Ophea is excited to launch Gym Shorts, a new podcast exploring the powerful, personal stories behind early experiences with Health and Physical Education (H&PE). Research shows that childhood memories of gym class can shape attitudes toward physical activity well into adulthood (CBC News, 2018). Gym Shorts gives voice to those experiences, highlighting real stories from diverse perspectives with the goal of shifting mindsets, challenging outdated practices, and inspiring positive change in schools, at a time when educators are increasingly focused on student belonging and creating inclusive environments.
The first three episodes are now available, with five subsequent episodes in Season One to be released weekly every Tuesday morning. Gym Shorts can be found on all major podcast listening platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Reimagining the term “Gym Class” through Sharing Experiences and Insights
In developing the podcast, the title Gym Shorts was chosen, and the term “gym class” was used in some of the communications to encourage reflection and conversation. Tapping into memories and emotions about Health and Physical Education (H&PE) - whether positive, negative, or anywhere in between - is a powerful starting point for sharing experiences and exploring the lifelong impact that H&PE can have beyond the gym.
“Gym class” in the context of the podcast refers not only to the setting of a gymnasium; it also motivates questioning, disruption, and re-defining the term within the education sector, encouraging the community to take back the term “gym class” and infuse it with new meaning.
The hope is that Gym Shorts will feel accessible and relevant, not only to H&PE educators, but to parents, caregivers, and the broader community. With familiar, inclusive language, more people will be able to see themselves in this conversation and know that Gym Shorts is for everyone.
Fostering Belonging
In each episode, guests share childhood fitness experiences ranging from joyful to uncomfortable, guided by hosts and Ophea staff, Tammy Shubat and Andrea Haefele as they address barriers and challenges in H&PE while also exploring how physical activity can be a vehicle for inclusion and lifelong well-being.
“In Health & Physical Education, young people are learning far more than skills — they’re learning whether they belong in these spaces. The environment we create, the language we choose, and the way we structure activities all send a message: you are welcome here — or you are not. These messages shape confidence, identity, and a young person’s lifelong relationship with movement. When we intentionally design inclusive, affirming spaces, we don’t just build skills — we build belonging. And belonging is what turns movement into a lifelong connection to well-being.”
Andrea Haefele, Gym Shorts co-host and Curriculum Consultant at Ophea
The Lifelong Impact of Health and Physical Education
Research reinforces the anecdotal connections explored in Gym Shorts. A study in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine found that positive memories of Physical Education are linked to healthier attitudes toward physical activity and lower sedentary behaviour in adulthood. (Kwan et al., 2018) Yet for many students, gym class was not a welcoming space: 34% reported feeling embarrassed, 17% experienced bullying, and 7% said their best memory was either skipping the class or finally being finished with it.
With more than half of Canadian youth and adults currently not meeting recommended physical activity levels according to ParticipACTION’s 2024 and 2025 Report Cards (ParticipACTION reports, 2024, 2025) these findings highlight the importance of fostering positive, inclusive experiences with movement early in life.
But numbers can’t tell the whole story – that’s where Gym Shorts comes in. Ophea’s first podcast uses storytelling to bridge research, policy, and practice. Drawing on over 100 years of experience advancing healthy, inclusive schools across Ontario, Ophea brings together the voices of students, educators, and specialists to reshape how we think about H&PE and inspire positive change.
Creating Change
“I hope Gym Shorts creates a relatable entry point for our listeners. I'm hoping that through the stories our guests are sharing, our listeners will remember their own experiences, and the possibilities that may exist to shape and influence movement places and spaces for young people today. Whether they are educators, administrators, parents, caregivers, and/or coaches, I want our listeners to know that what they do (or don't do) deeply shapes the experiences and choices young people make, for a lifetime.”
Tammy Shubat, Gym Shorts co-host and Chief Strategy Officer at Ophea
By sharing the stories behind physical education experiences, Gym Shorts turns research and lived experience into action, encouraging listeners to create inclusive, empowering spaces for all students. Reimagine what “gym class” can and should be by tuning in to new episodes every Tuesday on your favourite podcast platform.
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