Weekend Wellness

How a major health scare led Gord Gauvin to completely change the course of his life – and jump out of planes for a living. Later on the show, it all started with a t-shirt, something to let people know ‘I have bipolar disorder; if you want to talk, here I am’. Now Andrea Paquette is stomping out the stigma of mental illness through her registered Canadian charity, The Bipolar Disorder Society of British Columbia.

Kayla Moleschi is a rugby on the Canadian National Women's Sevens team who's living her dream. As the team works towards their goal of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, I talk to Kayla about why she loves rugby so much, what sport has done for her over the years...and how she reacts when someone says 'you throw like a girl'. Later on the show, how the internet has brought thousands of women from around the world together over their shared passion for adventure and camaraderie. Gariele Braaksma is the founder of Rad Girls Collective, an online community whose goal is to inspire women through the outdoors. When was your last great adventure?

Krista Guloien won a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics with team Canada’s Women’s 8 rowing team. Krista’s parents always encouraged her and told her she could do anything, but that’s not always how girls feel – especially when it comes to sports. Krista has teamed up with Fast and Female, a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging girls through physical activity. As an ambassador for Fast and Female, Krista shares her experiences with rowing – like standing on the podium representing Canada at the Olympics – and offers a great message to young girls. Later on the show, we hear from local adventurer Garry Bennett. His journey on the West Coast Trail started as a mid-life crisis when he was 40. He’s now about to hike the West Coast Trail for the 21st time. Gary shares what works…and what doesn’t…on this rugged 75-km hike along Vancouver Island’s West Coast. You’ll want to pack your bag and book a spot on it yourself; but listen to Gary’s advice first.

Jenn was 35 years old; she had no family history of cancer and by all accounts she was healthy. And then she was diagnosed with two kinds of breast cancer. Immediately, she made a promise to herself. Jenn shares her inspirational battle, the effects treatment has had on her and if she’s been able to keep her promise. Later on the show Dr. Tanya Berrang, a radiation oncologist with the BC Cancer Agency, on the importance of early detection, radiation VS chemotherapy and the latest in breast cancer treatment.

Janelle Breese Biagioni unexpectedly lost her husband to a brain injury five months after he was hit by a car on his police motorcycle. She's since become a Grief and Loss Councilor at The Cridge Brain Injury Services to support others going through similar situations. Janelle shares her experience with brain injury and speaks on the drastic changes that follow, plus how to rebuild the connections you once had. Later on the show, Greg Goldberg is an 18-year brain injury survivor whose story you have to hear. He was hit by a gravel truck in his early 20s and spent weeks in a coma. When he finally came to, he couldn't remember a thing. He was forced to stop teaching, his wife divorced him, and that was just the beginning. Greg shares the details of his incredible recovery and what life's like now. Wait till you hear about his Blue Sheet Clubhouse - it's honestly the best thing I've heard in a long time

Even though we're all literally doing it every single day, it can still be one of the most difficult transitions in a person's life; getting older. There are so many changes that come with ageing - mobility, activity levels, social interaction and overall health. Pam Lewis is a nurse and also the Director of Community Program Development at Island Community Mental Health and part of her job is to support those 65+ as they face some of these changes, including a diagnosis of a chronic disease. Pam talks about the challenges of ageing and how to support the elderly in your life through this transition. Later, Dr. Brenda Lau, Anesthesiologist and Medical Director of CHANGEpain, based in Vancouver. Dr. Lau talks about chronic pain and the different treatments for it, including infusions, talk therapy and why more and more doctors and patients are moving away from opioids. Dr. Lau also addresses the fact that so many of us think we can just 'ride the pain out' - find out why that's not a good idea with chronic pain and how much better you can feel with the right treatment.

I talk to Bradley Jawl, Physiotherapist at Tall Tree Integrated Health Centre, about the benefits of physio and how it works for injury recovery. And what about stretching - is it as essential as we've been lead to believe? Sidenote: Tall Tree is joining the 2nd Annual Walk & Talk program in partnership with the Canadian Diabetes Association. This is a free 8-week program for those who are prediabetic or have diabetes (and also for their loved ones/caregivers). Look into it - it sounds like a wonderful resource! Later, Surrey-based dermatologist Dr. Lorne Albrecht on sun protection and the easiest...and most important...way to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Hint: suns-----n. Dr. Albrecht says a suntan is just damaged skin and that a burn today is sure to affect our health and appearance in years to come.

Do you donate blood? You can do it every 56 days...and it can help save the lives of up to three people. That's pretty empowering. I think, 'what if a family member ever needed a blood transfusion? Or a friend? Or what if one day I do?' Dr. Mark Bigham is a Medical Officer with Canadian Blood Services and explains the process from start to finish of blood donation and what it means for the lives of thousands of Canadians. We also get into how that process has drastically changed in the last few decades and how far it's come since before Canadian Blood Services was established. Later on the show, as technology and devices continue to be a central part of our day-to-day, so does digital eye strain. A recent study was done in the US looking at (pun intended) people's screen time habits and the consequences that it has on their eyesight. This is especially a growing problem for children. Dr. Gurpreet Leekha is the President of the BC Doctors of Optometry and explains the survey's findings and provides solutions to this vision concern.

Allan Lagacé is a runner from New Brunswick who has cerebral palsy. He ran his first marathon in 2014 where he qualified for the 2016 Boston Marathon. Allan is one of just 50 athletes who qualified under the mobility impaired division for the race on April 18. Growing up with cerebral palsy, Allan would often hear 'you can't do it'. His response? Yes I can and I'll show you! Later, Chris Linford returns to Weekend Wellness. Chris is a retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces. He served for 33 years and in 1994 after a stint in Rwanda, Chris acquired PTSD. Returning home, he suffered in silence for 10 years before seeking help in 2004. Ten years after that, he and his wife designed the COPE Program (Couples Overcoming PTSD Everyday) with the support of Wounded Warriors Canada. COPE provides couples with the resources and support to address the PTSD and help repair their relationship going forward. COPE launched in 2015 and now it's about to go national and bilingual. Chris' story of what he's seen and endured through deployment is unbelievable. How he went forward afterwards to develop a solution for himself, his family and other members across the county is a must-hear.

Bread has been a comfort food and a dietary staple to many for thousands of years. I can’t imagine a life without grilled cheese sandwiches, pumpkin pie, blueberry muffins, French toast or even Éclairs. Yet more than 333, 000 Canadians battle Celiac disease. This doesn’t just mean discomfort after eating gluten. Celiac disease is also linked to anemia, joint pain, osteoporosis, ADHD, damage to dental enamel and, and, and... Enter Origin Bakery – Victoria’s first 100% gluten-free bakery. Co-owner Tara Black believes just because you can’t eat wheat shouldn’t mean you can’t enjoy all those wheat-type foods. Like Sourdough bread, biscotti, butter tarts...and yes, even Eclairs. They’re so invested in serving their gluten-free customers, they even came up with a custom-made loaf for a family whose daughter had Celiac disease. Six years later, that family still buys their daughter’s bread from Tara and the chefs at Origin Bakery. Also on the show, we meet Yarrow Willard, co-owner and certified herbalist at Harmonic Arts. There, they dispense over a thousand herbs and herb products in the interest of natural healing through plant medicine. What if you could put that prescription down and find remedies in the forest instead? That’s what Yarrow and his wife, Angela, have dedicated their lives to exploring, researching and living by. Yarrow explains natural remedies for fatigue, joint paint, depression and even menopause. When asked if his customers see results, he said they don’t realize how good they’ve been feeling until they stop taking their herbs.