Heroicminds

World renowned Author Matt Haig talks with me about his new book; Notes on a Nervous Planet. “In a full lifetime our ancestors knew on average 200 people. Today we can connect with 200 people in one morning sitting in bed on instagram.” In this episode we talk about his book, about the world we live in today. How we think certain things will make us happy and they don’t. How there are so many technological devices and processes that disconnect us from ourselves. Collectively we as people create the nervous system of the world. It is nervous today, just as an individual would be. A world with infinite choice, magazines and televisions telling us we will never be good enough, expectation to build relationships over a keyboard and more. How do we change or resist this? How do we not only live but thrive in a world like this? Listen and find out. Matt Haig Twitter Matt Haig Instagram Matt Haig Website

Theoren Fleury was sexually abused by his junior hockey coach which lead him to alcohol, drugs and promiscuity throughout his impressive 16-year NHL career. In this episode we talk about how addiction can find its way into someones life, maybe its food, maybe it’s a cell phone. It all comes back to an individual that is unable or unwilling to deal with their emotional burdens, often trauma. We talk about spirituality in general and spirituality of aboriginal people that actually don’t mind what you believe, they welcome you in regardless. We finish with an incredible conversation about how pain is needed in life and how to be a winner, in the office, in the classroom, or on the ice... Oh ya we also explain what it means to "Sit in your sh*t." Theoren Fleury Twitter Theoren Fleury Website Send me an email: ben@heroicminds.live  

Greg Westlake is Team Canada’s Sledge Hockey Captain. He is known as someone you do not want to battle against in the corner. Greg continues to have an incredible athletic journey regardless of having both his legs amputated above the knee at 18 months old. Greg is now in broadcasting and philanthropy while working to grow the game of Sledge hockey. We talk about Greg’s journey from standing hockey to sledge hockey, how he has inspired people so much that they have become Olympians themselves. We move into topics of leadership, day to day accountability. Why Greg has an ulterior motive in life when it comes to being a captain or being in broadcasting, he wants a platform to create positive change. We even talk about how Greg finds calm in the unknowns in life. In conclusion we discuss Matt Cook, Gregs Roommate who passed away from the same cancer as Terry Fox; an out-standing individual.  Greg is also a world record holder on a hand bike (World Human Powered Speed Challenge) We discuss that as well. World Rec

Matthew McCoy share's his story of abuse by his grand father, heroine addiction, suicide attempts, robbery, losing his girlfriend to an overdose, experience in prison, and finally being sober for 11 years. He now works to save peoples lives with his program; The Addicts Attic. Matthew McCoy the "teddy bear" that sits in front of me tells the story of this entire journey to where he is today. He grew up with a wealthy family. He was a popular kid at school. This story is proof of resilience the human body and mind can have. Donate to The Addicts Attic **Explicit Content**

Dr. Sleno, is a mother of 7, a military doctor, pilot and teacher. Dr. Sleno was one of the last 17 individuals in the running to be selected as one of Canada's next astronauts. To put things in perspective, The Canadian Space Agency has hired 12 astronauts since 1983. Dr. Sleno is also the CEO of Leap Bio Systems; Canadian professionals in the medical, aerospace, research and engineering fields changing the way medical care is done not only in space but also remote areas on earth. Dr. Sleno and I discuss the process of staying grounded, accepting the risk in trying to do crazy things… like leaving the planet, how she was tested in the process of becoming an astronaut, and lots more. We even touch on the challenges her organization is approaching such as augmented reality for medical treatment done in space by someone here on earth… another life changing episode. Enjoy! Send me an email! ben@heroicminds.live Get a Heroic Minds Shirt!

Audrey was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and was told not to have kids and not to open a Physio Therapy Clinic. She has successfully done both those things. She also had to tell her husband of 20 years that she loved another woman. Audrey and I talk openly, and optimistically about her entire life journey; specifically how her mind set at certain times correlated directly to her health. When something doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t right. Talk about it, change it. Find the happiness you deserve. Waking up from surgery with tubes all over her body after having part of her stomach removed Audrey finally decided to be authentic. This is a story of approaching things that are scary, uncomfortable or will require a lot of work.   Audreys Book Send me an email! ben@heroicminds.live  

He’s back! The man on this Heroic Minds journey with me. Philosophy Major, Masters in Business Administration, business consultant and more. In this episode we break down with philosophy and science exactly why YOU DO control whether the rainy day is a “bad” day or a “great” day. Part 2: Ian and I break down the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling (1910) This poem was written circa 1895 as a tribute to Leander Starr Jameson who led about five-hundred of his countrymen in a failed raid against the Boers, in southern Africa. It is a literary example of Victorian-era stoicism. Heroic Minds Shirts Mind Manual Send me an email! ben@heroicminds.live  

He’s back! The man on this Heroic Minds journey with me. Philosophy Major, Masters in Business Administration, business consultant and more. In this episode we break down with philosophy and science exactly why YOU DO control whether the rainy day is a “bad” day or a “great” day. Part 1: - Thinking fast vs. Thinking slow. - How to stay motivated; Dopamine vs. Serotonin. - How the attitude you choose affects your perception of things. Heroic Minds Shirts Mind Manual Send me an email! ben@heroicminds.live

Tyler Marshall and K-9 Police Dog “Chase” are partners in the Waterloo Police Department. They have been together since day one. Both of them sacrifice enjoyment for the safety of an entire community. Chase is a working dog. He does not live the same life as dogs you may know. He lives in his own dog house in the backyard of Tylers house. He has limited contact with the family, limited treats and definitely limited high pitched "Good boy's." When Tyler throws the tennis ball Chase takes off full speed to track it down. Tyler says without yelling “Hold” and Chase will stop instantly with complete control and wait patiently. Tyler will then say “down” and from 30 yards away, Chase will lay down and wait. Tyler then allows Chase to retrieve the ball and return it to him. What is life like for these two? How are decisions made? What are some real stories of the work Chase has done and the abilities he has. Does chase know the difference between work time and play time? Does he take on different positions in the p

Dana is a licensed psychologist who consults with surgeons, actors, musicians, executives as well as professional teams and athletes in the NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, MLS and Autosport. She has worked with a number of Olympic teams, taking her to the Olympic Games in Nagano, Sydney and Salt Lake City in her capacity as the teams’ performance psychologist. A former international athlete herself, Dana served as captain of the Canadian Field Hockey Team and played hockey for the University of Cambridge, UK. She has two doctorates (from the University of Cambridge, UK and the University of Ottawa) and is a clinical assistant professor with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. The Canadian Baseball Network ranked her #9 on the 2016 Most Influential Canadians in Baseball Top 100 list. In this episode we talk about how our minds limit ourselves and how we can change that. TruLocal.ca Send me an email! ben@heroicminds.live

John Young is the only person with Dwarfism to complete an Ironman. Not only that he also regularly races in triathlons, and marathons. John Young was raised in a foster home with a strong female influence. John is also a teacher and basketball coach… yes a basketball coach. He shares funny stories of how he deals with the social situation when people may judge him and what his mindset is when he’s mid race. We also discuss a mindset on handling pain and how his quote “Be The Hammer” came to be. John Young Instagram John Young Twitter Send me an email! ben@heroicminds.live

Dr. D.J. Cook is a neurosurgeon and owner operator of OtterCreekFarms. In this episode he tells the story of working on the farm and 10 minutes later in surgery to save someones life. That is the life of Dr. Cook. We talk about decision making as a brain surgeon, how he approaches problems on the farm just how he approaches problems during surgery. Dr. Cook is fascinated by the resilience of the brain and how performance of the brain can now be seen through specialized imaging on stress induced patients. Dr. Cook is one of the most humble people I have ever met; a life saver, a farmer, a hero. Heroic Minds Forum Heroic Minds Mind Manual

Gerry Dee is one of the best comedians of our time. Known for his hit show Mr. D, his stand up comedy, Gerry Dee Sports Reporter and his various role’s in main stream movies. Gerry’s journey to comedy is exactly why I wanted him on the show. He still remembers the arguments his parents had when he was a kid over whether they had enough money for food and gas that week. While doing his second degree Gerry had four jobs, one of them being comedy, which grew into what it is today. The interesting thing is that it was never about chasing the money, it was about doing something and trying to be the best in the world at it… the money would be a by-product of that. Gerry’s comedy career took flight in 2002 when he became the first Canadian to win the San Francisco International Comedy Competition (which had past winners such as Ellen DeGeneres, Louis C. K., Dane Cook, and more.) We talk sports, society, failure, goal setting, schooling, comedy, and more. "Don't listen to people that say you can't, go find out for yo

A feel good story about a dog born without eyes that has changed and saved peoples lives. Many years ago Joanne had a foster dog that could not find a home. People thought Smiley could not live like a “normal” dog. One day Joanne decided Smiley would go from a foster dog to her own. Through an incredible journey Smiley turned into a source of hope, a saviour, and a hero. Smiley’s story teaches us how to treat and approach people that may be different, how to adapt to our surroundings and how easy it is for anyone to make someones day…without knowing that it could get them out of a rut or even save their life. For The Love of Smiley Instagram For The Love of Smiley Book Send me an email! ben@heroicminds.live  

Suicide. A conversation I never thought I would be having with my hockey coach. Like anything in this world that we don’t understand talking about it will only make us better and more equipped. In this episode I sit down with Troy Smith head coach of the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League. Before coaching Troy played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League from 1995-1999 with the Detroit Jr. Red Wings/Plymouth Whalers organization. We start by talking about Troy’s brother who completed suicide. We move into other topics of how to support someone that doesn’t want help, how to talk to someone that may be having mental health issues, and how mindfulness and meditation aren’t the only way to support your mental health. We even talk about the night I had my injury and how Troy almost got in a fight in the hospital which provided some comic relief, lastly Troy reveals his hobby of playing fortnight and the ulterior motive as to why he plays. Troy Smith Twitter

In this episode I bring to light something missing in the concussion conversation. Athletes may have to stop playing the sport they love one day… and that is okay. Athletes are never told this nor do they talk about it or plan for it. Once an athlete sustains a concussion they are expected to go against the grain and not play through injury which has been a habit developed from a young age. It is not “tough” to play through injury, it is habit. What is tough is accepting where you are, regardless of how terrible it may feel and acting in accordance. Athletes may have to second think their return to sport and make the tough decision of moving on from playing. You can live just as happy if not happier without sport. This needs to be talked about more to enable athletes to make this decision. It was conversations like this that helped me to accept where I was and the decision I needed to make. I can live without sport… I never believed I could.

Chris Miranda, ex-golf pro and golf course owner “had it all” until one day noticed tingling in his hands. He went from shooting a 71 to a 91 on the golf course and had trouble standing up on his hockey skates. He was told by the doctor he had 6 weeks to live. Initially thought to be a rare form of cancer Chris was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. This has rendered Chris without the use of his hands or feet. Raising two young kids, with a full time job and constantly around a game he can no longer play like he used to, Chris has found a way to get back to “having it all”.

Brock McGillis is the first professional hockey player to publicly reveal he is gay. He played professionally in both the United States and Europe. At age 19, McGillis was ranked on the NHL draft list, but his prospects were derailed by a series of injuries, from cuts and concussions to mono and knee surgeries. Brock has become an influential advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. His story has been highlighted in newspapers and blogs across North America, and was most recently featured on CBC The National. This year he will be featured in a novel about hockey heroes and is working on a TV show. He’s also starting a foundation and hoping to speak at every elementary and high school in Canada. In this episode we venture well outside the issue(s) around homosexuality and homophobia to social issues that everyone can relate to. The messages in this episode should be shared with many sports teams and organizations. Brock McGillis Twitter Send me an email: Ben@heroicminds.live  

Wali Shah is a Pakistani, Muslim, Canadian, public speaker and poet. Wali came to Canada in 1997 with his mom. After years of dealing with assumptions and name calling, hate crime and more, a small altercation escalated leaving Wali in hand cuffs. It was at that point he realized the immense power that is in our narratives. The way we speak, the stories we are told and the manufactured ideas we believe make for conflict and anger that could be easily avoided. In this episode we talk his journey from hand-cuffs to the stage of 100's of different schools. We talk about the word terrorist, we talk about cultural misunderstanding, we talk about the heroic initiative we can all take to understand different people better. It is simply educating ourselves that can literally make this world a better place. We don't have to like each other but it would make this world a better place if we respected each other. Wali Shah on Twitter

Emily Kaplan is an ESPN journalist and ex Sports Illustrated journalist. Her writing is different than the average athletic story. She interviews and writes in a way that the human side to each athlete shines through. It is her type of writing that is so exciting because it allows everyday people, young, old, athlete or not to relate to the story. We start with Emily's journey in the male dominated world of sports journalism where 11% are female. We move into a number of athlete's journeys, the reason for the culture of hockey and how it can be applied to other "groups", the social issue of concussion, past interviews with athlete superstars and more. - Dream Job - Male vs Female Reporter - 11% of sports journalists are female - In the change room - Football to Fire Fighting - Empathy in athletes - Hockey players don’t say “I” - What will the team think? - How to tell a story - Whats bigger than the game? - Improving the game beyond the ice - Biggest regret in journalism - Nick Saban & Vladimir Tarasanko