The Athletes Podcast

We sit down with ultra runner Dave Proctor to unpack how he ran across Canada, what attention and meditation did for his performance, and why the finish line mattered less than the steps that got him there. The talk moves from ego and validation to stillness, doubt, and the craft of stacking habits.

• Canadian pride and sport as pure attention
• Doing vs being and running across Canada
• Outrunning ego and the Seco...

Cal Dorohoy, founder of Fairway Co and director of Innovation for VaynerSports, joins Dave to discuss the ambitious Fairway Long Drive Tour across Canada and the intersection of athletics and entrepreneurship.

• Cal created Fairway Lager after identifying the untapped opportunity to own the "social side of golf"
• The beer contains a protease enzyme cutting 90% of gluten, making it less filling for extended d...

Luke Way, founder of Isocapnic Technologies, reveals how respiratory limitations affect athletic performance and how proper breathing training can unlock significant performance gains.

• Approximately 70% of athletes are functionally limited by their respiratory systems, meaning they physically cannot breathe enough air to perform at their true potential
• VO2 max testing provides valuable insights beyond just a number...

Shea Emry shares his remarkable journey from being a two-time Grey Cup champion in the CFL to competing in World Long Drive Championships, hitting golf balls over 400 yards with a specialized 48-inch driver. His story demonstrates how elite athletes can successfully transition between sports, applying lessons from one competitive arena to another.

• Former CFL linebacker who retired in 2015 and discovered long drive golf i...

Maddie Warren joins us for a brutal leg workout and shares her journey from teenage undereating to powerlifting to becoming a bodybuilder who travels the world. She opens up about finding balance, building confidence, and pursuing personal growth on her own terms.

• Training with heavy hip thrusts (3 plates) and high reps for glute development
• Using cooling implements called "narwhals" to maximize workout c...

Evy Lyons from Apex Cool Labs explains how palm cooling technology is revolutionizing athletic performance by cooling blood and muscles during intense activity.

• Palm cooling accelerates recovery in competition and training by utilizing hands as the body's natural radiators
• Our palms get 10 times more blood flow than other skin areas when we're hot
• Cooling your palms helps lower core temperature, acc...

Brian Wallack shares his journey from professional basketball player in Spain to Gymshark athlete and social media fitness influencer with half a million followers. His transition reveals how he's now able to inspire more people through fitness content than he ever could have on the basketball court.

• Importance of planning training around performance needs, especially for in-season athletes
• Effectiveness of tr...

Dusty Imoo, also known as "The Goalie Therapist," shares his journey from professional hockey goaltender to mental performance coach, offering insights on managing stress and finding balance in high-performance situations. Drawing from his 15-year career, most recently coaching with the Los Angeles Kings, Fort Wayne Comets, and Japanese national team, he provides practical wisdom for athletes looking to optimize their men...

Cruz Oguz, dubbed the most athletic kicker in the country prior to entering the NCAA, shares his multifaceted approach to athleticism through football, track, and tricking while creating his social media content.

• Creates and edits all content himself, recently upgrading equipment to enhance quality
• Follows a modified diet with around 200g of carbohydrates while cutting for summer
• Boasts impressive lifting num...

April Hutchinson, a three-time Team Canada record-holding powerlifter, shares her journey from childhood athlete to women's sports advocate after being suspended for speaking biological truths about male competitors in female categories.

• Sports served as therapy through difficult times including childhood abuse and later struggles with alcoholism
• Found sobriety six years ago and channeled energy into powerlift...

Siddhartha Bhat, a 14-time Team Canada Taekwondo national champion, shares his journey from being a troublemaking child to becoming one of Canada's most decorated martial artists. He explores the discipline martial arts instilled in him and why he believes every child should learn some form of self-defense.

• Growing up in Toronto as a child of Indian and Sri Lankan parents shaped Siddhartha's cultural identity

Marie-Eloise Leclair shares her journey from a Montreal athlete to becoming a Canadian Olympian competing in the 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics. National Record Holder 13x All-American D2, her story weaves through early sports experiences, collegiate decisions, Olympic village insights, and her ongoing development as an elite sprinter.

• Originally recruited to SFU as a 400m hurdler before her coach redirected her to p...

Eleni Demestihas, Director of Hockey Operations for Cookstark Management, shares her journey from law school to becoming an agent for women's hockey players and offers insights on the explosive growth of the PWHL.

• Began as a law school graduate who wanted sports industry education without necessarily practicing law
• Started representing hockey players when many had no agents, particularly focusing on players wh...

Paris O'Brien shares his remarkable journey from quitting hockey at age 15 to becoming the Chinese national hockey goaltender and Olympian. His story demonstrates how stepping away from sport temporarily can sometimes be the catalyst for future success when combined with passion, hard work, and being ready when opportunity arises.

• Growing up playing minor hockey in Coquitlam before deciding to take a year off at age...

Doug Lynch, former professional hockey player turned entrepreneur, shares his journey from the ice to founding innovative performance apparel company Filium and how the relationships built through sports became the foundation for his business success.

• Began playing hockey at age three in Coquitlam, BC, eventually being drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round
• Won a Memorial Cup with the Red Deer Rebels at...

Linus Karlsson joins us from our new Pioneer Auto Group Jeep studio to discuss his hockey journey from Sweden to North America and the challenges of adapting to a different style of play. Linus shares insights about his NHL experience while revealing the mental aspects of professional hockey that fans rarely see.

• Linus discusses his new Jeep from Pioneer Auto Group and how it fits his hockey lifestyle
• Comparison of...

Discover the inspiring journey of Jillian Weir, an Olympic hammer throw athlete who excels in her sport and provides insights into competing against strong rivalries and personal adversities. Jillian highlights her non-traditional path from various sports to hammer throwing as well as the differences between Commonwealth Games and the Olympics, shedding light on each competition's unique challenges and opportunities.

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Richie Bullbrook shares his journey from a young skateboarder inspired by cartoons to a competitive athlete vying for Olympic recognition. He discusses his family's role in his development, the emotional impact of his father's passing, the reality of imposter syndrome, and his commitment to fostering community among young skaters. 

• Starting skateboarding at four, inspired by a favourite cartoon 
• The impor...

This episode focuses on the critical role of social media for athletes in building their brands and connecting with fans. Nick Bowins and Dan Marrazza discuss strategies, share insights on the evolving digital landscape, and emphasize the necessity of authenticity and intelligent engagement for aspiring athletes.

• The significance of social media in an athlete's career
• Successful case studies and examples of ...