On Canada Day I went and asked people what they thought of Canada

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Andy Perez is a 21-year-old University of Alberta engineering student who is bridging the gap between a massive dream and daily reality at a relentless pace. Recently capturing second place at the Calgary Marathon with an astounding finish of 2:30:16, Andy balances the rigorous academic demands of an engineering degree with elite endurance training, requiring a level of discipline that borders on the extraordinary. Yet, he approaches this monumental grind not with a sense of burden, but with a profound appreciation for the process itself. Driven by the ultimate dream of one day running professionally, Andy is proving that the pursuit of excellence is built on consistency, systems, and a deep-rooted passion for testing the limits of what is possible.

Chasing a dream of this magnitude is not defined by a single, dramatic moment, but by the compounding sum of simple, daily choices. Andy’s routine is a masterclass in behavioral design, starting with a 3:15 AM wake-up call to fit in 20 to 25 kilometers of running before stepping into his engineering internship. For Andy, discipline is fundamentally about choosing the hard right over the easy wrong, whether that means braving brutal winter mornings in Edmonton or leaving social events early to prioritize recovery. When the physical toll peaks, he sustains his drive through vivid visualization, journaling his goals nightly, and drawing on a deep well of gratitude. Having previously faced a 2.5-year injury hiatus where doctors doubted he would ever run at this level again, every grueling mile on the racecourse is reframed as a privilege, serving as a powerful reminder to other young athletes that the first step to chasing a dream is simply to overcome analysis paralysis and begin.

Operating in a high-pressure, elite competitive environment can easily lead to self-doubt, but Andy protects his peace by anchoring himself in self-compassion and unconditional positivity. Rather than falling into the trap of social media comparison, he measures his progress strictly against his 15-year-old self, who could barely run a single kilometer. This deep-seated self-compassion became his lifeline during a critical three-week injury setback just before the Calgary Marathon; instead of panicking, he spent 15 to 20 hours a week on a stationary bike, trusting his body and keeping a positive outlook. For Andy, showing compassion to yourself and others is foundational because endurance sports constantly expose human limits. By keeping a lighthearted perspective, symbolized by a Looney Tunes Road Runner tattoo on his arm, he reminds himself never to take life so seriously that he forgets to have fun, allowing him to extend genuine love, energy, and support to everyone around him.

To sustain this high-level output, Andy treats his body like a high-performance machine, applying a strict "Keep It Simple, Stupid" (KISS) philosophy to his health and longevity. Rather than getting lost in overcomplicated wellness trends and metrics, he focuses heavily on the basic pillars of recovery: consistent sleep and clean, whole-food nutrition packed with quality carbohydrates and proteins. His routine is bolstered by practical recovery tools like the sauna, red light therapy, and consistent strength training to prevent injury. For Andy, physical health is not about obsessive optimization, but rather the essential vehicle that expands his capacity to experience life. He believes a fully lived life is found in meaningful daily connections like sharing a morning coffee and chat with his coworker Terry and in surrounding himself with people he loves. Ultimately, he advises anyone starting a health journey to avoid going from zero to a hundred overnight, and instead focus on consistency, treating health as the foundation for chasing wild dreams and creating lasting memories.

Ultimately Andy's journey demonstrates that elite achievement and deep personal fulfillment do not have to be mutually exclusive.

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I asked women how men treat them. This is what I found out.

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Ekin Leung is University of Alberta engineering student, content creator (MacEwan Monsters) and good friend of mine. Balancing the rigorous demands of an intense engineering degree while building a rapidly growing media presence is no small feat, but today's guest bridges those worlds with a unique blend of analytical discipline and raw, unfiltered creativity. From decoding complex problem-solving in the classroom to building a cultural footprint in Edmonton's digital space, Ekin has managed to turn a simple love for food and performance into a thriving creative outlet. In this episode, we dive into how he navigates the shift between these two distinct subcultures, uses high-energy storytelling to capture authentic community voices, and successfully protects his mental bandwidth from the inevitable threat of burnout.

When it comes to digital content, the constant pressure of shifting algorithms can easily push creators into chasing empty viral trends, but MacEwan Monsters stays grounded by leaning heavily into community and unfiltered authenticity. For Ekin and his friends, filming local food reviews began as a natural, fun way to decompress from heavy engineering study sessions while filling a distinct gap they noticed in Edmonton’s media landscape. Because food is timeless and the local scene is vast with countless hidden gems still left to discover, the team never struggles to find their next idea, relying on their sharp editing and TikTok trend savvy to elevate the production. Crucially, they keep their voice completely genuine by refusing to sugarcoat their opinions; if a dish falls short, they aren't afraid to give it a blatant 2/10, ensuring their audience always gets the absolute, authentic truth.

While professional wrestling and culinary critiques might seem like entirely separate worlds to an outsider, Ekin seamlessly bridges the two through the sheer power of his personal showmanship and magnetic on-screen energy. Though he treats the disciplines as distinct, his vibrant personality is the connective tissue that makes both his food reviews and his work with RDN wrestling incredibly engaging to watch. When mapping out the local food scene like a wrestling roster, heavy hitters like Sushi Toshi, Backyard Smokehouse, and Bento Kuma easily claim the ultimate championship belts, while spots like Holy Shakes play the perfect, overly sweet villains. Most importantly, while traditional wrestling relies on protecting a scripted illusion, Ekin points out that his wrestling is entirely real, allowing him to keep both his physical performances and his culinary critiques completely authentic, genuine, and focused on the long term.

Managing a brutal academic schedule alongside multiple creative ventures requires a masterclass in time management and a refusal to wait for the "perfect moment" to execute ideas. Ekin doesn't just balance engineering and food reviews; his genuine passion for his field even inspired a third content outlet, a YouTube channel dedicated entirely to researching corrosion, where he posted nearly every single day during the final months of school. He maintains his creative momentum by setting a strict boundary to stop studying at 11:00 PM, pivoting immediately to filming before bed, and operating on the rule that creators must simply start now rather than waiting for an open weekend. By scheduling two or three non-negotiable tasks a day, he focuses on getting just one meaningful thing done to stay 1% better every day a relentless drive fueled by proper recovery, utilizing a life-changing CPAP machine to conquer sleep apnea and ensure he recharges fully the moment his head hits the pillow.

Ultimately, Ekin’s journey proves that analytical logic and creative expression don’t have to conflict, they can actually fuel one another when approached with high agency and strict personal discipline.

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Laksh Chopra is a fellow content creator, business student and good friend of mine; he is an entrepreneur who puts himself out there and makes videos on his takes on things, advice he wishes he had earlier and notes to self: Laksh Chopra. In a world full of standard paths and manufactured online personas, Laksh has spent the last two and a half years documenting his personal growth in real time, turning his own learning curves into a blueprint for others. Today, we are diving deep into the exact mindsets and frameworks that drive his execution, from what it truly means to operate with high agency, to the reality of building a business reputation that lasts, and how he filters major life choices when caught between competing opportunities.

When you run into a massive wall in life, having high agency means recognizing that turning back simply isn't an option because on the other side of that barrier is a great story to tell. While stubborn persistence often looks like aggressively nagging others to solve a puzzle for you, true high agency is the absolute confidence that irrespective of the circumstances, you will step up and get the job done yourself. It is a mindset forged by rejecting safe conformity, especially when the average path leads to unfulfillment and choosing instead to do something uncomfortable every single day. Highly agentic people are the ultimate go-getters who spend time figuring things out rather than immediately asking for answers, operating under the sobering but liberating truth that no one is coming to save you.

Putting these raw "notes to self" out in public has completely transformed how the business world treats Laksh, replacing the typical artificiality of social media with undeniable authenticity. By documenting his journey from being someone who initially struggled with public speaking to someone who now commands rooms, his content serves as living proof of growth that professionals deeply respect. In the professional landscape, an exceptional image might land you a client, but it is your actual reputation and ability to walk the talk that keeps them there. Balancing this professional respect with vulnerability comes down to consistently providing undeniable value; when you show people exactly how you traveled from point A to point B, you stop playing a role and instead become an indispensable asset on their balance sheet.

When it comes to navigating the toughest choices in life and business, making better decisions relies heavily on a structured mental filter rooted in a thorough cost-benefit analysis. Every opportunity carries a hidden price tag, which requires outlining not just the monetary costs, but the time, sunk, and opportunity costs of what you are giving up to pursue it. By weighing these factors against the actual returns, you can effectively distinguish between flexible "two-door" decisions that allow you to step back, and permanent "one-door" commitments that require total alignment. When opportunities seem equally attractive on the surface, the winning choice is always the one that minimizes unnecessary friction while yielding the highest long-term return on your initial investment.

To wrap it all up, the intersection of high agency, reputation, and deliberate decision-making forms the ultimate foundation for anyone looking to stand out and make a meaningful impact. It is not enough to just talk a great game online; the real magic happens when your internal drive to push through walls matches the tangible value you deliver to the people around you. Taking ownership of your path, staying vulnerable about the progress, and filtering choices with mathematical clarity is how you transition from just observing life to actively designing it. Thank you to Laksh for bringing such sharp insight to the table today, and to everyone listening, remember to keep doing things your own way and building a reputation that speaks for itself.

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Soiree Pride Festival 2026

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William Fode is an engineering student and rising content creator who has captivated millions by turning the grueling reality of 8+ hour study sessions into viral, cinematic art. Far from just surviving the academic grind, William has engineered his daily habits to balance a near-perfect engineering GPA with a raw, authentic approach to digital media. In this discussion, we dive into the exact mental frameworks behind his extreme focus, his strategic approach to making the mundane look cinematic, and how his relationship with God serves as the ultimate anchor for his ambition.

For William, sustaining high-level focus boils down to an internal checklist: if his basic needs for food and water are met, there is no valid reason to stop. When burnout looms, he avoids high-dopamine traps like scrolling reels, opting instead to stretch, read, or switch subjects to find his groove again. This hyper-efficient approach allowed him to achieve a 3.9 GPA while red-lining his schedule to film daily vlogs, meal prep, and maintain a rigorous gym routine. While he acknowledges that this high-output lifestyle requires deep sacrifices, like putting his social life on hold to build a secure future for his family, he views it as a worthy trade-off, noting that a failed one-month experiment with daily five-minute freezing cold showers was the only habit that pushed his engine past its absolute limit.

Turning academic isolation into engaging media relies on a simple formula: introducing a unique twist to a study session and delivering a satisfying timelapse. From studying calculus for 12 hours straight outside in -23°C weather to hitting a 10-hour session on a treadmill, the camera acts as a powerful accountability tool rather than a burden. While the logistics of filming can eat into valuable study time, William avoids burnout by rejecting rigid posting schedules and focusing entirely on the joy of the process over immediate metrics. Having spent months uploading vlogs for only a handful of views, he views his content as a personal trophy case and a digital time capsule for his future family, aiming to eventually merge his media presence with a future career engineering for world-class industrial brands.

Beneath this analytical mindset lies a profound spiritual foundation that anchors William’s daily life. Having lived most of his life as an atheist, he now views his relationship with God as a practical partnership; when frustrated by complex math or physics, he prays for understanding, finding peace in the realization that God invented the very concepts he is learning. This faith reshapes his ambition, as he believes his hard work is only blessed when his motivations are pure and aimed at supporting others rather than hoarding wealth. Describing his drive as a desire to please God like a child wanting to impress a parent, he uses his platform to subtly nudge others toward faith, standing ready to credit Jesus with zero hesitation whenever people ask where he finds his strength.

Ultimately, William Fode represents a new breed of creator who masterfully bridges the gap between structured analytical discipline and creative digital storytelling. Through his willingness to embrace the grind, transparency about his sacrifices, and unwavering faith, he proves that extreme productivity is not about flawless perfection, but about alignment and purpose. By documenting his journey with radical authenticity, he provides a compelling, real-time blueprint for how to pursue ambitious career goals without losing your ground, your creativity, or your soul along the way.

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Today I asked people if they believe in luck or not.

I hope you enjoy!

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Brish Goorimoorthee is a freelance model in Edmonton who bridges the gap between the structured world of fashion and the unpredictable energy of live production to establish himself as a versatile creative force within the local scene. Driven by a desire to execute his own distinct creative vision rather than simply serving as a canvas for others, he has successfully transitioned from being the face in front of the lens to directing and hosting high-energy public events. By embracing his authentic self and actively contributing to the city's unique cultural identity, Brish exemplifies the modern multi-hyphenate creator who values execution, community, and the grit required to bring ambitious projects to life.

When transitioning to performative contest hosting, Brish sought to step away from being a blank slate for directors and brands, choosing instead to step behind the scenes to direct his own creative vision. Hosting his first major event in the University of Alberta's main quad presented massive logistical hurdles, forcing him to overcome personal control issues and lean heavily on a reliable team of close friends to handle technical aspects while he managed crowd energy. The event vastly exceeded expectations, drawing a massive, unexpected crowd of over 300 students directly in front of the Central Academic Building (CAB), which required Brish to think on his feet to manage limited audio equipment, adapt to a shifting physical location, and rapidly eliminate over 40 participants down to a manageable 15 in an entertaining, time-efficient manner.

In the realm of freelance modelling, Brish navigates his career with a realistic understanding of his niche, recognizing that while he may not fit the rigid, cookie-cutter height requirements of traditional high-fashion runways, his strength lies in his exceptional versatility as a commercial and shoot-based model. He credits the tight-knit, collaborative nature of Edmonton's creative scene as a massive asset, where a community-focused mindset allows photographers, videographers, and models to elevate one another rather than competing destructively. For aspiring models entering this market, his behind-the-scenes advice is to say yes to early opportunities to build a portfolio, acknowledge that the local industry operates largely as a self-funded passion project or side-hustle rather than a guaranteed full-time living, and use an authentic, confident self-presentation as the ultimate selling point.

The foundational element of Brish’s sustained success is the importance of genuine human connection, which he prioritizes over the transactional nature often found in the fashion industry. He emphasizes that a creative's reputation and work ethic are everything, as designers and collaborators frequently practice favoritism, preferring to work with trusted individuals which ultimately leads to a superior final product tailored to the model's strengths. This philosophy of authentic networking is best illustrated by his own entry into the field; while serving as the VP External for the Open Style Dance club (OSD) at the University of Alberta, a simple conversation with fellow dancer and agency model Trinity Shennan provided him with the essential guidance, opportunities, and long-term partnership needed to thrive in a challenging market.

Ultimately, Brish Goorimoorthee’s journey underscores that longevity and impact in a regional creative industry depend entirely on adaptability, community support, and a willingness to learn on the fly. Whether navigating the chaotic logistics of a massive campus event or establishing a distinct personal brand on a local runway, his experience proves that a creator's most valuable assets are their authenticity and their relationships. By treating every project as an opportunity to build culture rather than just a transaction, Brish continues to carve out a meaningful space for himself.

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