GILLIAN BELL used to get caught up in the chaos of the corporate world, experiencing panic attacks weekly before realizing something had to change.
“I was having three panic attacks a week and was just drained, physically and mentally,” Bell recalls.
“I decided to choose myself and use that as a way to give back to others.”
For more than a decade, Bell has dedicated herself to helping others find peace through her work as a yoga teacher and real estate agent.
Her passion for giving back extends beyond her classes. She has organized free meditation events, raising funds for mental health initiatives like the Thumbs Up Foundation. She also runs a free or donation-based yoga class every Thursday at LivvWell Hub in Airdrie, giving community members a chance to focus on their mental health.
Bell volunteers at the Airdrie Food Bank and supports several local charities, including Ronald McDonald House and Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society.
Through her real estate business, Aura, she and her team find ways to serve the community, from organizing fundraisers to providing meals for local schools.
“Gill is an amazing human, and an Airdrie O.G. who supports her community, friends, family and anyone who needs an extra hand,” says nominator Jamie Olmstead.
“She wears her heart on her sleeve and spreads kindness wherever she goes.”