Varsity Athletics | 5/28/2026 11:00:00 AM
The Lion spirit isn't defined by athletic achievement alone.
For many their spirit is drawn from and shared through their ability to build community, their philanthropic approach and the commitment to elevating York and Athletics & Recreation (A&R) overall.
Lily Padovan has embodied these values throughout her time as a York University student, a graduate in the school's Kinesiology & Health Science program and has completed the first of her two years in the Bachelor of Education (BEd) program. A native of nearby Brampton, Ont, Padovan first found her love for health and wellness during her time in high school at St. Marguerite D'Youville Secondary School.
After graduating during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, she hired a personal trainer to begin working on her fitness, a decision that has changed the course of her life.
"I absolutely fell in love with it," she said. "After starting at York, I worked in retail and (knew it wasn't for me), and someone told me I should apply to work in the gym. So I gave it a try. I applied as a fitness attendant, and I remember being at work and getting the notification that I got the job."
That was early in her third year of her undergraduate degree and in the years since, Padovan has taken on a variety of roles in A&R on the Fitness & Lifestyles team, including that first one as a fitness attendant at the Tait Mckenzie Centre. Since then, she has also become a graduate of the World Instructor Training School (WITS) personal training program, offered through the university, and has gone on to work as a group fitness instructor at F45 gymnasium. In her final year of her undergraduate degree, she returned to York to gain further experience in personal training and as a group fitness instructor. After excelling in those fields, she was selected for a part-time staff position as a fitness and lifestyle assistant, which has allowed her to expand her admin, sport counselling and event planning skills, including a York Federation of Students (YFS) food drive.
Padovan was drawn to York's kinesiology program for its innovative efforts towards education in physical activity, including swimming, track and field and weightlifting.
"I used to joke with my family that my degree is basically teaching me how to live to 100," she recalled. "You're learning how to be the best, strongest, healthiest version of yourself."
Showing her academic versatility, Padovan also applauded the personal and hands-on nature of B.Ed program at York. Through her first year, she has nothing but positive reviews for the program.
"Going from a lecture where you probably wouldn't even look at the person beside you to a room where it's just basically 30 versions of you is so much fun," Padovan said. "I love how one-on-one (the program) is, and how intimate it is with the professor."
"(First year) was absolutely incredible," Padovan shared. "It really just confirmed that I'm on the path to the right career choice, and it feels so good knowing that this is what I was meant to do with the skills I have."
Perhaps her most important project to date, however, has come outside the classroom in honour of her late mother, Caterina, who succumbed to lung cancer in 2025. The 23-year-old soon-to-be high school teacher wanted to do something to honour her mother's legacy, and through that desire was born Stronger Than Cancer, which supports the Princess Margaret Foundation.
The powerlifting event, which takes place on Saturday June 6, invites registrants to the Tait McKenzie fitness centre for the chance to hit a new personal record all while having fun and supporting an important cause.
The name of the event holds a significant double meaning for Padovan, who says those who are fighting – and have beaten – the disease display their immense strength every single day.
"We're coming in that day to lift some weights," she said. "We're stronger than cancer – I'd love to see some cancer cells lift some weights."
"We have survivors joining us, (and) every single day that passes, they are stronger than the cancer they have. They're beating it every day," she said.
Padovan, who is also participating in the Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer June 13-14, hopes that the event can be a supportive and inspiring space for those struggling with the disease, and is hopeful that a disease which affects nearly everyone in some way, shape or form is a thing of the past.
"My hope is that some day we live in a world where cancer can be something that can be treated, and not something that is a death sentence for someone."
To incoming York students, Padovan advises them to make the most of their student experience through the various extracurricular activities the school offers.
"Get involved," she said. "If I didn't apply to work here, I wouldn't have met so many amazing people, I wouldn't have the social skills, maybe I wouldn't be a personal trainer, and I maybe wouldn't have had the perspective of where I wanted my career to go.
"Whether you work at the Starbucks, in A&R, or the bookstore, you're going to meet like-minded people, and it will boost your schooling experience. (Since becoming involved), it's been night and day from first and second year to (now)."
Padovan's parting words: simple, yet profound.
"I've tried to leave my legacy; always try and leave a legacy wherever you go."
Padovan certainly has, and has made York a better place for it.
Those interested in registering for or donating to the Stronger than Cancer fundraiser can follow this link.
Get involved today! Find more information on A&R's programs and employment opportunities at yorkulions.ca and yorkulions.ca/employment.
