Day 20 Living Abroad: Becoming a Sweat and Tonic Baddie and Navigating Toronto's Dating Scene

Tuesday rolled around, and you know what that means—I’m officially a Sweat and Tonic baddie. This time, I decided to challenge myself with a HOT HIIT Pilates class. Let me tell you, I was about to get a wake-up call like no other. When I signed up, I knew it would be warm, but stepping into that Hot Pilates studio felt like walking into an oven. The heat hit me like a ton of bricks, and I almost turned right back around. But then I thought, “Morgan, this is it. This is the moment to push past your comfort zone, to grow, and to learn.” So, I stayed.

At first, I thought I’d never adjust to the heat. It was intense! But once I found my rhythm, it wasn’t just the temperature that challenged me—the Pilates moves combined with cardio had me reconsidering my life choices. There were moments I wanted to strip off every piece of clothing, but I kept pushing for the plot. And let me tell you, I barely made it through, but I did it. The instructor was a gem, so encouraging and fun. We clicked instantly, and I made sure to tell her I wasn’t messing around with her today! But despite how hard that class was, I know I’ll be back for more. I mean, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?

After class, I rewarded myself with another smoothie and avocado toast because, honey, I needed to refuel. This time, I went to a different Sweat and Tonic location, which was conveniently located right across the street from Eaton Centre, a big mall here in Toronto. I decided to pop into H&M because, you know, I needed more workout gear to keep up with my new baddie lifestyle.

It was a quick shopping trip because I had to rush back to the hotel to get ready for the day. I had a Zoom meeting with my PR team and a potential magazine interview lined up, so I couldn’t be late. The rest of the day was spent catching up on work because, you know, the grind never stops.

Now, about my evening—remember when I said I wasn’t going to count Toronto men out just yet? Well, I decided to accept an invitation for drinks at Joey’s, a chill, American-style restaurant located in an outdoor mall I hadn’t visited before. I thought about going early to check out the stores, but after doing a quick online search, I realized there wasn’t much worth getting there early for. Still, the mall itself was super cute, perfect for a little evening stroll.

I arrived at Joey’s before my date, and to be honest, I was a little anxious. I’d only seen a couple of photos of him on Bumble, and the last thing I wanted was to get catfished. But when he showed up, I was pleasantly surprised. Toronto definitely has its share of fine men—even if that’s the best they’ve got going for them.

The vibe was good, but I couldn’t help but notice him eyeing me like a piece of prime rib. Now, I get it—I mean, I’m a whole snack—but where’s the depth, the substance? Of course, he said he wanted to see me again, but we all know how that goes. I’m all about actions over words.

After our drinks, I headed back to the Canopy, thinking to myself, “Do you think I’ll see this man again?” Honestly, who knows? But one thing’s for sure—I’m loving this journey in Toronto, challenges, surprises, and all.
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Stay tuned for more adventures!