Fawnia Robitaille

Why did you decide to volunteer to teach the Free To Be program?

I have battled with poor body image and eating disorders in my teens and 20’s. I understand that living with a mental health disorder can seem like a roller coaster, but luckily I had a lot of positive people in my life that helped me focus on my health. With my experience, I really wanted to help other people. I found Free to Be on Instagram, and I really felt connected to the work Renae was doing with Free to Be by empowering positive self image among children.

What gets your excited to jump out of bed in the morning?

Coffee! I just love coffee! I also love my job in healthcare. I am always engaging with different people every day, and it is so rewarding to help people access health care services across the province.

What is something you are proud of?

I am proud of myself for taking chances and making difficult decisions in the past year. I have decided to leave a permanent corporate job to pursue a nursing career. I have finished my prerequisites, and just applied to nursing school! In the meantime, I started a position with the Provincial Health Service Authority to get experience in healthcare while I wait to hear back from nursing schools. Leaving a stable job was not easy – but I always knew that I wanted to go into nursing, so I decided to go for it and trust the universe.

In your mind what is the most important thing that Free To Be teaches?

I love that Free to Be empowers youth to be informed and to embrace self-love. Society today is heavily engulfed in social media, which can affect people in a negative way. Free to Be encourages young children to be the best version of themselves, and I believe that is the best thing that we can promote children to do.

If you could go back and give your 12-year old self a piece of advice, what would it be?

That you are LOVED and that everything will be ok!! Times will get uncomfortable and difficult, but it will pass and there are so many great things coming your way.