In this episode of The Champion’s Journey, host Christoffer Endresen sits down with Kayl McCann of McCann Dogs—one of the most respected voices in dog agility and training. From stepping onto her first agility course at just six years old to running one of Canada’s largest dog training facilities, Kayl shares a raw and honest look at what it truly takes to stay in the sport long-term.
This conversation goes far beyond results and ribbons. Together, Christoffer and Kayl explore mental resilience, perfectionism, pressure at the world level, and the emotional cost of competing when expectations are high. Kayl opens up about major setbacks—including a devastating injury at a championship event—and the mindset shifts that helped her recover, rebuild, and keep showing up.
Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or passionate handler, this episode is a powerful reminder that growth often comes after the burn—not before it.
🎧 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Growing Up in the Sport: What it’s like to live agility from childhood—and how early experiences shape competitive identity.
Balancing Life & Ambition: How Kayl navigated friendships, adolescence, and high-level dog sport without burning out.
The “Bitter Burn” Strategy: A unique mental tool for processing disappointment, frustration, and unmet expectations.
Perfectionism Under Pressure: Why chasing flawless runs can quietly erode confidence—and how to shift perspective.
Mental Resilience in Competition: The skills required to bounce back when things don’t go as planned.
Comeback Thinking: What it really means to return stronger after setbacks, injuries, or lost momentum.
The Hidden Cost of World-Level Competition: Emotional, physical, and psychological trade-offs most people never see.
Lessons from the Dogs: Why patience, adaptability, and humility are non-negotiable traits for long-term success.
⏱️ Episode Chapters
00:00 – Intro & Opening Clips
01:44 – Inside the McCann Dog Training Facility
03:49 – Growing Up in Dog Sports
06:08 – First Agility Competition at Age Six
08:46 – Balancing Teenage Life & Agility
13:26 – Learning Sportsmanship & Managing Expectations
15:27 – The “Bitter Burn” Coping Strategy
18:56 – Perfectionism, Pressure & Disappointment
24:16 – Developing Mental Resilience
27:48 – The Comeback Kid Mentality
32:01 – WAO 2022 & Post-COVID Mental Challenges
40:09 – The Gamble Finals Injury Incident
48:19 – Recovery & Rehabilitation
55:44 – The True Cost of Competing at the World Level
01:03:18 – Why We Choose This Sport
01:18:38 – Final Reflections & Outro
🚀 Key Takeaways from This Episode
Disappointment is data: Emotional reactions are signals—learn to read them instead of resisting them.
Resilience is trained, not inherited: Mental strength is built through intentional reflection and recovery.
Your identity matters: Separating self-worth from results is essential for longevity in the sport.
Dogs are the greatest teachers: They demand presence, patience, and adaptability—every single day.
🔗 Resources & Links
McCann Dog Training: Learn more about Kayl’s training philosophy and programs
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