Defining Moments with Dustin

Dustin Heise
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Defining Moments with Dustin Heise is where leadership meets high-performance sport. Dustin, CEO of Canada Snowboard, sits down with the athletes, coaches, and leaders who know what it takes to build strong teams and values-driven cultures. Expect real conversations, practical insights, and a closer look at the world of snowboarding, from Olympic drama to grassroots beginnings.

  1. 1d ago

    Ben LeSage – Professional Rugby Player, New England Free Jacks & Startup Operator

    What does it take to chase a dream, compete on the world stage, and build a successful career beyond professional sports? In this episode of Defining Moments, host Dustin Heise sits down with Ben LeSage, Canadian National Rugby Team player, three-time Major League Rugby champion with the New England Free Jacks, and experienced startup operator. Ben shares his journey from studying engineering at the University of British Columbia to representing Canada at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He reflects on embracing uncertainty, overcoming self-doubt, and applying lessons from elite athletics to the fast-paced world of high-growth startups, including his experience helping scale Omnipresent from its earliest stages. The conversation explores the power of mentorship, building trust within teams, and using sport to create meaningful community impact. Ben also shares the unforgettable story of how Canada's rugby team helped a Japanese community recover from a devastating typhoon, creating connections that continue years later. With the 2027 Rugby World Cup on the horizon, Ben opens up about preparing for what could be his final chapter as a professional athlete and the opportunities that await beyond the field. This episode is a powerful reminder that defining moments aren't just about winning championships. They're about taking chances, lifting others up, and building a legacy that lasts long after the final whistle.

    Ben LeSage – Professional Rugby Player, New England Free Jacks & Startup Operator

  2. Oct 27

    Nolan Thiessen – Chief Executive Officer, Curling Canada

    What does it take to lead a sport, build a lasting community, and turn personal setbacks into defining moments? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Nolan Thiessen, CEO of Curling Canada, to explore the leadership lessons that shaped his journey from competitive athlete to sports executive. Nolan shares how falling short of his baseball dream taught him to take ownership of his growth, why reaching out to a mentor changed his career, and how listening, trust, and athlete-first leadership guide his decisions. They also discuss curling’s power to bring people together, the need to adapt to changing lifestyles, and the future of Canadian curling. In this conversation, you’ll discover: Why daily improvement matters more than simply hoping for success.How mentorship and taking risks can open unexpected doors.Why great leaders listen to different perspectives but still own their decisions.How sport can create belonging that lasts a lifetime.Why the future of sport depends on being willing to do things differently.A conversation about accountability, community, and the defining moments that shape how we lead.

    Nolan Thiessen – Chief Executive Officer, Curling Canada

  3. Oct 20

    Larry Peters – Chief Revenue Officer, World of Dance

    What makes sport so powerful at bringing people together? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Larry Peters, Chief Revenue Officer at World of Dance, to explore the business, culture, and community behind sports and entertainment. Larry shares what he has learned from more than 15 years working across major sports, live entertainment, brand partnerships, technology, and new market development. The conversation covers why sport creates such a strong shared identity, what dance can teach us about community, and why brands need to move beyond simple logo placement toward real engagement.   Larry also reflects on the mindset that has shaped his career, including his attraction to emerging opportunities, startups, new markets, and businesses that require strong storytelling to grow.   They also discuss how technology is changing sponsorship and fan engagement, the risks involved in building new businesses, and what Larry hopes to help create through World of Dance and Staydium in the years ahead.   It is a conversation about connection, growth, partnerships, and building experiences that people genuinely want to be part of.

    Larry Peters – Chief Revenue Officer, World of Dance

  4. Oct 13

    Jess Nicol - Co-Founder & CEO, Nicol

    What if sport could do more than build fitness and competition, and actually help solve loneliness? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Jess Jess Nicol, Co-Founder & CEO of Nicol, to explore how racquet sports can create stronger, healthier, and more connected communities.   Jess shares how Nicol grew from a junior squash program into a growing network of multi-racquet clubs built around belonging, play, and community. She talks about building through COVID, the importance of having the right partner, and why creating spaces where people of all ages feel welcome has always been central to the vision.   They also discuss the rise of pickleball and padel, what true inclusivity in sport looks like, and why adults need more opportunities to simply play. Jess explains Nicol’s player journey from first-time participation to competition, as well as the systems and strategy behind scaling the business into new markets.   At its heart, this is a conversation about what sport can create beyond the court: connection, purpose, belonging, and stronger communities in an increasingly isolated world.

    Jess Nicol - Co-Founder & CEO, Nicol

  5. Oct 6

    Daniel Oladejo - Professional Athlete, Business Development Representative at GameStrat

    What happens when failure becomes one of your greatest advantages? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Daniel Oladejo to explore the experiences that shaped him as an athlete, leader, and business professional. Daniel shares how being cut from teams, sitting on the sidelines for years, and facing pressure at the CFL Combine helped build the resilience and discipline that continue to guide him today. He also explains why learning how to respond to failure matters far beyond sport. The conversation covers leadership under pressure, building trust through shared experiences, performing with freedom instead of fear, and why significant failure can be one of the most valuable experiences for young athletes. Daniel also reflects on his transition from professional sport into business development and leadership coaching, and how the lessons he learned on the field continue to shape the next chapter of his career.

    Daniel Oladejo - Professional Athlete, Business Development Representative at GameStrat

  6. Sep 29

    Susanne Wereley - President, AthletesCAN | Communications Manager, Rowing Canada Aviron

    What happens when the lessons learned at the highest level of sport become lessons for leadership? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Olympic gold medalist Susanne Wereley to explore the defining experiences that shaped her journey from the rowing boat to the boardroom. Susanne shares the moment Canada's women's eight realized they were capable of something special, how finishing fifth at the Rio Olympics changed her relationship with success, and how that experience helped the team redefine excellence on their path to Olympic gold in Tokyo.   They also discuss what high-performance sport can teach us about leadership, including taking responsibility before blaming others, staying open to difficult feedback, communicating consistently, building trust, and recognizing that even champions always have something they can improve.   Now serving as President of AthletesCAN, Susanne is helping amplify athlete voices and advocating for athletes to have a meaningful seat at the table. She and Dustin also explore how Canadian sport can create clearer pathways and greater opportunities for the next generation.   It’s a conversation about resilience, accountability, communication, athlete advocacy, and what it really means to pursue excellence without expecting perfection.

    Susanne Wereley - President, AthletesCAN | Communications Manager, Rowing Canada Aviron

  7. Sep 22

    Skip Gilbert - Executive Vice President, Capelli Sport | Why Youth Sports Need Passion, Not Pressure

    Are we raising better athletes, or are we taking the joy out of sports? In this episode of Defining Moments, host Dustin Heise sits down with Skip Gilbert, Executive Vice President at Capelli Sport and former CEO of US Youth Soccer and USA Triathlon, to explore what it really takes to build successful athletes, strong leaders, and lasting sports organizations. With decades of experience across youth sports and the Olympic movement, Skip shares why the future of sports depends on creating opportunities for everyone, not just those chasing elite competition. Together, Dustin and Skip discuss the growing pressure placed on young athletes, the importance of recreational and competitive pathways, and why encouraging kids to play multiple sports can help build a lifelong love of physical activity. Skip also draws powerful connections between sports and business, explaining how preparation, resilience, integrity, and passion shape high-performing teams. He shares his approach to leadership, from building values-driven cultures to putting the right people in the right roles. At the heart of the conversation is a simple message: Sports should be about more than winning. They should help people grow, stay active, and find joy in the journey. In this episode, you'll discover: Why youth sports need both recreational and elite pathways.How early pressure can push young athletes away from the games they love.Why playing multiple sports matters for lifelong participation.How preparation and practice translate into business success.What it takes to build a values-driven, high-performance culture.Why passion and enjoyment can matter more than talent alone.How leaders can create stronger organizations by putting people in the right roles.Whether you're a coach, parent, athlete, or business leader, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on building success without losing sight of what makes sports meaningful. Tune in to discover why the greatest impact of sports may have nothing to do with the scoreboard.

    Skip Gilbert - Executive Vice President, Capelli Sport | Why Youth Sports Need Passion, Not Pressure

  8. Sep 15

    Matthew Bongiorno - Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Canadian Olympic Committee

    What if the true impact of sport goes far beyond medals and podiums? In this episode of Defining Moments, Dustin Heise sits down with Matthew Bongiorno, Manager of Government Relations and Public Affairs at the Canadian Olympic Committee, to explore how sport can unite communities, strengthen national identity, and create lasting change. Matthew shares how the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games shaped his career and showed him the power of partnerships. He also takes us behind the scenes of the Canadian Olympic Committee and its work to support athletes, strengthen the national sport system, and advocate for greater investment in Canadian sport. Dustin and Matthew also discuss authentic leadership, the legacy of hosting major sporting events, the rise of women’s sport in Canada, growing barriers to participation, and Team Canada 2035’s goal of getting one million more young people involved in sport. This conversation is a reminder that sport is more than competition. It can create belonging, build confidence, develop leaders, and bring people together around something bigger than themselves.

    Matthew Bongiorno - Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Canadian Olympic Committee
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About

Defining Moments with Dustin Heise is where leadership meets high-performance sport. Dustin, CEO of Canada Snowboard, sits down with the athletes, coaches, and leaders who know what it takes to build strong teams and values-driven cultures. Expect real conversations, practical insights, and a closer look at the world of snowboarding, from Olympic drama to grassroots beginnings.

Information

  • Creator
    Dustin Heise
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Defining Moments with Dustin
  • Show Website
    Defining Moments with Dustin

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