Fitness and Canada’s Ultimate Challenge: Iqaluit athlete takes Proust Questionnaire

For Victoria Coman, personal fitness is about more than just health.

“It’s really the way I show my dedication toward myself and my self-discipline,” she said.

She started working out in the RCMP’s gym as a teenager in Iqaluit, trying to find something to be passionate about in a town where there are not that many options, she said.

Now, after years of been a personal trainer and participating in CBC’s Canada’s Ultimate Challenge, Coman is still a passionate advocate for fitness and aspires to be a role model for her fellow Iqalummiut.

She recently took time to answer the Proust Questionnaire.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

I would say my perfect happiness is being surrounded by like-minded individuals, having a place to express myself and to be around people that really lift me up.

Really, it’s all about community at the end of the day and being surrounded by people who share mindsets.

What is your greatest fear?

I’d say my greatest fear is not having my independence. Being stuck — whether that’s in my personal life or, you know, in other aspects.

Which talent would you like to have that you don’t already have?

To be able to sing.

I am still a little bit scared of public speaking, but I think if I had singing as a skill and a talent that would be such an amazing way for me to not only get over my fear of public speaking, but also to be able to show, you know, my personality.

And people say that I have a really strong voice, but not necessarily a singing voice.

Do you have a favourite singer?

Yeah, one of my favourite singers, her name is Banks [Jillian Rose Banks].

She’s kinda an alternative genre singer, but her music is really interesting and I like music that speaks to emotion, and you can really feel that in her songs.

Which living person do you most admire?

I think someone that I admire in our community would be Victoria [Kakuktinniq] from Victoria’s Arctic Fashion.

She is someone that really inspires me because of all the work that she’s done — how successful she is, and the fact that she shows the Inuit culture in a modern way and she’s doing fashion shows all around the world.

To me, that’s something that’s really inspiring.

Is there anything that you dislike about your appearance?

I look very, you know, white. That was always something — no one would ever believe that I’m from here, and people would be very shocked to find out that I’m Inuit.

I always got made fun of because my skin was too white, so I think that’s always been something that I’ve been very aware of and self-conscious of in a way.

When and where were you the happiest?

I enjoy being in the warm climates, for sure. I mean, who doesn’t like going on a nice vacation?

So my happiest moments have definitely been when I’m on a beach near the water with great food, great people and good music.

What’s your greatest regret? 

I think my greatest regret would be not spending as much time with my family when I was younger.

So that’s something that now I really appreciate a lot more is being able to spend that time with them.