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  • WRITER
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  • ONE-WOMAN SHOW
  • PODCAST
  • PHILANTHROPY
  • SCRAPBOOK

Episode 28: Chad Bentley, Ultraman World Championships finisher, founder of “Plants. Life. Sports.” coaching (Part 1)

Podcast28

Guest Titan: Chad Bentley, Ultraman World Championships finisher, founder of “Plants. Life. Sports.” coaching. (Part 1)
Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s green tea

What we cover: The quest for authentic greatness may mean a complete reinvention. A close examination of your perception of self, of your belief in what you’re capable of, in who you fundamentally are. It may mean asking the tough questions: Who do you spend your time with, how do you invest the hours of your days, what do you decide to focus on? It may mean that in order to make a quantum leap in the direction of positive personal development that you leave your old self and parts of your old life behind entirely.

Today’s guest is someone I have admired for 18 years — and I’ve had a front row seat to witnessing his complete 180-degree transformation. He is someone who never craves or seeks out the spotlight, unlike his obnoxious wife. He is as close to being completely devoid of ego as anyone I’ve ever known. He is humble and unassuming and kind and driven and determined and he believes in the power that we all possess to transform our lives. To reinvent. To climb our own Mount Everest. Whether it’s from quitting smoking, giving up the consumption of fast food and meat products overall, reigning in a relationship with excessive partying and drinking, going back to school to pursue higher education, or starting on a path to see what you’re capable of when it comes to physical fitness — my guest titan has done it all. And I would know, because I am married to him.

When I met Chad Bentley in February 1999 — on the night he grabbed my bum cheeks and slurred “I think you’re awesome” at an Irish pub in Vancouver — I knew he was special (and not because he grabbed my ass). I saw in him a beautiful person, but a beautiful person who didn’t see it in himself yet. I’ve always said that Chad is like buried treasure, the deeper you get, the more richness you find. In the last nearly two decades, I have seen Chad transform — he was always an athlete, don’t get me wrong. He was one-to-watch during his days as a rugby player in Abbotsford before a terrible knee injury took him out of the game and under the surgeon’s knife many times — and onto the sidelines, where he went into a bit of a downward spiral. Reassessing who he was: If he wasn’t this rising rugby star, who was he? Instead, he became what he calls “the club drunk” that person who would binge drink in an effort to appear that he was having a good time, but really it was to mask his own feelings of lack of worth. It was a time of tremendous uncertainty about the direction of his own life. I met Chad on the tail end of this, on the cusp of a new beginning. Almost like the space between two paragraphs. We knew one paragraph had ended and we had no idea where or when or how the next one would begin. But we needn’t have worried. Because when you’re committed to the process, and when you ask the tough questions, the answers and the beauty reveal themselves.

Chad walked away from his old life. If there’s something tough that you have yet to contend with, I can safely ascertain he’s done it. An unsupportive social environment? Moving from sedentary to active? Smoking? Going back to school? Diet and nutrition? He’s dealt with it. He is a guy who not only went back to school, but in addition to tackling various business courses at the undergraduate level, obtained a certificate in plant based nutrition from Cornell University. Chad, who went from living on a diet of chicken wings, is today a vegetarian endurance athlete who represented Canada at the Ultraman World Championships in Hawaii. Ultraman, is the equivalent of doing approximately 2 and half ironman distance events in three days — a 10 km (6 mile) swim, a 420 km (260 mile) bike, and an 84 km (52 mile) double marathon.

I am excited to share Chad with the world — we have listeners in 45 countries now. He is as inspiring as they get. And my daughters — our daughters — could not have a better role model. Here’s the thing, he had strep throat when we recorded this chat, and he had to dart off to the dr. So we had to keep the chat to 35 minutes or so. I thought that would be enough time, to you know, give a top-level introduction to this person, this titan, I live with and talk about so much. But we barely scratched the surface. Remember: Buried treasure, right? So, for the first time ever, I am going to do a Two Part interview. Today’s is part one, and I am going to snag Chad to sit down for a part two later this week and we will post that next Tuesday.

Chad calls himself shy. I don’t feel he’s shy, I think he’s just not showy. He’s not arrogant. He’s real and calm and never that Look At Me person — and in this chat, he is open. He’s open about his struggles over the years with self-worth, something we all go through. He’s open about his one-time binge drinking. And I want to thank Chad for that — I think when people achieve greatness as he has as an athlete on an international scale, there’s a tendency for us to gloss over the hard times. To curate a life on social media for example that it’s all about the good times. And this is what makes him such a motivation to so many people. He made the decision to transform. He made the decision to walk through the dark times and the hard times and to come out on the other side.

Nature strengthens through struggle, if we look around us we see examples of that everywhere. And I am honoured to live with a titan who embodies that — Chad has struggled, and fallen (just as we all have) but he rose again, and when he rose it was a whole new him, and a whole new life. And I am so privileged to have been there to see it all.

If you think Chad is someone you’d like to connect with, in 2017, Chad will be launching “Plants. Life. Sport.” coaching — dedicated to helping others transform their lives in the way he has. No, you don’t have to do an ironman to work with Chad. All you need to have is the desire to make a positive change, and he will be there for you, step by step — because guess what? He’s been there. I remember when he and I did our first 5k run together — and he remembers too. And it doesn’t matter where you live on the planet, reach out.

How you can learn more: PowerBentley@gmail.com

episode71

Episode 071: Dr. Russ Kennedy — The Anxiety MD

What we cover: “In this moment, we are safe.” —Dr. Russ Kennedy

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episode70

Episode 070: Stacey Shand — Ultra-distance athlete and adventurer

What we cover: “I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.” —Robert

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Episode 069: Kevin Reynolds — Olympic Figure Skater

What we cover: “Take the past for what it is. And then, focus on moving forward.” —Kevin

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Podcast67

Episode 068: Sherry Strong — Chef, Nutritionist, Food Philosopher

What we cover: “Addiction is the body’s way of telling you that you’re not listening to your soul.” —Sherry Strong

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Episode 067: Mary-Jo Dionne — writer/speaker/performer/podcaster

In the interest of full disclosure, I have been ridiculously spread thin – as we all can get from time to time – and completely run down, wrapping up deadlines before I shut the office down until the new year.

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Podcast66

Episode 066: Anna Rice — Two-time Olympic badminton player

What we cover: “The most important things I’ve learned in life, I’ve learned on the badminton court.” —Anna Rice

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Episode65

Episode 65: Mary-Jo Dionne — Learning to let it go

What we cover: “You have to lose sight of the shore to discover new lands.” (paraphrased) —André Gide

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Podcast63

Episode 064: Karin Fortin Jackson — Part Two (“After”) Triathlete / Weight loss success story

What we cover: “For temporary results, commit to temporary changes. For permanent results, commit to permanent ones.” —Karin Fortin

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Podcast64

Episode 063: Karin Fortin Jackson — Triathlete / Weight loss success story (Part One: Before)

What we cover: “For temporary results, commit to temporary changes. For permanent results, commit to permanent ones.” —Karin Fortin Jackson, 3-time Ironman finisher, who lost 120 pounds

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Podcast62

Episode 062: Rhian Wilkinson — Three-time Olympic Soccer Player

Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “If you want something badly enough, you don’t make sacrifices. You make choices.” —Rhian Wilkinson […]

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Podcast61

Episode 061: Mike Shaw — Freestyle Skier, Coach, Entrepreneur, Speaker

Tea of choice: We opted for Vega shakes instead! What we cover: “Boom! Gratitude.” —Mike Shaw This week’s Guest Titan – Mike Shaw — is […]

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Podcast60

Episode 060: Terri Tatchell — Oscar-nominated screenwriter

What we cover: Reinvention. I have been calling myself a writer since I was 5 years old. I’ve had a fun and memorable career as […]

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Episode59

Episode 059: Jeff Symonds — Professional Triathlete (mini-episode)

Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. This is a mini-episode. Just a wee one. It’s sort of Part Two in my chat with the […]

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Podcast58

Episode 058: Jeff Symonds — Professional triathlete

Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “A diamond is a lump of coal that did well under pressure.” —Henry Kissinger This […]

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Podcast57

Episode 057: Teryl Rothery — Actor, Stargate SG-1, Cedar Cove, Best in Show, The Good Doctor

Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “A fall doesn’t have to be perceived as a fall. It can be a trip. […]

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Episode56

Episode 056: Mary-Jo Dionne — host, Tea with a Titan

Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “Where will we be 5 years from today?” Welcome to Season #2 of Tea with […]

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Podcast55

Episode 055: Pamela Martin — Broadcasting icon and philanthropist

Guest Titan: Pamela Martin, Broadcasting icon/philanthropist. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “Do not go where the path may lead. Go […]

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Podcast54

Episode 054: Wendy Williams-Watt — Activist / Artist / Designer

Guest Titan: Wendy Williams-Watt, Activist/Artist/Designer. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.” —Burt […]

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Podcast53

Episode 053: Mary-Jo Dionne — host, Tea with a Titan

Guest Titan: Mary-Jo Dionne, Walking through the discomfort. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “We can’t go over it, we can’t […]

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Podcast52

Episode 52: George Shapiro — Legendary Hollywood Manager and Executive Producer of Seinfeld

We talk: Jerry Seinfeld, Andy Kaufman, Elvis Presley, and the importance of bombing on stage. (And really, in life.)

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Podcast51

Episode 51: Ashley Wiles — Brooks Running 2016 Inspiring Coach of the Year

Guest Titan: Ashley Wiles, Brooks Inspiring Coach of the Year. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “What the mind of man […]

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Podcast50

Episode 050: Elle Wild — Award-winning novelist

Guest Titan: Elle Wild, Award-winning novelist. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail […]

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Podcast49

Episode 049: Matt Hill — Run for One Planet, runner and environmentalist

Guest Titan: Matt Hill, Run for One Planet. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “Just take one small step — every […]

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Podcast48

Episode 048: Gary Robbins — Ultra-runner, The Barkley Marathons

Guest Titan: Gary Robbins, Ultra-runner: The Barkley Marathons. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “You can do this. You will do […]

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Podcast47

Episode 047: Jennifer Heil — Three-time Olympic skier

Guest Titan: Jennifer Heil, Three-time Olympic skier. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “Everything is perspective.” —Jennifer Heil A few months […]

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Podcast46

Episode 046: Mary-Jo Dionne — host, Tea with a Titan

Your host: Mary-Jo Dionne, Just say “yes!” Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “It is not our job to ask ‘how?’ […]

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Podcast45

Episode 045: Mary-Jo Dionne — host, Tea with a Titan

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast44

Episode 044: Nancy Johnston — Entrepreneur, Founder/CEO of Tengri

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast43

Episode 043: Melissa Haynes — Author / Adventurer

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast42

Episode 042: Shaun Frankson — Social Entrepreneur, Co-Founder The Plastic Bank

What we cover: To say that guest titan Shaun Frankson and his business partner David Katz are thought-leaders would likely be one of the bigger understatements of our time.

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Podcast41

Episode 041: Jacqueline Way — Philanthropist, Founder of 365give

Guest Titan: Jacqueline Way, Philanthropist, Founder of 365give. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Earl Grey Lavender What we cover: “If we all create a daily […]

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Podcast40

Episode 40: Jody Vance — TV and Radio broadcaster

Guest Titan: Jody Vance, TV and Radio Broadcaster. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Earl Grey Lavender What we cover: “No matter what happens, I have […]

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Podcast39

Episode 039 Part Three: Brent Johnson — football star (and still all-round great guy)

Guest Titan: Brent Johnson, football star (and all-round great guy). Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Steam Tea Nuts and Spice What we cover: “You cannot […]

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Podcast38

Episode 038 Part Two: Brent Johnson — football star (and still all-round great guy) DETAILS

Guest Titan: Brent Johnson, football star (and all-round great guy). Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Steam Tea Nuts and Spice What we cover: “You cannot […]

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Podcast37

Episode 037 Part One: Brent Johnson — football legend (and all-round great guy)

Guest Titan: Brent Johnson, football star (and all-round great guy). Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Steam Tea Nuts and Spice What we cover: “You cannot […]

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Podcast36

Episode 036: Betty Jean McHugh — 89-year-old world record marathoner

Guest Titan: Betty Jean McHugh, 89-year-old world record marathon runner. Tea of choice: Steam Tea What we cover: “Don’t let age get in your way.” […]

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Podcast35

Episode 035: Krista Guloien — Olympic rower, speaker, and author

Guest Titan: Krista Guloien, Olympic rower and author. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Organic Earl Grey Lavender What we cover: In the seven months that […]

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Podcast34

Episode 034: Michelle Tremblay — black belt and empowerment advocate

Guest Titan: Michelle Tremblay, 2nd degree black belt and empowerment advocate. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Liquid Sunshine What we cover: “Our deepest fear is […]

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Podcast33

Episode 033: Natasha Wodak — Olympic runner

Guest Titan: Natasha Wodak, Olympic runner. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Organic Earl Grey Lavender What we cover: For those of us who watched the […]

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Podcast32

Episode 032: Roy McBeth — elite cyclist and triathlete and organ donor advocate

Guest Titan: Roy McBeth, elite cyclist and triathlete and organ donor advocate. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Cherry Kyoto Rose Green Tea What we cover: […]

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Podcast31

Episode 031: Liz Rose — 2nd youngest Canadian to summit Mt Everest

Guest Titan: Liz Rose, 25-yr-old climber who summited Mount Everest. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Liquid sunshine What we cover: On May 23rd, 2016, Liz […]

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Podcast30

Episode 30: Jenn Dawkins, firefighter, philanthropist, mentor, ultra-athlete, dog-mom

Guest Titan: Jenn Dawkins, firefighter, philanthropist, mentor, ultra-athlete, dog-mom. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Liquid sunshine What we cover: What’s it like to transform from […]

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Podcast29

Episode 29: Chad Bentley, Ultraman World Championships finisher, founder of “Plants. Life. Sports.” coaching (Part 2)

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast28

Episode 28: Chad Bentley, Ultraman World Championships finisher, founder of “Plants. Life. Sports.” coaching (Part 1)

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast27

Episode 27: Annie Wood, actor (Good Luck Chuck, My Sister’s Keeper), writer, mindfulness enthusiast

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast26

Episode 26: Jillian Murray, Actor on CBS’s Code Black (and Dean Geyer of Australian Idol, Glee, and Shades of Blue)

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast25

Episode 25: Jen Grisanti, Story Consultant/Writing Instructor for NBC/Author/International Speaker

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast24

Episode 24: Autumn Reeser, Actor (The OC, Entourage, Hawaii Five-O, Sully, The Arrangement)

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast23

Episode 23: Peter Arpesella, Actor/Writer

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast22

Episode 22: Morgan Brayton, Actor/Comedian/Writer/Producer/TV Personality/Kitten Rescuer

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast21

Episode 21: Kathy Barnard, Melanoma Survivor and Advocate

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast20

Episode 020: Ray Zahab — Extreme Adventure Runner

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast19

Episode 019: Gina Mollicone-Long — Author / Speaker / Peak Performance Coach

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast18

Episode 018 Darrell Fox — Brother of Terry Fox / Cancer Crusader

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast17

Episode 017: Ferg Hawke — Decorated ultra-marathoner

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast16

Episode 016: Sister Madonna Buder — The Iron Nun

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast15

Episode 015: Tanner Gers — USA Paralympian/speaker/author/entrepreneur

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast14

Episode 014: Lex Gillette — Four-time USA Paralympian

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast13

Episode 013: Steve King — Legendary events announcer and ultra-athlete

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast12

Episode 012: Lynn Kanuka — Two-time Olympic runner

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast11

Episode 011: Silken Laumann — Four-time Olympic rower

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast10

Episode 010: Mark Hatton — Two-time Olympic luge racer

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast9

Episode 009: Nikola Girke — Four-time Olympian

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast8

Episode 008: Anthony Lemke — Actor and humanitarian

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Episode 007: Matt Hill — Actor, speaker, runner

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast6

Episode 6: Susanne Biro, Leadership Coach, author, and vegan

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast5

Episode 5: Mercedes Nicoll, Three-time Olympic snowboarder

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast4

Episode 4: Ab McDonald, Original Six Hockey Legend

Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.

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Podcast3

Episode 3: Danielle Krysa, The Jealous Curator

Former advertising Creative Director Danielle Krysa transformed her one-time debilitating jealousy for other artists into one of the world’s most revered art blogs, TheJealousCurator.com.

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Podcast2

Episode 2: Amber Fares, filmmaker

Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Amber Fares, discusses her decision to depart her career in advertising and pursue unknown territory — all with a camera strapped around her neck.

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Podcasr1

Episode 1: Mary-Jo Dionne, your host

Well, it’s not so much as a discussion, really. Writer/speaker/performer and seasoned interview-buff Mary-Jo Dionne welcomes you to the launch of the new podcast Tea with a Titan.

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Contact

If you want to connect, shoot Mary-Jo an email. She’ll hit “reply” just as soon as she’s back from Mommy and Me Ballet.

ThisIsMJD@gmail.com

Full Client List

When Mary-Jo says she feels blessed, she really means she feels blessed. Here is the full list of amazing (fun, smart, creative) clients she has had the good fortune to work with.

See Mary-Jo’s Full Client List.

Full Background

Work history, education, training, and — ahem — accolades, it’s all here. (The only thing that isn’t, is what Mary-Jo had for dinner last night.) (Tofu and broccoli on brown rice.)

See Mary-Jo’s Full Background.

Confidence by the foot

The Millipede Project is committed to getting 500 Vancouver-area kids-in-need into a new pair of shoes every year. And your donation of $30 (or more, of course!) means a child gets new kicks — and you get a tax receipt. Buy a child a pair of shoes now.

Subscribe to the Podcast

Tea with a Titan is a series during which Mary-Jo speaks with those people who have one thing in common: The ability to provide a perspective shift, despite the obstacles.

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Mary-Jo Dionne Productions
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada

ThisIsMJD@gmail.com
604.992.4651

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