How this 76-year-old kokum is fighting grief and loss with kettlebell kickboxing

Four years ago, Iva Geddes-McNabb would take walks to pray and cry for those she had lost.

Geddes-McNabb's son Lionel died from a heart attack in 2013, when he was 39 years old. She lost her husband to cancer afew months later. Then in 2016 she lost Matthew, a grandson she raised who ranmarathons, to stomach cancer at the age of 26.

Geddes-McNabb, now 76, said she didn't know how to grieve so many deaths, but she didknowher family wouldn't want her to be sad. She decided to find something that would help her.

She tried a few workout classes, but felt they weren't for her. Then one day in 2019 she tried out a kettlebell kickboxing class happening in the next community over, Daystar First Nation.

A Kettlebell Kickboxing Canada studio based in Regina was hosting the class on the First Nation. After one session, Geddes-McNabbknew she needed it in her life.

"I felt balance in my life," she said."I didn't feel lonely. Something came over me and a spark went off."

Despite havinghad her left hip replaced twice, Geddes-McNabb signed up for classes in Regina.

When she first madethetrip from her home inGeorge Gordon First Nation,about 114 kilometres from Regina,she had a hard time keeping up with the others in the class. She couldn't even do a burpeeor a jumping jack at first. She questioned whether she had made the right choice.

"There was doubt in my mind, but I felt I had to prove myself," said Geddes-McNabb.

With encouragement from her class, she pushed herself and didn't give up.

WATCH|Kokum fights grief and loss with kettlebell kickboxing:

Kokum fights grief and loss with kettlebell kickboxing

12 months ago

Duration 2:04

Iva Geddes-Mcnabb knows her family wouldn't want her to be sad, so she decided to find something that would help her.

Geddes-McNabb now commutes three days a week to attend kettlebellkickboxing training.

When she first started she was swinging a five-pound kettlebell. Now she is up to 30 pounds. She said her grandson joins her as well.

Geddes-Mcnabbsaid she started the class to overcome her grief, but nowshe feels much healthy andphysically stronger, something she said her grandchildren and children are proud of.

"When I'm with my grandkids, they see thatthat kokum is strong and I think they're very proud of me,"said Geddes-McNabb. "I mean, they were proud of me before, but now more than ever because I'm their protector andI don't care how old I am."

Jodi Barrett, CEO of the Regina-based Kettlebell Kickboxing Canada studio,started her businessto build a certification program specificallyfor women, so that they had something outside of the home that let them give back to themselves and the community.

Barrett first met Geddes-McNabbat the course atDaystar First Nation.Barrett said she saw thatGeddes-McNabbwas a feisty lady.

"She is the oldest person we have had in this class."

Despite their age difference, Barrett said the two have a special relationship.Barrettdidn't start her business until she was 41, and Geddes-McNabbwent back to school in her 40s to study counselling.

"She inspires me because I've seen the work she's had to do, and she's never once said 'I can't do it,'" said Barrett

The trainer and trainee have even traveled to Mexico and Jamaica together for vacations and supported each other oncommunity walks recognizing Orange Shirt Day.

Geddes-McNabbsaid the training hasn't only soothed her grief. It has alsohelpedwith her high blood pressure and diabetes.

Now she posts on her Facebook to encourage young ladies and men to find their own similar passion.

"If I can help one person to feel the way that I do I would be so happy," said Geddes-McNabb. "I'm living life and I am the strongest I ever was."

She didn't even take a break for her 76th birthday. She went to the kettlebell kickboxing class and was celebrated bythe group.

"I told them I was still gonna be here when I'm 90. That's my goal."