I saw this floating around a few blogs last week and thought it would be fun. Everyone loves a good survey… right? Just nerds? Oh well – I love surveys! I’m the person who will actually do the customer satisfaction feedback surveys because I like them so much. I’m aware that this probably cost me some followers, but whatever. How well do you know me?? Read on…
- What’s your whole name?
Ashleigh Megan Atkinson
- Are you named after anyone?
Nope
- Do you have any siblings?
Yes, a brother who is a year younger than me, he lives in Ottawa.
- Where did you grow up?
Kind of everywhere – mainly Ottawa, Ont. though, so we’ll go with that.
- What activities did you do in high school?
A little bit of everything. I was a competitive synchronized skater, so that took up most of my free time, but I was also on the track and field team and in the school band (it was cool, I swear). I played the flute and we traveled for competitions – see, it’s cool.
Throwback to my skating days way back in high school.
- Where did you go to college?
I did my undergrad at Brock University in St. Catharines, and then went to the University of Windsor for my Masters.
- What activities did you do in college?
I stayed involved in skating through most of my undergrad – I skated on the varsity team my first year, then helped coach for the following years and skated on a competitive adult synchro team based out of Niagara Falls. My activities during my Masters were less impressive and focused mainly around beer and rye.
Cheers! People aren’t lying when they say your Masters program will drive you to drink.
- What did you study in college?
My bachelors is in Physical Education, and my Masters is in Human Kinetics. I focused primarily on sport and exercise psychology.
- What was your first job out of college?
I was fortunate enough to get into my career position right out of my Masters – working as a Health Promotion Specialist at the local public health unit. I’m still here 6.5 years later.
- What kind of music do you like?
(Almost) everything! Hip hop, top 40, country, some alternative rock stuff. Pic of playlist
- What’s one hobby that you’d like to take up?
Baking! I love my “fake baking” – for healthier versions of desserts, but I would also really love to know how to truly bake (yes, all the full fat, sugary stuff).
Teach me!
- What did you think you wanted to be when you grew up?
Honestly, I grew up saying I was going to be a marine biologist because I wanted to swim with the dolphins. When I was more realistic, I wanted to be a sport psychologist and work with athletes on the mental side of their performance.
- What’s the biggest project on your to-do list right now?
That’s a toss-up between finishing some home reno projects and organizing the basement. When we moved in, we unpacked a massive storage locker into our basement… and it’s stayed that way for a year. It’s embarrassing.
- Do you have any irrational fears?
Snakes! They just shouldn’t exist. I can’t even stand seeing them on TV.
- Have you ever traveled outside the country? If so, where and when?
Yes, I’ve been lucky enough to have travelled a fair amount. Wales, Scotland, Ireland, England, Paris, Mexico, Dominican Republic, various states in the US, and Australia!
- When’s your next vacation and where are you going?
Does Ottawa count?? We’re planning a trip to visit my friends and family later this summer. Then, Vegas in September!! It’s an annual thing.
In Vegas last year
- Do you speak any other languages?
No, but I wish I spoke French. It would be very beneficial for future jobs.
- What’s one talent that you wish you had?
Umm… maybe dancing. I can get by with the dancey stuff in Step class just fine, but anything beyond that makes me feel uncoordinated and awkward. Unless there’s alcohol involved and then I’m a terrific dancer, in my opinion! LOL
- What’s something that you wish you did more of?
A few things – read for pleasure, spend time with friends, and take the dogs out for more walks. There never seems to be enough time in a week to do most of these things, but I’m trying. I’m making a point to read for a little bit before going to bed most nights (even if I only last 5 minutes). Thankfully our poor dogs are quite happy to chase each other around our yard, which also exhausts them (bonus for us).
The dogs nightly cuddle time.
- If you weren’t in your current job, what would you want to be doing?
I would likely still be involved in the health and fitness world in some capacity, probably writing more for publications. Or, if I had stayed on my original career path after my masters, I would have my PhD and would be doing research / teaching at a university. Full-on nerd!
If you’ve made it this far – thanks! Here’s another fun fact for you to enjoy, and to learn something (maybe). Here’s the link to my first article (hopefully of many) published through Muscle Insider: Leaner = Manlier? Your Weight and Testosterone Levels I’m excited to be working with this magazine!
Iron Forged Fitness 