Testimonials

Every athlete was an inspired kid at some point, and I think that’s a cycle which we’re obligated to sustain. Being a great role-model, leading by example, and taking an active role in our communities and local schools are all ways to affect positive change in our youth, and ensure that the next generations of athletes have people to look up to, just like we did. The word “Champion” has two meanings: a person who wins a competition and someone who fights for a cause. As athletes we have an awesome opportunity to champion causes which we feel strongly about. There are so many charities, foundations and causes out there to choose from, that every athlete’s passion, personal experience or story can serve to promote or advocate one or more. It feels great to win, but it feels profoundly gratifying to use what you’ve just won to promote something of importance.

Adam van Koeverden

Olympic Champion – Kayak

When I was experiencing unfair treatment in my sport, I didn't know where to turn or who to talk to. I was representing Canada on the world stage and I felt like my voice was being silenced and that there was no pathway forward to success. I was completely broken, vulnerable, and unmotivated to continue on. When I heard other athletes were going through the same challenges that I was, it gave me a feeling that I wasn't alone anymore. This feeling was powerful and energizing to keep fighting on and moving forward. As athletes we compete under the understood premise that sport is fair. When we understand them not to be it can be a crushing feeling. I was directed by a great friend to reach out to the AthletesCAN SportSolution program. Within hours, I had connected with a caring and understanding person who eased my immediate concerns and help me understand that I wasn't alone and that there was a pathway forward. This connection was paramount in rebuilding my confidence to where I now have the opportunity to help others find their way back to their passion of competition and the sporting community."

Colin Hodgson

Curling

So many Canadian athletes are engaged with their communities and are making a difference. Being in a position to use my voice and to have a positive impact in the lives of others is most fulfilling.

Jennifer Heil

Olympic Champion - Freestyle Skiing

Giving back is about getting more energy. In life, there are commitments that leave you drained of energy, then there are commitments that leave you energized once the task is complete. These latter commitments seem to defy newtonian physics, and are the reasons why I give back. It took a lot of experimentation until I found the community involvement that optimized my energy, but it was worth it!

Adam Kreek

Olympic medalist – Rowing

Attending Forum opened my eyes to the importance of athlete participation at the governance level. I learned so much about different nuances and challenges I might face, met other like-minded athletes who inspired me, and furthered my education using the resources available online. AthletesCAN and the tools provided helped me secure an athlete seat on the Board of Governors at Curling Canada. Thank you, AthletesCAN!

Laura Walker

Curling

I learned as a young athlete that this notion of giving back is very much the Canadian way, a trait that is natural in us as a nation - natural because of our history. It is what we do and I saw this when traveling the globe, representing Canada, and seeing the work of CIDA and Canadian volunteers in all corners of the globe. To all of the athletes out there: realize that not only can you be inspiring; you can also be inspired. Connecting with others and understanding the human condition is the greatest victory one can have in sport, and in life, too!

Clara Hughes

Multi Olympic medalist - Cycling & Speed Skating

Sport began as an outlet for the British-elite, grew into a global forum for peace, and now is on a trajectory to become just another Hollywood fixture - something to watch, but not be a part of. We need to ask ourselves not only what kind of sport do we want, but what kind of athletes do we want and moreover what can athletes do for helping create a value-based sport system? Through my experiences and involvement with AthletesCAN, I have become aware of a pivotal ideological shift in the social consciousness of elite athletes in Canada. To that end, I decided to pursue a Masters Degree to investigate the motivations and implications of social responsibility among elite athlete populations. Through my research I found that athlete social responsibility can and does have a positive impact on an athlete's overall performance, personal development, and continued sport participation.

Erin Carter

Cycling

When I found out I was the recipient of the True Sport Award at the 41st Canadian Sport Awards, I was incredibly honoured. Being at the end of my career, I have been more focused than ever on staying true to myself and this award is a reflection of that – I hope it inspires others to do the same.

Jillian Officer

Curling (2018 True Sport Award Recipient, 41st Canadian Sport Awards)

Simply put, AthleteCAN changed my life. When I first made the National Team in 2019, I attended Forum and my mind was opened. Having experienced significant abuse as an athlete, after attending Forum, meeting the Board of AthletesCAN, and being educated on the resources and support it offers, I found my voice and was able to speak up about my experiences in hopes of helping other athletes in the future.

Kaitlyn Clark

Boxing

The 2018 Canadian Sport Awards will always hold a special place in my heart. It was so exciting to be able to play a small part in the revival of, what I feel to be, a necessary piece in the growth of sport culture in our country. The Canadian Sport Awards make us feel like what we are doing as athletes is seen, and that it matters. I am really looking forward to participating in this event for years to come!

Sarah Pavan

Volleyball

Being part of KidsCAN School Day is special in a lot of ways. The opportunity to get to interact with the kids is always meaningful. Whether it is seeing the smiles on their faces and the wheels turning in their heads when they're trying a new sport or the sparkle in their eyes as they listen to our stories. Time and time again this is one of the most fun days for me and a great active and interactive way for athletes to give back.

Mercedes Nicoll

Snowboard (Halfpipe)

The AthletesCAN Forum was an incredible experience.  I had the opportunity to learn about some very important issues pertinent to sport in Canada and had the opportunity to discuss our personal challenges to gather feedback from others in sport to reach more effective solutions.

Benoît Huot

Mutli-Paralympic Champion, Swimming

I had an awesome forum experience! It was a fast paced weekend filled with great people, fun and learning. I felt engaged and empowered. I left forum with knowledge, fun stories, and close friendships. I couldn't stop raving about it when I got home. It was one of the best conferences I have ever attended.

Kyle Shewfelt

Olympic Champion, Artistic Gymnastics

My advice to all Canadian athlete reps is to plug-in to the AthletesCAN dialogue and be a part of the movement; you'll likely be surprised to find that you do matter when it comes to shaping Canadian sport policy and that your voice will be heard.

Ryan Blais

8 World Cup podiums, Freestyle Skiing

The AthletesCAN Forum was truly multifaceted and the presence of the media throughout the course of the days was testament to the profile of this event. However it doesn't just educate and promote on the business of sport, from its inception the Forum has been a positive presence in every city that has been lucky enough to host it.

Perdita Felicien

Olympian, 2-time World Champion, Athletics

I wanted to be on the board because I want to be able to use my voice in an impactful way. I want to be able to learn from this organization and this amazing group of people I met. I want to have an opportunity to grow as an athlete, an individual and even as a policy maker. I want all national team athletes, and not just the top tier athletes, to know what AthletesCAN is and does and how they can be involved in the process. I am so excited to be part of this organization. I am excited about what I am going to be able to learn over the next year, work on my collective athlete voice and see more of how athletes can make a difference in sport in Canada.

Joy SpearChief Morris

Athletics, Former Board Member

Throughout my life, public speaking has been something I have had to struggle through. I always felt uncomfortable and unsure of how people would react to my disability. On the other hand, I always knew that if I had the ability to confidently network with people around me I could bring awareness to my disability and the amazing opportunities that my sport of blind water-skiing has created in my life.

Within the Dale Carnegie Course setting I had numerous opportunities for self-reflection, where I discovered how many stories I have that deserve to be shared with people in a manner that they can understand and relate to. The course really took me out of my element and made me think more critically on my feet. It has provided me with the skills to put my ideas and thoughts together into something worth sharing.

Since my participation in the program I am more assertive and take initiative in speaking to those in my community in hopes of making more meaningful connections with the people around me.

Ryan Riehl

Canadian Adapted Champion 2007-2013, Blind Water Skier

Recently I completed my Dale Carnegie Course and I cannot say enough about the experience that I was privileged to have over the last 3 months. The entire course was unbelievable and the atmosphere was infectious. The Dale Carnegie Course was an amazing life changing experience.

My Major Benefit & Breakthrough: I successfully negotiated the shipment of a product (speed fins) from Russia to Canada.

The cost of the fins would have been roughly $450 CND, if I was to purchase them from speedfins.net myself, compared to the other companies where I would have had to pay around $800+ CND to import them into the country.

By seeing the need for an alternative option for speed fins in the Lifesaving Sport, I was able to provide a cost effective way because of my ability to communicate clearly - even over a language barrier and then problem solve.

As a result, of my efforts, I received the speed fins for free from the company, while adding the growth of speedfins.net by increasing the popularity of their fins and also elevating my own image in the Lifesaving Sport, as both an athlete and a leader, in dealing with communication, people skills, and human relations over any obstacles.

In summary, I was able to increase the money in my pocket, while giving many athletes the ability to obtain top of the line equipment at a cost effective rate. I helped the company to extend their reach into the North American market place, and potentially helped them to increase their revenue greatly thus creating a “Win, Win” scenario/partnership!

I accomplished this all by learning and using the principles that I have been taught in our Dale Carnegie Course, in an efficient and skillful manner.

I’m truly happy, I decided to put my application in to take part in this course and I would highly recommend it to everyone and anyone who is looking to have a more influential role in their communities, business lives and in relationships, both professionally and personally.

Mackenzie Salmon

Lifesaving Sport

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