From Heart to Finish with Billie & Zac
Supporting the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation
Billie and Zac have joined forces to raise funds and awareness for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation. Billie recently underwent life-saving heart surgery, and Zac is a coach, athlete, and community leader whose transformation began with the Heart Institute's Smoking Cessation Program.
Together, through From Heart to Finish, we are dedicating the remainder of 2025 to raising funds that will support world-class cardiovascular care, research, and programs at the Heart Institute.
This fall and winter, Zac will run the Canada Army Run, the Québec City Marathon, the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and the Honolulu Marathon. We invite you to support this effort by donating or sponsoring From Heart to Finish so that every mile can help strengthen the future of heart health.
My Story - Billie
On July 17, 2025, I underwent life-saving heart surgery to repair a 2.5 cm hole in my heart and my mitral valve.
I was born with a congenital heart defect called an atrial septal defect. These defects are usually detected at birth or in early childhood, but mine went unnoticed until October 2024 when routine scans for something unrelated revealed the condition. Without surgery, I likely would have faced a serious cardiac event before the age of forty.
Thanks to advances in medical technology, I was able to avoid a sternotomy and instead undergo minimally invasive robotic surgery. Although the procedure was described as minimally invasive, it was anything but. My heart had to be stopped for longer than expected and I needed two blood transfusions. I spent one week in the hospital, including three days in the ICU.
It was the scariest experience of my life. Recovery was long and difficult, and what made it even harder was the isolation. Most people who undergo surgery for congenital heart defects are children, and mitral valve repairs often happen in middle to late adulthood. At 28 years old, I often felt that very few people my age understood what I was going through. At times, the journey felt lonely.
I credit my survival and recovery to my medical team at the Jewish General Hospital as well as the unwavering support of my family, friends, and partner.
What makes my journey even more remarkable is that, years before I knew I had a heart condition, I had already taken part in JUMP In. Three years ago, I signed up alongside my partner's mom and proudly wore the event socks, never realizing how close to home the cause would one day become.
In September, I began raising money in support of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation by participating in JUMP In for Women's Heart Health. I raised more than three thousand dollars and I am more determined than ever to give back.
Now I have joined forces with Zac through our initiative From Heart to Finish to continue raising funds for the Heart Institute for the remainder of 2025. With Zac's coaching, I have also started running for the first time in my life, and for the first time with a healthy heart. Next month, I will also begin attending a patient support group at the Ottawa Heart Institute that was made possible thanks to proceeds raised over the years.
My Story - Zac
In 2023, I made the life-changing decision to quit smoking and step away from the party lifestyle.
A pivotal part of that transformation was completing the University of Ottawa Heart Institute's Smoking Cessation Program, which gave me the tools and support to make a permanent change. I credit the program as the foundation that allowed me to pursue my goals with new energy and purpose.
Within months, I ran my first marathon. Less than a year later, I won the Ottawa Natural Classic in Men's Physique bodybuilding. I continue to run marathons and compete in Men's Physique at the national level.
Today, I am also the founder of Hull Sunday Run Day, a fast-growing run club that brings together more than fifty runners each week in Gatineau to train, connect, and build healthier lives.
Building on my own transformation, I launched Liberty Fitness, an online coaching company that has already changed dozens of people's lives through personalized training, nutrition, and mindset guidance. My mission is to show that with the right tools and support, anyone can take control of their health and write a new story for themselves.
This fall and winter, I am dedicating my marathon season to fundraising for the Heart Institute Foundation as a way of giving back to the place that helped me change my life. My races include the Canada Army Run on September 21, the Québec City Marathon on October 5, the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 19, and the Honolulu Marathon on December 14.
Everything I have achieved since, from every marathon to every competition to every runner I have inspired, began with the decision to quit smoking with the Heart Institute's Smoking Cessation Program. That was the turning point that gave me a new direction.
Our Mission Together
We have joined forces to raise awareness and funds for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation through our initiative From Heart to Finish. Together, our stories highlight resilience through medical innovation and transformation through lifestyle change, coaching, and community leadership.
Our message is simple. Heart health is never something to take for granted.
Partner With Us
We are seeking sponsors and supporters to help us amplify this initiative. Media partners, community leaders, and businesses have a unique opportunity to stand with us and share two powerful local stories of resilience and prevention while directly supporting world-class cardiovascular care and research at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
For more information on how to get involved, please send an email zac@libertyfitness.ca.
