December 22, 2025
The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is proud to welcome Karen Furneaux as a new ambassador for Body Movin’ — our annual campaign that encourages Nova Scotians to move their bodies in ways that support mental well-being.
A three-time Olympian and two-time World Champion in sprint kayaking, Karen brings a powerful and deeply personal perspective to Body Movin’. In 2024, she was diagnosed with late-onset bipolar disorder, an experience that reshaped her relationship with movement and strengthened her commitment to mental health advocacy.
Why Movement Matters
At the heart of Body Movin’ is a simple idea: movement doesn’t have to be complicated or intense to make a difference. While Karen’s athletic career was built on high-performance training, she speaks openly about how smaller, gentler forms of movement can be just as meaningful — especially during times of mental health challenge.
“Even by doing it for a short amount of time, that has lasting impacts on our mindset and our ability to sleep.”
Starting Where You Are
One of the messages Karen hopes to share through Body Movin’ is the importance of removing pressure and expectations around movement.
“For me, it was most important just to do it — to just begin,” she said. “Some days that’s all I could do. I could just take one step and take the next step.”
That perspective reflects Body Movin’s core goal: making movement accessible, flexible, and inclusive.
Whether it’s walking, stretching, dancing in the kitchen, shovelling snow, or parking a little farther away at the grocery store, Karen believes it all counts.
“Just having those extra few steps — doing the groceries itself is a workout.”
A Shared Commitment to Mental Health
Karen’s involvement as a Body Movin’ ambassador is rooted in her commitment to destigmatizing conversations around mental health and mental illness — including the role of medication and care.
“The more we talk about mental health and mental illness and medications and mental health care facilities,” she said, “each time we do that, we’re helping to take away some of that stigma.”
Through Body Movin’, Karen hopes to encourage people to see movement as one possible tool for care — not a requirement, a performance, or a cure.
More to Come
Karen recently joined the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia for a conversation on the new Keep Talking podcast, where she shares more about her journey, her diagnosis, and how movement continues to support her mental health.
The full episode will be released in the new year.
For now, Karen is excited to help kick off Body Movin’ and invite Nova Scotians to move their bodies in ways that feel right for them.
“Even tiny, tiny little bits of improvement,” she said, “is a success.”
About Body Movin’
Body Movin’ is the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia’s annual February campaign that encourages people across the province to move their bodies — in any way, at any pace — to support mental health and well-being.
Find out how to get involved at www.bodymovin.ca.
About Karen Furneaux
Karen Furneaux is a three-time Olympian and two-time World Champion in sprint kayaking. Named one of the top 15 most successful athletes in Nova Scotia sport history, she is also the author of Strong Beauty: Power Up the Champion Within. Karen was diagnosed with late-onset bipolar disorder in 2024 and now shares her story to raise awareness and decrease stigma around mental illness. She is deeply passionate about the positive impact of movement on mental health.
HOW IT WORKS
Sign Up: Register as an individual fundraiser or a fundraising team! Get started at www.bodymovin.ca to sign up, get fundraising goals, customize profiles, and begin FUN-draising!
Get Movin’: Participants choose any kind of physical activity they enjoy — walking, dancing, popping wheelies, or even making snow angels — and commit to doing it throughout the month of February.
Spread the Word: By taking part in the challenge and sharing fundraising goals with friends, family, and coworkers, individual and team participants can watch the support roll in while also raising awareness of the critical need for mental health and addiction support in Nova Scotia.
This challenge isn’t just about raising money — it’s about the power of community and taking care of your own mental wellbeing through daily movement. Being physically active is scientifically proven to improve mental health, no matter how you do it.
Why This Challenge Matters
Increasing Need: More than 1 in 4 Canadians say their mental health symptoms affect their day-to-day lives. Nova Scotia faces some of the highest rates of mental illness and substance use in Canada, making the need for community-based support more urgent than ever.
Community Impact: Funds raised will be granted to organizations and initiatives through the Foundation’s Grant Programs. Funded projects offer education, community connection, treatment, and hope for individuals across the province. This support can look like:
free mental health counselling
life skills & resilience building programs for youth
music therapy for seniors
culturally relevant support for Indigenous and African/Black Nova Scotian communities
safe spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities to connect
peer support for people living with substance use disorders
suicide prevention training in vulnerable communities
culturally relevant support for Indigenous and Black African-Nova Scotian communities
Personal Benefits: Physical activity is scientifically proven to improve mental health, providing participants with a chance to nurture their own wellbeing while giving back to the community.
Let’s Do This!
Get your Body Movin’ this February to raise money for mental health and join a community of compassionate Nova Scotians helping to sustain hundreds of essential mental health and addictions initiatives that offer hope and support across the province.
Questions?
Contact Kate Udle: events@mentalhealthns.ca
Media inquiries can be directed to Sam Madore: communications@mentalhealthns.ca