Words Jesse Holth
Photo Sarah Hartley Photography
Christie Hall is a local resident who has redefined herself in middle age – we chatted about the Highland Games, following your dreams and refusing to let fear stop you.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
I’ve lived, worked, volunteered and raised my family in Sidney since 2002. My degree is in Communications, but I’ve had a great career in aviation, landing in the quality and safety end of the industry. My husband is also in aviation, so that’s been an important part of our life together. Recently though, with our kids getting older and recognizing how quickly life moves, I’m focused on what I still want to achieve in life.
You describe yourself as an empty nester – how have you adjusted to this new phase of your life?
After parenting full-on for many years, I’m super proud of my boys and their ability to launch into the adult world. Redefining what relationships look like when we’re not as involved in their lives can be hard for parents. But the extra time and space of empty nesting is an opportunity to focus on the next decades, and to be intentional in how we move forward.
You’ve been invited to the Highland Games Heavy Events Masters World Championship in the Netherlands this September. Congratulations! How does this international competition work?
A few years ago, needing some goals to keep me motivated at the gym, I signed up for a Highland Games heavy events novice clinic and was immediately hooked.
After avoiding competitive sports my entire life, I’m now in my third season as a heavy events athlete. I’ve competed in local B.C. games, and the first Canadian Women’s Masters National Championship in Moncton, NB, last summer.
The 2026 Masters World Championship (for athletes over 40) is hosted by the village of Driewegen in the Netherlands. Roughly 200 athletes will compete, based on results from the previous year. This competition includes a lightweight category, and that’s how my invite came about. Size is definitely an advantage in the heavy events. I’m smaller than the average competitor, but I’m excited to compete with other lightweight athletes, and I’m honoured to represent Canada at the Master’s World Championship.
What is the origin and history behind the Highland Games? How did they get started?
It’s generally understood that the earliest Highland Games involved feats of strength and skill, and possible competition between clans. Modern highland games developed in the 19th century, following the Jacobite rebellions. Scottish settlers brought those traditions with them to North America.
Although many Highland Games athletes have Scottish heritage, it’s not a requirement. I have Scottish ancestry, but my current competition kilt, the “Irish Revenge” tartan, honours my Somerville ancestors who came to Canada in the early 1800s from Northern Ireland.
The Highland Games consists of nine different events. What exactly are they?
Braemar Stone, Open Stone, Heavy and Light Weight for Distance, Heavy and Light Hammers, Weight for Height, Sheaf Toss (which you won’t find in Scotland but it’s been incorporated into many North American games) and the Caber Toss, always a crowd favourite.
Athletes participate in all events and are scored on a decathlon-type points system.
Women couldn’t compete in the Highland Games until the 1990s, but you said the sport is extremely welcoming for women now. Can you explain?
Historically, women were limited to the frying pan and rolling pin toss events. The first women competing in the heavy events threw the men’s weights (up to 56 pounds).
The number of women in the sport continues to grow. Out of the 15 Canadians attending the Master’s World Championship this year, 12 of them are women.
Women are no longer afraid to lift heavy and push the limits of what we can do physically. It’s very empowering. The Highland Games community absolutely supports that.
Reinventing ourselves in middle age can be daunting – what is your advice to people who are in this stage of life?
Stay curious. Say yes. Don’t let fear stop you. Surround yourself with people who support your wild dreams. My husband is the biggest cheerleader of my efforts. And I love hearing my kids cheer from the sidelines when I compete.
You said it’s easy for people to coast through life – go to work, come home, go to work and so on. How can we learn to break out of our comfort zone and try something new?
We have to be intentional. If we look at where we want to be at the end of the year, or in five or 10 years, we need to take steps every day to ensure we get there. There are many small achievable goals on the way to big dreams.
I’ll be 50 next year and I’m stronger, healthier and happier than ever. None of that is accidental. Having goals keeps me on track.
Last year, you went back to school for screenwriting – what made you decide to take that leap?
When I was in second grade, I decided to be a writer. A couple years ago I started developing a script, but needed to learn more about that particular craft and the business of screenwriting if I wanted to be successful. The Toronto Film School offers a two-year online program in Writing for Film and Television. I’m nearly halfway through the program, currently working on two feature-length scripts, and I have a short film script entered in some festivals. It’s a huge commitment on top of full-time work, but I’m fulfilling the promise I made to my seven-year-old self.
You said it’s important to remember that we don’t need to be good at something the first time we try it – how can we learn to accept not being perfect?
It takes courage to be embarrassingly terrible, whether that’s submitting a script or turning a caber, or something else entirely. If we only do the things we’re good at, we miss out on so much.
Years ago, if someone had told me I’d be competing internationally in the Highland Games, and pursuing a second career as a screenwriter, I would have laughed. But here we are.
Those wild opportunities are out there for everyone.
Do what you love, do it unapologetically and do it with your whole heart.
