Member Spotlight - Monika Chase

1: Tell us something about you that we absolutely don’t know about?

I used to be quite the athlete! I was a provincial level gymnast through elementary and high school, and then enjoyed being part of the Gymnastics Club at McMaster when I went to university in a more relaxed environment. While I may have lost most of my strength and skills, I can still walk on my hands! 

2: What is your favourite travel destination?

While I don’t consider myself much of a traveler, I must say that my favourite destination has to be Italy, specifically the Tuscany region. I am an avid wine-o, so I loved visiting the wineries and indulging in the best authentic Italian dishes. Oh, and I got engaged there too! I may be a touch bias. 

3: What superpower do you wish you had?

Flying! There are so many other superpowers that would be fun for a day, like mind-reading, but I think it would be too much power. 

4: What was your first job?

I was a gymnastics coach at the gym I trained at growing up. I basically lived in that gym! 

5: What advice would you give to your high school self?

I think similarly to many others, I would tell my high school self that “it’s not that serious”. The world opens up after high school, and the little problems you are worried about now, won’t matter. And same goes for my present-day self. Sometimes we get so caught up in the little stresses of life – take a step back, re-evaluate, and breathe.