Obstacle Course

For our 25th episode, we sit down with Miss Universe Canada finalist, Sara Winter. We ask Sara hard hitting questions about the modelling industry, the nature of Beauty Pageants, Miss Universe Canada, Social Media, self esteem, the nature of beauty, the over sexualization of female athletes and her goal of winning Miss Universe AND making it as a professional golfer! Sara shows great vulnerability in this episode and speaks openly about her journey as a person and how she's learned to love herself for who she is. Spots and all. This! Is Obstacle Course. Miss Universe Edition.

In this episode, we sit down with Emily Olsen, creator of The Connection Project. Emily suffered for decades from a thick heaviness of spirit, a darkness so malevolent, the thoughts led her to suicide. Emily goes deep and shares what life was like in the darkness, how she tried to find relief and what helped her finally ascend into the light. Emily has since started The Connection Project, a stage that champions mental well being by shedding a light on the darkness of mental illness through courageous speeches, music and poetry. Once again, we feel deeply honoured to host this conversation and incredibly humbled by Emily's level of open-ness and vulnerability in sharing. This! Is Obstacle Course. Let's Go!

Christine Ryan was born to a single mother with Cerebral Palsy and shortly after was given up to an Orphanage where she spent nearly a year in very bleak conditions. She was eventually adopted and raised on a street in the North side of Dublin, "where no-one would ever dream of going to College." When Christine turned 20, she was diagnosed with a severe form of Rheumatoid arthritis leaving her bed-ridden and in despair. Doctors told her she would never live a normal life. Christine considered giving up by giving into her diagnosis. One day, she decided to get up and live life on her own terms. You won't believe what happened next! This episode will inspire you to push past your limits and create your own luck. The Luck of the Irish! This! Is Obstacle Course. Let's Go!

This episode is a master class in vulnerability. Trevor Botkin was raised by the ultimate hero. Serving in the local RCMP, his father was known and respected all over town. Despite being raised by loving parents, Trevor struggled to fit in and was often bullied for his awkwardness. Shortly after graduation, Party Trevor was born and he become a local hero for his ability to entertain and drink vast amounts of alcohol. Unable to cope with his new found popularity, Trevor began a pattern of engaging in reckless behaviour while still struggling to belong. Soon, a cycle of addiction was born. Drinking, womanizing, body building, steroids, workaholism, people-pleasing and eventually a $3000/month 6 year secret drug habit that nearly killed him. While Trevor suffered privately with a drug addiction he couldn't talk about, he worked for a company called Hero Work leading radical renovations for charities. In this episode, you'll learn what lies at the heart of addiction and Trevor's heroic journey to coming clean and living the life he actually wanted. This! Is Obstacle Course. Let's Go!

For the past 30 years, Bob Kittell has spoken to millions, inspiring them with his messages of hope. When Bob came to town last year, Andrew emailed him and said, "Hey Bob. My friend John and I might be starting a podcast and we'd love to grab lunch with you." Amazingly, Bob said yes and we had an incredible time which included Bob practicing his TED talk on us. Bob is the real deal and his ability to inspire is legendary. In fact, he is quite literally an encyclopedia of inspiration so you may just want to listen to this episode twice! We cover anxiety, panic attacks, depression and the role of technology in all 3. Bob discovered, as you will, that human connection is the key to peace and a life well lived. This! Is Obstacle Course. Let's Go!

For our landmark 20th episode, we speak with ultra-marathoner and business owner, Stacy Dittmer. Stacy talks openly about the peaks and valleys she faces in a 28hr mountain race and how the lessons she's learned on the trail have helped her navigate life off-trail. Stacy had a grin plastered on her face the entire interview (yes, she knows people think she's crazy) but she truly loves long distance running and helping others find joy in fitness! This interview, like running on a trail, is a breath of fresh air and positivity. Ready. Set. Here we go!

The plan was to talk about death with two end of life experts, Linda Hunter and Shauna Janz. And we did. But the conversation quickly turned to the beauty of life and how to live life to the fullest. What transpired is one of the most hopeful, inspiring and life giving conversations we've ever had! Lean in and embrace this rich conversation and you'll learn death doesn't need to be traumatic. You'll also learn by changing the narrative we have around death, we can transform our experience of it. We don't need to die scared and alone. We really can do death better! This! Is Obstacle Course. Let's go!

For our 18th episode, we sat down with 2 time Olympian Robyn Meagher (pronounced Marr). Robyn was an elite runner for nearly 20 years and since her retirement she has shared her immense wisdom on the nature of competition (it means strive together) and how to take care of your body and mind. This interview is our deepest and most thoughtful yet so we HIGHLY recommend you listen to this when you are not distracted lest you miss all the gold. We've both listened to this multiple times and are still picking up gems of wisdom. Robyn has discovered a rhythm of life and offers hope that we can too. This! Is Obstacle Course. Ready, Set, Go!!

For 25 years, Mike Chan put his life on the line as an undercover police officer serving Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. During this time Mike also served on the gang unit and in the process became a legend for his work. Besides his excellent police work, Mike has done incredible work internally, overcoming severe childhood trauma which included his Mother's murder, his sister's suicide, becoming homeless at 16 and living with no self esteem. Refusing to be a victim, Mike has used his life to fight for the victimized including working as a school liaison officer to help combat bullying. Mike credits his lazer focus, goal setting and the strong values he received from his Mother as the secrets to his incredible success. Mike, just like Simon Young, is a strong reminder that you really can live your life with no excuses. This! Is Obstacle Course. Let's Go!

For this episode, we hit the road again and recorded LIVE at the Deathly Matters Conference. We spent a great day interviewing 6 industry experts on the topic of death and what resulted was a surprisingly positive and hopeful conversation that brought relief! We covered a variety of fascinating topics including embracing mystery, green burial, palliative care, medically assisted death, dementia, end of life care and most importantly, how to talk about, accept and plan for our eventual death. We conclude by reflecting on the importance of community. If you're looking for a healing and hopeful community, you've come to the right episode. This! Is Obstacle Course. Let's Go.