Forty-seven years of keeping people moving

For Susan Kunstadt, the guiding principle for a healthy body and mind is simple: keep moving. After 47 years of teaching with the City of Ottawa, that philosophy has shaped her career and the community built through her fitness and pottery classes.

Susan’s teaching journey began in 1979 in Montreal. While attending a fitness class at the Pointe-Claire Aquatic Centre, a snowstorm prevented the instructor from arriving. As the group waited, her friend Marianna turned to her and said, “You get up and you teach the class.” That unexpected moment sparked a lifelong career.

Sport has always been part of Susan’s family. Her husband, Peter, was a Czechoslovakian and Canadian ski champion, and their children, Eric and Ronnie, became accomplished alpine skiers, among many other sports. That shared passion eventually led to the creation of Kunstadt Sports, built from a home-based racquet stringing and ski tuning operation.

 Susan continues to lead by example. Last year, she returned to teaching just two weeks after a total knee replacement. 

“I don't preach much about health, but I think I'm a good example that I'm almost 80,” Susan says. “I was an athlete my whole life. I swam competitively, I skied, and did track and field. I jumped like a goat!”

Many participants have stayed with her for decades, following her from fitness classes into pottery at the Nepean Visual Arts Centre. “I slowed down now with fitness because my theory was that I had an Olympic team in front of me,” Susan says. “Now, we maintain what we have, and the pottery is a good balance.”

What brings participants back isn’t just the activity; it’s the sense of community they build over time. Classes become welcoming spaces where people get to know each other on a personal level, sharing milestones, challenges and routines.

After nearly five decades, Susan Kunstadt’s impact is measured not just in the classes she’s taught, but in the people and relationships that have grown alongside her. “I hope to stay for another decade,” Susan says.

 For many of Susan’s participants, that sense of connection begins with simply signing up for a class through Register Ottawa and continues for years through programs offered by the City.

Watch Susan Kunstadt’s story

Transcript for the "Forty seven years of keeping people moving" video You have to move. Many didn't exercise before and now the doctor is telling them you have to start moving. I don't preach much about health, but I think I'm a good example that I'm almost 80. But I was an athlete my whole life. I swam competitively, I skied, track and field. The core of the class that are with me, 47 years. It's amazing. I was 32 when I started to teach. I slowed down now with the fitness because, my theory was that I had an Olympic team in front of me. Now, we keep maintaining what we have, and the pottery is a good balance now. Because I come here and I just sit pretty and we create these beautiful things. Susan has a very unique and genuine ability to make each and every person that she meets feel that they're special, that they're heard, and that they're valued. I mean, when you go to even her exercise class, some of these women have been with her for 40 years. I mean, that speaks volumes. And even when you join these groups, it's like you've been their long-lost friend as well. And every you know, she makes you feel very welcome. People do benefit. It's nothing fancy, but everything what we need, we have. So, give what you feel that you can, that somebody can benefit from it. Yeah. Nothing, no secrets. Life is good.