YouAreEnough

Yoel Levy, who resides in Manchester, has made a unique name for himself on social media as “The Jewish Fitness Coach”, blending his passion for health with deep pride in his heritage.

Over the past year, Yoel has been running marathons around the world –dressed in a full Batman costume – in loving memory of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, two young brothers whose love for Batman and whose tragic story has touched the hearts of so many. Every finish line Yoel crosses is in their honour and in tribute to their beloved mother, Shiri.

Last week, while in Israel, Yoel had the privilege of meeting Yarden Bibas and the extended Bibas family at Kibbutz Nir Oz. The encounter left a powerful impact on him, strengthening his resolve to complete his ambitious goal: 12 marathons in 12 months.

As Yoel shared recently:
“Running in a costume for hours is no joke. It’s hot. It’s heavy. It hurts. But the WHY behind the costume is what keeps me going.”

Yoel’s next marathon is this Sunday, October 19, at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. So close to home. I would love nothing more than to be there as he runs, not just for a finish line but for memory, for justice, and for light. I just pray my anxiety allows for it.

If you live nearby, let’s show up for Yoel – and for the Bibas family. Together, we embody strength, hope, and community.

Keep running for their memories, Yoel!!

(His next marathon is in 2 weeks…in NYC!)

Shabbat Shalom🧡🧡🧡


http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com

#shabbatshalom #thejewishfitnesscoach #marathonrunner #bibasboys #batman #pride #hope #community #torontowaterfrontmarathon #neverforget #health #mentalhealth  @thejewishfitnesscoach

Today, on this Thanksgiving day (in Canada), the world feels a little lighter. Around the globe, Jews watched, unable to take a breath until the last of the living hostages, held in captivity and enduring unimaginable mental and physical torment for two long years, (two years to the day on the Jewish calendar) finally returned home. Reunited with their loved ones, the scenes were overwhelming, raw, magical beyond words, and impossible to describe without tears. A collective sigh of relief, joy, and heartbreak all collided in those moments.

Closer to home, I felt deeply grateful to be surrounded by loved ones today. (Missing @Jacob and my nephew @Noah 💙) as we celebrated my beloved mother-in-law, Ruth’s birthday (a few days late). Hearts were full and bellies fuller. The laughter felt heartier, the hugs a little tighter.

What would be the perfect cherry on top today? It’s a win by our Toronto Blue Jays! Let’s go, boys—let’s do this! 💙⚾️

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Happy Homecoming! 

Happy birthday, Ruth!  


Wishing everyone today and always continued moments of peace, gratitude, and joy.


Go Jays, Go!!

Please hug your loved ones a little tighter today 💛


Am Yisrael Chai!!


#happythanksgiving #happybirthdaywishes #happyhomecoming #gojaysgo #theyrehome #peace #gratitude #thankful #celebratingthemoments #amyisraelchai #wewilldanceagain 

One of my favourite things to do every fall is to watch the salmon swim upstream to spawn. There’s something deeply grounding about it — and fun, too! Their relentless push against the current, the sheer effort it takes just to move forward. I can watch them for hours, especially on a gorgeous day like today.

Over the years, I’ve had a front-row seat to what happens when someone you care about slowly begins to shrink away — physically and emotionally — after years of not moving their body. Not because they weren’t able. Maybe it became habit. Maybe it was grief, depression, or simply not realizing how vital movement truly is — not just for our muscles or hearts, but for our minds, too.

Witnessing that decline firsthand has only deepened my commitment to keep hiking, walking, and moving my own body. Movement clears the mental fog. It shifts our energy. It reminds us that we’re alive.

A walk. A stretch. Big or small — it all counts.

As I stood by the water’s edge today, mesmerized by the salmon, I found myself thinking: they don’t keep swimming because it’s easy — they keep going because it matters. And I think the same holds true for us.

Every time I watch the salmon fight their way upstream, I’m reminded that even when life feels hard — especially when it’s hard — we have to keep moving. Or in the case of the salmon: keep swimming.

#SalmonMigration #FallFavourite #MovementMatters #KeepSwimming #MentalHealthAwareness #WellnessJourney #StayGrounded #YouAreEnough #porthope #ganaraskariver #fishladder

Today, October 10th, is World Mental Health Day, a global movement dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and well-being. It also falls within National Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 4–11), giving us an even greater opportunity to spark conversations, challenge stigma, and advocate for better mental health support for everyone.

Mental health is just as important as physical health. Yet, because mental health challenges are often invisible, they’re easier to overlook or dismiss. That’s why days like today matter—they remind us to check in with ourselves and with others and to lead with empathy.

My own mental health journey began 11 years ago. It’s been a long, complicated, and truly exhausting internal battle—filled with setbacks, uncertainty, breakthroughs, growth, and purpose. There have been moments of deep despair, and others where I found strength I never knew I had. Through it all, I’ve learned that healing isn’t linear and that asking for help is never a sign of weakness. It’s honestly one of the bravest things you can do for yourself.

If sharing my story helps even one person feel less alone or more understood or willing to ask for support, then it’s been worth it. There is immense value in being open about our experiences. 

So today, let’s remember: just because someone is smiling doesn’t mean they’re okay.

Let’s work toward a world where no one feels isolated, shamed, silenced, or having to hide their pain. Not all disabilities are visible—but they are all valid. 💚

Shabbat Shalom 

#WorldMentalHealthDay #YouAreNotAlone #ItsOkToNotBeOk #EndTheStigma #InvisibleDisabilities #YourMentalHealthMatters #YouAreEnough #NationalMentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #theyrecominghome

Neither Rich nor I were quite up for a #summerofrich hike today—but the beautiful weather was calling, and we’re so glad we listened to our bodies and followed where the day wanted to take us.

Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones we don’t plan. A spontaneous hike led us to one of the most beautiful hidden gems we’ve ever explored —quickly becoming one of my favourite places. The trail had the perfect mix of moderately challenging terrain, breathtaking views that reminded us of our trip to Tobermory in the spring, a small but picturesque waterfall, and even a perfect little swimming spot tucked beside the rapids.

We slowed down and soaked it all in—the sunlight filtering through the trees, the steady rush of water, and the crisp crunch of fallen leaves underfoot. It was the kind of walk that grounds you while lifting your spirits at the same time.

Along the way, we met some truly lovely people. Each encounter added a quiet kind of magic to the day. One moment that especially touched our hearts was a warm conversation with a beautiful couple and their three teenagers. We learned they had moved to Canada from Israel just a few months before October 7th, two years ago. That simple exchange left a lasting impression —one of shared humanity and connection.  

There’s something really magical about the trail community—a shared appreciation for nature, simple joys, and the reminder that slowing down often leads to the most genuine connections, both with others and with ourselves.

As I’ve mentioned more than once lately, the past few weeks have been some of the heaviest I’ve carried in a while. But this weekend—with its record-breaking, spectacular weather, meaningful time with loved ones, and the added bonus of our Toronto Blue Jays knocking it out of the park—felt like a much-needed breath of fresh air. It was a gentle reminder that even in the midst of life’s weight, there are still moments of light, connection, and quiet joy waiting to be found.

#hiking #connection #community #mccraelakeconservation #sharedhumanity #amyisraelchai #mentalhealth #wellness #nature #hiddengem #picturesque #stunningviews #letsgobluejays 

Committing to quality time with friends, family, and our chosen families is such an important part of our social well-being and overall wellness.

One of the most meaningful ways we nurture these relationships is through traditions, like today’s. I’ve honestly lost count on how many years ago we first started our annual apple-picking tradition. But no matter how busy life gets, or how unpredictable things may be, making the effort to come together—however and whenever we can—is something I truly treasure with our chosen family. 

These moments allow us a chance to pause, reconnect, and focus on what really matters. They offer a deep sense of belonging, appreciation, and comfort; feelings that words can’t quite capture.

And the day’s not over yet! The traditions continue well into the evening with post-season baseball on the tv, cheering on our Toronto Blue Jays, dinner and the ultimate fall treat; delicious homemade apple crisp for dessert, lovingly made by the kiddos. It never gets old, no matter how old they get. ***missing @joreyzweig***

Huge thanks to all of you for always going the extra mile to keep this very special tradition alive. It means more than words can say. 💛

Let’s Go Blue Jays 💙 

#traditions #friendswhoarefamily #letsgobluejays #applepicking #nevergetsold #family #daystoremember #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #summerofrich #falledition

The calendar says it’s October, but today (and all weekend long!!), it feels like summer – and my mental health is incredibly grateful for the unseasonal gift.

Life has been exceptionally hectic and heavy lately, so when an appointment I had this afternoon was unexpectedly canceled, I pivoted the best way I know how; I hit the trails.

To move my body.

To breathe a little deeper. 

To let nature do what it somehow always does.

Nothing clears mental fog or quiets the noise in my head like blue skies, fresh air, sun on my skin, and that grounding stillness that insists you pause and be present. Which is exactly what I needed, and exactly what I did.

A hike doesn’t ask much from you, yet somehow, just putting one foot in front of the other creates space to steady yourself again. To feel peace return to your heart, even if only for a while. 

Today reminded me that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do isn’t to fix anything, but instead to simply step away long enough to breathe again🌞.

On the drive home through winding country roads, that peace deepened in unexpected ways. Breaking news came over the radio claiming that Hamas has agreed to release ALL the remaining hostages in Gaza. Hearing the news, emotion washed over me, already raw from yesterday’s tragic events in Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, and just days away from the second anniversary of October 7th. 

As we welcome the Sabbath, may we all hold space for hope, healing, and the safe return of every soul still waiting to come home.

Shabbat Shalom 🎗

#bringthemhomenow #peace #Shabbat #mentalhealth #nature #wellbeing #prayers #Reset #feelslikesummer #grateful #hope #healing #summerofrich

Lately, I’ve felt like I’m in survival mode.

After an emotionally draining week last week, I found myself met with an even more difficult one this past week. Just when I think I’ve caught my breath and that it couldn’t get worse, something else hit, knocking me down even more. 

I’m running on fumes at this point. 

Unraveling. 

I don’t even know what I need right now, besides perhaps a really good cry!

I’m exhausted. Not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, too. 

This past week has been met with a flood of emotions: sadness, chaos, overwhelm, triggers of past trauma, frustration, anger, uncertainty, anxiety, heartache, loss, and deep grief. There were many moving parts to all these emotions, which I won’t get into here. 

It’s been one wave after another, and I’ve had no choice but to keep swimming through them, even though the current feels so strong.

Yet, in the middle of all the darkness, moments of light still managed to shine through. Celebrating Rachel’s birthday yesterday, surrounded by the people I love most, reminded me that even in all the heaviness, joy can still find its way in. I’m holding onto it, trying not to break further.

With Yom Kippur approaching in the coming days, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to bring all this heaviness, uncertainty, and chaos into a day meant for forgiveness, hope, and renewal. It feels incredibly hard, even near impossible at the moment, to open my heart to forgiveness, hope, and renewal after the week I’ve had.

But maybe that’s the real point of Yom Kippur. 

It’s not about being whole or having it all figured out. It’s about showing up as I am, exhausted, overwhelmed, grieving, and bringing that honestly into this space.

Yom Kippur invites me to pause, to reflect, and to return. Not just to the rituals but to myself. To acknowledge what I’ve been carrying, what’s broken, what needs healing; without needing to fix it all right now.

This past week has been heavy. But even in the pain, those joyful moments reminded me that joy still exists, even in the middle of the chaos.

Maybe renewal isn’t about starting over. Maybe it’s about making space—to breathe, to feel, to forgive; even just a little.

So I’m coming into this Yom Kippur as I am—soft hearted, tired, and honest. I’m bringing what I have left in me, hoping that it’s enough.

*The video attached is from another moment of joy this week, which only happened minutes ago.

Let’s go Blue Jays!

#heaviness #healing #yomkippur #renewal #forgiveness #hope #mentalhealth #wellbeing #momentsofjoy #survivalmode #youareenough #emotionallydrained #unraveling #exhausted #letsgobluejays #heartache #grief #uncertainty

Watching you grow into the beautiful, strong, and ridiculously talented young woman you are today has been one of life’s greatest privileges… and adventures!


That fire, that sass, that unstoppable drive—it’s what makes you you. 

No matter how old you get, you’ll always be our baby girl – the one who completed our family and filled our hearts in ways we never imagined possible. And let’s be honest… the one who also loves to keep us on our toes! 😉


Your dad and I are beyond proud of you. May the year ahead bring you endless laughter and joy, unforgettable adventures, and all the magic your heart desires. 


Celebrate today – and every day like the Queen you are!

We love you to the moon and back, forever and a day. 💖 


#happybirthday #23 #babygirl #celebrate #loveyoutothemoonandback #laughter #love #adventure #queenofthecastle 

I’m so damned overwhelmed. And beyond exhausted. 

The week that just passed felt long and heavy, and the week ahead already feels the same. With the start of the Jewish holidays tomorrow night and two significant specialist appointments on my calendar, which are all weighing heavily on me, it’s no wonder I’m feeling especially anxious and scared. There are so many unknowns on the horizon, and it’s all too easy for me to slip into that familiar cycle of doom and self-criticism.

But I heard a quote from a recent Mel Robbins’ podcast, and her words landed softly in my heart as I try and navigate through all the unrelenting noise in my head.

“I need to give myself more credit for how hard I’m trying.” ~ Mel Robbins 

Today, on “World Gratitude Day”, I am grateful for her words which have reminded me just how much I need to resist the urge to criticize myself for all the things I think I’m falling short on, and, as she so gently puts it, to “triple down” on all the things I’m doing right.

On Friday afternoon while having one of my regular check-ins with my psychiatrist, and after a really emotionally draining week, I found myself spiraling into a familiar pattern, obsessing over everything I’m not doing, everything I can’t do, and everything my inner-critic insists I’ll never be able to do (nothing both he and my therapist aren’t used to by now). When I finally paused to take a breath, he asked me a question: 

“Tell me something you’re winning at right now?”

I think I surprised him, but I definitely surprised myself more (my therapist would’ve been proud 🙃). I didn’t just give him a short, one word response of “NOTHING”, I instead gave him a full paragraph answer, as though I was writing an essay, listing off several recent accomplishments that my heart knew were worthy of mention. 

As the Jewish New Year, 5786 begins tomorrow evening, I’m making a promise to myself to keep this affirmation close to my heart. And repeat it often. 

Go ahead and try it for yourself:

“I need to give myself more credit for how hard I’m trying.”  

Too often, we fixate on what we think we’re not doing well enough. But what if, instead, we gave ourselves credit for everything we are doing right? What if we chose to “triple down” on our efforts, our resilience, and our ability to keep showing up?

Maybe this new year can be a season of giving myself more credit, of celebrating the wins, of finding forgiveness within, and of recognizing the strength it takes to simply show up, even when it’s hard.

An “A” for effort. Effort counts, and that’s worth holding on to.

May 5786 be a year of new beginnings, inner peace and peace around the world, meaningful connections, and ease in our struggles. May we all find space to rest, to breathe, to forgive ourselves, and to feel proud of the strength it takes to keep going — even when no one else sees it.

Wishing all those celebrating a happy, healthy, sweet New Year.

#shanatova #sweetnewyear #forgiveness #mentalhealth #peace #affirmations #aforeffort #anxious #innercritic #fallingshort #accomplishments #resilience #youareenough #youareworthy  #celebratethewins #worldgratitudeday @melrobbins