McMaster Performance and Women’s Athletic Leadership Committee’s new program supports female athletes by offering educational resources and events
On Oct. 11, McMaster Performance and the McMaster Women’s Athletic Leadership Committee announced the launch of the McMaster Female Athlete Health Program on their Instagram.
In their post, the groups explained that the initiative is focused on informing female athletes on how to better their health and athletic performance. Part of MFAHP includes providing educational events on these topics, such as nutrition, breast health and the hormone cycle.
The MFAHP plans to support female athletes’ health and performance by providing resources for them and connecting them with others in the community.
In line with the initiative, the MFAHP will be hosting two educational nights on Oct. 26 and Nov. 30.
The first of the events was held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Ivor Wynne Centre in room E201. There was discussion on strength training and the hormone cycle, featuring guest speakers Alena Luciani, founder of the performance coaching service Training2XL, and Alysha D’Souza, a McMaster University PhD candidate in the Department of Kinesiology.
While guest speakers have yet to be announced for the Nov. 30 event, the topic will be related to nutrition, performance and self-image.
Students can register for the session free of charge on the MFAHP page.
The MFAHP program represents an excellent opportunity for McMaster female athletes to connect over shared experiences and grow their knowledge about their personal health, wellbeing and performance.
Shania Bhopa is bringing global health to local communities
C/O @wellbyshaniabhopa
Shania Bhopa discovered her passion for global health through experiential learning opportunities in her undergraduate studies at McMaster University. Through her experience, Bhopa serves as a reminder that student life is all about putting yourself out there to find out exactly what sparks your soul and fuels your fire.
“I was always interested in the social determinants of health and specifically, advocacy. I never really understood how to kind of bridge that gap between the two. I [began] doing some research on global issues that exist here locally and we don't have to go overseas to understand how to help people out of poverty . . . things that happen overseas are actually affecting us here in Canada,” said Bhopa.
Having completed her bachelor's degree at McMaster in communication studies with a minor in health studies, Bhopa is currently pursuing a master's degree in science in global health at McMaster. As a recipient of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council research scholarship, she is currently working away at her master’s thesis.
Bhopa has always enjoyed volunteering and knew from a young age that she wanted to start her own charity in some capacity. In May 2020, Bhopa and her sister launched the Canadian Courage Project.
Founded upon the belief that a child’s health shouldn’t be left up to chance, regardless of where they live or their level of education. The Canadian Courage Project aims to help homeless youth in Ontario and their animal companions.
“The reason that we're choosing this population is because they're often the population that doesn't get into the shelters. [For homeless children], their animal is [often] the only support network that they have. That is the only thing getting them through the day,” Bhopa explained.
“The reason that we're choosing this population is because they're often the population that doesn't get into the shelters. [For homeless children], their animal is [often] the only support network that they have. That is the only thing getting them through the day,” Bhopa explained.
Bhopa is also the founder and host of the Global Health Collective student podcast series, which she hopes will show others that anyone has the ability to make a difference. In her first season, the podcast was centred around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Season two, which launched on Feb. 3, will be based on stories from changemakers during COVID.
“The reason behind the podcast is we hear the amazing research, we hear these projects that people are doing, we see them on the news, but we don't actually hear what drives this human being. At the end of the day, they're a person and they're just like you and I. They're motivated and inspired, but what is inspiring them?” said Bhopa.
Bhopa hopes that the podcast shows others that confidence is everything when it comes to pursuing your passions, as evidenced by the wide array of global health professionals and their life experiences.
With a group of McMaster students, Bhopa is also currently working on launching the Global Health Youth Alliance, which she compared to Distributive Education Clubs of America. Similar to DECA, it is a student competition, but instead of focusing on the field of business, it will enable students to gain exposure in the field of global health.
They hope to create a micro-credential for elementary and secondary students in order to bridge the gap in the elementary and high school curricula pertaining to global health.
“We want to educate everyone on the fact that disparities exist right around you. You don't need to go overseas to tackle them. We are stronger together and youth need to be in places where decisions are being made. Specifically, we cannot make change and solve the world's problems with the same local thinking that caused them,” said Bhopa.
"We are stronger together and youth need to be in places where decisions are being made. Specifically, we cannot make change and solve the world's problems with the same local thinking that caused them,” said Bhopa.
As a self-proclaimed “woman of habit,” Bhopa sets herself a schedule every day and encourages others to find time in their schedules not only for Zoom university sessions but also for themselves.
Each day, she sets time aside to listen to podcasts, do skincare, read and go on no-device walks. She then shares her wellness journey on her blog. In the near future, she plans on publishing both a children’s book and a wellness book for women.
For students looking to pursue opportunities in global health, Bhopa encourages them to claim their voice and choose opportunities that are right in their community, whether it be through approaching local officials or reaching out to changemakers and people you admire.
“You are in control of your circumstances, and if you believe [that], then nothing will ever get in your way. It's really just understanding exactly what your focus is, exactly what your passion is, why that's your passion and driving forward with that passion. If you have a focus, you are more likely to make an impact,” said Bhopa.
Bhopa encourages students to chase after their goals and realize that the world truly is your classroom. Through experiential learning, she emphasizes that we all have the ability to find our passions and make a difference in the world.
McMaster University’s Department of Athletics & Recreation is home to a wide range of facilities. With three different gyms, two dance studios, an indoor track, a climbing wall, a sports hall and a mindfulness centre, there is only one thing missing: separate gym hours for different genders.
Personal health and finess is not limited to a specific gender and should be practiced by everyone.With the rise of body image insecurities and a growing advocacy for judgement free atmospheres, numerous fitness facilities in Canada are creating more welcoming and supportive spaces for women to achieve their personal fitness goals.
Though McMaster does offer a women’s only circuit within The Pulse on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., it does not exclusively open the facility up to just women. It certainly does not support women who want to work out individually, and feel comfortable on their own terms.
Besides Curves, which is a women’s only gym dedicated to building strength and confidence plus diligent weight loss programs, GoodLife Fitness has been adapting and actively responding to women’s fitness and health needs. GoodLife Fitness for Women offers over 100 ‘For Women’ locations and almost 50 ‘GoodLife for Women’ clubs.
In addition to women’s facilities, GoodLife also caters to other needs by offering a child-minding team to keep children active while moms exercise, attend dance classes, or do a full circuit workout in 30 m inutes.
A few universities have been considering the possibility of on campus women’s-only gyms.
With the rise of body image insecurities and a growing advocacy for judgement free atmospheres, numerous fitness facilities in Canada are creating more welcoming and supportive spaces for women to achieve their personal fitness goals.
In February 2016, McGill University’s Facebook page had an intellectual discussion in the comment section of a Facebook post about the possibility of having women’s only gym hours in the McGill Athletics Centre, and excluding men from the fitness centre for just four hours a week.
According to McGill Daily, Ryerson University and the University of Toronto have already implemented women-only gym hours, and revealed that participation increased in facility spaces that usually had low female participation, which is understandable given that many women typically don’t enjoy an environment of unnecessary grunts and toxic masculinity. I certainly wouldn’t. This is why it is important for us to include everyone in the pursuit of healthy living.
Undeniably, men and women are different in certain respects. In addition to physical diversity, in most religions and cultures, men and women have different roles and responsibilities.
I’m sure for women who wear hijab, sweating in what would be comparable to a hat and scarf and doing 30 lb squats in front of men would not encourage women to go to the gym. Which is why women-only gym hours is a more equitable resolution for women. With this solution, McMaster does not need to invest creating a new recreational space. In addition, excluding men from the gym for a certain number of hours may increase productivity and focus for each gender, knowing that they have a certain time frame to achieve their fitness goals.
I’m not saying that men and women should be separated altogether. Women-only gym hours do not mean that there will be no women in the gym. It just means that for those who don’t want to share the co-ed experience, they won’t have to. In the 21st century, diversity and equity in the gym isn’t much to ask for.
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Amanda Watkins
LifeStyle Editor
For the last few weeks I chose to complete a “Zero Waste Challenge” which involved producing zero garbage for three weeks. Everything was going pretty smoothly − until I got my period. Apparently, recycling is the new glass ceiling.
If you’re interested in using some more sustainable products when you’re on your period, searching for an organic alternative to synthetic pad and tampon blends, or are simply just looking to try a new way to manage, here are a few reusable period products to keep in mind.
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Reusable cloth pads
Much like conventional pads, reusable and washable cloth alternatives attach onto your underwear and need to be changed every few hours. But, instead of throwing them out after, you put them in the wash.
The Canadian, female-run company Lunapads currently makes a series of reusable products that come with two parts: a “pad” part that snaps onto your underwear, and a liner that is held within the pad. You don’t have to change both parts during the day, just the liner when you feel it is necessary, which you can keep in a waterproof storage bag until you have the chance to wash it.
Their cloth products come in a variety of sizes for different body types and flows, and are a good alternative for those who get irritation from disposable pads. Lunapads also runs a program called One4Her, which donates a set of reusable pads to young girls in Uganda for every product purchased. Many of these girls don’t have access to menstruation products and often end up missing school and falling behind when they have their periods.
Reusable pads are a bit more expensive (roughly $15 per pad, with liners) but if they’re taken care of, they can last for years (think about the hundreds of dollars you’ve already spent on products over the last few years).
Sea Sponges
A natural alternative to synthetic tampons, sea sponge tampons are made of actual sea sponges, from the sea, that have been harvested and bleached.
They need to be sanitized (usually with hot water and vinegar) after purchasing, but after that, with regular soap and water washing they can last up to six cycles. They are about the size of a dinner roll when purchased, but can easily be trimmed, and seeing as they’re sponges, they squish right up into a neat little tampon size.
Sea sponges can be purchased online or at health food stores, and can be left in for three to six hours, depending on the heaviness of your flow. Although it is organic, they do not reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome, and they cannot be substituted with non-organic or coloured sponges.
Reusable menstrual cups
Another alternative to tampons, menstrual cups are made of medical-grade silicone, and instead of absorption, they work by catching the blood in a cup.
Menstrual cups are shaped like halved eggs and can be left in for up to 12 hours. Their simple design, which includes the silicone or rubber cup and a pull-tab for easy removal, comes in two different sizes, can last for years on end, and can reduce the risk of TSS.
They’re a bit larger than standard tampons or sea sponges, but inserting and removing them should be no more stressful than your first tampon experience.
Before and after use they should be thoroughly rinsed with water and detergent. It’s also best to insert the menstrual cup after washing it with warm water as it makes it more comfortable. This means you’ll likely need to wash it in public sinks at some point, but hey, do it in solidarity− it’s not exactly a secret that you get a period.
The Keeper Mooncup and the Diva Cup are two popular menstrual cups that can be purchased at select pharmacies or even health food stores.
Organic and chlorine-free tampons and pads
If you aren’t ready to get blood on your hands (sorry, I couldn’t resist) by washing reusable products, organic and chlorine-free tampons and pads are a more environmentally friendly option than most available disposable brands. They function the same way as conventional products, and can be found in health food stores.
