PARLAY Podcast

Walt Bleser isn't one for titles, although he has a few - President, CEO, athlete, but the most important to him are father, husband, leader, and survivor. A few years ago, Walt narrowly avoided an almost always fatal type of heart attack called the “widow maker” – he was a competitive cyclist and barely into his 40s at the time. Walt was also Type A, in a demanding job with an equally matched travel schedule, and had just welcomed his first child. Needless to say, there were warning signs that he had been ignoring.Throughout our conversation, Walt shares insight into some of the most pivotal moments of his life. He talks about the chip on his shoulder that pushed him from being an average student to graduating near the top of his university engineering class and onto a Master’s degree. We also dive into the concept of “false summits,” the need to constantly seek more but never feel fully fulfilled. He has pivoted and found a new pathway in his professional career, while also finding ways to serve the community in his personal life. Walt is open and honest, humble and changed. Please join us for this conversation; there are so many valuable takeaways.

Sometimes the most brilliant ideas originate from the most unlikely places. This happens to be the case with B Yoga, or the B Mat to be precise.  A long-time lover of yoga after discovering the practice while obtaining her MBA in Australia, Andrea had spent several years in marketing and business development before joining her family’s fifth generation manufacturing and technology business.  A chance encounter with product they were reviewing ignited a spark that led to that start of B Yoga, and eventually the addition of Half Moon. Throughout our conversation, Andrea’s purpose and intention were omnipresent.  From navigating roles within her family’s company, to leaving parties early to work on her business plan for B Yoga, her focus and work ethic have been steadfast.  As yoga and her new endeavour came more into focus, Andrea also started building another family – her own.  This has also come with joys and challenges, specifically their eldest daughter’s diagnosis of William’s Syndrome, which Andrea speaks to so honestly and openly. There are so many facets to this conversation that I absolutely adore.  Andrea is so solid in the foundation of who she is and what B Yoga and Half Moon stand for.  She is not afraid to dive deep on issues that many companies shy away from, and is fueled by “fulfilling her vision of inspiring all individuals to live their truth.” You can learn more about Andrea, B Yoga, and Half Moon by following them on social media, and  checking out the links below:@ byoganow@ shophalfmoon@ beingandreamckay www.byoganow.comwww.shophalfmoon.ca

For a woman who “…never thought I would be an entrepreneur – ever!” Kristi Stuart has most definitely proved herself wrong several times over.  A competitive dancer as a child, Kristi had planned to travel the world dancing on cruise ships until a car accident majorly altered her course.Fast forward to a degree in molecular biology and biochemistry, a successful career in pharmaceutical sales, marriage, and motherhood, which leads to Barre Belle Studios's creation.  “Lightening in a bottle” is how Kristi describes it as she vulnerably shares the highs and pandemic-induced lows of building a wildly successful, female-owned and operated national fitness studio brand.  Openly and honestly, Kristi speaks to the emotional, spiritual, physical, and financial trauma of the fallout.Not one to be kept down, and frankly also recognizing that she needed a new revenue stream, Kristi turned back to her love of science, health and connecting with women to launch not one but two new businesses – Blueprint by Kristi and Inner Wellth Supplements.Join Kristi and me as she shares not only her entrepreneurial journey but her personal one as well.  She is honest and raw, passionate and determined.  I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this conversation; I hope you do too.For full show notes and links, please visit www.parlaypodcast.com

After immigrating to Canada, via Fiji and Australia, Saawan Logan quickly fell in love with the land and an idea started to percolate after drinking from a natural spring during a hike.  That idea is now North Water, a Canadian company bringing fresh, clean, alkaline spring water to the rest of the country, as well as a message of sustainability and responsibility.  Going “all in” just prior to the start of the pandemic, Saawan shares a refreshingly positive account of how they not only weathered the storm but found unique opportunities and built strong local relationships to help drive growth.This conversation is about so much more than bottled water.  It is about immigration and finding roots, creating a company with the hopes of leaving a legacy, being David in a field of Goliath’s, and it is about helping shape a world where the value of ideas trumps who brought them to the table.   This was such a great conversation to close out Season three, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.For more information on Saawan and North Water, please visit the Parlay website at parlaypodcast.com

Ginny Barker is an East Coast girl, living in a Western Canadian world who is simultaneously killing it in the corporate communications world while pursuing her passion of becoming a certified Herbalist.  Growing up on an organic farm in small-town New Brunswick, Ginny didn’t realise how much of an impact this would have on her.  She left for the beckoning “city lights” and has built a successful career in advertising and corporate communications.  Like many of us, Covid brought several things to the surface, and Ginny found herself being drawn back to elements of her childhood, namely nature, and plants.  Enter Erb Apothecary, the company Ginny created while taking her certified herbalist designation.  Fun, cheeky, and informative, Erb is, “A modern FARMacy boosting your wellness, detoxing your medicine cabinets and helping you GLOW like you were meant to.”  Sometimes we do not need to do a complete pivot to find fulfillment.  Ginny speaks to how having one foot in the corporate world, and one in the garden so to speak, combine to fill her cup.  Fun, cheeky, and an excellent communicator (duh), Ginny’s passion for work and play shines through as she shares her journey with PARLAY.For more information on this episode, please visit www.parlaypodcast.com

This episode has been in the making since essentially before the podcast began.  My dear friend, Adam Hoffman, is President of Vesta Wealth Partners Ltd., a single-family office, and an Investment Fund Manager democratizing access to private equity.  Based in Calgary, his mission is to empower entrepreneurial families to thrive for generations.We sit down to discuss many things, but mainly his passion for finding your purpose.  With interests in business, law, tax law to be exact, and a fierce love of entrepreneurship, Adam possesses an unquenchable thirst for deeper self-knowledge.   He has spent years dedicating his time and resources, to understanding his passions and strengths, while continuously working to forge his authentic path.  Adam is ardent about helping people find their purpose and is an incredibly insightful individual.  This conversation is for anyone questioning their next step.For more detail visit www.parlaypodcast.com/episodes

In the span of two short years, Dr. Kate Hunter has found a way to, not only challenge how the medical system works but create retail spaces, practices, and communities to support it.  Join my conversation with Dr. Kate as we discuss how the pandemic brought to light the faults in the system and her unknowing contribution to it.  And, how she personally sought further societal and cultural education and corresponding actions to rectify those traditionally excluded in the wellness system.Four Apothecary locations, hiring and managing a multi-faceted team, learning the retail game on the fly, and why she feels that this “happened to her” once she started seeking answers, are a few of the conversations we dive into.  This is a thoroughly inspiring journey to witness, I hope you enjoy Dr. Kate’s story thus far.

“See the good” is the motto for Sphere Optometry, Dr. Danielle Gordon’s Westman Village practice in Calgary.  Considering she opened not too long before the pandemic, one could say this was fitting.  Dr. Danielle’s journey to opening Sphere is both endearing and entertaining, involving a pub in Ireland, a tandem cross-country drive with walkie-talkies, and stumbling across the perfect location to bring her vision to life.  Join me in finding out why this is not your typical office for your annual eye exam, and learn more about the incredible community that Dr. Danielle and her team continue to build; where the goals are kindness, connection, ocular and wholistic wellness, and giving back to the community.

I met Tara Simonton about 5 years ago.  We lived in the same neighbourhood, had kids the same age, went to the same gym, and had lots of friends in common.  I instantly liked her; she had a special lightness and warmth.  Little did I know the journey she had been on to become the person she is today.After an adventurous start together in Europe, Tara and her husband were excited to start a family.  After years of struggling with infertility, and a near-death experience for Tara, they decided to grow their family through adoption and surrogacy.  During this time, yoga presented itself and has become a lifelong calling; it is now her passion and profession.  Join me as Tara shares her incredibly personal journey and, how looking back, she wouldn't change a thing.

Saying that today’s guest wears a few hats would be an understatement.  Dr. Ingemaud Gerber is a long way from her native South Africa, and the journey to Canada is a story in and of itself.  Fast forward several years later and she is now a key member at Inliv Medical in Calgary, as well as Mom to three busy young ladies.  Her passion for medicine brought her to become certified as a Functional Medicine physician through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, while also maintaining hours at a hospitalist…two very different systems and disciplines, indeed.  The past years have brought significant change to her personal life, both challenging and rewarding, and somehow she managed to achieve her goal of completing an Ironman before her 40th birthday, which she just did at the end of 2021.  I love Inge’s perseverance, bravery, and quest to help others live healthy, active, and fulfilled life.  She has so much to share about her journey, we hope you enjoy our conversation.

Senator, a title that carries a unique cachet for trust, wisdom, guidance, and for this podcast host, a bit of intimidation to be frank.  Thankfully, my guest today, Senator Karen Sorensen, is also approachable, generous, and has a wit and sense of humour about her that makes everyone feel welcome in her presence. Fresh into her new appointment as one of Canada’s newest Senators, Karen’s story is one full of pivots that she has parlayed to create each new and exciting next step. With her life in Canada crossing East to West and back again, we discuss her multi-faceted career, including her path into politics, first local and then at the federal level.  Karen shares valuable lessons for, and the importance of, cultivating strong relationships and community, both personally and professionally.  And, why she states, “being the Mayor of Banff was the privilege of my life.”   Some takeaways from this episode include:the importance of lifelong friendships  and relationships that support you through your effortswhy she is still getting used to being called a politician after being in the space for approximately 20 yearsher journey from employee to entrepreneur to local politics and now the Canadian Senatethe challenges and rewards of being the Mayor of Banff; the obstacles they have faced, not only during the pandemic but operating a small town and tourist destination in a National Parkwhat prompted her to apply for the Senate, the process, and an overview of her rolehow success is what we define it as and why more isn’t necessarily betterthe importance of, and her gratitude for, nature and our beautiful countryhow she sees herself showing up and serving Canada in the SenateYou can connect with Senator Sorensen on Twitter @Karen_Banff , and learn more about her on the Senate of Canada website.

This week we continue the conversation for Part 2 with Certified Divorce Coach, Heidi Dinning.  Diving deeper into the importance and tactics for communication, Heidi shares personal and professional stories to demonstrate different scenarios and effective ways of setting boundaries.    The discussion also leads us to the topics of introducing a new partner, as well as the challenges and possibilities this can bring with it.  Throughout, Heidi competently provides sage advice and strategies, for all couples, whether divorcing or not, to create open and meaningful communication channels.  Her approach strives to have all of her clients be able to show up as their best selves and thrive.   Some takeaways from this episode include:establishing perimeters with your communicationsco-parenting and the introduction of a new partnerblending families and what kids need to adapt well to a new situationthe art of listening and the power of validating other’s feelingsresponsibility - establishing where you stop and another person startsshowing up in the best way possible, or as Heidi refers to it as “keeping your side of the street clean”You can connect with Heidi on Instagram @heididinningdivorcecoaching, Facebook @heididinningdivorcecoaching , or on her website heididinning.com.

Divorce.  Although it may be commonplace in today's society, it is still such a challenging and difficult subject.  Progress is being made towards understanding, moving through, and moving on after a relationship has run its course but that doesn’t mean that it is smooth sailing, far from it in many respects.  During this two-part episode, I am joined by my friend, Heidi Dinning, who is a  CDC®Certified Divorce Coach and CDC®Certified Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach.  She is also a Certified High-Conflict Communications Strategist and Co-parenting Communications Specialist.  After going through her divorce, as well as her parent’s divorce, she recognized a gap that desperately needed to be filled.  The space between acknowledging that divorce was the next step and meeting at the lawyer's office. Part One of our conversation dives into how the pandemic caused the pivot that helped bring Heidi into her current career and why she is grateful.  We break down what a Certified Divorce Coach is, how the process of engaging with her works, and why it can be a very helpful tool during a very challenging time.  Heidi is a fountain of knowledge who has a measured and thoughtful way of seeing her clients through one of the most difficult periods in their life.  Throughout the episode, we discuss the realities of marriage, how the pandemic has affected relationships, divorce and separation, blending families, the power of communication, and how Heidi's goal of helping people survive and thrive is the ultimate driver!

Flaneur – a purposeful wanderer, strolling the streets absorbing everything their senses possibly can to fuel their creative mind. My guest today, Jennifer Cloutier, is precisely that. A multi-hyphenate creative with a passion for observing the ordinary and turning it into the extraordinary. From small town roots to criss-crossing the globe, her curiosity led her to develop her talents in a variety of artistic mediums. Jenn’s ability to know and stay true to herself is rare, but at times have come at great costs. Join me as we discuss everything from working the auto line, relationships of love and loss, her travel from around the globe to her latest project, a self published art lifestyle book. Jennifer is the true definition of someone who follows their heart while simultaneously evolving. She is the perfect guest to speak to the power of pivots and parlaying your talents into your next step. Some takeaways from this episode include:recognising and feeding certain character traits as a young child and teen, which helped shape her as an adultthe importance of being immersed in a supportive community, and how it helped shape her creativitybeing true to yourself and trusting your intuition even when it requires you to make life altering decisionshow travelling the world shaped her as a person and as an artistwe discuss how she has taken jobs as a means to an end to fuel her passions but how it evolved to taking jobs solely to learn and become immersed in the community affiliated with those passionsthe uncertainty of change and her constant evolution within her personal and professional lifethe highs and lows of living your dreams, and finding and losing lovehow the pandemic demanded self reflection and how it has inspired some of her most prized work yet...

Books and a good cozy sweatshirt….name a better combination as we brace for another Canadian winter.  Ecommerce entrepreneur, Kelly Bruce of The Happiest Collection, knows plenty about both.  In 2014 the steep decline of the energy sector in Calgary forced Kelly from the comfort of her role of 16 years in the industry.  Viewing this as an opportunity, she set out on her own and created Little Blue Canoe, an ecommerce site dedicated to “Curating Canada”.  Taking it one step further, and wanting to create a quality, casual Canadian made apparel brand rooted in positive and happy messaging, Kelly launched “The Happiest Collection” just a year later.  Fast forward to 2019 and the start of the pandemic.  With more time to indulge in her love of reading, a new idea presented itself, “The Happiest Little Book Club” where Kelly has created a platform to connect with other bibliophiles about their love of books, must reads, and cultivating an online close knit community.  Kelly approaches life with a quick wit, and seemingly insatiable palate for pizza!!!  She and I connected via her online community and as we exchanged messages, then finally met in person where I learned more of her story, I knew it was one that had PARLAY written all over it.   Some takeaways from this episode include:how, with time, a situation can reveal itself as something better than you were in beforethat success in business doesn’t always require traditional educationtransitioning between industries - from the safety and security of a paycheck into the unknown of ecommercethe realities and vulnerabilities of launching something personal and how it can affect the egowhy quality over quantity when it comes to engagement with clientswhy you should “just do it”You can connect with Kelly on Instagram @thehappiestcollection and @thehappiestlittlebookclub, Facebook @thehappiestcollection or on her website thehappiestcollection.com .

Join Dr. Shannon Vander Doelen and I for the second half of our discussion on infertility, pregnancy loss, and the realities of navigating this challenging situation that many families encounter.  We continue where our conversation left off, speaking frankly of our personal experiences and covering a variety of topics often not discussed. Some takeaways from this episode include:the importance of assembling a team who can help support not only your physical health but also your mental and emotional health as well - specifically around griefthe impossible reality of women baring the majority of responsibility, and corresponding stress, while seeking reproductive assistancehow experiencing infertility affects your relationships, specifically with your partnersocietal pressure and how we like everything to have a neat and tidy endinglosing your identity in the fertility process and into new motherhoodadoptions and alternatives to growing your family, and why they aren’t always as easy of a decisions as people thinkhow you can help support someone experiencing infertility or pregnancy lossYou can connect with Shannon on Instagram @drshannonnd, Facebook @DrShannonND or on her website shannonnd.ca .

Dr. Shannon Vander Doelen is a Toronto-based licensed Naturopathic Doctor, wellness speaker and entrepreneur. She supports people on their journey to, and through motherhood - from hormonal health and fertility, to pregnancy and postpartum.  Shannon is also a mother, a mother who is on her own journey of secondary infertility.  It was through her thoughtful and articulate online presence that we connected.  After having a single phone conversation, I knew that Shannon was THE person I wanted to discuss this topic with.  Her medical background, coupled with her calm, yet vulnerable demeanor allows for such grounded and valuable conversation.  For anyone experiencing infertility, I hope this conversation brings comfort, useful information, and lessens the feelings of loneliness and isolation that saddle this circumstance.  For everyone else, please listen – learn more so that even though you can’t make it better, you can show up in a way that friend or loved one needs you to.

Join me and former PARLAY guest, Courtney Gregory, as we team up to share important information regarding Calgary's Annual Gear Up Event, happening on November 4th.  For those who tuned in, you know that Courtney is very involved in the Calgary community, specifically with at-risk youth.  The event will be held on November 4th in the parking lot of The Alex community centre.  Please note that all donations be dropped off  or made online by November 1st!  Please see below on this year's greatest needs, as well as links to find out more.Greatest Needs for Gear Up:Winter coats -  adult sizes, male and femaleAdult bus ticketsPacks of underwear male and female, all adult sizesHairbrushes and combsGift cards (aiming for approximately $25  for places like Walmart, Superstore)Long johns or thermal underwearFor more information or to donate you can visit:www.gearupcalgary.comwww.facebook.com/gearupcalgary

The literary world erupted for author Ashley Audrain’s The Push as it set records and became one of the most anticipated releases for 2021.  And, although it may appear to be an "overnight success" as a  New York Times, Sunday Times and #1 international bestseller, including appearances on Good Morning America, the real story is actually the making of the story, and the making of a brilliant writer…one small step at a time.  Ashely has always been a lover of writing, and after studying media, followed by a career in PR, she found herself happily working inhouse for Penguin Publishing.  Unforeseen circumstances arose with the birth of her first child, dramatically altering her path.  A constant throughout her life, Ashley found solace in the written word…this time it was her own.It is extremely rare to achieve the type of success that Ashely has, especially in the literary world.  This conversation covers so many important topics, not just professionally but personally as well.  Ashley has quietly worked on her craft for years, sometimes not even realizing where a particular decision would take her but finding a thrill in the uncomfortable spaces she knew were inching her forward.  Ashley is dedicated to her craft, follows what she believes in and, lucky for us, continues to write her own story.

Courtney Gregory has a lot on her plate, both literally and figuratively.  In the midst of starting and running her own catering company, Catered by Courtney, she is also currently working her way through the Nutrition Science program offered through Stanford Medicine, in the Department of Nutrition Science.  This is all in addition to raising two young kids, and supporting her husband who has been in the thick of Covid as a frontline physician in our Calgary hospitals. Growing up as a competitive swimmer while being on the move, Courtney openly and honestly addresses the realities this took on her mental, physical, and emotional health.  Through the support of a counsellor, coach, and her family, Courtney developed life-long learning tools, especially surrounding positive body image, self worth, and a healthy and nourishing relationship with food.  An unfortunate family loss at a young greatly impacted her and years later grew into her involvement with Calgary based outreach organization, The Alex.   Courtney is wise, kind, articulate, and continues to strive and grow as she takes chances on herself.  This is such an honest and vulnerable conversation, completely embodying the concept of Parlay.  Somehow, no matter how many things are on her plate, Courtney is always cooking up a recipe for good.