What inspires you? 

Seeing people do what they love for no reason other then because they are passionate about it and willing to sacrifice and put the work in to achieve there dreams.

 What do you prefer bike racing or ski racing?

I love both sports as they compliment each other and feel quite similar to me. Technically and mentally and the thrills I get from both are almost the same. I like having both sports as they both allow me to progress and I get to race year round and one sport really helps the other. Skiing is still my main sport so sometimes this comes with more pressure then bike racing, but I try to focus on enjoying the races and not let external pressure take away from performing in both. 

 What is your superpower? 

I think my superpower is being adaptable. In competition and life, I always have an ideal plan and preparation that will put me in a good place to have a shot at succeeding. Often in race environments and life, things can change very quickly and sometimes for the better and sometimes worse. No matter the situation I try and stay calm and assess the new challenges quickly and be adaptable and open to the change. 

What are you doing to change the world?

I try to inspire younger shredders  and show through my actions everyday, that if you have a dream and are willing to work hard enough for it then nothing is out of reach. I also really like mentoring younger athletes and use my experience to hopefully help them avoid mistakes I made when I was younger, or just make sure they know they have someone there.  

Favourite quote:

 Hard work trumps talent that refuses to work hard.

What inspires you?

-The idea of becoming a better version of myself 

-Getting out of my comfort zone and being challenged

-Being in Nature

- My husband and my daughter

Tell us about your running career, how did you get started?

I Started running with my dad when I was about 6 years old. It brought me happiness from a very young age. At school I enjoyed all track And field disciplines but then few years later I fell in love with distance running And never looked back. It brings me peace, serenity, happiness and freedom. 

What is your fav race?

I enjoy all my races as they bring me different experiences and feelings and each one helps me grow.

One that I particularly appreciate is the marathon as it pushes me to overcome a lot of mental obstacles and teaches me so many things about myself. The marathon is a giant and you need to make friends with it to get what you want out of it. 

My favorite distance though is the half marathon. Perfect balance between distance and speed.

How are you changing the world? 

By helping every person on my path to work on their health and take care of their body which is our temple and our only vector to go through this life as smoothly as possible. 

As a running coach specialized in pose running technique, I am able to help people remain injury free and keep running into old age. More people running = more happy people = better world :)) 

What is your superpower?

My passion for running 

Relieves all my stress, helps me push forward rather than stagnate, helps me fight,  and become a better person, stronger yet sweeter 

Favorite Quote?

Only from the heart can you touch the sky - Rumi

Photo: @bikeparkphotos

What inspires you?

Souls in pursuit of their goals through play - lines get blurred, bars get raised, and everything becomes possible. Witnessing this joy vibrates to my core - I can’t help but get all bubbly and energized. 

How and why did you get into biking?

Right place at the right time. The initiatives and incentives to get women on bikes were unavoidable; Discounted lessons, tons of prizing, inclusive and encouraging environments had me hooked after my first Women’s Wednesday in the Whistler Bike Park. 

What fires you up?

Reframing perceptions of ‘possible’
Ever ticked something off the list you initially wrote off?!
That feeling fires me up! 

How are you changing the world? 

Someone used the word ‘disruptor’ recently, and I read it as a compliment.
I would love to be described as that one day. That, or catalyst.
I’d love to inspire others to see the world differently, and to follow their own path. You have to stop rowing to rock the boat. 

What is your superpower?

Turning anything into a game. Always play.

Favorite Quote?

If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.

This is Sarah Blenkhorn. What a babe. Sara has a masters degree in the science of sustainability and is so passionate about creating a circular economy through the Leverage Lab, Textile Lab for Circularity and BCorp.

What inspires you?

Nature and all her intricacies and interconnections. 

People who are here to get it right not be right. 

Big ideas and the leaders who support them.

What is BCorp?

BCorps are a new kind of business shaping a new economy, globally. They are doing so by standing for both purpose and profit and by not only talking the talk but by walking the walk. BCorps are legally required to consider the impact of their businesses on their customers, suppliers, communities and workers. It is a community of leaders, driving a global movement of people using business as a force for good.

Why did you get into BCorp?

Building a regenerative business is a bit like teenage sex, everyone is talking about it, very few are doing it and those who are, aren’t doing it very well. With a masters degree in the science of sustainability, I have not been able to do work unless it is clearly making a positive contribution. My experience in doing this work over the years has taught me that I do better energetically working towards things rather than pushing against things. So, I gravitate towards solutions, innovation and big new game changing ideas. All of these things have led me to the BCorp community. I enjoy helping businesses be better forces for good. BCorp is a movement with 3,400 companies spanning 74 countries. We’ve only just begun but I do believe, as a movement, we have the opportunity to change our economy for the better. 

How are you changing the world? 

Business by business, client by client, I am helping companies to ‘pop the hood’ on their inner functionings. I help them develop systems and procedures to be better forces for good. With years of experience, helping companies get BCorp certified, I have templates and tools to help them pass and get better scores.

In the fall, I will be teaching a course through VCC on Systemic Change. There I hope to empower many young folks to go out and be the change makers the world is seeking. 

What is your superpower?

Bringing people together for real talk. 

Favorite Quote?

"You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete". —BUCKMINSTER FULLER architect, systems theorist, author, designer, inventor and futurist.

Meet Mark. Mark is such a gem.

Mark is accelerating the energy transition away from noisy, inefficient and polluting fossil fuel generators to clean energy solutions with Portable Electric as the vehicle for change.

What inspires you?

These things inspire me, in no particular order:

• Innovation, new ideas and change
• People with a spark in their eye, and a willingness to venture into the unknown
• Funk, soul, R&B and rock ‘n roll
• The Universe 

What is your business?

I’m the founder and CEO of Portable Electric, a business that’s focused on the development and deployment of new energy technologies enabling a regenerative future by transforming the way mobile power is delivered. In normal speak, we’re replacing gas and diesel generators with clean, green power - solar, battery and hybrid power systems. We started off providing green power to the live event and film industries, and have been successfully moving into new markets such as disaster relief, power backup, construction, and off-grid applications! 

What fires you up?

I get fired up by amazing people, innovators, and trail blazers who take chances to make positive change happen. I love jamming on ideas and business, and finding solutions to some of the world’s toughest challenges. I’m also a super deep energy nerd, and can’t get enough of how we power our world. Skiing deep fluffy powder is up there on the list, as well as studying esoteric forms of energy, ancient civilizations, and playing music:)

How are you changing the world? 

I’m accelerating the energy transition away from noisy, inefficient and polluting fossil fuel generators to clean energy solutions with Portable Electric as the vehicle for change at this current moment. We need to mobilize everything we have with a “war-time” effort NOW in order to even pretend like we’re going to keep up with the changing climate. No civilization intent on surviving would be doing what we’re doing on this planet...we’re basically walking waste machines.

Otherways I’m changing the world are by throwing great parties and social events, producing live events and supporting sustainable change in a number of industries.  

What is your superpower?

I see the future of energy, and I know how to throw legendary parties!!

Note: Parties require power, so it’s a match made in heaven:)

Favorite Quote?

“There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.”

-Leonard Cohen

Aki founded Save Da Sea Foods. SDS is a plant-based seafood company that is going to be the Beyond Meat of the ocean.

Her vision is to create a world where we no longer need to kill fish to enjoy seafood and help create a world where 100% of our seafood comes from plants.

And she is doing all of this with a toddler in tow!

What inspires you?

My 1 ½ year old son Hiro. He inspires me to be loving and more patient than I ever imagined I could possibly be.

What is Save Da Sea?

Save Da Sea Foods is a plant-based seafood company, our vision is to be the Beyond Meat for seafood. 

Why did you start SDSF?

I came up with the idea for Save Da Sea Foods while I was running my family’s Japanese restaurants. I had become vegan and was looking for seafood alternatives to serve our customers but wasn’t able to find any options, so I started developing recipes myself which lead to our first product to market which is a vegan smoked salmon made from carrots.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Everyday is a challenge, but it’s also what make it interesting. For every customer acquired or positive review around our product, there are a dozen setbacks and people saying no to you. Which is why it’s so important to celebrate every win.

How are you changing the world? 

I want to create a world where we no longer need to kill fish to enjoy seafood and help create a world where 100% of our seafood comes from plants. 

What is your superpower?

Delegating.

Favorite Quote?

I ask no favor for my sex. ... All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks. - Sarah Grimké

This is a quote I recently heard in a Massey lecture with Sally Armstrong, and as a female entrepreneur, it resonates with me. I have been fortunate enough to have received a tonne of support from other female entrepreneurs along my journey and wouldn’t be where I am today without these women. I want to make sure I pay it forward and pave the path for more female founders to be able to attract capital to build big, successful companies.

This is Leanne Pelosi. She's a badass The North Face athlete who spends her time saving winter, inspiring kids at the St’at’imc first nations school and free diving off the coast of Ukee.

What inspires you?

Being in nature inspires me to be present, and having 100% complete presence is the best mindset I’ve found to add harmony, joy and abundance in life.  The mountains are it for me, and if I treat myself with a daily dose of this happiness, I get to then share it with the universe.  And then somehow, that good energy keeps flowing!

We can’t lose sight of holding space for ourselves to find a moment of joy every damn day. These energetic feelings and connections to places, people and nature are how we thrive! 

How did you get into pro snowboarding?

The older kids in my high school were snowboarding so my brother and I begged my parents to get us a snowboard. They eventually caved and bought us one to share that we would take to the golf course in the winter to ride. 

What has been your biggest challenge as a female pro snowboarder?

The lack of opportunity that was available in the backcountry scene forced me to create my own opportunity. I wouldn’t have it any other way because I learned how to be a professional athlete, filmmaker and entrepreneur of sorts.  I love the mountain culture and lifestyle, so I had to be open to all and any opportunity that would lend itself to living a life in the mountains. 

How are you changing the world? 

Currently passionate about connecting my friends in the action sports world to a St’at’imc first nations school here to bring some inspiration to these kids who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to have someone to look up to. 

What is your superpower?

Connecting people! 

Favorite Quote?

You sleep when you’re dead. 

I met Vicki over 10 years ago, its been so inspiring watching her as a mom raise her two girls and empowering women on and off the bike.  She is always full of joy and sharing kindness with the world.  Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions! 

~Kara

What inspires you?

I love to support and encourage others to challenge themselves. I’m a cycling coach at Method Indoor Cycling and it’s an amazing community of people who are committed to health and fitness. Nothing is better than supporting others, sweating together and pushing past your comfort zone. 

Tell us about WoW?

WOWride is a cycling club for like-minded women who want to ride together in a fun and safe environment. With 20 Domestiques (ride leaders) members have the opportunity to learn and become safer, savvy riders. 

Talk about why you started WoW?

My partners and I started WOW because women wanted a non intimidating place to ride, learn and be social on rides. With a chance to grow and improve in a supportive and safe environment. 

How are you changing the world? 

By creating opportunities for people to do the things they love, learn to do things they didn’t even know they’d love, support and encourage people to challenge themselves by ticking off bucket list events. 

What is your superpower?

I am a badass with a good heart. I am strong in my convictions and most of all I stay fearlessly and relentlessly true to myself. Something my mom always taught me and my sisters and is passed down to my girls. 

Favorite Quote?

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”  Buddha 

What inspires you?

People who actively leave the world better than they found it.

Folks who overcome immense challenges, against all odds.

Forgiveness.

Nature’s resiliency. 

Art at Burning Man.

Documentary filmmakers.

Single mothers.

Nourishing company/organizational culture. 

The imagination and strength of children.

Humility.

Chosen family.

Love.

Tell us about Hoovie?

Hoovie makes it easy to host and attend uniquely social cinema experiences - where you watch great films and connect with like-minded people face-to-face: virtually and in-person (pre-COVID). 

Our vision is to become the primary marketplace for social cinema experiences, and redefine the movie-going experience to be social, human and conversational.

To get a richer picture of who we are and what we do, see our blog.

Through our platform, ticket sales are distributed to hosts - who can choose to keep or donate their share, film rights holders, and Hoovie. 

We also support brands and organizations engage their audiences through co-branded films in our catalog and themed collections. 

In a world where independent cinema is under threat, I came to Hoovie as a filmmaker, wanting to create a financially viable distribution stream for independent films to reach their highest potential through truly meaningful cinema experiences. Along the way we came to understand the power of film to build communities of interest and spark conversations, and relationships, that create true belonging. 

More than just another way to watch a movie, Hoovie screenings become containers for connection and exchange, couched in the comfort of human hospitality. 

You are raising money on FrontFundr, why did you choose a community raise for Hoovie?

I chose a community raise because I wanted more Hoovie customers to be owners, and Hoovie owners to be customers. I also needed a break from the traditional way of raising money, which oftentimes feels like you need to be a part of an old boys club in order to do well. In contrast, I wanted to raise money in a way that’s more community minded - aligned with Hoovie’s purpose and mission. (The last thing we want Hoovie to feel like is an elite club!) It also feels good to participate in an economy that supports more people to generate wealth, and contribute to what they care about at the same time. 

How are you changing the world? 

I’m changing the world by reimagining - through Hoovie - the way people engage not only with film, not only with issues and ideas, but also with each other. 

What is your superpower?

I seem to have an ability to take an idea, and with zero knowledge or experience, figure out how to turn the idea into reality - whether it be a film, a startup, etc. 

Favorite Quote?

‘You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.’ 

Maya Angelou

We are starting our weekly feature with this mindful, engaging, caring, loving human. Rebecca is a mom of two, owner of the personal training studio @basecampwhistler and an aspiring coach with @lightyearleadership.

She is inspired by conscious movement and we are inspired by her!

What inspires you?

Conscious movement - Our bodies are always talking to us. They are innately intelligent and allow us to know everything we need to know moment to moment. 

What is Basecamp?

Basecamp is Whistlers bar without the booze. We are inspire connection, community and feeling like you’re 20 forever so that you can live the Whistler lifestyle 

Why did you start Basecamp?

Feeling good in my body allows me to enjoy all other areas of my life. I wanted to share that with my community 

How are you changing the world? 

By inspiring people to see how much they are capable of. 

What is your superpower?

Reading people. Knowing how to give them what they want and what they need. 

Favorite Quote?

If you listen to the body when is whispers you won’t have to hear it scream