From Doubt to Determination: How Evelyne Became Ubuntu's Inspiration at 75
- Tresha Wallace
- Dec 7
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 7
When Evelyne first walked into a Ubuntu Legacy Community Care yoga session earlier last year, she carried more than just her mat she carried doubt. Could she really get down on the floor? Would she be able to bend and stretch like the others? At 75, was it too late to start something new?
Today, as Evelyne celebrates her 76th birthday, she stands as living proof that it's never too late to transform your life, one breath and one step at a time.
A Journey That Started with a Single Pose
Evelyne was new to yoga when she joined Ubuntu Legacy Community Care. The poses seemed intimidating, the movements unfamiliar. But our wonderful instructor, Dawn, saw what Evelyne couldn't yet see in herself potential, strength, and the courage to try.
"Breathe through your poses," Dawn would gently remind her. "Focus on your breathing and getting the right posture. Don't worry about doing it perfectly."
Together with Executive Director Tresha Wallace, Dawn emphasized what truly mattered: building core strength to prevent falls, maintaining balance, and developing the physical resilience that becomes so crucial as we age. The goal wasn't perfection it was progress, consistency, and showing up for herself.
Walking at Her Own Pace
During Ubuntu's nature walks, Evelyne would take her time, moving at her own pace. Sometimes she felt guilty, worried that she was holding the group back. But the Ubuntu community rallied around her with understanding and encouragement.
"You're one of us," members would remind her. "At Ubuntu, we're here to help each other, uplift each other, and support each other physically, mentally, and socially."
This is the heart of Ubuntu: I Am Because We Are. No one walks alone. No one is left behind. Every member matters, and every journey is celebrated.
The Transformation: 20 Months Later
Fast forward one year and eight months, and Evelyne Todd is a different woman not because she's changed who she is, but because she's discovered what she's capable of.
Today, Evelyne:
Holds the tree pose with focus and grace
Walks 10 kilometers like a rock star
Participates enthusiastically in laughter yoga sessions
Mentors youth in Ubuntu's intergenerational programs
Inspires newcomers who doubt themselves, just as she once did
Models the Ubuntu active seniors spirit with strength, flexibility, and unwavering determination
She hasn't just transformed her body she's transformed her mindset. And in doing so, she's become an inspiration to countless others who joined after her, watching her journey and thinking, "If Evelyne can do it, so can I."
From Student to Teacher: Bridging the Gap
Evelyne's journey at Ubuntu didn't stop at personal wellness it evolved into something even more meaningful. She became a mentor in Ubuntu's "Bridging the Gap" intergenerational program, where seniors and youth learn from each other.
In these workshops, Evelyne shares her lifetime of financial wisdom with young people, teaching them essential skills about:
Understanding debit and credit
Building and maintaining a strong credit score
Creating and sticking to a budget
Leveraging their skills to generate income
Her lessons go beyond numbers they're about empowerment, responsibility, and setting the next generation up for financial success. The youth don't just learn about money; they learn from someone who's lived through decades of financial decisions, mistakes, triumphs, and wisdom.
This is the beauty of intergenerational programming: while Evelyne teaches financial literacy, the youth teach her technology skills. Both generations leave enriched, connected, and valued.
When Opportunity Knocks: The Power of Staying Open
Recently, Evelyne shared a moment that perfectly captures the Ubuntu spirit. After a yoga session, she had planned to leave immediately to meet a friend for lunch. She wasn't going to stay for the nutrition workshop that followed.
But then something unexpected happened her friend's schedule changed, and their lunch was pushed back. Suddenly, Evelyne had time.
"I am so happy that I attended the nutrition workshop," she told us with genuine excitement. "It's funny I wasn't going to stay, but somehow my friend was able to meet much later, which opened my schedule."
That seemingly small twist of fate led to something significant. "I learned so much from this workshop," Evelyne shared. She was so inspired that she's now taking advantage of the one-hour consultation to learn more about improving her sleep another crucial piece of the wellness puzzle.
This is what holistic health looks like: physical activity, nutritional knowledge, joyful laughter yoga, meaningful intergenerational connections, and addressing the interconnected aspects of wellbeing that affect our quality of life as we age.
Aging Well, Gracefully, and Purposefully
Evelyne Todd isn't just getting older she's aging well, gracefully, and with purpose. She's improving the quality of her health and wellbeing with Ubuntu Legacy Community Care, one yoga pose, one nature walk, one workshop, and one mentoring session at a time.
Her journey reminds us that wellness isn't a destination it's a continuous practice of showing up, staying curious, being open to opportunities that present themselves, and giving back to the community that supports you.
At 76, Evelyne has found not just better health, but renewed purpose. She's proof that our senior years can be some of our most impactful, when we share our wisdom, stay active, and remain engaged with our community.
The Ubuntu Promise: You're Not Alone
Evelyne's story is a testament to four powerful truths:
1. Commitment matters. Showing up, even when it's hard, creates change.
2. Consistency is key. Small, regular efforts compound into remarkable results.
3. Community support makes all the difference. When you're surrounded by people who believe in you, you start believing in yourself.
4. Purpose fuels wellness. When you have something meaningful to contribute, you thrive at any age.
At Ubuntu Legacy Community Care, we don't just offer programs we offer belonging, purpose, and the opportunity to make a difference. We create spaces where seniors can challenge themselves safely, where trying is celebrated, where wisdom is valued, and where progress is measured not against others, but against who you were yesterday.
Your Journey Starts Today
If you're reading this and thinking, "I'm too old," or "I can't do that," or "It's too late for me," we want you to know: Evelyne thought the same thing. And look at her now.
Your age is not a barrier it's your badge of experience. Your doubts are not weaknesses they're opportunities to prove yourself wrong. Your pace is not too slow it's exactly right for you. Your wisdom is not outdated it's exactly what the next generation needs.
Whether you're 55, 65, 76, or beyond, Ubuntu Legacy Community Care is here to support you. We offer:
Gentle yoga, laughter yoga, and tai chi sessions with patient, experienced instructors
Nature walks where everyone moves at their own pace
Educational workshops on nutrition, medication safety, and wellness
Intergenerational programs where you can mentor youth and learn from them
One-on-one consultations to address your specific health concerns
A community that celebrates every milestone, no matter how small
Programs designed specifically for the needs and realities of active seniors
Be the Next Evelyne
Evelyne didn't become an inspiration by being perfect. She became an inspiration by being persistent, by breathing through the hard moments, by showing up again and again, by staying open to new opportunities, by sharing her gifts with others, and by accepting the support of a community that genuinely cared.
You can do the same.
Don't let fear or doubt keep you from discovering what you're capable of. Don't let age be an excuse when it could be your greatest asset. Don't wait for the "perfect time" because the perfect time is now.
At Ubuntu Legacy Community Care, we're here to cheer you on, support you through every challenge, celebrate every victory with you, and help you discover the purpose that makes aging not just bearable, but beautiful. Because when you succeed, we all succeed. That's the Ubuntu way.
Ready to start your journey? Join us for yoga, nature walks, nutrition workshops, intergenerational programs, and wellness activities designed for seniors who want to stay active, connected, empowered, and purposeful.
Become a member today: www.zeffy.com/ticketing/ubuntu-legacy-community-care-memberships--2025
Learn more about our programs: www.ubuntulegacycc.ca
Watch Evelyne in action: Evelyne's Laughter Yoga Journey
Happy 76th Birthday, Evelyne Todd. Thank you for showing us all what's possible when we refuse to give up, when we stay open to new opportunities, when we share our wisdom generously, and when we commit to aging well with intention, grace, and purpose. You are Ubuntu's shining example of strength, resilience, joy, and the transformative power of community.
I Am Because We Are. 💚💛
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