City of Champions

Ep: 29 | Dr. Brent Saik | The World's Longest Hockey Game

This week I’m thrilled to bring you my conversation with the organizer of The World’s Longest Hockey Game, Dr. Brent Saik. Every few year Brent brings together a group of 40 players who have, or have been closely impacted, by cancer, to participate in the 10 day long event. The guys get older, and the game gets longer, but since 2003 the group has raised over $3.4M for cancer research. Brent, having lost both his father and first wife to cancer, has made fundraising an integral part of his life and his efforts have saved an incredible amount of lives. This year the game brought in over $1.2M, bringing the total raised since its inception to $4.6M. Special shoutout to TSN’s Dustin Nielson for his first-place fundraising total of $66,035 this year.

Ep: 28 | James Franklin | Eskimo to Argo: The Life of a CFL Quarterback

My guest this week is former (hate using that word) Edmonton Eskimo, James Franklin. We were lucky to have James in the City of Champions for three years as he filled the backup quarterback role behind talented vet, Mike Reilly. This offseason James was traded to the Toronto Argonauts and resigned in The Six for two more years. It’s devastating to see a guy like James leave the city. He was a leader on the field, as well as in the community. His magnetic personality and undeniable charm will be missed but I wish him nothing but the best in his career and know big things are ahead for this wonderful human being.

Ep: 27 | Sahr Saffa | Vibe with C-Tribe

Sahr Saffa is a driven young man accomplishing tremendous things in the Edmonton community. He is the founder of startups Nimbus Creative and Cappsule. An entrepreneur from the get, Sahr saw a unique culture of innovation and collaboration in premiere cities around North America and asked himself why Edmonton shouldn't be able to support an ecosystem like that. Out of that question was born C-Tribe Festival, an event focused on bringing innovation and enlightened thinking to underrepresented communities through art and culture. Sahr and I met for the first time today on the podcast so the format is loosey goosey, but entertaining and inspiring as always.

 

Ep: 26 | Lorne Rubis | Leadership and Cultural Transformation

My guest this week is leadership expert, Lorne Rubis. Lorne is currently the Chief Evangelist of ATB FInancial...and don’t worry, he explains what that is in the episode.  Lorne is also the author of The Character Triangle, a how-to manual on building character, having an impact, and inspiring others. Lorne is an incredibly likeable and charismatic guy. Meeting him was especially interesting for me because he taught my mom back in Junior High and it was amazing to get a glimpse back in time at her!

Ep: 25 | Jesse Lipscombe | Make It Awkward

My guest this week is a very well known man around town in Edmonton. Jesse Lipscombe is an actor, producer, musician, entrepreneur, and former elite-level track athlete once on track for the Olympic Games. Most recently, Jesse’s become a household name for his “Make it Awkward” campaign: an anti-discrimination movement that took shape in response to a drive-by racial attack. The efforts of this campaign culminate this weekend, from Feb 1-3, at the Make it Awkward Summit in Edmonton. The MIA Summit 2018 will bring together global leaders championing inclusivity, diversity, and love in order to disrupt the status quo and create lasting societal change. The summit has an incredible lineup of speakers, musicians, and other performers. Do not miss this one. Get all the information at miasummit.com.

Ep: 24 | Dr. Bob Steadward | Evening the Playing Field

Dr. Bob Steadward was named one of the top 125 Albertan's in the last TWO CENTURIES...what else do you need to know to listen??? Ok, fine. He founded the Steadward Centre for Personal and Physical Achievement in 1978 and over the last 40 years has helped changed the lives of tens of thousands of those living with physical impairments. Dr. Steadward is also the founding president of the International Paralympic Committee, an organization that has worked in lock step with the IOC since 1988. Affectionately known as Dr. Bob, this man has made a tremendous positive impact on so many lives and it is quickly evident in our conversation why he is held in such high regard not only as a doctor, but as a human being.

Ep: 23 | Brittney Punter - Yeggers | Make Edmonton Beautiful Again

This week I had a chance to speak with a woman who is playing a major part in making Edmonton beautiful. Or rather, exposing just how beautiful our northern gateway city can be. Brittney Punter is the driving force behind the social movement, Yeggers. Brittney founded the Instagram account, which now has 40,000 followers, because she was fed up with hearing how dreary and desolate a city Edmonton is. When she is not starting social movements, Brittney is an artist, photographer, teacher, and world traveller, among many other things. Make sure to check out the page, Yeggers, for breaktaking photos of our City of Champions. 

Ep: 22 | Sylvia Soo | Conquering Cancer and Artfully Artisan Aspirations

Today I had the sincere pleasure of speaking with Sylvia Soo, a woman of many talents. On Sylvia’s resume you might find artist, actor, author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, inspirational speaker, and world traveller...to name a few things. However, what you will not find on there, and what Sylvia has best been known for in the last 8 years, is two-time cancer survivor. This tough chick kicked cancer’s ass twice! And while the fights weren’t easy, Sylvia has grown tremendously and uses her experiences to help others, aiming to leave this world in a better place than she found it.

Ep: 21 | Phillip Matombo | Beating the Streets

From the villages of Zimbabwe to the streets of Edmonton, Phillip Matombo has not had an easy path to where he stands today. At 18 years old, half a year left before graduating high school, 5-0 in his amateur boxing career, and with aspirations of joining the Canadian Olympic Boxing team, Phillip has a long and challenging road ahead of him. In this podcast he talks about enduring more turmoil at only 18 years old than most people face in their entire lives, and how he is using that to drive him forward as a champion.

Ep: 20 | Alysia Rissling | (Bob)sleighing It

My guest this week is long-time friend and Olympic Bobsleigh hopeful, Alysia Rissling. In five short years, Alysia has grown into one of the top ranked bobsledders in the world. The journey, of course, has not been without its challenges. Alysia describes the dedication and drive it takes to chase an Olympic dream and some of the unexpected twists and turns along the way. It’s been a pleasure watching Alysia pursue the pinnacle of athletic glory and we’re all eager to watch her slide to victory in Pyeongchang.