Heroes in our Midst Toogood Consulting

“I don’t think any of us are in the business of removing
challenge. I think we’re in the business of increasing challenge to the most we can tolerate as a human being. But then, if that human being is being asked to tolerate all of this challenge – how can we build up the human being, how can
we give them the resources they need, the space they need, the rest they need, the understanding of the “why” behind what they’re doing, and the decision-making power.”

– Katrina Monton

 

In this episode, Katrina Monton is our very special guest.
Katrina played Water Polo at the National team level for many years. She was already a carded athlete at the age of 15! She’s an NCAA Division 1 silver medallist, played in 4 or 5 World championships and 2 Pan Am Games. These days,
she is passionate about taking all that she has learned along the way and pouring it into her research and her work as an Organizational Psychologist. What a great conversation we had. So, listen and learn how important culture, team dynamics, psychological safety, well-being and belonging are in high performance environments. Enjoy.

“I know what it’s like to not have food in the fridge”

 

One of the things that Asun Ducharme carries with him from
his childhood. It wasn’t an easy one but somehow, somewhere, he finds positives in all of it and he is finding his way to greatness. The passion and the drive in this young man will blow you away.

 

Prepare to be inspired when you listen to Asun and his
story. He is a linebacker, was the captain of his high school football team and at only 17 years old, what he’s already seen and learned in his short life is more than most of us can imagine. He plays linebacker and he is one of the most passionate individuals I have ever met. He is set on greatness and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get there.



Listen to Asun’s story and don’t forget his name… someday
you’ll be wanting to say “you knew him when”.

When you open Ray Zahab’s website you will find these three
words.

CHALLENGE. DISTANCE. DISCOVERY.

Exactly what he takes on, on a very regular basis. He takes
on new challenges that usually include running long distances and discovering not only the cultures and geography of the places he goes but also, what it takes to truly conquer the challenge in any given location for any distance, in any amount of time. And we’re talking 17,000 km’s PLUS in some of the world’s hottest and driest deserts to some of the coldest places on earth.

How does he accomplish this? He never underestimates his
ability to complete the task.

Anything’s possible is an understatement for Ray and he
thinks anyone can do anything as long as they put their minds to it and truly find a passion for it.

Listen as Ray shares his “why”, his story and his outlook on
life … in the NOW.

“My life changed when I stopped defining success by a
certain limited framework.”

 

That’s what Juno award winning singer/songwriter Steve Bell
said, when he decided, along with his manager/producer/sound design partner Dave Zeglinski, that they would leave Nashville and come back home to Manitoba to do locally what they did best… make music on their own terms and share it with others. And it’s worked for them… big time.  Steve has shared his music with over half a million people in 15 countries worldwide. He’s played over 30 sold out Symphony concerts across Canada and into the U.S. He’s been awarded 3 JUNOS with another 3 nominations, he’s won 4 Western Canadian Music awards, numerous Gospel Music
Awards and Prairie Music awards too. He was the recipient of the 2012 Queen Elizabeth 2nd’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, was appointed to the Order of Manitoba in 2021 and the Order of Canada in 2022. All of this has led to Steve being one of the best-known Christian musicians in Canada and if you haven’t heard his music, you will want to once you hear his story and our conversation
with him.

You see, his story is NOT what you think… and to say he’s
made an impact on the world around him is an understatement…so listen and find out who Steve Bell and what truly makes him a “Hero in our Midst”.

If you were ever wanting to hear the story of someone who
has worked for absolutely everything she’s ever gotten in life, then, you’ve found the right story. Our guest today is Claire Hanna. Most recently, you may have seen Claire on the sidelines of the 2023 Grey Cup championship game as part of the TSN broadcast. Or, you may know her name from the volleyball world, in which, she is a 3-time National champion with the UBC Thunderbirds, she went
on to play pro AND was a member of the Senior National women’s volleyball team for 4 years too. She is a 2-time Canada West libero of the year and even nabbed the CIS Libero of the Year title in 2010.



Claire’s dreams didn’t stop when volleyball ended though.
Her dream of becoming a TV broadcaster for TSN was also on her list… and much like she pursued her volleyball dreams, she went after the TV dream too. The best part is she feels the best stories in her life are yet to come… but stop for a bit and listen to this one. But be careful, you may be inspired to put in a whole lot of work after you do.



Enjoy! 

“A 30-year reunion… do your ex-teammates want to come sit at a table with you because you scored a bunch of goals or was it because you were a good person and a good teammate? That’s always kind of stuck with me.”

That’s just one of the things recently retired NHL hockey
player, Mark Borowiecki said when we chatted about his life story. You see, he was drafted by the Ottawa Senators and played there for a decade before being
traded to Nashville, where, only recently, his playing career came to an end.

 But Mark doesn’t only have a hockey story… he’s been on a mental health journey of his own as well. When he played he was a fighter. A tough guy. But on the inside there were some dark times. He talks about that,
his motivation to carry on and how he now wants to use every experience he’s had to help others and with his current job in Professional Player Development
for the Nashville Predators, he is poised to do just that!

Take a listen and hear the story for yourself!