It Takes a Village Podcast

Sheldon Guy shares his journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a resilient coach and community advocate. He discusses the emotional struggle of losing his vision and the pivotal moment that led to a shift in perspective. Despite the adversity, Sheldon remains positive and continues to make a meaningful impact through his foundation, Improve Her Game.

Sheldon's journey and message inspire resilience, motivation, and the importance of seeking help and support. His story emphasizes the impact of personal experiences and the power of sharing them to inspire others. He also highlights the need for advocacy, accessibility, and inclusion, as well as the importance of embracing vulnerability.

#Rogers #BCFerries #AirCanada #Mastercard #TomBrady #CelineDion #TimDuncan #Pivot

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Inspiration
• 01:12 Sheldon Guy's Early Life and Upbringing
• 03:04 Adapting to a New Environment
• 04:21 Finding Solace in Sports
• 06:08 Transition to Coaching and Community Involvement
• 07:36 Loss of Vision and Emotional Struggle
• 09:46 Moment of Crisis and Resilience
• 11:18 Positive Outlook and Community Engagement
• 12:24 Pivotal Moments and Decision-Making
• 16:30 Pivoting and Perseverance
• 19:13 Improve Her Game and Community Impact
• 22:10 Coaching with Visual Impairment
• 24:58 The Power of Adaptation and Adjustment
• 27:08 The Impact of Personal Storytelling
• 29:19 It's Okay Not to Be Okay
• 31:55 Redefining Success and Impact
• 34:30 Vision and Accessibility
• 41:51 The Power of Advocacy and Action

After many podium finishes, Rick Thiessen finally became a provincial champion in 2025 as a coach. He has been coaching at MEI for 32 years and is instrumental in the development of athletics for the province.

Rick was a part of BC School Sports for 7 years and serving as President for 2 of them. He also helped found the Eastern Valley Athletic Association.

Rick is now semi-retired and looking to run for city council for the City of Abbotsford. He hopes to boost economy and improve parks and recreation that are lacking in comparison to municipalities surrounding us.

Author of Grading Smarter, Not Harder, and Giving Students a Say, Myron Dueck challenges the traditional approach to education that past generations experienced.

We explore Myron's upbringing and the moments that changed his focus on education. He recently published an article AI in Schools which has captured the attention of educators across the globe.

Myron has previously held titles as teacher, Vice-Principal, District Principal, and now is on his journey as a educational speaker and consultant.

Farhan Lalji is a long-time journalist and broadcaster for TSN. He is also heavily involved with youth sport whether that is being an advocate across multiple levels or a head coach for high school football.

His experiences has taken him across the globe covering professional athletes and events such as NFL, NBA, NHL, CFL, World Cup, to name a few.

We get into the story of Farhan, his views on success, and how others can get involved. Additionally, we discuss sport as a whole and trends currently impacting society and youth sport.

Savannah Grewal discusses her journey from college golf at Clemson University, where she shattered records, to the LPGA. She placed top 5 in her second LPGA event at Blue Bay. She highlights the support of her family, the sacrifices and barriers she faced, and the mental and emotional aspects of professional golf.

As one could imagine, we get into the time and sacrifice it takes to break through to see success in a very competitive sport. She also reveals some superstition, routines, and life on the road.

Savannah is a young and rising Canadian star with lots of potential. A shout out to Piper's Heath, her home course, where she developed her game at a young age. Lastly, you'll hear some of her long-term goals and hopes for the sport!

Dr. Tsnomot (Brad Baker) is a proud member of the Squamish Nation. He currently works for the Ministry of Education as Senior Advisor for Indigenous Relations and Superintendent of Indigenous Education. He is also a professor at UBC. He held the title of District Principal of Indigenous Education in North Vancouver School District prior to his change to the Ministry.

He is also on the Board for ViaSport BC and Canada Soccer. Additionally, he is a General B Member for the Canadian Olympic Committee. Before he went on a full-ride scholarship to SFU for soccer, he represented the u16 and u17 Canadian national soccer squads.

We explore the state of education for indigenous youth and how the system can provide equitable access to all students. We also discuss his role in sport in the province of BC.

We cover Claire Meadows coaching journey which includes multiple USPORT stops which led to multiple podium finishes including Gold, Silver and Bronze. She also discusses the wild ride into the Olympics coaching the German women's National team. She's been the Head Coach of Queen's University where she was also a player. She was recently named OUA Coach of the Year.

In this episode, we discuss the impact of great mentors, the evolution of coaching, and finding success along the way. Whether you're a fan, a current or past player, a coach, or want to understand leadership, this episode is for you.

Chris Kennedy has 30 years of experience in education and 16 of them as Superintendent of West Vancouver School District. He's been featured in Maclean's Magazine including many provincial and national publications. He also has his own blog called "Culture of Yes".

In this episode, we discuss leadership, technology, and well-being. Whether you're a teacher experiencing burnout, a leader shaping policy, or a praent eager to understand what's next, this episode provides clarity and a call to action: the human connection, embracing change, and advocates for a system that supports every child.

Donnovan Bennett shares his journey from collegiate student-athlete to a successful career in sports media working for The Score, CBC, and Sportsnet.

It hasn't come without its challenges, however. We dive into what success is, those who helped him, and how he is inspiring others.

His identity and experience shapes his storytelling, aiming to connect with audiences. He reflects on work-life balance, favourite and challenging interviews, and hopes to motivate others through his work.

Dr. Shahana Alibhai, a renowned physician, TEDx speaker, and author of Feel Better, reveals how embracing imperfections, udnerstanding your emotions, and fostering connections can lead to reslilient, fulfilled lives.

In this episode, she shares her personal journey from the struggles of undiagnosed mental health conditions, perfectionism, and immigrant pressures to becoming a beacon of authentic self-care. She unveils the hidden signs that show when you're heading for burnout or emotional disconnection, emphasizing mental health is a continuous process of growth.

Whether you're a professional feeling overwhelmed, a parent trying to raise emotionally resilient kids, or someone seeking fulfillment, this episode offers clear, actionable insights.