JIM CARTER III – ON TRYING AND FAILING, USING AI TOOLS, AND GIVING MOREIn this episode we talk to Jim Carter the III CEO of Carter and Custard which is a purpose driven growth agency that helps make entrepreneurs fearless so they can have a bigger impact.Jim is what I would definitely call a serial entrepreneur and he is a self professed start up junkie which would explain why he has founded or been a cofounder to at least 9 companies over the last two decades.Jim is a “technologist” that is passionate about programming, coding, ai and well anything technology related BUT he is also passionate about helping others hence the latest venture into Carter and Custard.Jim shares his life journey, how he got to where he is today, who and what has influenced him, the challenges he has encountered and what gives him energy to keep moving forward.During our conversation we talked about why we both love start ups and everything ai! Jim shares some practical advice about being open to technology changes and maybe even some secrets about using ChatGPT.In this episode, Jim and I discuss the following:* Having a parent with cancer at a young age, being able to spend more time with them and how it impacts your perspective on life and on parenting* Importance of spending time on things that matter the most to you* Why you should try things, fail, learn, and try again* Challenges of downsizing a business* What happens when you chase money* Importance of showing up and unblocking yourself* What happens when you give yourself permission to make changes* A great example of how to use AI to save you time and money* The law of innovation and technology and how we are living through one of the biggest technology changes in our lifetime right now* Why it is important to lean into AI and how it can help your and your business* How you can create better AI prompts to get a better output* What Ai is and how we need to think about it* Different between feel good decisions and good business decisions* Challenges and ethics around the use of AI* Why Google won the search engine competition* Future predictions for the AI industry* Why we both love start ups and how exciting it is to be a new entrepreneur just starting out* The biggest lesson that Jim has learned* What you need to do if you have the right idea, but it is the wrong time* The three secrets to success* Why most new businesses fail* Why you should give more and give without any expectationsIf you would like more information on Jim, you can visit:Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/causehacker/Website – https://carterandcuster.com/Website – https://jimcarter.me/Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/causehacker/Listen to this podcast on Spotify, Google Podcast, iTunes or click play below to stream it.If you have a minute, leave a short review here, or send me an email to tell me what other guests I should have on the podcast.

VICTORIA MARSHMAN – ON FINDING THE RIGHT COFOUNDER, SHORTCUTS TO SUCCESS AND CREATING THE PERFECT PRODUCTIn today’s episode, we have the pleasure of talking to Victoria Marshman, an entrepreneur and the Co-Founder of Mave & Chez. Mave & Chez is a direct-to-consumer brand that specializes in offering ergonomic slippers for women who prioritize comfort without sacrificing style.Victoria shares her journey from working for others to taking the leap into entrepreneurship. Since 2015, she has successfully operated and scaled two six-figure companies while also playing a significant role in raising over $200,000 for local Canadian charities. Victoria is truly passionate about empowering and supporting women and creating purpose-driven brands.During our conversation, Victoria provides valuable insights into various aspects of business and entrepreneurship with practical advice and personal anecdotes based on her journey.In this episode, Victoria and I discuss the following:* Tapping into creativity at a young age, following your passions, and working part-time to gain valuable training opportunities* Profound impact of receiving an anonymous donation and how it can transform someone’s life* How Victoria met her co-founder and the dynamics of working with a business partner* Value of corporate experience and the lessons one can learn from working in such an environment* Importance of surrounding yourself with people who recognize and support your natural skill set, guiding you in the right direction* Recommendations for some insightful books that offer valuable lessons* Starting an event planning business and discovering which aspects of the business she truly loved* Reasons behind her decision to leave traditional employment and embark on her own entrepreneurial journey* Going above and beyond to exceed expectations, people-pleasing, and accomplishing tasks efficiently* Unique dynamics of starting a business with a best friend* Transition from the corporate world to entrepreneurship* Reality of networking and how it can be improved for better connections and opportunities* Understanding how different life stages can impact one’s readiness to dive into entrepreneurship* Exploring generational differences in funding and the difficulties of asking for investment when there’s no tangible proof of success* Normalization of seeking sponsorships as a stepping stone towards securing investment* Significance of working on your money mindset and how one’s upbringing influences their relationship with money* Factors that held her back in her initial business ventures and overcoming them* Common tendency among founders to overlook paying themselves for their hard work* Importance of establishing non-negotiables as a business owner* Dispelling myths surrounding business ownership and operation* There are no shortcuts to success* The Project management triangle and its three key elements: money, time, and quality* Impact of the pandemic on the events industry and how City Moguls, successfully transitioned from in-person events to online events and a membership program* Importance of networking and connecting with like-minded individuals striving for success* Benefits of online speed networking and its effectiveness for entrepreneurs* Perpetual need for mentorship and networking throughout one’s entrepreneurial journey* Comparing the experience of operating a business independently versus having a co-founder* Parallels between having a co-founder and being in a marriage, and the advantages it brings* Extensive time and effort involved in creating a new business, Victoria’s journey, and how it unexpectedly centered around slippers* Contrasting product-ba...

EPISODE 29 – JULIE COLE – ON HOW THE RIGHT BUSINESS PARTNERS CAN HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD, BEING COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE AND WHY YOU SHOULDN’T TAKE YOURSELF SO SERIOUSLYToday we are talking to Julie Cole, Entrepreneur, Co-Founder of Mabel’s Labels and Author of Like a Mother.Julie started out her career as a lawyer but made the leap into entrepreneurship with not one but three co-founders. In 2003, four mom’s that were frustrated by their children’s things getting lost, mixed up and leaving home to never return, designed, and developed the very best personalized waterproof name labels and tags. They wanted to make the lives of all mom’s and women easier.Mabel’s Labels started as a basement made business that included making labels until 2 am many nights, taking calculated risks and putting in a lot of sweat equity. These four women rolled up their sleeves and got to work making Mabel’s Labels an award-winning, market-leading company loved by moms in every neighborhood. They had grown to be such a player that in 2015 the most well known label maker in the world approached them and offered to buy them a meal. That dinner was the start of Mabel’s Labels being acquired by CCL (think Avery Labels) for over 12 million dollars. This is what many entrepreneurs dream of.Julie Cole remains as a Senior Director at Mabel’s labels but don’t kid yourself, this fierce say it like it is woman, who is the mom to 6 children and seems to have an endless amount of energy continues to blog and has been featured in The Globe and Mail, Profit Magazine, Today’s Parent, and countless other publications. She is a regular television contributor, keynote speaker, and an engaged community member that supports so many charitable causes. Julie has won many awards for her contributions and efforts in business including the RBC Women Entrepreneur Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Profit/Chatelaine W100 just to name a few.During the pandemic, when many were slowing down Julie decided to switch gears to put time and effort into writing that long awaited book, Like a Mother, where she shares her inspirational stories and lessons learned through parenting her lively crew of kids and building a multi-million-dollar business with her co-founders.I loved this discussion with Julie. She is so open and honest about all things business and shares practical information about what is really like to own and operate a business with friends and family. She also shares the journey of selling the business but choosing to stay on as an employee.I am sure you will find more than one or two things to take away from this podcast.In this episode, Julie and I discuss the following:* Benefits of growing up, working, and living in Nova Scotia* What it is like to start a business with your friends and family* Importance of getting the right documentation in place early in the process* Figuring out how to divide tasks among four founders and the benefits of starting a business with others* Challenges of starting an ecommerce business 20 years ago* How ecommerce has changed over time* Why you need to be comfortable being uncomfortable* The biggest challenges for entrepreneurs when growing a business to the next level* How to become and stay a market leader in your industry* How and why Mabel’s Labels pivoted during COVID* How to create an intrapreneurial team* Making the decision to sell your business and figuring out how to explain it to employees* Challenges of going through due diligence* Transitioning from being an owner and founder to an employee and how it can go really well* Making the decision to write a book during the pandemic and what the writing process was like* Tools that you can use to help you with blog writi...

EPISODE 28 – MIKE LIGUORI ON KNOWING YOUR NEXT MISSION, CRAFTING A GOOD STORY AND RECOGNIZING IT IS NEVER TOO LATE Today we are talking with Mike Liguori, an Iraq War Veteran, Author and Founder of Live Your Truth Media.Mike started out his career in the United States Marine Corps and when he returned home from Iraq he was met with the challenge of participating in an unfamiliar society – a world that had changed so much, but he was also faced with returning as a different person then when he had left.  He suffered from PTSD, struggled to move forward, and hit rock bottom.Mike was able to overcome so many challenges and eventually started out his civilian career in sales and marketing and then launched his own business Live Your Truth Media in 2019.Live Your Truth Media focuses on what matters the most when it comes to content marketing and podcasting. They want to help people create the most powerful stories and provide the best possible experience for listeners. They help to brainstorm ideas, show you how to structure episodes, how to edit your audio and how to promote your show.Mike has worked on award winning teams, has been featured in the Huffington Post and has worked with some pretty big names in the podcasting world like The Steve Weatherford Show and Big Queen Energy just to name a few.Mike is a gifted storyteller and has written two books – The Sandbox: Stories of Human Spirit and War and The Road Ahead and the Miles Behind.Mike’s clients rave about his work ethic and how he has helped them move forward. I love that Mike believes in the importance of adding valuing and how he stresses the importance of knowing your customers and what they really need in order to best serve them.I can’t wait to share Mike’s story and how he overcame his challenges. Mike is very open about discussing mental health, challenges of moving from military life to civilian life and so much more.I am sure you will find more than one or two things to take away from this podcast.In this episode, Mike and I discuss the following:* Benefits of growing up, working, and living in Nova Scotia* Being drawn to be a part of something as an act of service to support your values and ideals* What it feels like when you return from war* How being in the military teaches you about accountability, responsibility, and ownership over your actions* The differences about making decisions based on what you “need” to do versus what you “feel” like doing* How the chain of command provides direction, alleviates decision making, and gives you clear instructions on what is expected* What happens when you leave the military and return to civilian life and the similarities to leaving a corporation and starting your own business* Some of the biggest struggles of being a new business owner* What happens when you lose your compass, and can’t find your true north* What happens when the fear of the ownership is combined with the fear of failure* How and why, it is important to show up to move through a challenge* How experiences influence your decisions, and why it is important for you to identify what works for you as a business owner* Importance of listening to yourself to know when there is something wrong with you and when to ask for help* Challenges of dealing with PTSD, how it can affect you in everyday life and the value of having a good support system* Why observing and listening is a critical skill in business* What sales teaches you* How storytelling allows you to connect and relate to people to build a foundation for a great relationship* How to tell a really good story...

EPISODE 27 – VANESSA HOLDING – ON BEING YOUR BIGGEST FAN, BEING A CONNECTOR, AND BEING CONSISTENT Today we are talking with Vanessa Holding Executive Producer and Co-Owner of Arc and Crown Media.Vanessa is a video production expert and loves to help her clients create video content that has an impact. She started out her career in marketing and communications and then went on to work for a corporate video production company for a couple of years and then decided to take a leap and start her own business with a co-founder.Arc and Crown Media was launched in 2015 and is an award winning video production company that has been helping corporate communicators, L&D and marketing professionals get across important, complex and sometimes even dull content in a way that gets attention.Arc and Crown offers Employee Engagement, eLearning Video Scenarios, Corporate Communication Videos, and Branded Content Videos. They have won 3 Audio Visual Arts Awards. They provide consulting services BUT also provide a lot of do it yourself content for those creators that want to take on producing their own video and you will often find Vanessa sharing her knowledge and expertise on Linkedin.Vanessa understands the power of using video to tell a story in order to capture the attention of the audience and is so passionate about sharing her knowledge and helping people get it right.I love seeing her content on Linked in and I can’t wait to talk with her today because she not only loves what she does, but her clients rave about her level of professionalism, attention to detail and her drive to take on any challenge and make it work.These are all qualities I love in working with others so I can’t wait to hear Vanessa’s story and how she developed or discovered her love of storytelling via video.There are so many things I love about Vanessa – she is open, honest, super authentic and we always seem to find so many things to talk about. We hit a lot of topics in this one!I am sure you will find more than one or two things to take away from this podcast.In this episode, Vanessa and I discuss the following:* Benefits of growing up, working, and living in Nova Scotia* Importance of trying different things to figure out what you are good at and what you want to do* Value of getting hands on experience, recognizing your own skill set and the skills that others bring to projects* Value of interning and how it can be a great experience* The pros and cons of working for a small tech company* How to recognize when a job or company is not the right fit* Importance of recognizing that you don’t need to know everything as an employee, presenter, salesperson or business owner* Challenges of “selling” a companies services vs running your own business and “selling” yourself* Why it is important to be a good listener and to ask good questions* Importance of being your own biggest fan and promoting yourself and your business* What is really happening with social media at a small business* Why your network is so important and how they can help you – and it’s not what you think it is (23:27)* Value of surrounding yourself with the right people that understand what you are trying to do and are super supportive* Why women make sly, side handed comments and how it reveals their insecurities* Value of a gratitude journal, how it helps frame things in your life and keep things in perspective* How comparison can affect you, your mindset, and your progress* Value of joining a business or networking group* Being a connector to bring people together to collaborate* Knowing when you should refer someone for business* Building your network is important regardless of what type of work you do (36:00)* Value of having a linked in profile wi...

EPISODE 26 – ERIN HENDERSON – ON THE GAME OF BUSINESS, WHY MONEY MATTERS AND IMPORTANCE OF STAYING TRUE TO YOUR BRAND AND TO YOURSELF Today we are talking with Erin Henderson Founder of The Wine Sisters where she is also the Chief Sommelier.Erin started out her professional career as a reporter and journalist but she was drawn back into the world of wine and become a certified sommelier in 2008 through the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers.  She worked for some of Toronto’s top venues before launching the Wine Sisters, with her sister Courtney.The Wine Sisters offer in person and virtual wine tasting experiences, exclusive wine tours, wine training and education programs, full food and beverage event management services, and party planning.Erin has been entertaining, educating and sharing her love of wine and party planning for over 14 years.  She loves to take the stress out of planning for her busy clients and has earned the trust of top executives and companies that need the job done right every time.She not only runs The Wine Sisters but also shares her experiences as a sommelier and party planner with her students at George Brown where is an instructor helping to educate the party planners of the future.Erin has been featured as a wine and cocktail expert on CTV’s Your Morning and The Social, and she has also been featured in the Huffington Post, Maclean’s, theloop.ca, and the Canadian Special Events Magazine.Erin is super passionate about all things food and drink, she is outgoing, and entertaining. She wants her clients and followers to have an amazing experience and is willing to go above and beyond to ensure they are delighted.One of the things I love about Erin is she is so honest and upfront about her experiences and willing to share them to help others learn and grow. She is also really engaging and funny.  There are so many one liners in this episode that made me laugh.I am sure you will find more than one or two things to take away from this podcast.In this episode, Erin and I discuss the following:* Benefits of growing up, working, and living in Nova Scotia* Value of recognizing what you like and don’t like to do and how it helps you figure out what to try next* How she became a broadcaster on Toronto radio station and why she moved on from that career* When you learn your biggest lessons and how they can impact your decision making for your future* Importance of understanding money* Why you should listen to your inner voice* Being willing to hustle and do what it takes to make it work in order to head in the direction you really want to go* How getting fired can actually help you* Why there are so many angry comments online and people in the world these days* Why you shouldn’t believe the Instagram ads* What passive income really means* What happens when you go broke* Why money matters and how it impacts your daily decisions and lifestyle choices* Allowing your ego to take a hit so you can do what makes you happy or brings you joy* Value of having parents who work hard and what they teach you along the way* How goals can help you be successful in a stressful environment* Value of giving the gift of stamina, hard work and hearing “no”* How she stared a business with her sister* How to develop a brand that is authentic and makes sense based on what you really want to do* Value of having fun regardless of what you are presenting* Importance of recognizing when a client comes to you, and you are not the best fit* Pivoting the business during Covid* Difference between being a small business and a large business* The biggest challenge for any entrepreneur and business* What happens when you are waiting for a client to pay you* Making sacrifices to make it w...

EPISODE 25 – HERMIE ABRAHAM – ON THE BIGGEST MISTAKE PEOPLE MAKE WHEN GETTING A NEW JOB, VALUE OF CREATING WIN-WIN SOLUTIONS AND FINDING THE RIGHT COMMUNITYToday we are talking with Hermie Abraham a Labour & Employment Lawyer and Founder of Advocation Professional Corporation.Hermie started out her professional career in HR at some pretty impressive companies and then one day decided it was time to quit her full time job and go to law school.Hermie has been a lawyer for over 15 years and for the last seven years has owned and operated her own firm. She founded Advocation Professional Corporation with the goal to help employers and employees create workplaces that both are proud to belong to. She works collaboratively with her clients and believes it is important to understand your rights in the workplace.Advocation Professional Corporation offers services to help people who have lost their job, have been sexually harassed or if there is any workplace discrimination, bullying or investigations any type of situation that would require some strategic advice or legal council.Hermie has been featured in various legal and human resources publications including Lawyer’s Weekly and HR Professional Magazine. She has also been regularly featured in the media to help break down employment law and provide expertise on workplace policies. You will find her on Global News, the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail just to name a few.Hermie is super passionate, extremely knowledgeable and very practical. She is always so generous with her time and is willing to share her knowledge and expertise in order to help empower others. She operates from a place of helping people clearly understand what is happening, why it is happening and how she can help and if she can’t help you, she will point you in the right direction.One of the things I admire most about Hermie is her willingness to leave a place of comfort, take a leap into something new and be willing to work hard to figure it out and make it work. She is not afraid to move forward and she is also not afraid of being honest even if it is not a popular opinion or belief. Her logic, style of negotiation and how she presents an argument are unmatched. There are always so many lessons learned after an engaging conversation with her.I am sure you will find more than one or two things to take away from this podcast.In this episode, Hermie and I discuss the following:* Benefits of growing up, working, and living in Nova Scotia* How taking the time to explain the size of muffins at Tim Hortons can change your life* How every moment is opportunity for changeMoving from Halifax to Toronto* Importance of being your own advocate to advance your career* Excitement, benefits, and challenges of working for a technology start up company during the dot com rush* How large organizations are like a cruise ship and start ups are like a dinghy* How different experiences in the workplace can trigger the need for change and help you forge a new path* Experience of working for a forward thinking organization that incorporates all the different culture of their employees in the workplace* Benefits and challenges of making the choice to return to school as an adult* Experience of articling on Bay Street at a prestigious firm and then choosing a different path* What it is like to work in a career where you are not always seeing people at their best* Exploring the idea of having something that is your own* Staying authentic to yourself and your dreams by going after what you really want and hustling to make it work* Differences between being a lawyer vs being a business owner* Importance of continuing to evolve and stay relevant in the practice of law* Biggest mistake pe...

EPISODE 24 – LAURA BEAUPARLANT – ON SHINING BRIGHT, BEING DETERMINED AND HAVING GOOD PROCESSES
Today we are talking with Laura Beauparlant an Author, Professional Speaker and Founder and Creative Director of Lab Creative.
Laura has been an entrepreneur for over 18 years. She originally founded a very successful wedding stationary business, where she was featured in top publications and won awards for her unique designs but then something happened. Laura had lost her passion for her business and decided to pivot into a new industry. She wanted to create a business where she could really help people and have an impact.
After a lot of hard work Lab Creative was born to help growth-minded entrepreneurs create strategic and memorable brands that stand out from the crowd, attract the right customers and translate into business success.
Lab Creative combines their signature process and a dash of their chemistry to help clients understand the true “magic” of who they are and what they offer so they can create an authentic and meaningful brand.
Laura was able to take her skillset, her passion and was not afraid to make a massive change to get to where she really wanted to be – helping people and making a difference. She is super authentic and shares the good and the struggles of running a business on her social media and the posts I love the most are the ones where she show cases her clients and what they have come up with after they have gone through her program.  They are unique and works of art.
One of the things I appreciate about Laura is that she see’s what’s possible.  She is not afraid to dream or take risks.  She sees the world through a glass half full lets make the most of every moment lens.  This is part of what makes her unique and makes clients want to work with her. She loves to help others discover and leverage their magic helping them become happier, and more fulfilled.
I am sure you will find more than one or two things to take away from this podcast.
In this episode, Laura and I discuss the following:





* Advantages of travelling at a young age and how it helps you connect quickly with new people
* Discovering what you love and getting opportunities at a young age to do it
* How good teachers, role models and coaches can have a major impact in your life
* Challenges of dealing with the judgement of others for choosing a different path then what is expected or “normal”
* Having the courage to follow your passion and do what you love
* Importance of getting the right font because it is part of your brand’s personality
* Overcoming adversity, and recovering from a life threatening accident all while balancing a full course load and trying to graduate on time
* How supportive people can help you when you need it the most
* Discovering how determination can drive you to a new level of capability that you never knew you had
* Recognizing and prioritising your mental and physical health when you need it the most
* How working and living abroad can provide you with a different experience that helps you form part of your signature style
* Knowing when it is time to make a change, having the courage to take a risk and make your dreams come true
* Benefits and drawbacks of working at a design agency and the value of recognizing when it is time to move on
* Importance having a variety of experiences and trying new things in your business to see what sticks
* Value of having a supportive husband or life partner that has a different skill set then you when you are starting a side hustle

EPISODE 23 – MONIKA TUPHOLME – ON BEING AUTHENTIC WITH YOUR AUDIENCE, MAKING IT EASY FOR YOUR CLIENTS AND INVESTING IN YOURSELFToday we are talking with Monika Tupholme, CEO of Monika Tupholme.com and Mojo Moni.Monika otherwise known as Moni, took the leap to officially launch http://www.monikatupholme.com after years of juggling her corporate sales job, and her health and wellness side hustle all while raising a young family. She decided to go all in and put her efforts into one of her passion’s after recognizing that she could help others with things she had struggled with after she turned 40.Moni has over 25 years of experience as a certified Personal Trainer, Functional and Performance Nutritionist and Fitness Expert. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Biology, and Chemistry. As a 49 year old Mom of 2 (3 if you count her hubby) she is a respected athlete and sought-after performance and fat loss specialist who works with busy, athletic women over 40+++ to help them lose hormonal inches and reconnect with who they really are.   She is also the founder and creator of The 3M System to Rev Your Over 40 Metabolism and often appears in national online and print publications. Besides working with hundreds of women in 2021, she also became an Amazon Best Seller for her contribution to the book Pursuit: 365.Moni is great at sharing pieces of her life that most women over 40 can relate to. She is not afraid to be vulnerable and is willing to share her own experiences to help others. She has combined her personal and professional experience with her knowledge to create powerful solutions to help women figure out where and how to get started. It is all about metabolism, fat loss, and performance with solutions for meal prepping, exercise and managing stress plus so much more.One of the things I love about Moni is that she is constantly giving. She really does want to help people with their health and wellness and is invested in their journey.Every time I speak with Moni I learn something new, have a good laugh or feel refreshed.I am sure you will find more than one or two things to take away from this podcast.In this episode, Moni and I discuss the following:* Life skills and lessons you learn from participating in sports and being on teams* How great coaches can provide additional opportunities that can help shape your future* Importance of teaching kids to stand on their own, manage expectations and become resilient* Role of a parent when your kids are participating in sports* Value of an off season, avoiding overuse and preventing injury* Playing varsity sports in the United States as a Canadian athlete* How perseverance can help you through difficult times* What happens when someone believes in you* Secret to being successful at college while balancing playing women’s varsity volleyball, studying and having fun* Embracing the fear of the unknown* Living in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language* Life as a professional athlete and knowing when it is time to move on* Transitioning from indoor volleyball to the beach court to becoming a marketing and sales professional* Starting a side hustle and then deciding to be your own box while on maternity leave with a young family* How asking for help from someone in your industry can be beneficial* The in’s and out’s of being an entrepreneur on the day to day* Challenges of starting a business* Why it is difficult but so important to identify the right customer for your business* Why comparing yourself to others can be detrimental* Knowing when to shift your brand based on how you can best serve your clients and becoming more niche* Knowing how to talk to your ...

EPISODE 22 – LIBBY WILDMAN – ON MAKING PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE, ACCEPTIING WHO YOU ARE AND KNOWING YOUR MONEY STORYToday we are talking with Libby Wildman, Head of Wealth Advisory at Davis Rea, Founder of the Collective, and Creator of Liminal Escapes.Libby founded her own Wealth Management company over 30 years ago and has been working in the financial world to help people achieve their goal of financial freedom faster. For many years she found herself being the only female in the boardroom and decided to form The Collective to bring women together, give them a place and allow them to do business on their own terms. She has also just launched Liminal Escapes to bring people together who have a desire to explore themselves on a deeper level. Liminal Escapes offer retreats for small groups of adventurers to come together for a unique experience in a magical place with experts that will provide them with a transformational experience. This is perfect for people that crave community, adventures in nature and self-discovery.Libby loves helping people and is a natural connector. That is at her core. She is always asking how she can help and is more than willing to support people in their endeavors. If Libby can help you, she will and if she can’t just connect you to another person that can help you.One of the things I appreciate about Libby is her willingness to share and to connect the right people together. She is warm, welcoming and goes above and beyond to create meaningful events and is an exceptional example of a female who goes above and beyond to create opportunities for women in the entrepreneurial space.Every time I speak with Libby, I always walk away feeling refreshed with two or three new resources to review or people to connect with.I am sure you will find more than one or two things to take away from this podcast.In this episode, Libby and I discuss the following:* Importance of being a good host to make people feel comfortable at your eventsHow and why to make sure people are the right fit for your community* Why it is important to make sure clients feel comfortable with you, want to work with you and that you build a business with people you like working with* How your childhood shapes you and can impact your decisions, actions, and career path* Value of working for a large corporation early in your career and learning how to sink or swim in the workplace* Benefits and drawbacks of being the only female in the boardrooms and how you need to hold your energy in a different way to be successful* Figuring out how to be the best you can be by doing the work around who you are, and accepting what you discover* How to remove the glass ceilingWhat humans are really afraid of when it comes to using their special gifts and allowing themselves to go for it* What happens when you dim your light and stop shining as bright* How coaches and mentors can help guide you through so many different aspects of your life to help you move forward or level up* Why continuing to learn and grow is so meaningful to continue moving forward* Importance of attracting clients that also want you to win* Rewiring your brain to change your state to give you a different perspective* Why you should know your money story* Becoming a trusted source so your clients will share their fears and insecurities and you can then help them feel good about where they are and where they are going* Meaning of Liminal* What it means to be in a transition phase* The three human lies and how they take turns showing up in your life* Importance of working on self connection to help create more abundance or feel peace and accept who you really are* How to differentiate yourself from others in the same industry* How money dec...

EPISODE 21 – LAURIE ANNE KING – ON USING YOUR NATURAL GIFT, LISTENING YOUR INTUITION AND BEING THE QUEEN OF IMPERFECTIONToday we are talking with Laurie Anne King an Intuitive Coach and Portrait Photographer.If you are feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges, stuck where you are and scared or unsure of how to move forward Laurie Anne is the perfect person to help you gain clarity, discover your unique gifts, help you feel more grounded and become more confident in who you are and what you should be doing so you can move forward and be an inspiration to those around you.Laurie Anne has been coaching people for over 35 years. She holds a 5th dan in Usui-do, a Japanese system of self-connection, and over the years she has facilitated many spiritual workshops focused on self-reunion. In 1989, Laurie Anne began formally practicing body-mind-centered therapies, including natural healing, Five Elements, Osteopathic Advanced Craniosacral Therapy, Cognitive, Stomato-Emotional Release, Bio-Tuning – Nero-Bioacoustics, Sound therapy, and shamanic journeywork, etc. The list just goes on.She is the creator of Open Inward, a signature program that coaches spiritually attuned people to connect to their wisdom, develop their psychic faculty and learn intuitive coaching.Laurie Anne is also an intuitive portrait photographer. She offers Open Inward Journey Portraits, a unique and nurturing experience that guides her subject to feel safe, seen in positive ways and most importantly, captures rare expressions that reveal the beautiful soul they are.She is passionate about making a difference in this world through helping others see things a little bit more clearly.Every time I speak with Laurie Anne I always learn something new that really gets me and I hope you will learn one or two new things as well.I am sure you will find more than one or two things to take away from this podcast.In this episode, Laurie Anne and I discuss the following:* Value of having supportive people to help nurture and guide you to develop your special abilities at a young age* Importance of feeling safe to show up as who you are, using your natural gift and continuing to grow* Learning how to deal with challenges throughout life like learning disabilities, self worth and self confidence* Recognizing when your dream is not meant to be, and that it is time to head down another path* The three primary lies that people tell themselves* How to putt value on your time and energy not on your gift* The business of coaching, how it has evolved and the value of it* The value of a referral based business, why you should operate with the spirit of reciprocity and how you can help small businesses* Why you should trust your initiation and act on your feeling* Challenges of being a single parent of young kids and running a business* How to build your business and evolve at the right pace* Why you should never stop working on yourself and how you can create change* Benefits of sound therapy and what it does* Knowing when it is important to dive into something else to spark your creativity, enhance your skill set and create a new service for your customer* Difficult of dealing with grief and continuing to move forward* Being a digital nomad and being able to provide your clients with an experience regardless of where you are in the world* Value and challenges of managing and international client base* Being open to expanding and hiring the right people to help you grow to the next level and leave space for your creative energy to flow* Working with Psychedelics* How taking risks and being the queen of imperfect action can work for you* Importance of rebuilding the creative energy and how it comes in waves* Why you should take time to clarif...

EPISODE 20 – SHANNON TEBB – ON PUTTING YOURSELF OUT THERE, AUTHENTICALLY CONNECTING WITH OTHERS AND MASTERING THE ART OF COMMUNICAITONToday we are talking with Shannon Tebb a boutique matchmaker and dating expert. She is also the founder of Shanny in the City.Shanny in the City is a great support system for singles whether you’re looking for a lifelong companion, advice on what to say on a date, where you should go to meet people in the city, what you should wear or even what the current do’s and don’ts are of the ever evolving dating world.  Shanny in the City can guide you though all the questions that you have so you can avoid looking or feeling a little bit silly because you just didn’t know.  They can help you get your love life in shape, whether it is by helping you open your heart up to love again or just helping you get excited about dating again. They are super passionate about making sure you are date ready and helping you find your perfect match.Shannon went from being that friend that everyone went to for dating advice for free to creating a successful business and she is rated as one of the top 10 match makers in North America. She has helped 100’s of singles looking for love find their perfect match. Shanny was raised in a single parent household and from an early age has always been fascinated by people and relationships, in particular why some were successful, and others were not. She found it easy to identify what men loved and she became inspired to share this knowledge with other single women. She is passionate about helping single males and females gain confidence so they can attract that perfect partner. Shannon has been called the “Head Hunter for the Heart” and a “Love Witch”.Shanny is super knowledgeable about dating and always offers such a fresh perspective on things you should be doing in order to be ready to attract your person. She loves giving people advice, tips or suggestions and genuinely wants to help people find love. I love spending time with Shanny. She is always so positive, has super high energy and is always trying something new that is almost always off the beat path.I am sure you will find more than one or two things to take away from this podcast.In this episode, Shanny and I discuss the following:* How she recognized her fascination with human connection at an early age* Discovering your gift and being inspired to take the leap to start your own business* How different jobs provided her with important skills to enable her to run her own business* Importance of connecting with people to offer excellent customer service, understand what they want, and be able to engage them* Value of ensuring clients feel safe to trust in the service and experience because it is a very personal experience* How to juggle a full time job with a side hustle and what to do when it becomes too much to handle* Importance of having people around you that believe that you can be successful* Why you should put yourself out there, be vulnerable and figure out what works for your brand* Challenges of starting and growing a business* Why you want to make sure your company name makes sense for your brand and that it is a good representative of what you are trying to achieve* Importance of knowing your ideal customer and setting boundaries* Value of negative and constructive feedback and how it can help you be successful in love and in your business* Importance of creating an authentic connection in order to find your perfect match* Why you should tell everyone what you are doing and how it can help grow your business* Knowing what to charge for your service to ensure you offer value and differentiate yourself from others* How media can help you get exposure and help yo...

EPISODE 19 – MONICA GRAVES – ON STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS, FUNDRAISING AND SPREADING LIGHT AND LOVEToday we are talking with Monica Graves, Owner & Designer of glamjulz.glamjulz is a trendy jewelry brand that provides an instant pop of colourful bling to any outfit. It is fresh, fun and affordable but most of all you can get creative with the designer herself and create your very own pieces.Monica went from a steady stable sales job at Canada Post to launching her own business as a side hustle.  She took the leap into her business full time after six years of juggling her full time job and her love for being creative and designing these one of a kind pieces of jewelry. There were many nights and weekends spent growing the business and after 20 years she is still here, still being creative and still loving her dream. glamjulz is shipped direct to customers all over the world. This everyday luxury jewelry brand has been worn by many famous celebrities such as Fergie, Paris Hilton, and Vivica A Fox just to name a few.Monica is one of those business owners that when you meet her you just want to spend more time with her.  She is so delightful and has such a generous spirit and good energy.  She loves to help people in need and through glamjulz has supported so many different charities in fun and creative ways.Monica is honest and entertaining. I love everything she is doing and how she really believes in giving light and love to people that need it the most. She is super passionate about what she does and genuinely wants to help people in whatever way she can. Monica shares some great stories that have brought her to where she is today.  She is probably one of the most positive and generous people that I have ever met.I am sure you will find more than one or two things to take away from this podcast.In this episode, Monica and I discuss the following:* Being raised by progressive, forward thinking parents and having the opportunity to backpack around Europe at a young age* Discovering and fostering her love for art at a young age* Starting a retro based t-shirt business as a teenager in the 80’s and recognizing that she could make money doing something she loved* Participating at shows and learning the “math” of running your own business and sometimes how little you make per hour* Importance of understanding copyright infringement and how it can impact what you are doing* How she started creating wall murals* Why she went back to high school after her first semester of college* What she loved about working at Canada Post* Discovering her love for earrings and beads plus how these obsessions began* How creating unique pieces of jewelry make her feel* How she decided what to create when she was first started as a maker* Where she started selling her jewelry* Why it is important to make changes* How a good manager can help you make decisions that are in your best interest* Differences between working for a large organization vs starting your own business* Challenges of coming up with processes and guidelines to be successful* The worst type of boss you can have* The biggest mistake that she continued to make over and over again* Challenges of running a business of working with retailers, celebrities and managing employees* Making decisions for your business based on what people tell you is a good strategy vs. recognizing when it is not right for your business* How she met her favourite celebrity of all time and what happened when they met* How she branded glamjulz about what she truly loves* Challenges of juggling business opportunities with family tragedy* What helps you really put things into perspective* How ecommerce has changed over time* Biggest mistake you make when starting ...

EPISODE 18 – MELANIE CRUICKSHANK – ON LIVING YOUR BRAND, CONNECTING WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM AND NETWORKToday we are talking with Melanie Cruickshank, CEO and Founder of Da Lish Cosmetics. Da Lish Cosmetics is all about creating clean luxurious beauty products that are produced with locally sourced, natural, and organic ingredients. They are a pioneer in the clean beauty movement and Da Lish is determined to make a positive impact in the world of beauty. Melanie went from working in advertising and marketing to starting her own cosmetics company. In 2006, she launched Da Lish cosmetics as a side hustle and in three short years made it her full time gig. Melanie started making products in her kitchen and selling them at small local events. Today Da Lish has its own manufacturing facility in Canada, has numerous retailers that stock their products and their own ecommerce store where they ship their products to customers all over the world.So, what inspired Melanie to start a cosmetics business? From a very young age she discovered her love for lipstick and then later when she was a teenager that was struggling with acne, she found that foundation changed her life and helped increase her confidence. Melanie’s personal mission is to help other people feel their absolute best. She lives and breathes her brand. This business is about her beliefs, her lifestyle and finding other people that also want to have an impact and create change in this space.Melanie is a fun and engaging guest that is willing to share her success as well as her struggles. She is vulnerable, honest, and also very entertaining. I love her fresh perspective and how she creates parallels of running a business to other life challenges like dating for example. She is super passionate about what she does and genuinely wants to help people feel their absolute best. Melanie has some great stories to share based on her life experiences. I am sure you will find more than one or two things to take away from this podcast. In this episode, Melanie and I discuss the following:* Adventures of growing up on a farm and living in nature but wanting to be a glamorous big city girl* Discovering, falling in love and becoming obsessed with make up at a young age* Struggles of being a dyslexic, tall, big girl that lacked confidence and what helped increase her confidence as a young girl* Becoming a fanatic about exercise, losing weight, counting calories, and becoming anorexic with the desire to just fit in* Stigmatism of having a disability like dyslexia, how other people treat you and how that makes you feel about yourself* Getting your dream job at an early age and the importance of recognizing where you thrive* Moving into advertising and sales for the Toronto Star, and Now Magazine and enjoying all the perks* Turning a passion for make up into the creation of Dalish and all the work that went into developing, selling and marketing a brand in the beauty industry* Recognizing the importance and correlation of the ingredients of the food you eat and the products you put on your body* The shock of moving from a corporate account and big budget to spending your own money to start and grow a business* Time, passion, and effort that you put into your own business, how it changes the quality of your life and gives you opportunities that you wouldn’t normally have access to* Importance of having a good support system and taking the time to figure out how to do things that help drive you forward* How to find and connect with your customers by meeting with them and listening to what they have to say* Challenges of developing your brand story, understanding, and connecting with your customer and how the “cl...

EPISODE 17 – BOBBY UMAR – ON FEEDING YOUR SOUL, FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIFE AND BEING A STARToday we are talking with Bobby Umar, President of Raeallan and CEO of DYPB. Raeallan is a transformational training organization whose mission is to discover, inspire and develop leadership. DYPB, or Discover Your Personal Brand helps individuals and organizations use personal branding to create more focus, alignment, and impact with their work.Bobby started out as an Aerospace Design Engineer for Bombardier and has made his way into transformational training and professional speaking. He made some bold moves early in his career to get out of a soul sucking job and move into a career that he loves. Bobby is now one of Inc Magazine’s Top 100 leadership speakers, a five-time TEDx speaker, has been named as the “2nd Best Business Coach to Follow” on Twitter and the “4th Best Leadership Influencer” according to Kred. He has also recently been named a “Top 7 Networking Guru to Follow” and is recognized as a thought leader in networking, social media, and personal branding.Bobby is an engaging professional speaker that is genuine, extremely personable, and willing to share his success as well as his struggles. He is passionate about helping others grow and fully understands what it is like to be in a career that does not allow you to feel like a star. He believes it is important to fight for the life that you want. Bobby has a wealth of knowledge to share based on his real-life experience in the world and I could not wait to sit down and talk with him. In this episode, Bobby and I discuss the following:* The impact of connecting with purpose* Growing up as a first generation Canadian in a small town on the east coast and feeling like you are living a double life* Being a math nerd, skipping grades, and getting ahead at an early age* His love for learning, memorization and reading* Issues around body shaming and feeling embarrassed at a young age* Differences between quitting vs knowing when to let something go* Value of extracurricular experiences that give you the feeling of freedom at a young age* Discovering his love for movies, television, and the theatre* Auditioning for the first time and identifying his love for performing* Developing and discovering your voice* The challenges of university and figuring out what do to when you graduate* Key identifiers to recognize when a job is not the right fit and is not working out* Launching a passion project to feed your soul and recognizing when you want to put time and energy into something you love* Getting fired and figuring out what to do next* How being in the wrong program or job can affect your self confidence and make you believe you are not a smart person or even competent* How your mindset can erode based on your life experience and the value of gaining new experiences to shift your mind set so you can once again thrive* Importance of finding your mojo and being focused on what you really want to do in order to feel fulfilled* The feeling of not “Fitting in” or not being a “star”* Recognizing what allows you to feel empowered and thrive* Value of finding a good manager that recognizes your strengths and that you also value what they have to offer* The impacts of having a stressful job and experiencing an anxiety attack for the first time* Recognizing the signs of serious health issues and figuring out how to get control of them before they become a bigger problem* Recognizing a natural gift, embracing it and moving in that direction* Utilizing a personal council to help validate your decision making and chart out your life* Figuring out your niche and launching a new business* Value of working with a c...

EPISODE 16 – CHRISTINE KELLY – ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SPORT, STARTING A FRANCHISE AND SELECTING THE RIGHT PEOPLE WITH THE RIGHT EXPERIENCEToday we’re talking with Christine Kelly, Founder and Chairman of Little Kickers, which is an educational soccer – or ‘football’, program designed to provide young children with a fun and positive introduction to sport while also promoting the development of learning color and number recognition, as well as life skills like sharing and taking turns.Christine saw a need in the market in 2002 when she started this program in the UK and since then Little Kickers has expanded to over 330 franchisees across 30+ countries and classes are attended by over 65,000 children each week. Little Kickers has won many awards such as Franchisor of the Year, Top Global Franchise and in 2020 was recognized as “Global Franchise Champion” by Global Franchise Magazine and has been ranked amongst Canada’s fastest growing businesses by PROFIT Magazine.Christine is a forward-thinking entrepreneur that is solutions oriented, all about choosing the right partners and taking time to build relationships. She is super passionate about getting as many kids as possible to participate in sport and has been creative and innovative to get around the various challenges that have tried to block the growth of Little Kickers. Christine is honest, genuine and an absolute delight to talk to. I am excited to share Christine’s story with you because she is so candid, does not take herself too seriously and is brilliant in her approach to getting things done. In this episode, Christine and I discuss the following:* Growing up in the UK in a competitive family and going to boarding school at an early age* Value of work placements, what you can learn and taking advantage of the opportunities that can come along* How a job can have an impact on your development and help you recognize you have more capabilities than you thought you did* Why you need to take risks and put in the work to be successful* Recognizing when you are not passionate about your career choice* Finding a job that works for you based in your natural skill set* Starting a service based business as a side hustle and having to walk away from it* What happens when you start a product based business and discover it is not where you want to spend your time* Recognizing when and why you should change your career* How Little Kickers was created based on a personal need, but the demand was there to start and grow a thriving business* How to set up a franchise business when your business is profitable* Taking advantage of opportunities, figuring out how to meet demand and making it work* Importance and value of people you meet and how they can help you grow your business faster* Knowing when it is the right time to expand globally and making sure you have the right people to work with* Being lucky vs being open to opportunities and making your own luck* Why it is important to think in a different way to overcome challenges* Importance of selecting good partners that you like, want to spend time with and can help grow the business* Harnessing other people’s skills, knowledge, and experience to help you grow* Why you should be continually looking for new ways to innovate or provide participants with more value* Why you should listen to other people’s feedback* Importance of staying true to your mission* How to expand globally and the differences between setting up in developed countries vs countries that are still developing* Running pilots to test a new model or service before full implementation* What makes Little Kickers work* Why it is important to know your industry, work with experts and stay connected to the lat...

EPISODE 15 – JOHN TOWSLEY – ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP, IMPORTANCE OF CASH FLOW AND FIGURING OUT HOW TO MAKE IT WORKToday we are talking with John Towsley, Owner of Bwyze, and until recently also owner of Mindmuze. Bwyze is an IT service management company that offers eLearning products and services for IT Services. Mindmuze is a Learning innovations company that creates powerful learning experiences.John is a leader and an innovator in the IT and eLearning spaces. He started out as a systems analyst and quickly moved up the corporate ladder. John has been the president of 5 different organizations, two of which he was the founder and owner. He has been able to see a need in the market, assess the risk and come up with a business solution that meets the needs of the market in real time.  John has this uncanny ability to get people to think about the big picture and overall goals. He is an out of the box thinker and offers alternatives that people are not even thinking about in the moment. John does not shy away from taking on challenges and is always able to figure out the root cause along with solutions to fix the issue. He believes there is always a way to figure something out to make it work.  John is very stoic under pressure and never seems to let anything rattle his cage – at least that is what I thought until our conversation today. I am excited to share John’s story with you as there are so many wise thoughts and ideas that you might be able to take away and apply to your own life.In this episode, John and I discuss the following:* Growing up in a small community, his love for the outdoors, importance of good mentors and taking action to make things happen* How being involved in Boy Scouts provided him with so many opportunities and new experiences, and how it influenced his view of the world and his desire to contribute and achieve success* Working at an early age to make money to be able to afford what you really want* Differences between theory and reality in a working environment with regards to processes and behaviours* Differences between tropical reality vs western reality and how it helped keep things in perspective* Importance of being disciplined when it matters the most* Challenges of getting a job during a recession* Letting a good advocate help you find your next opportunity* Recognizing when you make mistakes and figuring out how to fix it* The start and evolution of the technology industry* How a leveraged buy out works* Seeing an opportunity and becoming a “low risk” entrepreneur by running a business with other people’s money* What to do when your company runs out of money and what happens when you need to bootstrap your company* Challenges of being a committed leader, managing employees and the stress that comes along with it* Definition of an entrepreneur, what it means, understanding the risks and how it has become trendy* The personal toll on your mental health as an entrepreneur and learning to manage stress* People’s perception of what your life is like vs the reality of what it really is* Importance of recognizing what is important in life* Self identifying when you are not the right person for the job and taking action to move on* Acquiring companies, becoming a deal junky and knowing when it is time to stop* Stigmas associated with mental health issues and finding ways to get manage your mental health* Determination and underlying thoughts of figuring out how to get it done and how to survive* Managing stress by using benchmarks and reframing things to keep everything in perspective* Perception of others and social stigma of failing* Value of measuring the downside risk and being able to quantify it to help with your decision making* Identifying what you...

EPISODE 14 – SHAUNA ARNOTT – ON BEING CREATIVE, SHARING YOUR PASSION AND ASKING FOR HELPToday we’re talking with Shauna Arnott, Founder of Leverage Events, Founder and Producer of Haste and Hustle and most recently Co-Founder and Producer of Listen In. Leverage Events creates unforgettable experiences for their corporate clients that grow their brand and deepen human connections. Haste and Hustle is an annual conference that was created to serve and support entrepreneurs. Listen In is a conference for enterprise level marketing teams looking to better understand and capitalize on the world of podcasting. This lady has a lot on her plate, but she is one determined and passionate person.Shauna is able to take a big idea and bring it to life. She has created some amazing experiences and has worked with some of the biggest names out there to date. The first year of Haste and Hustle featured Gary V as the keynote speaker and in 2020 it is Richard Branson. Shauna is able to capture the attention of these big names and get them involved in her vision. She is super passionate about helping others and I am so excited to hear about her journey.In this episode, Shauna and I discuss the following:* Actions of a young budding entrepreneur and getting your business shut down at your elementary school* Importance of being creative to deliver an experience that will make money and add value to your event* How connecting to nature and playing outdoors helps stimulate creativity and growth* What happens when you choose a traditional career to make money and have a good living* How to listen to your inner voice about what you should really be doing and then taking steps to follow your dream* Importance of staying open to opportunities when they come along and taking action on them* How to change careers, get started in a new industry and launch a new business* Value of connecting with current thought leaders, selling them on your idea and getting them to participate* Not knowing, acknowledging or recognizing when something is hard and just moving forward to get it done* Importance of being passionate about what you are doing, and sharing your passion to get buy in from other people* Developing the right name for a company or brand* Recognizing your own limitations of areas or skills that still need to be further developed or improved* The biggest challenge when it comes to running events* How external factors can impact your business and what you should do when this happens* Value of being a solution-oriented problem solver that is able to identify what is important vs. not important* What you should do when everything seems to be going wrong* How the power of relationships can work for you and how communal entrepreneurs can be with one another* Importance of asking for help so people can rally around and help you* Struggle for female entrepreneurs to ask for help and the negative perceptions associated with asking* Value of recognizing and acknowledging the amazing people that surround you* Importance of being open to asking for and receiving help* How you can put yourself in a great position to help others* Importance and value of your network to share information, to help each other and to not feel alone with your struggles* Why you should help people with the right intention and do things to be a good person not get anything out of it* How different people bring value into your business or life* Struggle of connecting with people in a meaningful way* A model for creating a successful event that will have great takeaways for the audience* Shauna’s dream speaker list* Importance of finding people that will attract the right audience for your event* Value of being real on social media and let...

EPISODE 13 – TIM LOUKS – ON BEING INSPIRED BY THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU, BEING SELF LESS IN SPORTS, AND USING RECOVERY TIME TO REFLECT, ADAPT & IMPROVETim Louks is Head Coach of the McMaster Marauders Women’s Volleyball Team. Tim has spent over 30 seasons coaching and developing the women’s program and in the 2007-2008 season he led the team to it’s first OUA championship and he has coached his team to capture that title two more times in 2013/14 and 2016/17.Coach Louks has received the OUA Coach of The Year Award 6 times and under his watch he has had 42 OUA all-stars, four OUA Rookies of the Year and four Marauders have been named CIS All-Canadians.Tim is passionate about sports and the game of volleyball. He has coached since a young age and his mother was also a coach of youth sports so you might say it is in his blood. His technical expertise of individual skill, and overall game plan strategy is mind blowing. Tim is very pragmatic in his approach to coaching and anyone that has played for him will fondly recall his “Timism’s”, these are phrases he would use to describe a situation in order to get you to think more about what you were really doing or how you were feeling.Tim believes there is so much value to participating in sports and that sport can teach you many life lessons and visa versa, which I believe as well. I had the pleasure of playing three seasons for coach Louks and I am looking forward to learning more about Tim’s journey to the court and what drives his continued love for this sport.In this episode, Tim and I discuss the following:* Differences between old school outdoor creative play and finding trouble vs. the reality today* Challenges of forming relationships, friendships and finding community in today’s world* Opportunities of exposure to sport at a young age and how it can help build lifelong relationships* Similarities and differences of learning in sport vs learning in life* Difficulties of learning how, where and when to trust* Value of learning about people and humanity through sports* Where passion and inspiration can come from* Difference between being self less vs. selfish and how it relates to sport, passion and drive* Understanding your leadership style and what you can learn from others* Importance of leaving something better than you found it* Difference of being happy to “get there” vs. “wanting to win”* What “being the best” means and how it influences behaviour and attitude* Importance of competing to be the best you can be and how far should you go to win* Avoidance of discipline, punishment and failing and how it affects kids and society* Information overload and the importance of recovery time to be able to reflect, adapt and improve* The evolution of the volleyball, why we play it and why the game is played* Importance of having good support or help in place to allow for recovery and still be able to continue to drive forward* How outcome can drive passion and knowing that it is OK to be the best* Importance of losing so you know how to win* Importance of understanding people and being able to predict their responses to different types of feedback* How the people that surround you provide fuel for your passion* Why significant victories are like a hangover and the importance of not getting stuck on the “winning” component* Importance of implementing change to produce a different result* Why “selections” are different than “try outs”* Single sport vs multi sport experiences and the value of each* Risk of selecting and anticipating the potential growth of an athlete* What happens when you use the term “I don’t think you”* Importance of doing the right things to get noticed and having access to opportunities in sport* How sport can teach ...