An act of Generosity: Helping People Find their Voice

Thinking Outside the Box

This episode features Brad Masterson, co-founder and principal of Summit West Independent School in Okotoks, Alberta. With degrees in Kinesiology and Education from the University of Calgary, Brad reflects on his path into teaching, including his experience as a mature student and the motivations that led him to pursue education as a career. The conversation explores his early career challenges, particularly his struggle to fit within the traditional public system, and how that led him to teach in an alternative education system with a “self-directed learning” approach through Green Learning Academy. The history, functionality, and demise of this school are covered. Brad describes his departure from Green Learning and the lessons learned from this experience. We cover the next chapter of his life, the birth of Summit West Independent School. Brad takes the listener through the creation of Summit West Independent School, highlighting the realities of starting a school: the effort, setbacks, and importance of strong relationships with his partner Tracy, with parents, and government stakeholders. From past lessons, we covered how they have established a vision for this school. There is insight into how the school operates. We cover curriculum design and teaching philosophy. Daily functions and expectations for students, families, and staff are also discussed. Financial considerations, along with other attributes, are covered for all members of this institution. The central theme throughout this episode is education and or innovation in education. How new ideas are explored, tested, and refined or discarded. More importantly, the focus of Summit West is about personal growth and self-discovery, not just academics. This interview will appeal to anyone interested in education as a career or for information in this field. Specifically, this episode caters to an audience who wants to know more about alternative education methods and self-directed learning. Entrepreneurs and an audience who want to hear a good business story will enjoy this episode, as Brad shares many hard lessons learned from establishing Summit West. Above all, and more importantly, it is about life lessons; becoming a better version of ourselves and about giving back and making the world a better place, which is what leaders do, and what Brad and Summit West stand for. https://summitwestschool.ca/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-masterson-89452498/ https://www.instagram.com/swis.education/# https://www.facebook.com/SWISYYC/#

Lessons in Mental Performance and Life

In this episode, I have a conversation with Gary Chupik, a mental performance coach and the creator of the “GAMEPLAN FOR LIFE”. Gary is a certified coach through the International Coaching Federation ICF. He has a master's degree in Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, and an undergraduate degree in Religious Education from Eston College. Gary refers to himself as a prairie boy, as he was raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. In this episode, the listener will appreciate how this view on life has kept him grounded, enabling him to approach leadership by building relationships. We go through his journey attending Eston College and the Canadian Bible College, where he completed his degree in Religious Education. His pursuit of his master's degree in Divinity at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California, and settling in the Seattle area are discussed. Gary reflects on his decision to pursue a career in the ministry. He shares his experiences of his many roles, including youth leadership, discipleship, senior pastoring, church planting, and chaplaincy. Gary discusses how his career evolved from working as a chaplain at the Veterans Hospital in Seattle. The transition from this to his role with the Seattle Thunderbirds, leading to a career shift, is revealed. Gary opens up and talks about a turning point in his life. It was the mishandling of his energy that led to burnout. He discloses his brief sabbatical and what he did during this period. His honest reflection that reshaped his direction, resulting in his coaching practice, the “GAMEPLAN FOR LIFE”. We talk about his pursuit of being a certified coach and his experiences with the International Coaching Federation ICF. We address misconceptions regarding the roles of chaplain, coaching, and mentorship. There is insight into the above-mentioned roles, specifically coaching and leadership. It is not about having the right answer, but helping others figure it out is what leadership entails. Gary shares his coaching practice. He provides many examples of how he works with clients. In doing so, he provides material for the listener to think about how they can live better. Topics include taking time out daily to visualize, dream, and assess what we want to achieve. It is understanding who we are and what we want to become, and the willingness to make sacrifices when need be. This interview will appeal to anyone with a desire or considering a career in the ministry, chaplaincy, or the church. It will interest anyone considering coaching for a career. Career change is talked about extensively. Above all, this interview is about leadership, as Gary has many examples from all facets of his life. It is about leading by living authentically and being comfortable with who we are and what we want to do, and being willing to do the work. It is finding our expectations and our desire for how we live. Gary exemplifies all these traits. It is about finding the best qualities and getting people to live to their fullest, which is what leadership is and what Gary does. https://www.elitemindsetnation.com/

A Champion in the Making

In this conversation, boxer, trainer, coach, and role model Kent Polines shares his story of growth, resilience, and purpose. We cover his impact on the world of boxing. He begins by reflecting on his teenage years in Calgary, where his early love for music and dance helped shape his rhythm and movement as a boxer. From discovering boxing to developing his craft, Kent takes us through his learning process, the excitement of his first matches, and the realization of his natural talent in the sport. With that, we explore his boxing career in detail. Kent explains the learning process and how he developed his skills in this sport. We talk about his early success and the setbacks that tested him, injuries, financial pressures, and the impact of COVID, and how each break from the ring offered perspective on what truly mattered. He speaks candidly about faith, values, and self-reinvention, showing how boxing became more than a sport. It was his purpose leading to personal growth and leadership. Family plays a central role in Kent’s story. Their commitment and support in Kent's career contributed to his success. This interview is full of examples of his mother’s unwavering support and his brother's bond, which have contributed to his success. Furthermore, it is not about Kent's achievement, but rather how he is giving back to his family to better their lives. It is about how he has developed his character as a grounded and giving person, the qualities of a true champion and leader. Kent shares his experiences as both an amateur and professional boxer. We cover the logistics of matches and how they are arranged. There is insight into the business side of the sport, including rankings and logistics. Kent describes his evolution as a fighter, the importance of his support team, and the mental discipline required to stay confident and focused. Beyond boxing, there are many discussions about Kent, not a boxer, but a person. He reflects on his religious faith and what that means for him. He speaks of life after boxing, knowing that he will retire from the sport, and what he wants to do then, and about being a role model, the legacy he is leaving now as a boxer, and what he wants to leave after boxing. This interview will interest anyone who wants to pursue a career as a boxer or is drawn to the sport, as we cover all facets of this sport. Kent’s story will inspire athletes of all sports as we talk about the challenges he has faced and will face in the future. This interview is more than about boxing or building a career. It is about finding and delivering on our purpose. When we do this, we set the example for others, inspiring them to do better. This is an ongoing process, as Kent is an example of this. He is more than a champion in the making; he is a leader. Videos of Kent and his matches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP67P48yaRs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPtOiHzLBc4

A Journey of Being Tenacious and Adventurous, and Believing

This episode features Romayne Ebanks, a woman whose life embodies integrity, resilience, and courage. Born and raised in Jamaica, Romayne takes us through her remarkable journey from the Caribbean to Canada, a story of reinvention driven by curiosity, faith, and an unshakeable belief in growth. Romayne shares her early life and education in Jamaica, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology and Geography from the University of the West Indies, Mona, and later a Master of Science in City and Urban Planning from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. Her path led her across the Caribbean, where she worked in various industries, building her career. We cover her career in teaching, student leadership, and mentorship. It is these experiences that helped her uncover deeper strengths and personal insights, leading her to decide to relocate to Canada. We cover this new chapter in her life, and that is immigrating to Canada. Romayne takes us behind the scenes of that process, the legal hurdles, the emotional challenges, and the profound self-reflection that shaped her journey. In Canada, she pursued new academic and professional goals, earning a Certificate in Human Resources Management from Georgian College and a Certificate in Adult Education from the Canadian College of Educators. Graduating, Romayne shares her experiences with the firms she has worked for. Furthermore, we discuss the development of her career, including the specific goals and beliefs that she could achieve. Again, her self-reflection and the deliberate practice she undertook to pursue these avenues are discussed. It is with this knowledge and experience that she has developed a career-coaching practice. We talk about this in detail, covering the services she offers and how she works with clients. This interview will appeal to anyone interested in a career in Human Resources as Romayne shares her experiences from working in this field. It is with this, her career-coaching practice, and vast experience that Romayne shares job search strategies and practical career development tips. It will interest listeners considering a career or just interested in geology, geography, urban planning, and teaching, as we cover all of these areas. In addition, this segment will speak to people interested in immigrating to Canada as Romayne conveys her experiences from this endeavor. More importantly, this conversation is about believing in yourself. It covers self-reflection, moving forward in life, tenacity, flexibility, and the courage to explore new paths. Her story will inspire listeners to overcome obstacles, especially when our minds can be the worst enemy. It is a reminder that stepping into the unknown can be a transformative adventure. It is about being the best version of ourselves, and that is how we can make a difference, as Romayne is an example of this attribute. https://www.linkedin.com/in/romayneebanks/

An act of Generosity: Helping People Find their Voice

This in-depth conversation with Steve Heatherington explores a remarkable journey fueled by curiosity, resilience, and generosity. A graduate of the University of East Anglia with a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences and a graduate of Akimbo’s altMBA and Podcasting Workshop programs. Steve brings a unique blend of scientific discipline, creative expression, and the desire to serve others. Steve shares how his curiosity for the natural world led him to study biological sciences, originally aspiring to become a veterinarian before shifting toward environmental health sciences. Moving to London, he began his career in environmental health with the local municipality, where he learned valuable lessons in public service, safety, and the evolving history of environmental responsibility. Through various roles, Steve developed insights into the impact of this field on community well-being. The conversation turns personal as Steve opens up about a challenging chapter in his life. The stresses of managing a large housing project, traveling to Africa, and exposing his body to vaccinations led to chronic fatigue syndrome. He describes how that changed the trajectory of his career and life. This led to an 11-month sabbatical from work, during which a profound period of self-assessment resulted. He reflects candidly on how that time reshaped his understanding of work, health, and purpose, driving him toward creative renewal. Insightful and fascinating!! We explore how Steve reclaimed his health through curiosity, experimentation, and rediscovery. Channeling his technical skills through volunteer work and how podcasting came to be for him, thanks to his wife's book, “Quiet Disrupters,” is illustrated. His talents for podcasting led to coaching for Akimbo. Why he stepped away and started his podcasting workshop, how it works, and what perspective students can expect are revealed. We go full circle and discuss how Steve's love for animals comes to be through farming Alpacas. There is insight into these animals as Steve discusses his podcast, the Alpaca Tribe. This is an insightful, informative, and thought-provoking interview. It caters to listeners interested in a career in environmental health or public safety. Raising Alpacas and podcasting are covered. Listeners with a desire for entrepreneurship or freelancing will benefit, as Steve and his wife, Sue, are an example of this lifestyle. More importantly, this interview is full of life lessons. It is about trying things, discovering what we are good at and what we want to do, and then figuring out how it can serve others. It is being generous, a quality of a leader, which Steve lives and practices. https://watersidevoices.com linkedin.com/in/steve-heatherington-🌔-54903334 https://thepodcastingworkshop.com https://alpacatribe.com/