One of the many reactions that I get from people is how or why I think that my goal is even the slightest bit achievable. After reflection, I guess the short answer is that I come from a background where success at the top level has been demonstrated over and over and over. I have friends, family and former high school and college teammates who have gone on to play professional football, basketball, hockey, competed at the Olympics, studied at Harvard, come back from serious illness, taken their companies public... its endless! 

As I have made this transition from the work world to athletics I find that I am devouring books, articles, posts and snippets on athletes who have an inspiring tale to tell. It helps to refuel the mental tank. So, I thought I would reach out to those who have inspired me in real life and have them share their stories to continue to inspire others! 

Thank you very much to those who have helped contribute! Much appreciated!

Crystal Phillips

A fellow skater at Calgary's Olympic Oval, Crystal is an inspiration to us all. At 24, she is a competitive speed skater, natural nutritionist, student of herbology and is battling multiple sclerosis.

Check out Crystal's post:
Crystal Patches, Keeping An Eye Out For MS, 2-Nov-10 

Greg Hetherington

A former teammate at McGill University, Greg went on to receive All-Conference and All-Canadian honours en route to setting numerous school records before being drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in the 2007 CFL Draft. After a 3-year CFL career, Greg is now the General Manager at Think Fitness, a boutique fitness studio in West Toronto. Fun fact about Greg, as a youngster he pitched in the Little League World Series. Greg shares his experience transitioning from training for football to training for the rest of his life. 

Check out Greg's post:
Life After Football, 5-Nov-10

Laurence Nixon

I attended Vancouver College with the Nixon brothers (John, James, Patrick & Laurence) for 11 years and we have remained very close to this day (spent Thanksgiving with James & Patrick this year). "Larry" has come a long way since playing on the sidelines of our Varsity games at VC and is now the starting quarterback at the University of Saskatchewan. Larry was named Canada West Player of the Year in his senior year, All-Canadian and a finalist for the 2010 Hec Crighton Award (awarded to the Most Valuable Player in CIS Football. Additionally, he doubles as a valuable member of the Zu team, a web strategy powerhouse based out of Saskatoon, SK.

Check out Laurence's post:
Using Social Media to Build A Nation, 11-Nov-10

Rob Weitemeyer

A former football and rowing teammate of mine at Vancouver College, Rob always demonstrated an enviable work ethic in all of his athletic pursuits. After rowing as an undergrad for UBC, Rob went on to compete for Canada and was a silver medallist at the 2004 FISA World Championships in Spain. Most recently, Rob suited up for Cambridge University in the annual Oxford Cambridge Boat Race where his crew was victorious. 

Check out Rob's post:
The Audacity of an Olympic Dream, 12-Nov-10

Teddy Keen

I am doing all this work just to skate 500 metres. England's Teddy Keen, a fellow skating rookie, has three months to train to skate 200 KILOMETRES! Teddy, an Englishman who must have some Dutch blood coursing through his veins somewhere, has entered himself into the world's longest and most gruelling speed skating race - Finland's Kuopio Ice Marathon. Why? Well as a thank you and fundraiser for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital who has looked after his younger brother, Angus, who is battling Apert Syndrome. Teddy will share his story on how his brother's daily battle has inspired him to put his body (and pride) on the line to help those who make a life of helping others! 

Check out Teddy's post:
200km of Frozen Brotherly Love, 15-Nov-10

Brock Miron

Hopefully, you all know who Brock is by now. Brock is my coach and a former member of Canada's National Long Track Speed Skating Team. Brock was on the National team for 8 years and competed for Canada at the 2006 Torino Olympic Winter Games. Currently, Brock is coaching speed skating in Vancouver, BC while attending the University of British Columbia.

Check out Brock's post:
Coach Brock, My Side of the Story, 28-Nov-10
Benefits of Hill Sprints Club, 16-May-11

Angus Reid

My cousin (and fellow Vancouver College alum), Angus Reid, is a testament to the age-old adage of "hard work pays off." After excelling on the field at VC having joined football late, Angus went on to become an All-American at Simon Fraser University (despite missing 3 of 5 seasons battling illness) before being drafted 4th overall in the 2001 CFL Draft. Angus, currently starting centre for the BC Lions, has been an ironman throughout his career with an amazing streak of appearing in 142 consecutive games. Angus has appeared in 2 Grey Cups, coming home with a ring in the 2006 tilt versus the Montreal Alouettes. Angus is going to share his own "long shot" story which serves as a tremendous example of what can be accomplished through sheer determination and will.

Check out Angus' post:
Win The Day, 6-Dec-10

Upcoming Posts

Peter Dyakowski

I don't need to look far for inspiration when it comes to getting to the top of a sport in a short period of time. Peter, never short of physical stature, was pulled into football kicking and screaming in Grade 10. Three years later he was the first Canadian to receive a full athletic scholarship to Louisiana State University where he won a BCS National Championship and was named to ESPN's All-Bowl Team after LSU dismantled Notre Dame in the 2007 Sugar Bowl (Pete played the whole game with a broken hand). After a brief stint with the New Orleans Saints, Pete was drafted 11th overall in the 2006 CFL Draft by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Currently, Pete is the starting left guard for the Ti-Cats. 

Lots more to come!