Sweat & Reflect

Join Vanessa & Tonya as they sit down and discuss the incredible year they have shared together. Reviewing key themes of the different episodes as well as a look into their own lives and what they have learned together this past season. The two will be taking a break over the next few months but will be back in September to start season 2! 3, 2, 1... GO!

This month Vanessa and Tonya sat down with FirePower long time member and new team member Carmen Nash. Carm's experience of losing her married partner to cancer invites listeners to reflect on where each of us might seek support if we were in Carm's shoes. With grace and courage, Carm allowed our gym family to journey with her in her grief. Carm has been example of true grit for our fitness family; she continues to show us how to lift those heavy weights, both physically and emotionally. 3, 2, 1... GO!

Talking about Mental Health initiatives in places of work is just part of our Sweat and Reflect podcast for March. Join Vanessa and Tonya as they engage with Tamara Lopez (“T-Lo”), a FirePower family member and mental health advocate at her own place of work. In truth, every work place needs their own version of T-Lo. Her workmates and gym pals benefit from her positive energy, but sometimes that gets exhausting. You can't ask for a better cheerleader when you're hammering through those burpees. 3 2 1... GO!

This month the gang virtually sat down with Dr. Scott Wilson, the founder and chairman of Physiomed Health, which has over 30 locations in Canada.  We are very proud to have our very own Physiomed clinic within FirePower CrossFit and we have had a wonderful relationship with the staff there for many years.   Dr. Scott is an energetic and passionate person who built Physiomed from the ground up.  He has spoken professionally at Tony Robbins's events in front of 1000s of people. Join us this month for a great talk about why stress is a choice. 

This month the gang sat down with Kim Turley-Smith, an original FirePower Coach with a love for mindfulness, which has led her to pursue hundreds of hours of formal training, including UofT, Mindfulness without Borders and the Center for Mindfulness Studies. She has became a mindfulness facilitator and has said that: "...including an evidence-based mindfulness practice into my life has added richness and meaning, along with increased resiliency and sense of wellbeing". The chat brings together 3 long time FirePower team members as they discuss what it means to show empathy, and becoming more mindful. 

This month the ladies sat down with Chris Blay, a long time member who shares stories of his past, shedding light on learning to live with depression and exploring his history. Together the group explores the differences and similarities between being depressed and having depression. Give this one a listen and share with someone who may be going through something similar.

This month we sat down with the Andrea Savard, CEO of FirePower Fitness & Wellness, a Small Business Mentor with Two Brain Business, part of Dale Carnegie CIT, cofounder of Canadian FireFighter Appreciation Day as well as an accomplished athlete, reaching national status as a boxer and international status as an equestrian rider. The three sat down to discuss how she has lead her team through not only covid, but other difficult times over the past few years. You will not want to miss this one!  

With no holds barred, Isabelle shares her raw childhood story and what's led her to her life's work. Isabelle Labbe is a Self Mastery Coach who focuses on Self Leadership and Well being.  She is an accredited coach with several certifications working with clients and organizations to create self-discovery and connections with your potential and well being.  For more information about Isabelle and her work visit: https://www.isabellelabbe.com/    

Coach Dan Albergaria joins the crew for a chat about his experiences as a firefighter both prior and throughout covid. They dive deep into the struggles and rewards that he goes through both prior and during covid. They draw comparisons of CrossFit and the unknowns that firefighters face. Strap in, 3 2 1... GO!

In this episode we sit down with FirePower's own Nutritionist - Maria Rueda. Maria talks about her own journey with food as it pertains to her own life. The gang also talks about their own relationships with food and how it has either positively or negatively affected their own lives. It is Maria's hope to help bring awareness of what food and nutrition can do to positively impact our lives both physically and mentally. Strap in, 3 2 1, GO!

This episode is an intimate conversation between Vanessa, Tonya and their guest Lori Holloway. Lori is the CEO for Bellwoods Centres for Community Living and amongst many other things, Tonya's sister! In this conversation, she shares with us her journey during Covid being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer.  Buckle up, it's about to get real!

Welcome to Sweat & Reflect a Podcast hosted by Vanessa Slacker & Tonya Link from inside their home CrossFit gym FirePower Fitness & Wellness. The purpose is to create space and explore important conversations with members regarding things outside the scope of just workouts and top tier fitness. They're on a mission to dive deeper into mental and emotional health stressors related both inside and outside of the gym. Stemming from the FirePower Cares division, because they do, care. Please note this is not prescriptive and is not therapy, it's purpose is to offer support, and perhaps bring a meaningful connection to let you know, that you are not alone. They're not just sweat junkies, because life is bigger than the box. Welcome to Sweat & Reflect, an inside out workout. 3 2 1 GO!