HeartFit with Annie Smith
Meet Annie – a Personal Trainer & Group Fitness Instructor for 30 years whose passion in life is to help others achieve their health and fitness goals to become their best version of themselves, as well as enjoying the benefits of regular physical exercise herself. Annie’s life as she knew it came to an abrupt halt when she was diagnosed 10 years ago with an invisible illness; a rare, incurable, and life-threatening heart disease, Cardiac Sarcoidosis (& systemic sarcoidosis). She had an ICD implanted (pacemaker and defibrillator) and started taking many medications daily to help sustain her.
Annie wouldn’t let it stop her from being as physical as she safely could, so she took on walking when she was at her sickest, on the recommendation of her cardiologist, Dr. Heather Ross. It’s now one of her favourite exercises!
In 2019 Annie created Annie’s Pace Global Adventure (APGA); a 4 day All-Abilities adventure that occurs every May, uniting the World in heart health awareness. The goal during those 4 days (& lifetime), is to exercise for 1 hour/day, OR test your limits along with Annie and exercise as long as you can.
Annie’s personal goal for the first 6 years of APGA, was to treadmill-walk as far as she could each day for the 4 days (usually an average of 8-10 hours/day). Over 6 APGA years (or 24 days) Annie treadmill-walked 800km. Due to unfortunate health changes Annie doesn’t marathon-walk anymore, but she continues to test her limits physically every day of APGA, the best that she can. “It is for FUN; while challenging your body, mind and spirit and keeping your heart healthy!”
Your life is worth 1 hour a day – Dr. Heather Ross.
All donations raised go to Dr. Ross’ Test Your Limits Initiative. The funds raised will be for support of heart disease and heart failure research. 100% of your support will go directly towards making research in heart failure and transplantation possible.
APGA encourages organ donation. Eight lives can be saved when you sign up for organ donation, so please sign up today if you haven’t already!
APGA has raised $25,000 in 6 years. The 7th annual APGA is May 23-26, 2025. Annie encourages everyone to share her message and get involved – Sign up to participate!
Annie hopes to inspire you and help you achieve the best version of yourself daily and choose courage over fear.
‘I am grateful! I appreciate life every day I wake up and I listen to my heart and what it tells me. I live with a positive attitude and that’s about all I can do!’
Sharon Bray
Paula Henderson
Isabel Victal
Cindy