A letter from an aunty to an Olympian.
Friday evening Marla and I spent Canada Day together. We decided to go through some of my drawers, as we often do when she comes into town, and we stumbled upon some real gems. One of which was a letter that my aunt Janet, my father's sister, wrote to me/my dad after I competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Her delightful spin on the impact of the games is an awesome reminder of the support and foundation I had with me during my athletic career, as well as my life in general!
Happy New Year: Time to move on with reflection and imagination.
It seems like time has been flying! Here comes another year. If we choose it can also be a fresh start and or a new chapter. 2016 is significant to me in many ways, but one way in particular. Another Olympic year is before us and it is kind of a trip that this will be the next summer Olympics beyond the summer games that I last competed. It is hard to believe that 4 years has past. It also feels like forever ago. It will be interesting to watch from the sidelines as a retired
How Accountability Elevates Performance on the Field and in the Office.
I fell in love with rowing the first time I got in a boat, but what drove me to take it as far as I did? The answer is twofold. I was motivated and driven by the progress I made. I was encouraged by the relationship between the work I put in and my improvements. My team. Showing up for others and being a part of something bigger got me out of bed. More than the medal, more than the Olympics, rowing with a crew and reaching our collective potential became the driving force. Fr
The Book! Introducing "Beyond the Finish Line"
Are you an athlete transitioning from a career in sport and silently struggling along the way? Or perhaps you didn’t realize how you would feel when your career ended and how difficult transitioning to life beyond would be. You are not alone. Krista’s forthright tell all of her journey to the 2012 Olympic podium, as well as what came afterward will help you find closure, peace, as well as a safe place to relate, laugh and reflect on the “what next?” after sport. In sport, a
Women's History Month: Greats Who Impacted Sport History
(Photo from The Canadian Press- Nathan Denette) As a hockey nation, here is a woman most of us probably know and rightly so. She was Canada’s flag bearer for the Sochi 2014 Games. The longest serving member of Canada’s National Women’s Team, Hayley Wickenheiser has competed in all five Olympic Games in which women’s hockey has been included, winning four gold and one silver medal to make her one of Canada’s most decorated Olympians. At just 15 years old, Wickenheiser made her
Women's History Month: Greats Who Impacted Sport History
Sharon and Shirley Firth are now the first Aboriginal women inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. The twin sisters, members of the Gwich'in First Nation, grew up in Inuvik, N.W.T. They were major contributors to their sport of cross country skiing, representing Canada and competing in 4 Olympic Games between 1972-1984. (Read more about the Firth twins.) Sharon accepted the twins honour last night, as Shirley passed away in 2013 after battling cancer. I am sure it was a
Women's History Month: Greats Who Impacted Sport History
She trail blazes within her sport and leads by example. She stands out as a strong competitor in general, not just a strong female competitor. She pushes boudaries and refuses to let the differences between male and female athletes to be labelled as weakness. Just because it is a rule or it hasn’t been done before, does not mean that it can’t be done is one of her mottos. She lives in a world of possibility and credits that to her strong family foundation. I relate to an ath
Women's History Month: Greats Who Impacted Sport History
At nine years old she registered herself in hockey as Ab Hoffman, instead of Abigail in a boys league since there were no girls leagues to play in. In the recently filmed documentary "Play Fair", she comments that she just wanted to play hockey. After making all star status as a younster, her gender was uncovered when she had to hand in her birth certificate and she was cut from the team. Referred to as the "rebel with a cause", Abby went on to compete in track and field, alw
The Book: Beyond the Finish Line
I am currently in the process of writing my book. It is still a work in progress, but it is coming along and I am excited for one day soon when it is a finished product and I can share it. My message or purpose to the book is to help retiring athletes, but I feel that anyone in transition will benefit. Life transitions and/or big life changes give us all similar feelings and struggles along the way. My goal is to break the silence and candidly sharing my struggles. Expect a r
Inspiring Women: Kicking Ass in Sport & Beyond
When I was growing up, I do not recall being exposed to many strong female role models from the sports world. They existed, but there wasn't enough story telling and publicity of women in sport, there still isn't. The athletes we recall from the 1990s were mostly from male dominated team sports, such as football, hockey and basketball. Michael Jordon and Pavel Bure are two names that come to mind. For many, seeing possibiltiy and opportunity ignites the dream. It is important
