off… far sufficient that I wasn’t nervous.”
Powderhorn was the primary feminine to cross the end line, in second place total. “I’m nonetheless absorbing it proper now,” she says. “Two years in the past I couldn’t even image myself doing that–I used to be sitting on the sofa consuming chips and ingesting slurpees and watching TV. It’s superb how one can change your life.”
Working to encourage
Powderhorn sees herself as an inspiration and motivation to others, notably youth. And she or he’s proud that her children are capable of take part in sports activities. “I take a look at my residence, and I believe, that is fairly superior!” she says. “I went from being homeless to driving my very personal automobile. I’ve a pleasant residence and my children are wholesome.”
Powderhorn can be deeply happy with her Indigenous heritage, and says that, not solely has operating helped her change into match and wholesome, but it surely has additionally sparked a need to reconnect along with her Indigenous heritage. She needs to instil a way of self-love and cultural delight inside her folks as she, herself, learns about her cultural traditions and embraces her identification as a member of the Sayisi Dene First Nation.
She is proud that her achievements in operating are serving to shatter boundaries inside her neighborhood. By turning into the primary feminine from her neighborhood to finish a marathon, she is difficult limitations and inspiring others to embrace their potential. “I’ve modified lots up to now two years,” she says, “and operating has actually helped me. I by no means thought I’d name myself an athlete.”
An emblem of hope
Powderhorn’s journey from adversity to triumph is a testomony to the transformative energy of operating. Overcoming weight problems, most cancers, dependancy, abuse and numerous different obstacles, she discovered solace, power and a way of goal by means of operating.
“There’s a lot linked into my operating,” she says. “I come from a small reserve neighborhood of 350 folks, and I used to be at all times so within the nook—you possibly can solely do that and that’s it, you’re set there. After I moved to town I knew there have been extra doorways to be opened, and for myself to have the ability to come from not with the ability to run one minute to operating a full marathon, I’m nonetheless absorbing it proper now.”
Via her exceptional achievements as a runner and her dedication to inspiring others, Powderhorn has change into an emblem of hope and resilience. Her story serves as a reminder that our previous doesn’t outline our future, and that with willpower and self-belief, we are able to overcome even probably the most daunting challenges.
As a part of the Below Armour Variety Sequence, Below Armour Canada will likely be make a $5,000 product donation for Samantha Powderhorn to proceed her mission and assist others get into operating.
