Journeys of Success

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What do you do when everything you've spent years building is suddenly at risk?

In Part 2 of our conversation with Bruce Elwood, founder of Kelowna Gymnastix and Ninja Fitness Academy, we dive into the challenges, risks, and mindset that helped him navigate one of the most uncertain periods in modern business history.

When Covid shut down programs and revenue disappeared, Bruce faced the reality of continuing to pay rent while watching years of hard work hang in the balance. But what looked like a crisis eventually became an unexpected opportunity, leading to expansion, new programs, and growth that few could have predicted.

Bruce shares lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, resilience, physical literacy, and why he believes too many people today are afraid to take on difficult challenges. He also reflects on the coaches who shaped his life, the importance of celebrating real achievement, and what success truly means after decades of impacting thousands of young athletes.

Learn more about Kelowna Gymnastix at https://kelownagymnastix.ca/

Follow them at https://www.instagram.com/kelowna_gymnastix

Subscribe and join us on the journey.

#Entrepreneurship #Gymnastics #SuccessStory #Kelowna #BusinessLessons #PhysicalLiteracy #YouthDevelopment #JourneyOfSuccess #podcast #success #journey

Three filmmakers and friends came together to bring you this podcast:

Shri Ananda – Host & Producer

Ivan Gorbenko – Filming, Editing, Color Grade, & Producer

Adam Meachem – Filming, Editing, Sound Mix, Music, & Producer

If you would like to sponsor the program or if you have a film project that you would like us to support you in, please contact us at [email protected]

Support us in creating more stories like this: https://ko-fi.com/journeysofsuccesspodcast

Bruce Elwood never planned to build one of British Columbia's most successful gymnastics organizations.

What started with a chance invitation from a high school math teacher led Bruce on a journey from competitive gymnastics and university scholarships to entrepreneurship, business setbacks, and ultimately creating Kelowna Gymnastix and Ninja Fitness Academy.

In Part 1 of this conversation, Bruce shares how a passion for movement turned into a thriving business, the risks he took as a young entrepreneur, and the painful lessons learned after investing in a major recreation facility that opened at twice the projected budget just before the 2008 economic downturn.

More importantly, Bruce reveals the mission that continues to drive him today: helping children develop physical confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of movement in an increasingly sedentary world.

Learn more about Kelowna Gymnastix at https://kelownagymnastix.ca/

Follow them at https://www.instagram.com/kelowna_gymnastix

Subscribe and join us on the journey.

#Entrepreneurship #Gymnastics #SuccessStory #Kelowna #BusinessLessons #PhysicalLiteracy #YouthDevelopment #JourneyOfSuccess #podcast #success #journey

Three filmmakers and friends came together to bring you this podcast:

Shri Ananda – Host & Producer

Ivan Gorbenko – Filming, Editing, Color Grade, & Producer

Adam Meachem – Filming, Editing, Sound Mix, Music, & Producer

If you would like to sponsor the program or if you have a film project that you would like us to support you in, please contact us at [email protected]

Support us in creating more stories like this: https://ko-fi.com/journeysofsuccesspodcast

What does it really take to build something from nothing?

In Part 2 of our conversation with Brandi Haaf, owner of Empire Crepe, we dive deeper into the realities of entrepreneurship—the pressure, the uncertainty, the failures, and the lessons that come from betting on yourself.

Brandi shares the challenges of carrying the weight of a business, the importance of building the right team, the mentors who shaped her journey, and why success often comes down to having the courage to start before you're ready.

This episode is an honest look at resilience, leadership, creativity, and what it takes to turn an idea into a thriving business.

Learn more about Empire Crepe at https://empirecrepe.ca/

Follow them at https://www.instagram.com/empirecrepe

Subscribe and join us on the journey. #podcast #success #journey

Three filmmakers and friends came together to bring you this podcast:

Shri Ananda – Host & Producer

Ivan Gorbenko – Filming, Editing, Color Grade, & Producer

Adam Meachem – Filming, Editing, Sound Mix, Music, & Producer

If you would like to sponsor the program or if you have a film project that you would like us to support you in, please contact us at [email protected]

Support us in creating more stories like this: https://ko-fi.com/journeysofsuccesspodcast

In Part 1 of this episode of Journeys of Success, we sit down with Brandi Haaf, owner and chef of Empire Crepe in Kelowna. Brandi shares her journey from leaving the corporate world to launching her own food business, building one of the city’s highest-rated breakfast destinations, and creating a workplace culture rooted in community, connection, and authenticity.

This conversation goes far beyond business. Brandi opens up about entrepreneurship, resilience, personal loss, and the importance of creating spaces where people genuinely feel cared for. An honest and inspiring discussion about what success truly means behind the scenes.

Learn more about Empire Crepe at https://empirecrepe.ca/

Follow them at https://www.instagram.com/empirecrepe

Subscribe and join us on the journey. #podcast #success #journey

Three filmmakers and friends came together to bring you this podcast:

Shri Ananda – Host & Producer

Ivan Gorbenko – Filming, Editing, Color Grade, & Producer

Adam Meachem – Filming, Editing, Sound Mix, Music, & Producer

If you would like to sponsor the program or if you have a film project that you would like us to support you in, please contact us at [email protected]

Support us in creating more stories like this: https://ko-fi.com/journeysofsuccesspodcast

In Part 2 of Journeys of Success, we go deeper with Crystal Russell into the people and moments that shape success.

What happens when success stops being about money and starts becoming about people and the planet? A powerful conversation about presence, mindfulness, and mentors.

Crystal Russell is the Owner of Chaibaba Tea in Kelowna, BC. Her journey into entrepreneurship was shaped by personal experiences that taught her the importance of living and working authentically. Chaibaba is where she has cultivated a heart-centered business rooted in community, nature, and the simple ritual of tea

Learn more about Chaibaba at https://chaibabatea.ca/

Follow them at https://www.instagram.com/chaibaba_kelowna/

Subscribe and join us on the journey. #podcast #success #journey

Three filmmakers and friends came together to bring you this podcast:

Shri Ananda – Host & Producer

Ivan Gorbenko – Filming, Editing, Color Grade, & Producer

Adam Meachem – Filming, Editing, Sound Mix, Music, & Producer

If you would like to sponsor the program or if you have a film project that you would like us to support you in, please contact us at [email protected]

Support us in creating more stories like this: https://ko-fi.com/journeysofsuccesspodcast

Watch this episode on our YouTube Channel at: https://youtu.be/ZM7lbEeZvLo?si=FD28euWtBf-XIFtd

What happens when success stops being about money and starts becoming about people, purpose, and connection? In this episode, we explore the journey of a business owner who followed instinct, overcame limiting beliefs, and built something meaningful in the heart of Kelowna. A powerful conversation about leadership, courage, and the inner side of entrepreneurship.

Crystal Russell is the Owner of Chaibaba Tea in Kelowna, BC. Her journey into entrepreneurship was shaped by personal experiences that taught her the importance of living and working authentically. Chaibaba is where she has cultivated a heart-centered business rooted in community, nature, and the simple ritual of tea

Learn more about Chaibaba at https://chaibabatea.ca/

Follow them at https://www.instagram.com/chaibaba_kelowna/

Subscribe and join us on the journey. #podcast #success #journey

Three filmmakers and friends came together to bring you this podcast:

Shri Ananda – Host & Producer

Ivan Gorbenko – Filming, Editing, Color Grade, & Producer

Adam Meachem – Filming, Editing, Sound Mix, Music, & Producer

If you would like to sponsor the program or if you have a film project that you would like us to support you in, please contact us at [email protected]

Support us in creating more stories like this: https://ko-fi.com/journeysofsuccesspodcast

In Part 2 of Journeys of Success, we go deeper with Marco Kacic into the people and moments that shape success.

This conversation explores the mentors who guided Marco’s path, how he now mentors others, the hardest obstacles he has faced, and where he sees his next level of growth.

Learn more about Marco at https://www.edxracing.com/our-management

Follow him at https://www.instagram.com/edx_racing/

Subscribe and join us on the journey. #podcast #success #journey

Three filmmakers and friends came together to bring you this podcast:

Shri Ananda – Host & Producer

Ivan Gorbenko – Filming, Editing, Color Grade, & Producer

Adam Meachem – Filming, Editing, Sound Mix, Music, & Producer

If you would like to nominate someone as a guest for the program or if you have a film project that you would like us to support you in, please contact us at [email protected]

Support us in creating more stories like this: https://ko-fi.com/journeysofsuccesspo...

What does success look like beyond winning?

In Episode 1 of Journeys of Success, we sit down with Marco Kacic, professional racer, coach, and Managing Director at EDX. From starting behind the wheel at age five to competing in F4, F3 and LMP3 — and now leading high-performance teams — Marco’s journey goes far beyond racing.

We go deeper into the human side of success: resilience, leadership, support through hard times, and what success really means beyond titles and podiums.

This is a conversation about ambition, pressure, purpose — and the inner journey behind achievement. Learn more about Marco at https://www.edxracing.com/our-management Follow him at / edx_racing

Subscribe and join us on the journey. #podcast #success #journey

Three filmmakers and friends came together to bring you this podcast:

Shri Ananda – Host & Producer

Ivan Gorbenko – Filming, Editing, Color Grade, & Producer

Adam Meachem – Filming, Editing, Sound Mix, Music, & Producer

If you would like to nominate someone as a guest for the program or if you have a film project that you would like us to support you in, please contact us at [email protected]