Heroes in Our Midst

Episode 3 of Season 2 of “Heroes in our Midst” takes us into the world of medicine. Today’s story is special, not only because of his extraordinary accomplishments but because of the incredible human that is behind it. We thought it would be especially fitting to share today’s story with you in that our Manitoba medical system is being stretched beyond its limits right now. Most of us have no idea what it looks like on the inside of all of that. We thank our front-line medical workers but we can’t really even imagine how hard it’s been. We hear stories but we also have no idea what or who to believe. So, instead of listening to others telling their stories, we thought we’d just talk to one of our incredible Manitoba doctors himself, Dr. Faisal Siddiqui. Faisal was part of Dr. Cal Botterill’s first High-Performance Physician curriculum and you will hear the impact of that as he shares his story.

Presently, Faisal is an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba in the Departments of Anesthesia and Medicine in the Section of Critical Care. He is also the Medical Director for the Surgical ICU at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre. So, if anyone has seen the effect COVID has had on our medical system it’s him. I couldn’t be more grateful that he was willing to sit down with me via Zoom and show us all, the human side of those who truly are our present-day heroes. Of course, the best way to get to know anyone is to hear their story and that’s where I started my conversation with him. Get a tissue.

Troy Scott’s story is SO relevant to the times we are living in. Troy has worked as a teacher and a Vice-Principal in Manitoba’s education system for 20 years and now, is the principal at Oak Park High School in Winnipeg. It’s his first year as principal at Oak Park and it is COVID. Troy is also very closely connected to one of our Season 1 heroes, he’s married to Canadian National Team Diving coach, Dallas Ludwick (Episode 28)… turns out she’s had quite the impact on him and he talks about that in our conversation.

I chatted with Troy in January of 2021, over Zoom of course, and fittingly, I caught up to him in his office… where it all happens. Now, even by the time we dropped this episode, restrictions had changed, and most likely they have already changed again, but you know, even in Pre-Covid times I would say that teaching is one of the noblest of professions. Troy is certainly a “hero in our midst” and represents a lot of people in a similar position who are in the education system in these incredibly tough times. And somehow, they are still finding a way to teach our children but even more importantly – to truly connect with them when they need it the most.

Learn what it’s really like for those in our schools every single day. Hear what it takes to lead a team of teachers through a year like we’ve never experienced before and be inspired by Troy Scott’s unending passion to make an impact on the young people in his care.

Midfielder Desiree Scott’s motto in life is “if you love what you’re doing and you’re willing to work, the sky is the limit.”

Known as “The Destroyer,” to many on the pitch, Scott’s work ethic has propelled her to stardom over the years. A Manitoba grown athlete, she chose to stay home for university, helping the newly-formed U of M soccer team to its best-ever record in 2007 while being named a conference all-star four times.

In 2010, Scott debuted for Team Canada’s senior national team. Just two years later, she helped the squad win a bronze medal at the Olympics, repeating the feat four years later.

Throughout the process, she stayed level, focusing on visualization and doing the little things right to succeed.

“I visualize myself making the first big tackle and connecting with my passes. Just the simple things. My game is very simple. If I do the little things well, the rest will come.”

Scott continues to show out for the middle province to this day. She’s helping develop the next generation of student athletes as the Director of Soccer Operations for Pro Prep Academy, a role she has immense pride in.

“To lay my hand on the soccer landscape is a no-brainer. To do it with like-minded people, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity.”

Winnipeg Blue Bomber Head Coach Mike O’Shea kicks off Season 2 of “Heroes in our Midst” but not only because he was a standout football player, as is proven by the fact that he played for 16 seasons and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Yes, he was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 1999 and he knows what winning the Grey Cup is all about it. He’s done it as a player – 3 times, as a Special Teams Coordinator AND as a head coach! But to us, he is more of a hero because he is a TEAM guy through and through. He’s not afraid to make the tough decisions,  he is a true leader and he’s human along with the incredible athletes he coaches. You will hear that in his story.

We hope you enjoy the story of Mike O’Shea from the inside out. A guy we all consider OUR coach and a hero in our midst.

Ryan Karhut has been involved in football, either as a player or coach, for over 30 years. An offensive lineman in his playing days, he was a three-year starter for the Manitoba Bisons, and a captain when they won their first Vanier Cup in close to 40 years in 2007.

When he was in high school, he started his coaching career at the peewee level, which taught him a tonne about the game. Currently the OL coach and special teams coordinator for the Bisons, Karhut has been a mentor at all levels, and in a variety of positions. He’s in constant communication with his athletes, and is one of the most “in the know” coaches when it comes to player wellbeing, which is particularly important during COVID.

Join Michelle and Adrienne as they re-cap Season 1 with Ace Burpee.  The tables get turned and Ace Burpee helps them reflect on where they started, what they learned and what impacted them most from listening to these amazing heroes.

Riley Harrison was recruited to play receiver for the Manitoba Bisons beginning in 2014. A self-described “humble and hard-working guy,” he played for his teammates and enjoyed every second of his journey. He had his breakout season in 2016, recording 535 yards – good for seventh in the conference – from the slotback position.

Entering the 2020 season, Harrison had 1,199 career receiving yards, placing him just outside the top ten in program history. Had there been a season, he would’ve had the chance to break the program record of 2,092 while also setting himself up in a better position to get drafted.

That didn’t happen. The COVID-19 pandemic derailed the season, and Harrison’s career was cut short right at its peak, as he was preparing for the CFL Draft.

“COVID shut everything down, and along with it my shot at the  CFL,” said Harrison.

“After that, I went to work as a painter for a company. I started hating it and didn’t enjoy going to work. I realized I needed to make a change. I took a gamble and quit my job to start my own company. In doing so, I fell back in love with painting and found a new passion as an entrepreneur.”

Harrison started doing gigs last March, so he’s coming up on one year of successfully running a business (Prodigy Paint and Design). He is passionate about sharing his experiences as an entrepreneur with others, and how his time with the Bisons has helped him succeed.

In episode four, Michelle Sawatzky-Koop, host of the Heroes in our Midst podcast and 1996 Olympian, sits down with Sturgeon Heights teacher and coach Eric Vincent to discuss resources.

Eric has dedicated his life to being a servant leader. For the past 15 years, he’s coached anywhere between one to eight sports teams a year, lending his tutelage as a former Winnipeg Rifle and Manitoba Bisons football player. He preaches communication, reminding his players that it’s okay to ask for help.

Eric embraces being a life-long learner. As a teacher, he’s helped many student-athletes see their value beyond the field. His message is that we’re all human, and each one of us has something special to bring to the table.

In episode three, Michelle Sawatzky-Koop, host of the heroes in our midst podcast and 1996 Olympian, sits down the Bisons football players Des Catellier and AK Gassama to discuss resiliency.

The fifth-year Catellier has been the team’s starting quarterback since midway through his second season. One of the hardest-working players in program history, he endured a partially torn MCL and a few losing seasons early on, but continued to get better every day. His work ethic and attitude motivate those around him, and that hasn’t changed during COVID.

Both on and off the field, AK Gassama has dedicated his life to getting one percent better every day. He knows all about resiliency, as his family moved from warn torn Sierra Leone to Gambia, and eventually Canada as refugees. As an athlete, he’s a student of the game, and that didn’t change when he tore his ACL early into his university career. His consistency and dedication in training paid off when he returned to the field in 2019, and he has a bright future ahead.

In episode two, Michelle Sawatzky-Koop sits down with Jeffrey Bannon and Sean Oleksewycz, two pillars in the Manitoba football community.

Sean has coached and played at all levels of amateur football in the province. Currently the assistant defensive backs coach for the Manitoba Bisons, he’s known as a player’s coach and strives to help his players get a little bit better every day.

Currently the commissioner of the Winnipeg High School Football League, Jeffrey has been a coach, general manager and administrator of football in the province. While he didn’t grow up playing the game, he’s dedicated his life to learning the x’s and o’s and values the relationships, friendships and opportunities that the sport creates.

Both Jeffrey and Sean have been on the frontlines of sport during COVID-19. Their unwavering positivity, and emphasis on controlling what you can control has been a guiding light during difficult times.