NAME: Patti Jackson

Hometown: Burnaby, British Columbia

Carrying torch: Vancouver
Hometown: OTR106-037    

Torch Relay Segment: February 12^th, 2010

Age: 57                    

Torchbearer Story:

Living actively has always been a part of Patti Jackson’s lifestyle. Since the age of 7, she has been involved with either a sports team or some type of exercise. From running track to playing and coaching soccer and field hockey, Jackson believes an active body contributes to a healthy mind and lifestyle.

Now at 57, Jackson believes it is even more important in warding off the effects of aging, especially osteoporosis and heart disease. Jackson attends daily bootcamp classes where the activities provide a balance of endurance, strength and flexibility training. Many participants have said Jackson is an inspiration since she is older and still going strong.

On June 26, 2009, Jackson retired after 33 years of teaching Home Economics. She has had the opportunity to preach the benefits of nutrition and physical fitness to thousands of students. When she began her career in 1976, there was no soccer program for girls in B.C. schools. Jackson had been playing community soccer since 1968, so she lead the way to having girls’ soccer sanctioned as a sport in B.C. High Schools. She is very proud of that accomplishment.

Throughout her life when the “going gets tough” Jackson’s solace is to workout. She has never tried drugs, cigarettes or had a drink of alcohol. Jackson’s drug of choice is the adrenaline she gets from living actively.

NAME: Stephanie Tang

Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia

Carrying torch: Vancouver
Torchbearer number: OTR106-051           

Torch Relay Segment: February 12^th, 2010

Age: 19                          

Torchbearer Story:

As a first year university student, Stephanie Tang took a kinesiology course, which opened her eyes and inspired her to be active. After dreading physical education class for years, Tang discovered exercise can be fun. It can start with the little things: walking to the skytrain instead of waiting for the bus or going up stairs instead of the escalator. After lectures, Tang started bringing her friends to the gym and spending an hour on the treadmill, the elliptical trainer or even lifting weights. At home with her brother, Tang bikes or runs around her neighbourhood. She enjoys dance and attends a dance club and stretches in the mornings. For Tang, an active lifestyle does not mean always going on a vigorous run. You can play a game of volleyball with friends, skip with a skipping rope or bring back the kid in you by playing a game of Cops and Robbers or swing as high as you can on the swings. In living actively, Tang believes every bit counts and suggests people get off the couch, get on their feet and go have some fun.