When I found out I was the recipient of the True Sport Award at the 41st Canadian Sport Awards, I was incredibly honoured. Being at the end of my career, I have been more focused than ever on staying true to myself and this award is a reflection of that – I hope it inspires others to do the same.
The 2018 Canadian Sport Awards will always hold a special place in my heart. It was so exciting to be able to play a small part in the revival of, what I feel to be, a necessary piece in the growth of sport culture in our country. The Canadian Sport Awards make us feel like what we are doing as athletes is seen, and that it matters. I am really looking forward to participating in this event for years to come!
Being part of KidsCAN School Day is special in a lot of ways. The opportunity to get to interact with the kids is always meaningful. Whether it is seeing the smiles on their faces and the wheels turning in their heads when they're trying a new sport or the sparkle in their eyes as they listen to our stories. Time and time again this is one of the most fun days for me and a great active and interactive way for athletes to give back.
I think it’s wonderful that AthletesCAN and Dale Carnegie provide national team athletes with the opportunity to take this course. I found the practice of getting up in front of my classmates each week to speak was invaluable. It’s one thing to learn the concepts of effective speaking, but having the opportunity to put these lessons to the test each class was hugely beneficial.
One of the most predominant conversations in amateur sport these days is the one around athlete career transition. As an athlete that had always had an interest in business, I often found it difficult to find opportunities that would help to build relevant skills for life after sport. I can say without a doubt that the Dale Carnegie Leadership course that I attended was the single most relevant opportunity to develop transferable skills.
The Dale Carnegie Course I was able to access through AthletesCAN was outstanding! Overall, it was a tremendous experience; I know I came out a better person. The skills and awareness I developed have already transferred to multiple aspects of my life. I am very grateful for the AthletesCAN and Dale Carnegie Scholarship partnership.
AthletesCAN’s scholarship for the Dale Carnegie Course was a big part in empowering me to be comfortable in front of a crowd. I discovered new tools to help me be a more effective public speaker, and I continue to use what I’ve learned in everyday life. I would recommend the course to any athlete who wants to step up their speaking game. Since finishing the course, I've been able to speak at over 25 events across the country.
I had an awesome forum experience! It was a fast paced weekend filled with great people, fun and learning. I felt engaged and empowered. I left forum with knowledge, fun stories, and close friendships. I couldn't stop raving about it when I got home. It was one of the best conferences I have ever attended.
The AthletesCAN Forum was an incredible experience. I had the opportunity to learn about some very important issues pertinent to sport in Canada and had the opportunity to discuss our personal challenges to gather feedback from others in sport to reach more effective solutions.
My advice to all Canadian athlete reps is to plug-in to the AthletesCAN dialogue and be a part of the movement; you'll likely be surprised to find that you do matter when it comes to shaping Canadian sport policy and that your voice will be heard.
The AthletesCAN Forum was truly multifaceted and the presence of the media throughout the course of the days was testament to the profile of this event. However it doesn't just educate and promote on the business of sport, from its inception the Forum has been a positive presence in every city that has been lucky enough to host it.
The Dale Carnegie Course was a great learning experience and I would like to thank Dale Carnegie and AthletesCAN for making this opportunity available to me. The lessons I learned will not only help me in my athletic career but also in my daily life. I encourage others (athletes and otherwise) to get involved in this program. The benefits will last a lifetime.
Throughout my life, public speaking has been something I have had to struggle through. I always felt uncomfortable and unsure of how people would react to my disability. On the other hand, I always knew that if I had the ability to confidently network with people around me I could bring awareness to my disability and the amazing opportunities that my sport of blind water-skiing has created in my life.
