Covering all your sportswear needs from head to toe is On’s mission. You might have already noticed evidence of the Swiss-born brand’s recent ascent, whether on the feet of Canadians (its running shoes feature a distinct bouncy- heel structure inspired by a cut-up garden hose), on people working out (its sleek and stylish apparel is designed for comfort and movement) or thanks to its new partnership with Toronto-based content creator and entrepreneur Sasha Exeter.

On is gaining popularity not only because of its fashionable, functional and innovative shoes and clothing but also for its forward-thinking planet-first ethos. Take its groundbreaking CleanCloud technology: Through a lot of scientific and technological collaboration—and a dream its team had five years ago—the brand has actually found a way to turn carbon emissions into running shoes. “We’re dreaming of decarbonizing our industry,” says Nils Altrogge, On’s head of technology innovation. “And this is just the beginning.”

Designed with indoor and outdoor physical activity in mind, and with Swiss engineering pushing the brand into the future of sportswear, On’s latest collection includes a selection of insulated, breathable products that eliminate any restrictions caused by our inevitably cold, wet and snowy Canadian winters. In short, you’ll feel light and free and stay warm and dry.

The brand aims to collaborate with people who align with its values, which is why it has teamed up with Exeter to help inspire Canadians to get physical. We recently spoke with the former elite athlete about how important being active is to her, what partnering with On means to her, her fall and winter fitness routine and some of her favourite pieces from the new collection.

How important is being active to you in your daily life?

“Daily movement and being active are critical for both my physical and mental health. I suffer from two chronic illnesses—one being fibromyalgia, a disorder that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and mood issues. I’m able to manage my pain through consistent daily movement and exercise, which has significantly improved my quality of life. Being a mama to my six-year-old daughter also means that my lifestyle naturally affects the way she will incorporate healthy habits into her own life. I know Maxwell looks up to me, and I take being her first role model seriously. My hope is that watching the things I do daily as part of my wellness routine will inspire her to make her health a priority as she gets older.”

What does this partnership with On mean to you?

“When On first approached me, it took me all of 10 minutes to come to the realization that there is so much synergy between the brand and me. Thinking like athletes at heart, we both strive for excellence and believe in living outside of our comfort zone—because we know that’s where the good stuff happens. A positive mindset is always a must, and we look to leave people better than [they were when] we met them. Furthermore, as a former elite athlete who still trains like one, I have always really valued activewear technology. In 10 short years, On has proven itself to be one of the leaders in the industry when it comes to technology, sustainability and design, which is remarkable, and I feel that we share very similar values and a similar mission.”

How does the brand’s commitment to sustainability align with you personally?

“I like to think that timing is everything, and this partnership with On came about at a point in my life when the things I value in a brand partner had changed, especially after I became a mother. I have a deeper understanding of how my consumption impacts the environment, and I have a vested interest in taking care of the planet for my daughter and the generations after her. On shares this mission of creating a more sustainable future, and this is evident in its determination to drive progress through innovation and its commitment to creating high-performance products with the lowest possible footprint.”

What is your fall/winter fitness routine?

“After several injuries, the pandemic and surgery, I decided at the beginning of 2023 that this year I was going to be the strongest, fittest and fastest I’ve ever been. My fall/winter [workout regimen] is going to have the [same] elements it had during the summer months—weight- lifting (four times a week), private Pilates (once a week) and running (two to three times a week)—but what will be different is I’ll be incorporating functional strength training once a week to help with my ‘end of range’ strength and allow my body to be more efficient while lifting and running.”

Any tips on keeping active?

Find an activity or type of training or movement that you actually enjoy. If you genuinely enjoy doing something, there is a higher probability that you will remain consistent in doing it. Second, set realistic goals. Start by creating a program that is manageable with your lifestyle and commitments so you can stay on track. For instance, committing to a training program five days a week when realistically you can only do three days could lead to missed workouts or runs and could eventually lead to you completely failing to complete your program. Set a realistic goal, achieve it consistently and then set new goals to continue to challenge yourself.”

What are some of your favourite pieces from the fall/winter On collection?

“I am a big fan of the Movement collection, specifically the Bra, the Crew and the Tights Short. I find them to be not only extremely flattering but also incredibly well designed and functional; everything has a purpose. I was most excited about the Challenger Jacket—this piece is new for me, and it’s the perfect jacket for the colder months. The Grape colourway is a fun pop of colour for my wardrobe as well. In terms of footwear, I’m a former tennis player, so something about the Roger collection always excites me, but for daily wear, I am completely hooked on the Cloudnova; it’s the perfect shoe for school drop-offs, errands or my walk to the gym. For running and HIIT workouts, I’ll always be team Cloudmonster—the bounce on this shoe is unbeatable.”

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