Six Months, Nine Women, One Farmhouse, and a Whole Lot of Faith

It's been six months since I've sat down to write a blog post, and WOW, do I have a lot to share with you!

So, grab yourself a coffee or tea, get comfortable, and let me catch you up on what's been happening over the last six months.

First, Let's Talk About Fit Informed!

Since March, I've had the privilege of coaching nine incredible women through my 1:1 Monthly Nutrition Coaching program.

My online fitness classes have grown to 10 consistent participants, and I've even added a third class! We now meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6 AM. And let me tell you, it really is such a fantastic way to start your day! I also have four personal training clients whom I see weekly for 1:1 strength training sessions.

Outside of my coaching business, I continue to volunteer with Fleurish Barrie, supporting the women in their Fresh Start Program. I have the opportunity to teach these women about how nutrition impacts their mood, energy, and overall well-being. We've also incorporated slow, simple movements they can easily add to their daily routines.

One of my favourite parts of volunteering is watching the transformation these women experience over their 12 weeks with Fleurish. It truly is something special.

Another exciting opportunity I've had this year was teaching Sports Nutrition for the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN) – Toronto!

I had the pleasure of teaching this course twice, once in the winter and again in the spring.

And let me tell you, this class is right up my alley!

I absolutely love introducing students to the connection between nutrition and athletic performance. Helping them understand that nutrition isn't just about calories, protein, or what we eat before a workout. It's the foundation for how our bodies produce energy, recover, build strength, and perform. Whether you're an everyday gym-goer or a competitive athlete, what you put into your body matters.

Getting to combine my love for nutrition, fitness, and teaching has been such a rewarding experience. And I hope to continue inspiring future nutrition practitioners to look at food as so much more than just fuel!

In July, I also started working at Small Town Wellness in Midland!

You can now find me at the clinic on:

• Tuesday and Wednesday: 10 AM–3 PM

• Thursday: 4 PM–6 PM

You can book an appointment with me online at www.smalltownwellness.com.

And because I believe we should never stop learning, I'm about to begin a six-month mentorship program with the incredible Jenn Pike!

I'm especially excited to deepen my knowledge of gut health testing and hair mineral analysis. My hope is to be able to offer these additional services to clients next year.

Women Come to Me for Weight Loss, But They Gain So Much More

Something I've noticed over the last several months is that women often come to me with one main goal: weight loss.

But what they end up gaining is so much more. Increased energy is almost always the first thing they notice. More consistent bowel movements and improved digestion are usually next. And the third? Better sleep!

Now, don't get me wrong. The weight loss matters, too. But as we all know, it rarely happens as quickly as we'd like.

What I've learned from working with these women is that the ones who keep showing up, who stay consistent, and who continue doing the "boring things" are the ones who begin to see lasting results. They stop looking for the next quick fix and start building a lifestyle that actually supports their bodies. And THAT is where the transformation happens.

I can't believe we're already heading into the final two months of 2026!

I am so incredibly proud of every single woman I've had the opportunity to work with this year. Thank you for trusting me, showing up for yourselves, and allowing me to be part of your journey. Now, let's rewind to March, because there is something else I've been working on that I am SO excited to finally share with you.

A Farmhouse, a Dream, and a Whole Lot of Faith

As many of you know, my husband is a third-generation farmer.

One of his personal goals has always been to continue growing the family farm. I won't get into the details of just how much land he hopes to farm, but let's just say we're getting pretty close to that goal! Back in March 2026, a farm came up for sale just down the road from us.

Now, what many people might not realize is that farmland doesn't often make it to the open market. Most farms are already spoken for. They may be passed down through generations, purchased by larger corporations, or bought by neighboring farmers who have been waiting for an opportunity. In this particular case, two other farmers had already put in offers, but for whatever reason, neither worked out.

We happened to be the third couple to put in an offer. And by the grace of God, our offer was accepted!

This beautiful property includes 100 acres of farmland, a large farmhouse, a barn, and a shop. But here's where the story takes a turn.

The moment I walked into that farmhouse, I felt something I honestly still can't put into words.

It felt like a hug.

It felt warm.

It felt safe.

And I knew there was something special about this house.

Typically, when a farmer purchases land with a house on it, the first conversation is about severing the property and selling the home.

So, when that conversation came up, my husband was a little taken aback by my response.

"Babe, I don't know why, but we can't sell this house. I want to do something special with it."

And my loving husband, without hesitation, said: "Toddia, whatever you decide, we'll make it work." So I proposed an idea.

What if we turned this farmhouse into a place where women could come and stay?

A place where they could feel safe. A place where they could learn new skills, like growing their own vegetables, preparing meals with food they had grown themselves, and learning how to care for their bodies. A place where women who hadn't felt safe in a very long time could finally rest. I didn't have all the answers. I didn't know how we would make it happen or where the funding would come from.

But I knew one thing. God had put this on my heart. And as this story unfolds, you'll understand why I believe that with everything in me.

The Signs Kept Coming

Once I started talking about the farmhouse and sharing my vision, word began to spread.

And then the phone calls started coming. Women leaving abusive relationships who were desperately looking for somewhere to live.

Women living in their cars with nowhere else to go. Women couch surfing, wondering how much longer they could keep doing it.

These were real women, facing incredibly difficult circumstances, looking for something so many of us take for granted.

A safe place to call home.

Every time I visited the farm, I would see this beautiful woodpecker. I believe it was a Pileated Woodpecker, and it seemed to appear every time I was there. I became curious about its symbolism and came across interpretations connecting woodpeckers with self-discovery, protection, healing, and rebirth. I couldn't help but feel like this was another little reminder from God that I was moving in the right direction.

But then something happened that I will never forget.

The Saturday Morning That Changed Everything

One Saturday morning, I had to drive Matt to the farm early, around 7 AM. As we pulled into the driveway, I noticed something lying on the grass. "Oh Matt, someone littered!" Of course, I had a few choice words about that. But as we got closer, my heart sank. It wasn't garbage.

It was a person. A woman. Lying on the grass.

We stopped the vehicle and got out to check on her. As we approached, she quickly stood up, startled and afraid. She grabbed the only bag she had and held it tightly. "I just needed a place to rest," she said. "I'll be on my way."

I was speechless.

Matt asked if she was okay and whether she needed anything. And I just stood there. All I could think was, God, if this isn't a sign, I don't know what is. She didn't say much more and began walking away. Now, if you knew where this farmhouse was located, you would understand just how significant this moment felt. It's very rural. There are no nearby bus stops, stores, or services. Nothing within easy walking distance.

This woman had likely been walking for quite some time, and for whatever reason, she chose our farmhouse as the place where she could finally stop and rest. The very house I had been dreaming of turning into a safe place for women.

I couldn't ignore that.

Twenty Phone Calls and a Lot of Determination

After that morning, I got on the phone. And when I say I called everyone, I mean EVERYONE.

I contacted approximately 20 shelters and organizations throughout Simcoe County. Every conversation started the same way.

"Hi, my name is Toddia. I own a rural property, and I'm looking to partner with an organization to open a transitional home for women."

Several organizations were interested. Some came to visit the property right away. Others were happy to support the idea and potentially refer women to the home.

But there was one problem.

None of them were in a position to take on the partnership I was looking for. Most explained that I would need to be the landlord and take on the responsibility of operating the home myself. One mentioned ohh, you’re looking for someone to “head lease" the property.

And while I desperately wanted to help, I also knew that in this season of my life, with three young children, a growing business, and everything else on our plates, I couldn't take that on alone.

I needed the right partners.

Over the following months, representatives from the Pregnancy Resource Centre of Barrie, Empower Simcoe, Huronia Transition Homes, and the Elizabeth Fry Society all came to see the property. And slowly, pieces started coming together.

A House Filled With Generosity

Did I mention that we were able to completely furnish this six-bedroom farmhouse through donations?

I'm talking bed frames, mattresses, dressers, furniture, and everything needed to stock a kitchen. The generosity of our community was absolutely incredible. The only things we personally paid for were a bathroom renovation, new bedsheets, and bath towels.

Everything else was donated. Every single item helped turn an empty farmhouse into a home. And I am forever grateful to everyone who contributed.

The Meeting That Opened the Door

One day, my dear friend Emily, who owns and operates Fleurish Barrie, said to me:

"Hey, I have a meeting with the Elizabeth Fry Society. Why don't you come along and tell them about the farm?"

Emily was meeting with them to discuss the Fresh Start Program, which supports women facing barriers to employment.

So, off I went.

I shared my vision for the farmhouse, explained what I hoped to create, and waited to hear what they thought.

Their response?

"Wow, what an incredible opportunity. To save time on the blog “ We want to do this, but we can only make it happen if we get funding." This meeting went on for an hour and so much was discussed.

Okay! So now we needed funding.

As the conversation continued, they shared some contacts at the County of Simcoe who might be able to help.

And you guessed it. I went home and got right back on the phone!

I reached out to Matt Garwood, an incredible soul whom we are so lucky to have in our community. Matt came out to visit the farm, connected me with people at the County, and helped guide me toward the right resources and support.

Matt, if you're reading this, THANK YOU! Your encouragement and willingness to help meant more than you know.

"We Would Gladly Fund This Project!"

Fast forward a few weeks to early July.

Representatives from the County of Simcoe, along with the Elizabeth Fry Society and Fleurish, came to visit the farm.

I walked them through the farmhouse and shared the vision of what this place could become.

And then came the words I had been hoping and praying to hear.

"Toddia, this has far exceeded my expectations. We would gladly fund this project for one year!"

I could hardly believe it.

What had started as a feeling when I first walked through the front door was becoming a reality.

Fast forward again to September 1st.

The farmhouse was fully furnished, prepared, and ready to welcome women.

And today, as I sit here writing this on October 26th, 2026...

FOUR WOMEN ARE CURRENTLY LIVING IN THAT HOUSE!

FOUR!

Four women who now have a safe place to rest.

Four women who have a place to call home while they work toward their next chapter.

Four women who are being given the opportunity to rebuild, rediscover, and rise.

HOW INCREDIBLE IS THAT?!

Welcome to Wild Roots Farm

I decided to name this special place Wild Roots Farm.

Because I truly believe that it doesn't matter where you come from, what you've experienced, or what your life has looked like up until this moment.

You can always grow in a new direction.

You can create new roots.

You can learn, heal, grow, and become the person you want to be.

Sometimes, you just need the right environment and the right support to make that possible.

And that is exactly what I hope Wild Roots Farm will provide.

Rest. Rediscover. Rise.

Three simple words that mean so much.

Rest from the circumstances that have kept you in survival mode.

Rediscover who you are, what you're capable of, and what brings you joy.

Rise into the next chapter of your life with confidence, skills, and support.

Where Does Fleurish Fit Into All of This?

You might be wondering how Fleurish Barrie became part of this journey.

Well, Emily has always dreamed of expanding her business and having the space to grow her own flowers.

She also wanted to give the women participating in the Fresh Start Program the opportunity to experience growing, tending to, and harvesting flowers.

So naturally, it just made sense to invite Fleurish to be part of Wild Roots Farm!

The property offers an opportunity to create beautiful flower gardens while also providing meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.

And what's even more exciting is that the women living at Wild Roots may also have the opportunity to participate in the Fresh Start Program.

Through this program, women can develop skills in areas such as:

• Financial literacy

• Confidence coaching

• Fitness and nutrition

• Personal accountability

• Customer service

• Front-end retail

• Gardening and flower production

• Employment readiness and life skills

These are skills that can help women build confidence, independence, and new opportunities for their future.

And to think that all of this started with one farmhouse and a feeling I couldn't explain.

How You Can Support Wild Roots Farm

There are two ways you can help support the women of Wild Roots Farm.

1. Through the Elizabeth Fry Society

Your support can help the organization continue its important work with women who are experiencing housing instability and other significant life challenges. You can also make a note on your donation that you want it to directly go to “Wild Root Farm”

2. Through Fleurish Barrie

Supporting Fleurish helps create opportunities for women to participate in the Fresh Start Program, gain valuable employment and life skills, and contribute to the gardens at Wild Roots Farm.

Both organizations play an important role in helping women build a stronger foundation for their future.

One Last Thing...

If there is one thing these past six months have taught me, it's that sometimes the most meaningful things in life begin when we don't have a plan. When we feel called to do something, even when we don't know how it's going to happen.

When we take the first step, even though we can't see the whole staircase. I didn't set out in March thinking I would be helping open a transitional home for women by September. I didn't know who I needed to call, where the funding would come from, or how we would furnish an entire six-bedroom house.

But I had a feeling.

I had faith.

And I had some incredible people who were willing to help turn an idea into something real.

There are still so many things I hope to see happen at Wild Roots Farm, and I know this is only the beginning.

But for today, I am choosing to celebrate what has already happened.

Four women have a place to call home.

And that is something worth celebrating.

Thank you for being here, for following along, and for supporting not only my little nutrition and fitness business but also this beautiful new chapter.

I can't wait to share what happens next.

With gratitude,

Toddia

Fit Informed by Toddia | Wild Roots Farm