Underneath Armour has teamed up with Canadian Operating to supply the Underneath Armour Range Sequence — an unique function content material collection designed to spotlight and promote people and organizations who’ve demonstrated a dedication to develop the game of working, assist those that are underrepresented and assist others. The collection will function tales and podcasts highlighting these extraordinary Canadians who’re making a distinction of their communities and on the nationwide working scene.
In just some quick years, Samantha Powderhorn’s life reworked from one in every of wrestle and hardship to 1 stuffed with accomplishment and resilience. Lower than 10 years in the past, she was combating weight problems, battling most cancers and dependancy, reeling from the lack of her brother and going by a divorce and homelessness. Powderhorn’s journey has been arduous, however in 2021, every part modified when she began working.
Time for a change
Powderhorn is initially from the Sayisi Dene First Nation, a small reserve at Tadoule Lake, a fly-in neighborhood situated half an hour (by airplane) from Churchill, Man. She skilled dependancy, neglect and trauma whereas rising up, and in 2015, she was recognized with most cancers. Two weeks later, she misplaced her brother.
Later that yr, motivated by a want for a greater life for her and her youngsters, she left her abusive marriage and moved to Winnipeg. “I used to be homeless with 4 youngsters, pregnant, with 4 suitcases,” she says. “I overcame loads that might break lots of people, however I typically take into consideration how I grew up, and the way I don’t need that for my youngsters. I’ll work laborious to ensure they don’t have that.”
In the course of the pandemic lockdown, like many individuals, Powderhorn took the chance to be extra lively. She sought solace by bodily exercise, and in April 2021, she began working.
The primary time she went out, she may solely run for one minute, however she was decided and prepared to problem herself, so she pushed herself out the door once more the following day. Every day, she ran somewhat farther than the day earlier than. Over time, she was in a position to run farther, and started to imagine that change was attainable. Lastly, in the future in mid-April, she was in a position to run two full kilometres with out stopping. When she lastly paused, a music by her brother’s favorite band started enjoying by her earbuds. “I began crying, as a result of I felt that religious reference to my late brother,” she says. “He was at all times telling me to get wholesome and stay a more healthy way of life, and that’s once I started to like working.”
Earlier than lengthy, two kilometres turned 4, then 5. “After I run, I actually really feel that it’s my time to simply assume, really feel, cry, scream and discuss 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 learn to practice successfully for longer distances, and how you can keep away from harm. “Sammi has adopted the tradition of working, and has superb self-discipline, difficult targets and dedication,” says Scott. “She is an inspiration.”
A yr later, Powderhorn returned to Churchill, meaning 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 cut back her coaching, however she nonetheless went to Churchill to run so far as she may.
“I began working, considering 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 working the complete Polar Bear Marathon. I’m the primary lady of Sayisi Dene First Nation to finish the complete marathon!”
The 2023 race had 20 individuals line as much as battle -26 C temperatures, working 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 one obtained 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.”
Operating to encourage
Powderhorn sees herself as an inspiration and motivation to others, significantly youth. And he or she’s proud that her youngsters are in a position to take part in sports activities. “I have a look at my dwelling, and I believe, that is fairly superior!” she says. “I went from being homeless to driving my very personal car. I’ve a pleasant dwelling and my youngsters are wholesome.”
Powderhorn can also be deeply pleased with her Indigenous heritage, and says that, not solely has working helped her turn out to be match and wholesome, but it surely has additionally sparked a want to reconnect together with her Indigenous heritage. She desires to instil a way of self-love and cultural pleasure inside her individuals 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 working 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 loads prior to now two years,” she says, “and working has actually helped me. I by no means thought I’d name myself an athlete.”
A logo of hope
Powderhorn’s journey from adversity to triumph is a testomony to the transformative energy of working. Overcoming weight problems, most cancers, dependancy, abuse and numerous different obstacles, she discovered solace, energy and a way of objective by working.
“There’s a lot linked into my working,” she says. “I come from a small reserve neighborhood of 350 individuals, and I used to be at all times so within the nook—you may solely do that and that’s it, you’re set there. After I moved to the town I knew there have been extra doorways to be opened, and for myself to have the ability to come from not having the ability to run one minute to working a full marathon, I’m nonetheless absorbing it proper now.”
By her outstanding achievements as a runner and her dedication to inspiring others, Powderhorn has turn out to be a logo of hope and resilience. Her story serves as a reminder that our previous doesn’t outline our future, and that with dedication and self-belief, we are able to overcome even essentially the most daunting challenges.
As a part of the Underneath Armour Range Sequence, Underneath Armour Canada can be make a $5,000 product donation for Samantha Powderhorn to proceed her mission and assist others get into working.
