I had a Father that gifted me with a good sense of self worth, I had a mother that taught me to have fun and encouraged me to be independence. I had a sister that showed me the love of books. I had an aunt that instilled the love a travel and ethics. My neighbour taught me the love of horses, how to cook and the value of hard work. My Cape Breton home surrounded me with my Scottish culture. I Blended it all together, then I added a sprinkle of competitiveness, adventure seeking, a love of fitness and veganism and you have me
A worked for twenty years in the thoroughbred racing industry, 7 as and exercise rider and 13 years a successful female jockey. It was a unique career but I sustained many serious injures that forced me to plan for a career change.
During the last two years of my racing career, I wrote a monthly column in the racing news paper The Game and I did evening course at George Brown college in Toronto and earned my Journalism Certificate.
After retiring from racing, I set out of Vancouver and worked on my Outdoor Adventure Diploma from the Canadian Tourism College. I did a lot of exploring of this beautiful province. From Kayaking in Tofino, to winter camping in Marian Basin.
After graduation, in 2005, I took a summer job as a trail guide taking tourist on horse back tours in the back country of Lake Louise. I returned to Ontario and accepted a job as working with Edward Jones investment firm from 2007 to 2009. The Financial Crisis proved to much for me and I quite and returned to Cape Breton. Next up was another round of Nova Scotia community college where I upgraded my Chemistry and Biology and did my Nova Scotia Fitness leader courses on weekend through NSFA, while working part -time at Sobey’s as a cashier, TD bank as a Teller, Bell Aliant as a cell phone sales person.
I finally landed my dream job in 2013, As a Fitness Leader to the military at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in Oromocto. This is where I have lived the last five years.
I love travel, Besides my extensive Canadian journeys, I have been to every state but Hawaii and Oregon. I have been to Mexico twice, once I drove to Puerto Vallarta and camped out of my car for 5 weeks the winter of ’93, I have seen Dominican Republic, Cuba, Barbados.
I back-packed around Europe for 8 weeks the winter of 2001, visiting Netherlands, Belgium France, Spain, Gibraltar,Italy, Luxembourg, Lichtenstein, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, I have been twice to Scotland, plus Northern Ireland, Ireland, England and Wales. On the African continent I have been to Morocco, Tangier, Egypt, Kenya and touched in Tanzania.
I have a lot more to see. Cheers from Kelly MacKay
MaritimeMac 