INTRODUCING LAURIE BRYNA

Moovjam was founded in 2005 by Laurie Bryna, a well-known Social Worker and Family Therapist in Montreal. Laurie understands the harmful effects of obesity first-hand, as she gained approximately 125 pounds over the course of three pregnancies, and developed gestational and borderline diabetes, as well as other related conditions. Armed with a B.A. in Psychology, as well as a B.S.W. and M.S.W. in Social Work, Laurie combined her years of experience in child and family development with her own personal experience with obesity. She developed a method that helped her to change her lifestyle and eating habits, and won what turned out to be a life-threatening battle with obesity. Laurie even got her children to adopt a healthier lifestyle as well.

As a strong advocate of community and educational projects, Laurie regularly speaks at conferences and seminars across Canada and the United States. She has led conferences for N.E.A.D.S., The Bronfman Family Seminar Project, and Concordia University. While still a student, Laurie developed and implemented two university programs: Concordia’s Support Group for Students with Learning Disabilities, and McGill’s Student Support and Stress Management Group. She was also a member of the Montreal Children’s Hospital Coalition of Education, Health, Social Work and Community Services, whose mandate is to build schools with responsive, collaborative support systems that encourage children to develop into healthy, productive teens and adults.

THE JOURNEY TOWARDS MOOVJAM

By combining a strong educational background with business acumen and personal experience, Laurie knew she could effect real change in the lives of children. In 2005 her heartfelt desire to put an end to child obesity led to her first inspiration: The Fitnessparty Program. Laurie brought personal fitness trainers to schools, day camps, day cares and birthday parties to exercise with children in a party-like atmosphere. She provided nutritionally dense pizzas that her restaurant chain created specifically for kids. The program, which combined exercise, nutritional food sampling and education in a fun atmosphere, eventually became Moovjam. The Moovjam Grand Event took place in the summer of 2006, and is currently referred to as “the landmark event” for the awareness and prevention of obesity, and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle among youth. Laurie  created, and introduced The Moovjam Healthy Living Program to schools and youth organizations in 2007/2008. It is now being implemented through 8 major school boards, and 47 youth organizations across Quebec. Today, Moovjam has many supporters and partners, all of whom work tirelessly alongside Laurie to help her in this worthwhile cause. Laurie’s realization of Moovjam, which is currently the largest and most influential organization of its kind, has earned her the prestigious Mille Femme Award, which identified her as being one of the 1000 most influential women in Quebec.

Milles Femmes is an International Initiative by Pierre Maraval. Maraval travels to countries and provinces around the world, and selects the one thousand most exceptional women in each region. Some are celebrities, but most are unknown to the public: they are the women that are integrated and active in all sectors of society, making grand improvements to the quality of our lives. United by a collage of one thousand portraits, Maraval honors the actions and splendors of these powerful women.

Click here to view Milles Femmes video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2_RtYnXoTE