Opening the Playbook

Today, surfer and Pan Am Surf Games Gold Medallist Mathea Olin joins the podcast to talk riding waves, the Olympics, and what she's like to see changed for women in the sport.

Mathea is one of Canada's up and coming surfing talents. At just 17, she may be a newer face, but has already cemented herself on the surfing map, winning Canada's first ever international medals in surfing at the Pan Am Surf Games, a gold in longboard and bronze in shortboard. She now has her sights set on representing Canada at the Tokyo Olympics, and becoming the first Canadian to qualify for the World Surfing Tour.

In today's episode, Mathea shares what it's like to be a competitive athlete at such a young age (she competed in her first competition at 12 years old!), and how she feels about providing inspiration and being a role model to other surfers in Canada.

She also dissects the future of the sport in Canada and what she'd like to see change. Her biggest suggestion: more equality. While the World Surfing Tour was one of the first leagues to offer equal pay, Mathea says females are still encourages to do modeling and bikini photo shoots to boost their credentials, which she believes shouldn't be a necessity anymore. 

We also talk about:

• Her goal of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic
• Becoming a Red Bull athlete
• How she hopes to inspire the next generation of surfers
• How she finds balance between being a teen and a competitive surfer
• The competitiveness between female surfers

Quote:   

"I think growing up surfing and being a surfer, a lot of females, if they want to get paid and make it in the sport they also have to do a bit of modeling and that whole bikini side, and I think mainly for people not to have to worry about doing that and just being able to make it out of pure talent and who they are, that would be huge."

• Mathea Olin, Surfer & Pan Am Games Gold Medallist

Resources:

Guest Info – Mathea Olin

Instagram: @mathea_olin

Host Info – Christina Heydanus

Instagram: @tinaheydanus

Twitter: @tinaheydanus

Show Info – Opening the Playbook

Website: openingtheplaybook.com

Instagram: @openingtheplaybook

Today, Olympic hurdler and motivational speaker Sarah Wells joins the podcast to discuss overcoming the odds, her Olympic journey and how she turned the end of one career into the beginning of another.

Sarah knows a thing or two about self-belief, going from being cut from every team she tried out for in high school, to one of the best hurdlers in Canada. Along the way, she became a 4x National Champion, a Pan Am Games Silver Medallist and an Olympic semi-finalist. But she not only talks about her accomplishments, but her struggles with injuries as well. One of those injuries took her to the end of her career, and while that would be a frustrating and confusing time for most, Sarah accepted the challenge with open arms and turned it into a wildly successful program: The Believe Initiative.  

Today Sarah shares the nitty gritty about what it takes to be an Olympic athlete – and having it all taken away just as fast, how she switched her career - all while questioning everything she believed, and what she thinks is the biggest thing that needs to change for women in sport.

We also talk about:

• The power of self-belief
• Overcoming injury
• Her 2012 Olympic experience
• Meeting Kobe Bryant
• How the end of one career turned into the beginning of another

Quote:

"You need to find someone to show you what's possible. They (little girls) can't dream about being a WNBA star if they're barley seeing it on tv…because then, why would you think that's possible because you've never seen anyone do it, and we need those role models to be present. We need more coverage and people speaking out about their experience."

• Sarah Wells, Olympian & Motivational Speaker

Resources:

Guest Info – Sarah Wells

Instagram: @sarahwells400mh

Twitter: @sarahwells400mh

Leadership Launch Program: www.leadershiplaunchprogram.com/info

The Believe Initiative: https://www.believeinitiative.com

Host Info – Christina Heydanus

Instagram: @tinaheydanus

Twitter: @tinaheydanus

Show Info – Opening the Playbook

Website: openingtheplaybook.com

Instagram: @openingtheplaybook

Today, figure skater and Olympic Gold Medalist Gabrielle Daleman joins the podcast to discuss fame and success, her struggles with anxiety, depression and an eating disorder, and her newest venture that she hopes will help others.

At just 22, Gabby has already accomplished more than most athletes, placing first at the 2018 Canadian National Figure Skating Championships (which she did so while battling pneumonia), and securing Gold in the team event at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics for Canada (after finding out she had to compete just 14 hours prior!). 

But there's so much more to Gabby than just figure skating – and she's on a mission to make sure people know. Gabby is the current Miss York Regional Finalist, and will battle for the Miss World Canada crown come November. On today's episode, she explains her interest in the pageant, and what she hopes to accomplish with the "Beauty with a Purpose" project. She's been vocal about struggling with anxiety, depression and an eating disorder, and hopes doing this pageant will help others who are struggling realize they are not alone.

Today, Gabby gets raw and real, sharing her highest of highs and lowest of lows. She also discusses being called an underdog, what's she's ambitious for, and life after sport.

We also talk about:

• Her struggles with success and fame
• Winning an Olympic Gold Medal
• Her battle with anxiety, depression & an eating disorder
• Her journey towards Miss World Canada
• Being called an underdog

Quote:

"I want to share my story, and if it even helps one person, that makes all the difference in the world…because when you deal with all the stuff I have, you feel completely alone in the world." 

-Gabrielle Daleman

Resources:

 Guest Info – Gabrielle Daleman

Instagram: @gabby_daleman

Twitter: @gabby_daleman

Host Info – Christina Heydanus

Instagram: @tinaheydanus

Twitter: @tinaheydanus

Show Info – Opening the Playbook

Website: openingtheplaybook.com

Instagram: @openingtheplaybook

Today, elite long-distance runner and Olympian Natasha Wodak joins the podcast to discuss breaking records, body image and what she thinks is the number one thing that needs to change for women in sport.

At 38, Natasha has had a storied career as a long-distance runner: she's competed for Canada at the 2016 Rio Olympics, won a gold medal in the 10,000m at the 2019 Pan American Games, and most recently, became the first Canadian woman ever to complete a half marathon in under 70 minutes. For that, Natasha said it was all about using other women's accomplishments as motivation, and today, she shares her tip for exactly that.

But her career hasn't all been smooth sailing. On today's episode, Natasha discusses one of the toughest moments of her career and how she able to fight through it. She also talks about her struggle with body image and how she has found a way to be happy and healthy and still eat what she loves.

Natasha also explores her latest opportunity of becoming one of lululemon's newest ambassadors, potentially qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and why she feels more women need to step up and support women's sports.

We also talk about:

• Tokyo Olympics
• Age & Training
• Body image and mind-frame about food
• Breaking the Canadian half marathon record
• Being an inspiration to others

Quote:

"The reality is women aren't supporting women, women aren't watching other women's sports. If we're not going to go and watch a women's soccer game and fill the stands, where's the money going to come from? I guarantee every woman is going to say my dad or brother has gotten together with his friends way more often to watch or go to a sporting game, so we need to be supporting each other and going to these games."

• Natasha Wodak, Olympian and Elite Long-Distance Runner

Resources:

Guest Info – Natasha Wodak

Instagram: @tashawodak

Twitter: @tashawodak

Strava: Natasha Wodak

Host Info – Christina Heydanus

Instagram: @tinaheydanus

Twitter: @tinaheydanus

Show Info – Opening the Playbook

Website: openingtheplaybook.com

Instagram: @openingtheplaybook

Twitter: @openingtheplay

Today, heptathlete Georgia Ellenwood joins the podcast to talk with Christina about the postponement of Tokyo 2020, finding confidence and how she really feels about social media.

Georgia is a jack of all trades when it comes to track and field, participating in the heptathlon, the women's version of the decathlon. While seven events might make your head spin, it's where she excels, having won the 2018 NCAA Division 1 title in the event while attending the University of Wisconsin. But it hasn't all been smooth sailing for Georgia as she's dealt with a few injuries throughout her career. But Georgia says those injuries helped her find the confidence she needed and realized she had to take charge of what she wanted to happen in life.

That mindset led to her first major deal; a contract with Under Armour Canada, and chance at making her Olympic debut with Team Canada at Tokyo 2020. In today's episode, Georgia talks about the stress of the games being postponed and the impact it has on her career trajectory.

Today, Georgia discusses how the break due to COVID-19 has had a some positives as she's been able to hone her passion as an artist, connect with her social media followers more regularly and reconnect with friends and family. She also shares her thoughts on how scary the transition from college to career can be and what she'd like to see change when it comes women's combined events.

We also talk about:

• Tokyo Olympics
• Transition from college to career
• Her passion for art
• The importance of being body positive
• NCAA

Quote:

"I think I blamed a lot of my insecurities or doubts about my ability on external things, and so I thought those things were happening to me instead of me blocking them out or creating change. And I think when I realized I was in charge with what I wanted to happen…that's when I started to be more active about it, and that really helped."

• Georgia Ellenwood, Heptathlete

Resources:

Guest Info – Georgia Ellenwood

Instagram: @george_ahh

Twitter: @geeorrgiaa

Website: www.georgia-ellenwood.com

Host Info – Christina Heydanus

Instagram: @tinaheydanus

Twitter: @tinaheydanus

Show Info – Opening the Playbook

Website: openingtheplaybook.com

Instagram: @openingtheplaybook

Twitter: @openingtheplay

Today former Olympian and Athletics Pioneer Diane Clement joins the podcast to talk track, breaking barriers and the evolution of women in sport.

Diane started running as a teen and competed in her first Olympics in 1956 at the Melbourne Games. Since then, she's attended eight more Games in various roles, and that passion has led her to play an instrumental role in the development of athletics for both men and women. Diane was the first female president of Athletics Canada, making her the first woman in the world to spearhead athletics. She also broke barrier by becoming the first female coach of the UBC Women's Track and Field team. But her ambition didn't end there. Diane is the proud co-founder of the Vancouver Sun Run, North America's largest 10km run, and the Harry Jerome International Track Classic, an event that attracts some of the top talent from around the globe. Her work has led her to be honoured as a Member of Canada earlier this year (2020), which recognizes outstanding achievement and dedication to the community.

But it's not all track and field for Diane. She also has a passion for food, having successfully published seven Canadian best-selling cookbooks and is the former owner of the Tomato Fresh Café in Vancouver.

Today on the podcast, Diane talks about witnessing and being a key part in how far women have come in sport, and shares a few of her favourite stories from over her 60-year career in track. It's a conversation you won't want to miss!

Quote:

"We've come such a long way. And to show that women have the ability, have the dedication to participate in whatever they want. No matter what the sport may be to me as a woman, we've come a long way."

• Diane Clement, Olympian, Order of Canada recipient and Track Pioneer

Resources:

Vancouver Sun Run:

https://vancouversunrun.com

Harry Jerome International Track Classic:

https://www.harryjerome.com

Cookbooks:

Start Fresh!: Your Complete Guide To Mid-lifestyle Food And Fitness

https://www.amazon.ca/Start-Fresh-Complete-Mid-lifestyle-Fitness/dp/1552859193/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=diane+clement&qid=1597019821&sr=8-5

Chef on the Run

 https://www.amazon.ca/Chef-Run-DIANE-CLEMENT/dp/0888943687/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=diane+clement&qid=1597019821&sr=8-1

Chef on the Run: Simply the Best

https://www.amazon.ca/Chef-Run-Simply-Diane-Clement/dp/155192563X/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=diane+clement&qid=1597019821&sr=8-4

Zest for Life

https://www.amazon.ca/Zest-Life-DIANE-CLEMENT/dp/1551922924/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=diane+clement&qid=1597019821&sr=8-2

Diane Clement at the Tomato

https://www.amazon.ca/Diane-Clement-Tomato-DIANNE-CLEMENT/dp/1895714958/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=diane+clement&qid=1597019821&sr=8-3

Host Info – Christina Heydanus

Instagram: @tinaheydanus

Twitter: @tinaheydanus

Show Info – Opening the Playbook

Website: openingtheplaybook.com

Instagram: @openingtheplaybook

Twitter: @openingtheplay

Today, hurdler and bobsledder Phylicia George joins the podcast to discuss being one of only a handful of dual Olympians in Canada, the power of self-belief and trusting your gut, and her take on the Black Lives Matter movement.

Phylicia is one of Canada's most prominent female hurdlers, competing at two Olympic games in the sport, where her best result was 8th overall at the 2016 Rio Games. But it wasn't all smooth sailing, as today, Phylicia digs deep to discuss the highs and lows of success and failure on the track.

She also talks about her transition to bobsleigh, which flipped everything she thought she knew about sports upside down. But because of her athletic ability, in just two years, she gained 20 pounds and had successfully learned the sport and won a bronze medal with bobsleigh pilot Kaillie Humphries at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. Now, two years later, she says she's only just transitioned back into her "track" body.

At 32, her experiences have taught her to take it one day and year at a time. They've also taught her the importance of believing in yourself and trusting your gut. Today Phylicia also shares the number one thing she'd like to see change for women in sports, and why women supporting women is something all of us ladies need to take more seriously. And most importantly, she discusses her views on the Black Lives Matter movement, which she feels opens a door for people of colour to share their stories without being judged.

We also talk about:

• Tokyo Olympics
• Age & Training
• Weight gain and loss
• Mental strength and mindfulness
• Black Lives Matter

Quote:

"While there might be a story that has been told traditionally about people of colour, that's not our truth and that's not our story. I feel like my role as someone who is seen, is to portray that you have the choice to show and be the person you truly are and I think in creating that, we're also creating awareness for all people."

Resources:

Guest Info – Phylicia George

Instagram: @phyliciageorge

Twitter: @phyliciageorge

Facebook: Phylicia George

Website: www.phyliciageorge.com

Host Info – Christina Heydanus

Instagram: @tinaheydanus

Twitter: @tinaheydanus

Show Info – Opening the Playbook

Website: openingtheplaybook.com

Instagram: @openingtheplaybook

Twitter: @openingtheplay

Today professional snowboarder Robin Van Gyn joins the podcast to discuss her love for riding big mountain lines, equal pay, and getting back into competition.

Robin has spent nearly her entire life perfecting her craft, picking up snowboarding when she was a teen. And while her career started with competition, her passion has since grown into backcountry, which opened the doors to acting in films like Full Moon and Depth Perception. Robin has nearly a dozen film credits under her belt and is now looking to the next phase of her career, which includes producing her own movies and documentaries.

She's been called one of the most badass women in snowboarding because of her influence and boundary pushing ways. In today's episode, Robin chats about why she wanted to transition from competitions to acting, what it took for her to find her own style, and owning her own space. Robin also talks about the never-ending battle with equal pay and shares her personal stories of what she's done to try to right it.  She also discusses the importance of having a voice and using it to speak up about equal representation, and how someone saying "no" shouldn't stop you from following your dreams.

We also talk about:

• Competition
• Filming movies
• Climate change
• Equal pay
• The future of female snowboarding

Quote:

Re: Equal Pay

"In my opinion, same job, same risk, different pay, not okay. But I think more and more brands are making an effort to make it right."

– Robin Van Gyn, Professional Snowboarder 

Resources:

Natural Selection Tour:

https://naturalselectiontour.com

Full Moon:

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/fullmoonsnowboard

Guest Info – Robin Van Gyn

Instagram: @robinvangyn

Twitter: @robinvangyn

Facebook: Robin Van Gyn

Website: www.robinvangyn.com

Host Info – Christina Heydanus

Instagram: @tinaheydanus

Twitter: @tinaheydanus

Show Info – Opening the Playbook

Website: openingtheplaybook.com

Instagram: @openingtheplaybook

Twitter: @openingtheplay

Do you ever wonder what it's like to be a female sports reporter? Today, Canadian Press Sports Reporter Gemma Karstens-Smith and Freelance Sports Reporter Harjeet Johal join the podcast to share all the behind the scenes from the job.

Both Gemma and Harjeet have years of experience in the media, where they've compiled a long list of teams and events they've both covered. But despite that, they've had to be at the top of their game 100% of the time in order to be considered just as good as the men in the industry. Today, both Gemma & Har discuss that pressure and the struggles that go along with it, as well as the double standard that still exists.

Gemma also shares a locker room mishap, and what it's like to be a new mom with a big job, while Harjeet talks about being the target of bullying. Also in today's episode: what they want to see in the future for female athletes and women in sports.

We also talk about:

• Equality
• Proving your worth
• Locker room mishaps
• Motherhood
• Black Lives Matter

Quote:

"People question you a lot more, they want to know that you know what you're talking about. It is a very male oriented career path to take. You can go to a lot of training sessions and see yourself as the only female. It's 2020 and I don't know if it's getting a lot better."

-Harjeet Johal, Freelance Sports Reporter

Resources:

Guest Info

Twitter: @gkarstenssmith, @harjournalist

Website: https://harjournalist.wordpress.com

Host Info – Christina Heydanus

Instagram: @tinaheydanus

Twitter: @tinaheydanus

Show Info – Opening the Playbook

Website: openingtheplaybook.com

Instagram: @openingtheplaybook

Twitter: @openingtheplay

Today Holistic physician and Mindfulness Coach Dr. Amy Saltzman joins the podcast to discuss the growing popularity of meditation among athletes and its benefits.

Dr. Amy says she's practiced being mindful before it was even a thing, as she's a former gymnast. She says mindfulness training supports you being in the moment, paying attention to the here and now, with kindness and curiosity, which allows you to choose your behaviour. It's a way to recognize your emotions without letting them be in charge of you.

For athletes, being in the moment is key, as it prevents them from dwelling on a mistake or being worried about the future. Mindfulness and meditation is something that a few past podcast guests have talked about implementing into their training, as it helps calm their brains. It's also something that has gained traction since the start of COVID-19 and the release of the Michael Jordan documentary, The Last Dance.

Dr. Amy is also the author of a number of books including A Still Quiet Place for Athletes: Mindfulness Skills for Achieving Performance and Finding Flow in Sports and Life and in today's episode, she gives her tips on how to become more present in the moment, which she says will help you in all aspects of your life.

We also talk about:

• Mindfulness and meditation
• Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson & Lance Armstrong
• Being in the moment
• Mindfulness and COVID-19
• How to start meditation

Quote:

"Athletes train their bodies all the time, but we also know that a lot of outcome of sport isn't due to a difference in physical or tactical ability, so it comes down to how we can respond mentally and emotionally to a given circumstance."

- Amy Saltzman, Holistic Physician & Mindfulness Coach

Resources:

Book: A Still Quiet Place for Athletes: Mindfulness Skills for Achieving Performance and Finding Flow in Sports and Life

 https://www.amazon.com/Still-Quiet-Place-Athletes-Mindfulness/dp/1684030218/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10MI12VDWU2XK&dchild=1&keywords=a+still+quiet+place+for+athletes&qid=1595009245&sprefix=a+still%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-1

Course: 4 week online course beginning July 28th, 2020, open to anyone wishing to enhance their performance in sports and in life.

COVID discount 75% off = $50 USD

http://www.stillquietplace.com/still-quiet-place-athletes/

Guest Info – Dr. Amy Saltzman

Twitter: @stillquietplace

Website: www.stillquietplace.com

LinkedIn: Amy Saltzman

Host Info – Christina Heydanus

Instagram: @tinaheydanus

Twitter: @tinaheydanus

Show Info – Opening the Playbook

Website: openingtheplaybook.com

Instagram: @openingtheplaybook

Twitter: @openingtheplay