KYLE CHERITON
active
Staying physically active has become increasingly important to me as I get older. Swimming, cycling, kayaking and spending time outdoors aren’t simply ways to stay fit—they help me maintain the strength, mobility and independence I want for the years ahead. I also enjoy the challenge: going a little farther, learning something new, or simply getting outside and moving.
More importantly, physical activity makes me feel good. It clears my head, gives me energy and reminds me that getting older doesn’t have to mean becoming less engaged with life. I may approach things differently than I did when I was younger, but I still want to explore, challenge myself and keep moving.
Cycling
Cycling is one of the activities that gives me a real sense of freedom. Whether I’m riding across the city or setting out on a longer journey, I enjoy being outdoors, moving under my own power and experiencing places at a pace that allows me to notice what’s around me. It keeps me active, clears my head and often turns an ordinary trip into something I genuinely enjoy.
But cycling is more than recreation for me. I also see the bicycle as a practical and sustainable form of transportation. For many everyday trips, riding instead of driving reduces my environmental impact, takes up very little space and keeps me active while getting me where I need to go. An e-bike extends those possibilities even further, making longer distances and Vancouver’s hills much more manageable.
I like the simplicity of it: transportation, exercise and enjoyment all rolled into one. At this stage of my life, cycling gives me independence, keeps me connected to the city and reminds me that some of the most sustainable choices can also be the most enjoyable.
The opposite of crazy is still crazy
Swimming
Swimming has become one of the most important parts of my fitness routine. There is something uniquely satisfying about being in the water—the rhythm of each stroke, the quiet, and the concentration required to keep moving from one end of the pool to the other. It gives me time to clear my head while challenging my body, and I almost always leave the pool feeling better than when I arrived.
At this stage of my life, I also appreciate swimming for what it allows me to do. It provides a full-body workout that builds endurance, strength and mobility without the impact of many other forms of exercise. I can challenge myself with distance and pace while knowing that I’m doing something that can remain part of my life for many years to come.
Perhaps most importantly, swimming reinforces something I’ve come to value more as I get older: consistency matters more than intensity. I don’t need to prove anything when I get into the pool. I simply want to keep moving, stay strong and enjoy the feeling of being physically capable. For me, swimming has become as much about well-being as fitness.
Always be kinder than you feel
Kayaking
Living close to the ocean has given me the opportunity to discover kayaking, and it quickly became something I love. There is a wonderful simplicity to being on the open water with nothing more than a kayak and a paddle—moving quietly along the shoreline, feeling the movement of the water and seeing the landscape from an entirely different perspective.
Kayaking gives me many of the things I value at this stage of my life. It keeps me active, takes me outdoors and provides a sense of exploration and freedom. But unlike some of my other physical activities, it rarely feels like exercise. I’m much more aware of where I am than how far I’ve travelled.
Some of my most memorable experiences have been kayaking under a full moon. Being out on the water as daylight disappears and the moon rises is both peaceful and exhilarating. The city feels distant, the water becomes quiet, and for a while there is very little to think about other than the moment itself.
Perhaps that is what I enjoy most about kayaking. It allows me to slow down while still moving forward—to explore, to appreciate the natural beauty around me, and simply enjoy being on the water.
Strength Training
Strength training has become an increasingly important part of staying active as I get older. At my doctor’s recommendation, I’ve added it to the swimming, cycling and other activities I already enjoy. The goal isn’t about lifting heavier weights or achieving a particular physique—it’s about maintaining the strength, balance and mobility that allow me to keep doing the things I love.
I’ve come to see strength as an investment in the years ahead. Maintaining muscle and physical capability can help me remain independent, reduce the risk of injury and continue approaching life with confidence. I want to keep swimming, cycling, kayaking, travelling and exploring for as long as I can, and strength training helps build the foundation to do that.
To be intoxicated is to feel sophisticated but not be able to pronounce it