Alex Teixeira has known cancer since he was a teenager. It claimed his father-in-law and a high school friend. But it also made Teixeira change his own course in life, quitting smoking and venturing down a path of healthy living and a career as an athlete and trainer.
Teixeira, owns Golden Fusion Fitness in Scarborough, Ont. and is a martial arts instructor. “I learned cancer can impact anyone at any time,” he says. “We need to do what we can to protect ourselves. So, I dedicated my life to fitness to help others be their healthiest.”
One way he has chosen to give back to the community is through leading a team in the Shoppers Drug Mart OneWalk to Conquer Cancer, a 25K event in September to raise funds for the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, two out of five Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their life. Every day in Canada, more than 500 people are diagnosed with cancer and 210 people succumb to the disease every day.
Teixeira teaches martial arts in Toronto’s Beaches community, and says walking allows for the benefits of running without the risk of harming the knees, works the lungs, improves cardio, burns fat and helps build muscle mass. It is also a great way to make sure he gets outside for exercise, no matter what the weather.
“Now is as important as any other time to help someone who may really need treatment, to better our children’s future and to support one of the top cancer centres in the world,” Teixeira says.
