Time flies when you’re having fun. We have an amazing guest joining us, the one and only Cole Dinsmore. I was so blessed to have had the opportunity to go to university with this incredible human being. I’m so excited to catch up with him and reminisce about our university days. I’m also looking forward to hearing about all of his success and talking about his journey throughout his career.Cole is now the Country Manager for Athletic Brewing in Canada, and I can’t wait to dive in and learn more about the non-alcoholic craft beer market and how Athletic Brewing is taking the industry by storm. We also talk about the sales industry, his advice on how to be successful, and how to stay positive through the ups and downs.

It’s an honour have this amazing individual as a guest on this weeks podcast. Mike has been a dear friend since my university days. I don’t think I would be where I am without him. He made my university experience so much more memorable. He always had my back, and helped me anyway he could. I am forever grateful for his friendship. I have so much love for him. It’s amazing to see all of the success, from climbing the corporate ladder and now being the director of sales for major accounts for ADP! He is also doing such an amazing job in his personal life, being a new father, and building an incredible life with his wife Britt!  in this episode, we dive into a little bit of everything, growing up in Peterborough Ontario, university life, his career thus far, the sales industry overall, and so much more. 

I’m incredibly honoured to have the opportunity to sit down with such an inspiring individual on this week’s podcast. Mike Commito is truly one of a kind, a man driven by passion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to everything he takes on. His energy, heart, and dedication are contagious. In this episode, we dive into his remarkable journey, from his impactful work with Cambrian College, to his career as a talented author, his deep connection to the Sudbury community, and so much more.

I think anyone who knows this guy loves this guy, he’s the definition of a glue guy, so to speak. Wherever Al goes, you’ll find him with a smile and hear his contagious laugh from a mile away. He’s someone who genuinely cares about others, so selfless and kind-hearted.We talk about a little bit of everything, what shaped him into the person he is today, his hockey career, his profession, and so much more. He’s a class act in every single aspect!

I’m so grateful that these two amazing guys agreed to be guests on the podcast. Jeff and Scott are two people I look up to a tremendous amount. In this episode, we dive into Mine Rescue in general, their positions with Ontario Mine Rescue, and why the work is so important.One of the main reasons I wanted them on this podcast is because they are both tremendous individuals, people who care deeply about others, who uplift those around them, and who are always willing to put everyone else ahead of themselves. Beyond that, this episode also gives a great perspective on what Mine Rescue does and the positive impact it has, not only in our community and province, but around the world.

This week’s guest is another incredible human being: Jordan Pennington! We first met during our time at Laurentian University. I was giving a speech at the residence banquet when Jordan received an award for his outstanding initiative. In his first year, he brought back and created the university’s campus emergency response team to ensure that students living in residence would feel safe at any time of day or night.After graduating, Jordan chose a career dedicated to serving others, working as an ambulance communicator/dispatcher and volunteering as a firefighter. He is also a member of the Bimaajitoon Search and Rescue team. Jordan is the type of person who always puts others before himself, selfless, service minded, and consistently there for those in need.In our conversation, we dive into his love for the outdoors and explore the experiences that have shaped him into the incredible person he is today. 

This week’s guest is an extraordinary person and an ambitious business owner. I’ve had the privilege of building a friendship with this amazing guy in university as we took the same program. Ty has had an impressive career thus far, and he’s just getting started. From an outstanding academic background to working with the Edmonton Oilers, he has now gone on to run multiple businesses, including recreational hockey leagues and a successful private tour company in Alberta.  Please note that we had some technical difficulties uploading the podcast, it could not save properly, therefore some parts might sound a little different!

Wayne is someone I look up to a tremendous amount. His outlook on life, work ethic, and respect for everyone he meets are truly impeccable, and he is such an amazing human being. In this episode, we talk about a little bit of everything, his early stages in life, his journey in sports, coaching, and living a healthy, active lifestyle. We also dive into his second chance at life and how important it is to maintain a positive attitude and a great mindset.Wayne is the type of guy you just want to be around. He is a good-hearted human being who truly makes the world a better place simply by being who he is.

This is a human being I’ve looked up to a tremendous amount for so long, ever since we first met. Ben is wise beyond his years, and what he has been able to accomplish thus far, not only in his life but in his professional hockey career, has been nothing short of amazing. He recently became a Calder Cup champion as the Manager of Team Services and Communications with the AHL Abbotsford Canucks. His journey through sport is a true story of determination and hard work. From starting as a manager for the Laurentian hockey team, to founding their analytics department, to becoming an OHL scout, and eventually working his way up to the pros, Ben deserves every accolade and all the recognition. He is incredibly smart, so respectful toward others, and works tirelessly. He deserves all the success in the world, and so much more

We finally got him! This is someone I look up to a tremendous amount. His go all in mentality is truly inspiring. Jer was recently promoted to Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Ottawa Senators, a role he absolutely deserves, and then some. He is also the co-founder of Momentous Athletics, located in Carrying Place, Ontario.Last year, the Senators were one of the teams that played in Kraft Hockeyville, and luckily for me, they played in Sudbury. Even with his busy schedule, Jer took the time to come visit. That’s just who he is, someone who always makes time for others, keeps their best interests at heart, and makes people better simply by being himself.While Jeremy is outstanding at training athletes, what’s truly special about him is that he doesn’t just make them better at their sport, he helps them become better human beings. Sitting down with him for a little over an hour was a blast, as we reminisced about his journey, where he started, and where he’s headed next. The sky’s the limit for this guy, and I’ll always be rooting for him. 

it is hard to believe we have already hit this milestone. What an incredible journey it has been so far. Right from the start, Doug was someone I knew I wanted to have on the podcast and I am so glad we made it happen. Just being around him fills you with positivity, his presence radiates warmth, compassion, and kindness. When you are around him, your heart is so full, and you have the biggest smile on your face. In this episode, we cover a bit of everything. Doug shares insights from his nearly 30 year career as a police officer with the Guelph Police Service, his longtime role as a strength and conditioning coach for both the Guelph Storm and the University of Guelph football team, and his powerful personal journey with PTSD. We also talk about how he has turned his experiences into books to help others facing similar challenges. You will not want to miss this one. Doug's website: https://riseupandexcel.ca/  

You can’t help but smile and feel uplifted when you’re around this guy. I’m incredibly thankful and honoured to have Randy join us as a guest on the podcast. In this episode, we dive into a bit of everything; his experience growing up in sports, his educational journey and doctorate in human studies, his passion for sports psychology, and his career in health and safety. We also explore the importance of mental health, his perspective on fatherhood, coaching sports, and so much more! PLEASE NOTE THAT THE QUALITY OF THE RECORDING IS A LITTLE SCRATCHY, IT IS NOT THE BEST, BUT THE QUALITY OF THE GUEST IS THE VERY BEST!

On this week’s episode, episode number 18, we’re thrilled to sit down with Marty for an inspiring conversation! We dive into his passion for art and tattooing, how he took the leap to start his own business, his love for ghost hunting, what inspires him, what drives him, and so much more. Warning, there is explicit language in this episode!

It was so much fun catching up with Michael Kussmann and to have the opportunity to reminisce about our great experience attending university. He is such a special person and such a dear friend! We also discussed post Laurentian, working as a teacher, how he started a business in voice recording and audio production, being a new father, and so much more. Mikey has one of the biggest hearts and kindness souls around. This episode was another great one, I am forever grateful for his time.

This one was truly heartwarming and such a fun experience. I had the chance to chat with a dear friend and one of my biggest role models, Claus Souza.We first met at Laurentian University when Claus was one of my personal trainers while I was a student. From there, we built a friendship that will last a lifetime. Back in those early days, we would always talk about our dreams. He was actually one of the very first people I told about my vision to start a clothing brand. At the same time, he shared his own dream of one day working in the NBA and with elite athletes.Fast forward to today, Claus is living that dream as an NBA Champion, working as one of the health and conditioning coaches for the Denver Nuggets. In this episode, we talk about his incredible journey, growing up in Brazil, coming to Canada for school, moving to the United States for new opportunities, and everything in between.Claus is one of those people who carries himself with wisdom and humility and has a way of making everyone around him feel seen and heard. His heart of gold, his relentless work ethic, and his drive for success are nothing short of inspiring. I could not be prouder of him, not just for what he has accomplished on the court but for the beautiful life he is building off the court as well with his growing family and so much more.

This episode features another remarkable person: John Hillier, an uplifting member of our community, a proud husband, girl dad, business owner, and teacher. Everything he does, he does with a great work ethic and a smile on his face. He has such a big heart and an outgoing, amazing personality, a personality that truly shines throughout this episode.

This episode was so much fun to record, we laughed so much. We had a hard time starting because we were laughing hysterically. As Val says, she’s pretty hilarious. Haha! Whenever you’re around Val, you can’t help but have a warm heart and a smile on your face! She is a great friend and role model to so many people, including myself! Her perspective on life is absolutely beautiful.

This week’s guest is one of a kind. Andrew has such a great presence, whenever you’re around him, you can’t help but smile and have a good time. He’s incredibly personable and an all-around great guy. Whether it’s work, fishing, or anything in between, whatever he does, he gives it his all and does it with a great attitude. He’s wise beyond his years and the kind of person who’s destined for continued success

I’m super excited to have such a great friend featured in this week’s episode of Keeping It Positive. Joey is one of a kind. One of the many great outcomes of attending university was having the opportunity to meet this amazing guy and develop a lifelong friendship.He’s big in stature because he has an even bigger heart. Joey would do anything for anyone, and he’s always there to listen and lend a hand to those in need. Just a salt-of-the-earth kind of guy who makes the Laurentian University community, the Sudbury community, and the world a better place.

If you know him, you definitely look up to him. It was such a treat to have the opportunity to catch up with Chris! He has been a role model for me since the day I met him. He’s someone who radiates kindness, the kind of person you always want to have around.Chris is doing incredible things in his career as the Director of Social Media Partnerships at the National Hockey League. He’s also thriving in his personal life, living it to the fullest and recently becoming a proud father of twin girls. I couldn’t be happier for him, this guy deserves everything in the world and more.We had such a great conversation, reminiscing about the sports administration program and life in general.Thank you so much for taking the time, Acky!