Montréal.

-30C, -40C.

Tumultuous Saint-Lawrence River waters.

Combined together for ice surfing on an eternal wave???

You bet.

Watch the 15min film about his ice surfing on Youtube: https://youtu.be/yqDKqXZTYYU?si=eyAZ2JH7GthabaTV

Orion Miller makes ice surfing look easy, as if it's a totally normal, peaceful experience. There is so much depth in what he does, and he graciously accepted to delve into this in our conversation.

How this extreme activity didn't just come by, how safety is always paramount. And how amongst all the wild elements, there is a meditative journey to be enjoyed, a space where this extraordinary human being is at one with nature and himself.

Let me be clear - in my humble opinion, what makes Orion extraordinary is not that he partakes in this extreme activity. It's that he found this deep connection to our world through the activity, a resonance and frequency that few have access to. And how he channels it into his personal life and professional career as a musician.

A must listen/watch episode also available on Youtube.

Orion's Youtube channel:

Youtube Channel:  Orion Surfs

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/orionsurfs

Orion's music band: The OM Sound

https://theomsound.com/ 

My chat with Dr. Mark Christie covered blue therapy, which involves immersion in natural blue spaces like oceans, lakes, and rivers; similarities with green therapy, and also unique benefits, including physical, mental, and social advantages. Some theories were highlighted such as attention restoration and stress reduction, as well as the biophilia hypothesis, to explain the benefits of being in nature. Dr Christie and I also talk about our personal experiences of swimming in open waters and the therapeutic value this brings to us, which is greatly reflected in his research.

And YES - it's true, you will now find this podcast on Youtube as well, with video!

https://youtu.be/ycZbpbidxWU

Today dear listeners, get ready for a really cool interview - figuratively AND literally.  ICY cold.   As you probably know, cold water immersion has been gaining quite a bit of traction since COVID.  I’ve had 3 guests already on my podcast who talked about their love of swimming and cold water.  Why cold water swimming you might ask?  Why not could be the better question…  Calm, elation and centeredness keep coming back in my conversations with these cold water addicts. But get this - my super nice guest today has been named Mr. Ice Guy by Fifty-Five-Plus magazine.  That’s right. 

Tom Heyerdahl actually brings this open cold water swimming to a whole new level:  ice swimming. 

In 2022, he was the 3rd Canadian male to swim an IISA ratified ice mile and is one of few seniors part of the over 600 ice milers around the world. I had the incredible honour to witness this first ice mile and let me tell you - don’t let this debonnaire man fool you, he’s one of the toughest people you’ll ever meet, swimming just over 1.6km in 2.8C water, -11C air and with a time of 43min 45sec.  All this while wearing only his bathing suit, bathing cap and goggles (and a tow float for safety of course). 

But that’s not all - he is quite humble about all this and actually has nurtured quite an ice swimming community in Ottawa where he lives, thanks to the 20-25m ice pool he carves in the Ottawa river in the winter.  At this point, you might be thinking:  no way, such a polar bear human cannot exist among us.  Well… here he is.  I hope you enjoy this podcast and remember to always prioritize safety while performing this activity! 

Let me ask you something: how important is brain health to you? Have you ever thought about the concept of brain fitness — kind of like lifting weights for your brain?

Today’s guest is an internationally recognized speaker, trainer, author, and the creator of the Brain Fitness Trainer Programs. Jill Hewlett inspires and educates audiences ranging from small groups to thousands at conferences, special events, and corporate training around the world.

Licensed in the field of Educational Kinesiology and a Brain Gym® consultant for over two decades, Jill uses simple, fun, and highly effective brain fitness and wellness techniques to help people tap into their physical, mental, emotional, and functional potential — often with immediate results.

For more information about Jill and her programs:

www.jillhewlett.com

Mon amie sirène Sylvie Krutchen est avec nous pour partager son amour de la nage, surtout en eau libre. Sylvie habite à Vancouver, fréquente autant les plages que les piscines, et relève chaque année des défis de natation qui font rêver : traversées de lacs en France et au Canada, aventures en Méditerranée… et même une piscine taillée dans la glace du lac Memphrémagog au Vermont.

Et ce n’est pas tout : malgré une hanche qui passera sous le scalpel dans deux semaines et ses 70 ans récemment célébrés en grand, elle a réussi à compléter 5 km cet été dans le lac Osoyoos, en Colombie-Britannique, lors de la toute première édition de cet événement.

Aujourd’hui, Sylvie nous parlera donc de sa passion, des défis incroyables auxquels elle a participé, et surtout des raisons qui la poussent à continuer de nager — même en pleine période de mobilité réduite.

This interview has been over ten years in the making! This esteemed and world-renowned McMaster scientist, author, and speaker has been exploring Interval Training for almost two decades and has been featured in numerous popular podcasts, magazines, TV and radio shows.

Dr Martin Gibala, Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, has graciously accepted my invitation to talk about SIT: Sprint Interval Training. It’s one of the groundbreaking research areas from his lab that directly connects to cardiovascular fitness, longevity, and performance — topics we're all interested in!

In addition to his mechanistic studies on how skeletal muscle energy metabolism is regulated, his lab conducts applied research examining how physical training and nutrition influence human health and performance.

I was doing my PhD in the French department around the time Dr. Gibala and his team first published their SIT findings — research that has personally changed my life, especially over the past five years, and transformed the fitness journeys of many of the clients I’ve coached.

So if you’ve ever survived a HIIT workout and now have a love-hate relationship with HIIT… wait until you hear about SIT and what it can do for you.

Enjoy!

For those of you looking for fun reads:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36482104/

Association of wearable device-measured vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity with mortalityThis is the study Dr. Gibala referred to during our chat, regarding wearable devices, high intensity snacks and decreased mortality (or increased longevity!)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37804419/

A Perspective on High-Intensity Interval Training for Performance and HealthFor those of you looking for that extra oomph in your performance ;)

On Oct 14th, I hosted a webinar discussing the benefits of cold water exposure on mental health - the replay link is available.  Dr Mark Christie, from Cumbria University in the UK, had sent some of his research for this presentation and amongst a few studies, focused on one person’s incredible results.  That was Kathleen, who has graciously accepted to talk to me today so she can tell her story in her own words. 

Oct 14th webinar replay: https://youtu.be/AU4lbb4oiDI

Dr Mark Christie research mentioned:

Kathleen - BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy87p7yl1e5o

Hypnotherapist mentioned: Kevin J Gerrans https://www.facebook.com/kevin.j.gerrans.hypno?rdid=KOV5tNIyvAEwSO5m&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F17VzshFbjW%2F#

Short animated film "Plunge" (2024) https://filmfreeway.com/Plunge-TykeFilms

Synopsis:
Plunge tells the story of Katie who found empowerment, friendship, and healing by plunging into frigid waters of the sea. As her voice relates to us the physical and mental struggles that have plagued her for decades, her animated form darts confidently through kelp forests on the ocean floor. She tells us about her strong community and the tremendous physical benefits of cold-water swimming. Through Katie’s story this beautiful, animated film addresses themes of isolation, connection, mental health & wellbeing and empowerment.

If you caught our previous episode, you’ll remember our deep dive into the fascinating world of radio and James’s nearly four decades of volunteering and working at CFMU. Well, he’s back — and this time, we’re exploring his other coolest journey: books.

James is an accomplished published writer with two major novels to his name and the host of GetLit, his popular show on CFMU that airs Thursdays from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Every week, he chats with authors, booksellers, publishers, bloggers, and more — with past guests including Gary Barwin, Zoe Whittall, and Sean Michaels.

Writing has been a passion for James since childhood, and in so many ways, he’s living the dream so many of us had growing up: radio and books. BLISS! That’s storytelling shining straight from the heart.

And wait until you hear his response to my question: "what does writing mean to you"...

Enjoy!

Today, we’re diving into a literal Coolest Journey — one that takes us right into the heart of CFMU radio itself, where this show is broadcast live every Friday from 12:30pm-1pm ET.

I grew up listening to radio, and it’s something I’ve always felt deeply connected to. There’s an intimacy, a closeness, that this medium creates — one that’s hard to match, even in our digital age. What surprises me most is that radio still has such strong energy and community around it. Here at CFMU, the programming is vibrant, and there’s still a long list of passionate volunteers eager to get involved.

So how does radio continue to evolve and stay relevant? Who’s listening these days? And why are younger generations still drawn to it?

My guest today, James Tennant, is perfectly positioned to help us explore those questions and more. James is one of the long-time pillars of CFMU 93.3FM — he’s the Spoken Word Program Director, a broadcaster, host of GET LIT, and an accomplished writer with two major novels to his name. He’s also co-founded the Hamilton Independent Media Awards and contributed to projects like the 2015 JUNOs and the Polaris Prize.

Tune in and don't hesitate to share your comments!

Website: https://www.jamietennant.ca 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jamietennant/  @jamietennant

CFMU  https://cfmu.ca

Today, I have the tremendous honour of speaking with Peter Williams — a cinematographer with over 30 years of experience filming across more than 50 countries. Peter’s done it all — from reality TV and documentaries to breaking news, sports, travel, and live events. He spent over a decade with major news outlets like CNN International and BBC World, covering everything from conflict zones to stories of human resilience and compassion.

After moving to Canada, Peter faced PTSD and anxiety — until about five years ago, when he found healing in cold water. These days, he snorkels and films undersea wildlife in the icy 3-to-5°C waters of the Salish Sea… without a wetsuit! That’s actually how we met a few years ago. Enjoy!

Event Announcements

*Fundraiser for Samper Caicedo Legacy Fund*
Cold Water Exposure as a Tool for Mental Well-Being
Are you curious about the power of cold water? Whether it’s showers, dipping, or open-water swimming? Or maybe you’re already a seasoned cold-water pro and want to deepen your practice for mental resilience and well-being?
This October, join Alejandro Samper and me, Coach Hélène / The Coolest Journey, certified personal trainer, NCCP coach, and passionate cold-water swimmer with over 1,500 open-water swims in the last 5 years for two special events designed to explore the healing power of cold water for mental well-being.
FREE ONLINE SEMINAR
Tuesday, October 14
5:00 – 6:30 PM PT / 8:00 - 9:30pm ET
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1763317824079?aff=oddtdtcreator
Learn the science behind cold water exposure, hear inspiring testimonials about stress/anxiety/depression/PTSD management, discover how to start or deepen your own practice, and join a live Q&A. Plus, you could win prizes valued at over $500!
Event is offered free of charge as a step toward healing and reconciliation for all victims of the Lapu Lapu Festival tragedy (April 2025) families, friends, first responders, and community members. Donations are welcomed in support of the Samper Caicedo Legacy.
GoFundMe – https://www.gofundme.com/f/sampercaicedolegacy
FREE IN-PERSON SEMINAR & OCEAN OUTING
Saturday, October 18
8:00 – 9:00 AM PT
Kitsilano Boathouse (covered area by washrooms, 1305 Arbutus St, Vancouver, BC)
MUST Register in person by 9pm Friday Oct 17th and fill out release form:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1768331580359?aff=oddtdtcreator
Bring your bathing suit, towel and hot tea! After a discussion on cold water benefits and tips to start a practice, experience a guided 3–25 minute ocean outing based on your comfort level, whether dipping, plunging, floating, or swimming. Time for Q&A, and prize draws worth over $350.
Event is offered free of charge as a step toward healing and reconciliation for all victims of the Lapu Lapu Festival tragedy (April 2025) families, friends, first responders, and community members. Donations are welcomed in support of the Samper Caicedo Legacy.
GoFundMe – https://www.gofundme.com/f/sampercaicedolegacy
Learn more:
sampercaicedolegacy.com
www.thecoolestjourney.com

Upcoming retreat in White Rock, BC Nov 14-16:

Total Body Reset retreat with me, where we’ll be enjoying ocean outings, resistance training workouts, breathwork, PEMF energy therapy and a few other surprises.  www.thecoolestjourney.com