Recording Available for Employees: Celebrating 10 Years of Move UBC with Clara Hughes

This year marked the 10-year anniversary of Move UBC–UBC’s annual university-wide campaign that promotes physical health and reflects our commitment to integrating wellbeing into how we learn, work, teach, research, and live.  

To celebrate, we had the honour of welcoming Clara Hughes, a Canadian Olympian and mental health advocate, as the Move UBC keynote speaker on February 24, 2026. More than 300 attendees gathered at the Chan Centre, alongside a livestream that connected students, faculty, and staff at UBC Okanagan and viewers beyond. 

Movement, Mental Health, and Resilience 

Clara Hughes shared a deeply personal journey, reflecting on her experiences as an Olympic athlete and her evolving understanding of mental health. She spoke about using sport to cope with early life challenges, and how she once believed that Olympic success would bring resolution. While she achieved multiple medals, she emphasized that healing came through relationships, community, and self-discovery. 

A central message in her keynote was that movement is about connection to ourselves and to others. She described rediscovering joy through simple, playful movement, and spoke to the importance of staying curious and embracing a “beginner’s mindset,” where possibilities remain open. 

Hughes also shared a transformative experience during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, where participating in an Indigenous ceremony reshaped her understanding of success, community, and belonging. The moment reinforced her belief that true strength lies in kindness, and in wanting success for others as much as for yourself. 

She also reflected on her role as a mental health advocate beyond sport. As a spokesperson for Bell Let's Talk, she chose to speak openly about mental health despite concerns about how it could negatively impact her sponsorships and public image. She shared that she felt compelled to take that risk to help start a broader conversation and reduce stigma. Although she was initially surprised to see herself featured on billboards, she found deep meaning in the opportunity to connect with communities and support mental health initiatives across Canada. 

Key Takeaways from Clara Hughes 

• You are enough – self-worth is not defined by outcomes 

• Resilience is gentle – it requires care, openness, and support 

• Community matters – healing and growth happen through connection 

• Movement and mental health are lifelong journeys full of ups and downs 

• Play and curiosity are essential – growth comes from trying, worry less about the result  

• You can heal and help – create space free of judgement and always support others  

• Movement is medicine – let yourself reconnect with your body  

• The importance of open conversations about mental health, and that everyone has a role to play in supporting and uplifting on another 

Bringing Movement to Life with the Move U Crew  

Student engagement was a vibrant part of the event, including a movement break led by the Move U Crew with students Zoë, Emily, Beth, and Eesha. This interactive moment invited attendees to pause, stretch, and reconnect with their bodies. 

In that moment, I wasn’t just leading stretches. I was helping create a shared pause where stress softened and people reconnected with themselves and each other. Watching participants go from hesitant to smiling reminded me how powerful these small moments can be. – Zoë Weaver, student and Move U Crew member

Student leaders reflected on the experience as both meaningful and energizing, noiting how even small moments of movement can shift mental states, reduce stress, and build connection. Another Move U Crew member shared, 

During the movement break, it was amazing to watch the room come alive as people stood, stretched, and moved together. It was a brief moment that felt so alive with the energy Clara was sharing.” –Eesha, student and Move U Crew member

Audience engagement continued through a Q&A session, where students asked thoughtful questions about mental health, self-doubt, and Hughes’ involvement in initiatives. UBC student Olympian Evan Dunfee prompted further discussion on kindness, community, and supporting others.  

Our Shared Commitment to Wellbeing 

The event reflected strong engagement and support from UBC leadership and a shared institutional commitment to wellbeing. The event was presented in collaboration with UBC Athletics & Recreation, Human Resources, and Student Health & Wellbeing.  

UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Benoit-Antoine Bacon spoke about his personal connection and journey with movement as medicine. Kavie Toor, Managing Director of Athletics & Recreation, facilitated discussion with Hughes, highlighting themes of self-compassion and pride. The event closed with remarks from Adam Charania, VP Human Resources, who emphasized the importance of integrating movement into university culture.  

Together, these reflections reinforced UBC’s ongoing commitment to fostering a healthy, connected community for students, faculty, and staff alike.  

Watch the Keynote Recording 

UBC faculty and staff can access the recording using their CWL at:

UBC employee can access to the recording here

Stay tuned for UBC student access to the recording coming soon

Published: April 2026
Written by: Ariyana Yegnaswami, UBC student and staff member with the Office of Wellbeing Strategy