The Active Champions Series is a monthly showcase of inspiring stories highlighting the importance of physical activity and sport in our everyday lives.
PHOTO COURTESY: GURDEEP PANDHER’S INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
Champions of varying platforms come in an array of different figures – you don’t need a mantle garnished with medals and trophies to make a positive impact on the world around you.
Meet Gurdeep Pandher
Take, for example, Gurdeep Pandher, a man who moved to Canada from Punjab, India, less than two decades ago and now uses his passion for movement and nature to spread positivity across the globe.
“Dancing outdoors and doing activities outside is what I am known for on social media,” Gurdeep told ParticipACTION. “The outdoors really inspired me to dance more, dance freely and openly, and show the world that being with nature is very important in our daily lives.”
“Sometimes people do exercise just to get fit, have amazing bodies, and be good-looking. But that shouldn’t be the only goal. Being active means taking care of your physical and mental health, and it’s so important to make it a part of your everyday life. That’s what I try to get across in my videos.”
PHOTO COURTESY: GURDEEP PANDHER’S INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
If you have yet to see any of the popular videos of Gurdeep performing traditional Bhangra dances (a style originating with the farmers of Punjab, India, in the late 1800s) in front of the beautiful natural landscapes of the Yukon, you’re missing out. A few seconds into his clips, and you quickly learn how Gurdeep’s message for movement, love and positivity has helped him grow a large, loyal following across the globe.
Gurdeep’s adoration for dance is clear each time you watch his contagious smile dance across your screen, leading him to be featured on such news outlets as CBC and CTV National, as well as globally on BBC World News and many more.
“This dance, it gives me a great break – it’s just like hitting the reset button.”
“I felt very passionately that a lot more people are dealing with difficult situations in their life. Those people didn’t know me personally, but somehow trusted me by watching my videos and getting some positive energy from it.”
PHOTO COURTESY: GURDEEP PANDHER’S INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
Gurdeep might not be competing at the next international games, but that doesn’t change the fact that he is a true champion of physical activity nonetheless, inspiring people in Canada and internationally, one mesmerizing Bhangra dance at a time.
“It’s very important to take a break, turn your computers and cell phones off and just be in nature, be active, be happy.”
“Now I see people doing different activities and tagging me, and it makes me happy because this is the whole purpose of doing these videos – to inspire people to go outside and move!”
Join the Great Golden Contest
From September 18 to 29, search through ParticipACTION and Travel Yukon content to locate six golden nuggets (secret words or phrases) and earn entries to win a limited-edition Klondike Gold Rush gold coin. The more golden nuggets you find, the better your chances of winning! Join today!
To continue to #ExploreYukon content and discover what else this picturesque destination has to offer, watch this inspiring Travel Yukon video.
