From ACL Surgery to Working out Regularly: Xiu's SHINE Story
- Jess Takimoto
- Oct 28
- 3 min read
“I started at zero after surgery. Now I’m doing things I once thought I’d never do again.” - Xiu
Watch the full story: https://youtu.be/Ea_801f76IU?si=iSsdT1UnRD6iKWax
Summary
Introduction
When Xiu moved to Toronto from Cyprus, fitness wasn’t really on her radar. Swimming in the ocean back home was fun, not “working out.” And when she came here, that joyful movement disappeared.
Fitness wasn’t something she thought about until suddenly, she couldn’t do it at all.
A ski accident in 2019 left Xiu with a torn ACL, and the long, grueling rehab that followed changed everything.
💙 From avoiding fitness → craving strength
💙 From injury and chronic pain → taking on BC mountain hikes
💙 From isolation → a community that makes every day brighter
What Was Xiu's Relationship With Fitness Before SHINE?
It was simple: “I didn’t have one.”
She wasn’t actively avoiding exercise. It just wasn’t a priority. After her injury, that all shifted. What she once took for granted (stairs, jumping, hiking with family) suddenly felt out of reach.
“It wasn’t about how I looked. I needed to rebuild what my body could do.”
During rehab, she dragged herself to the gym for physio “homework," which she did not enjoy, nor was she consistent or found community.
Then came the wake-up call: a 5-hour hike with her sister in Costa Rica. While her sister breezed through, Xiu struggled to keep up. That’s when she knew “[she] need to take this seriously.”
The Turning Point: Finding SHINE
One day scrolling Instagram, she found a SHINE ad saying:
📍 “Do you live near Yonge & Bloor?”
👯♀️ “Looking for friends to work out with?”
🎵 “Want to work out to dance music?”
She immediately followed the account, and then we reached out to book her First Class Free.
Her first class was the complete opposite of what she expected.
💙 Welcomed within minutes
💙 Coaches saying hi by name
💙 People genuinely friendly, not competitive
💙 A space where newcomers belong
“I’ve gone to dance studios where you just stand there, lost and ignored. SHINE was the total opposite.”
She signed up for a class pack. Then the 6-Week Challenge. Then a membership.
And one year later, she’s still showing up twice a week, consistently.
From Surgery → Strength: The Physical Wins
The difference? The right kind of training — joyful, athletic, and sustainable.
✅ Stronger glutes, hamstrings, and quads
✅ Less knee pain and better support for her ACL
✅ Fire hydrants and kneeling exercises no longer hurt
✅ Confidence to take on physical challenges again
And the biggest win…she now books workouts to feel better — not because she “has to.”
Xiu's Mental Health Transformation
The changes weren’t just in her knee — they were in her mind.
“After 2–3 weeks, my mental health improved so much. I felt 20% better on bad days — and that was everything.”
Xiu learned the magic formula:🌟 Movement + Routine + Community = Mood Boost
When work is stressful?
She books a class.
When loneliness creeps in?
She books a class.
When she needs a 1% reset?
She books a class.
“It’s not a magical cure. But it helps me regulate my emotions — and feel like myself again.”
Her Advice for Anyone Struggling After Injury ✨
💙 Notice what helps you feel better
💙 Don’t expect overnight transformation
💙 Start with small steps and build momentum
💙 Choose movement that brings you joy
💙 And yes… try SHINE 😉
“Even 1% better is enough. That 1% stacks.”
READY TO START YOUR OWN SHINE STORY?
Feeling inspired by Xiu's story? Listen to the full episode of SHINE Stories on Spotify or Apple now! If you’re ready to start your own journey and experience the power of community, book a free intro session today and let’s chat about how SHINE can help you transform your relationship with fitness.
Ready to start your transformation? Click here to book your free intro session today!
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