Real Learning with Real People

Chad Jassman grew up with a love for sports. That passion led him to join wheelchair basketball after he broke his back in a car accident in 2004.

After a year and a half of developing his skills and competing for the Calgary Grizzlies, his local club team, Jassman decided to try out for Team Canada. He missed the cut two years in a row, but with hard work and perseverance he ultimately earned a roster spot on the National Team in 2009.

Jassman enjoys the crashing and banging of the chairs in wheelchair basketball and draws on his experience as a former competitive hockey player when strategizing on the court. He also cites the game’s inclusive nature as one of its greatest attributes and hopes to one-day see both able-bodied athletes and those with disabilities competing together at the international level.

Jassman takes pride in representing his country and having the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest players in the game. In 2011, he signed a semi-professional basketball contract with the Trier Dolphins in Germany to further develop his game.

Off the basketball court, he enjoys everything athletic and has recently started to ski and play tennis. He studied aviation in college and successfully earned his commercial pilot license, and he continues to fly planes and gliders recreationally in his spare time.

You can follow Chad @jaaziyyc on Instagram, or go to www.wheelchairbasketball.ca to learn more about the sport. 

Be sure to sign the petition supporting a revisit to eligibility criteria in Paralympic sport (as mentioned in the interview) here: IPOC Eligibility Review Petition

Charles Fink has been practicing karate since 1994 and teaching since 2002.

He holds the rank of Godan (5th level black belt), an instructor’s license, and NCCP Certification. Adhering to high standards of coaching and pedagogy, Sensei Fink stays abreast of the latest developments in martial arts and sport science and continually strives to find and develop innovative ways to practice and teach karate.

Charles has a B.A. in Psychology and a B.Ed. (P/J) from Laurentian University and a M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Calgary.

When not practicing karate, Sensei Fink teaches at Laurentian University, Cambrian College, and Collège Boréal. He is happily married and the proud father of two.

Charles also has passion for baseball and Star Wars, which him and I have bonded over on multiple occasions. 

Check Charles out by going to his dojo's website and reading his blog, or adding him on Facebook, but he is mostly focused on teaching and leadership and not on social media.