Guests
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Sgt Andrew Gough & SD Riggs
We are honoured to have CAF Veteran and London Police Sgt Andrew Gough and his service dog Riggs, as our first guests. Known nationally, Sgt Gough is more than changing the landscape on how ptsi, osi, and ptsd is being viewed. He turned his injury into advocacy and created V-EH, Veterans and Everyday Heroes - an initiative that has raised over $60,000 in order to help provide veterans and emergency services members with service dogs.
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24 Hours of Heroes
The 24 Hours of Heroes event started in 2016 with 24 “Hero” workouts that are written and performed to honour fallen service men and women - in order to raise funds and awareness for Veterans and First Responders living with PTSD. Hero workouts are typically long and gruelling, and are meant to make you really uncomfortable, but also to remind you of their ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and safety. Through their partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada, they have raised approximately $139,000 to date for National Service Dogs.
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Senator Patrick Brazeau
Senator Patrick Brazeau is a member of the Algonquin community of Kitigan Zibi and currently sits as an Independent Algonquin Senator. He was National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) from February 2006 - January 2009.
Senator Brazeau was vulnerable and honest in speaking about his struggles with mental health and suicide. Through his post-traumatic growth and rebuilding of self, he turned his past adversities into advocacy to bring about awareness, change and hope.
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Jacob Mark - More than a Firefighter
The mental health epidemic is getting worse and with a belief that what's currently available to help those struggling with stress and mental health isn't working, Jacob has answered the call to aid people in understanding stress and harnessing it as a positive tool. As a Certified Wim Hof Instructor, Oxygen Advantage Instructor, Personal Coach, and Firefighter, Jacob has an intimate relationship with stress and shares his wealth of knowledge and experiences so that we too can rise above the challenges that life throws at us.
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Firefighter A/Lieutenant Cheryl Hunt
Firefighter, Acting Lieutenant and Safety Officer Cheryl Hunt - Recipient of the Ottawa Fire Chief's Ambassador Award, Secretary of Fire Service Women of Ontario (FSWO), active supporting member of Camp FFIT (Female Firefighters in Training) and Firefighter with the Ottawa Fire Service. Most importantly, Cheryl is a survivor of PTSI/PTSD. She fought back, is sharing her story and taking everything she learns, turning it into advocacy and continues the fight to breakdown stigma in relation to mental health in the fire service.
Fire Service Women Ontario (FSWO)
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Dr Julie Gowthorpe, RSW
Dr. Gowthorpe, RSW has built a team of professionals in Belleville, Ontario, who share the essential approach of client-centred empowerment. With over two decades in private practice, Dr. Gowthorpe wants to ensure every person realizes their goals .Dr. Gowthorpe, RSW offers clinical consultation and expert opinion in the area of child welfare, adolescent therapy, custody and access and clinically managed access. Dr. Gowthorpe specializes in issues related to PTSD and serves as a Blue Cross provider for Canadian Forces Veterans and active military personnel. Dr. Gowthorpe holds a Doctorate in Social Work from University of Toronto and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from McGill University and is a former Regional Director for the Ontario Association of Social Workers. She has taught at Carleton University and provides guest lectures to academic classes and business organizations. She is seen at local and national events and Canadian and U.S. television. Dr. Gowthorpe also provides topical family and mental well-being advice on the popular Mix 97 morning show and on all Quinte Broadcasting Stations, including CJBQ. Every Wednesday morning at 7:40 tune into Mix 97 to hear Dr Julie Gowthorpe, RSW on a new topic of the week - MIX 97.1
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Chad Kennedy - Sea to Sea for PTSD
Alberta Sheriff Highway Patrol Officer, Chad Kennedy, set out on foot across Canada earlier this year to raise awareness for PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event that changed the course of his life. Although it may appear a one-man show, Chad has the constant support of his loyal and steadfast team as well as the backing of an entire country who is watching and cheering on 'just a guy' who is making a change in the world for mental health, one step at a time.
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Corey Hatt - Mad Hatter Industries
Corey Hatt, known as the Mad Hatter (a name that evolved from his first tour in Afghanistan) was a term of endearment to one of his favourite jobs - the machine gunner. After losing a ‘brother in arms’ to suicide, the idea to create a community that supports each other in a time of need birthed Mad Hatter Industries. Corey made it his personal mission to raise mental health awareness to prevent suicides from happening in our communities. The handmade quality apparel is his way of spreading that idea and creating a community that helps to overcome whatever adversity one faces. All proceeds from that apparel has been donated to organizations that support mental health programs for Veterans and First Responders. With his ‘No Quarter Given’ it is a promise that he wants people to make to themselves that suicide is not an option nor way out. With his specific niche of motorcycles and machine guns, he inspires the community to find their passions and live their adventures.
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Fire Chief Dave Robertson - Fire Edge
After 20 years in the fire service, Dave Robertson retired as a Chief. In that career, he worked in four fire departments — from rural and semi-rural to busy urban systems in both Canada and the US. He’s taught at paramedic schools, and fire academies and had a hand in training, mentoring, and hiring all along the way. His life pursuits combined with his firefighter life, make him the coach and leader that understands, and more importantly, cares. Dave has been exposed to thousands of calls, the full spectrum of fire department culture, and with that, trauma and post-traumatic stress. Opening up about that stress and the injury that came with it, he goes in-depth about his dance with suicide and coming out the other side with tools and insights for his life and the betterment of others in hopes that by sharing his story that no one feels alone on their journey.
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Jon Archambault of Wired Differently & The Black Sheep Podcast
Jon Archambault - CAF Veteran, mental health advocate and founder of Wired Differently, author of Operation: Wired Differently, podcast host of the Black Sheep Podcast, Leadership Coach and founder of Jon A. Archambault - Elite Consultant, and former police officer. Jon invited me on his podcast to discuss systemic gaslighting within a police detachment and how a paramilitary approach makes it difficult for members to have a voice and advocate for their mental health needs. We discuss what we feel is wrong with the system and current leadership.
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Marisa Tracey: Suicide Survivorship
Marisa Tracey - mother, wife and widow of the late Master Warrant Officer Daniel Tracey, who died by suicide on October 13, 2022 - courageously talks about living with and loving a military man who battled mental health and PTSD until his suicide. Marisa discusses surviving Dan’s suicide and learning how to heal herself and her family. What is the definition of survivorship? Survivorship literally means the act of surviving and the further recognition that there is more to life after the suicide of a loved one than just surviving.
A husband, father, friend and colleague - at the age of 46, MWO Daniel Basil Tracey ended his life by suicide. With a military career spanning over 21 years, Dan joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Royal Canadian corps of Signals (RCCS) in 2002 as a Signals Operator. After serving with the 2nd Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG), as a member of 2 CMBG HQ and Signal Squadron and subsequently of 1st battalion Royal Canadian Regiment, Dan joined the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM). Dan was an expert in his field, a leader, a mentor, a Brother in Arms, and a loyal friend. Everyone would say that they didn’t see the signs leading up to Dan taking his life, but looking back, he struggled terribly with mental health and PTSD/PTSI. In the words of his widow, “Dan knew how to save everyone, he just didn’t know how to save himself.”
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Caring Support: Your All-In-One Healthcare Employment Platform
Caring Support is the ultimate all-in-one healthcare employment platform. They understand the vital role that healthcare workers play in delivering quality care to patients and are there to support their job search journey. The platform seamlessly connects healthcare workers, employers, and educators, offering a comprehensive solution for finding the perfect job match. In addition to other amazing job-matching capabilities, they also offer a vibrant marketplace for healthcare workers to find products and services catering to the diverse needs of the community. Furthermore, they provide valuable insights and inspiration through their engaging podcast.
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Seb Lavoie - Critical Thinker and Speaker
Seb Lavoie, retired BC RCMP Sgt Major with two decades in tactical operations is just the tip of the iceburg. He is a guest speaker, leadership trainer, and overseas security consultant. As CEO of Raven Strategic, he specializes in custom-made public safety-oriented training curricula for both government and vetted non-government organizations. As the co-owner of Ascension Martial Arts, he holds Brazilian Jiujitsu as a staple in life, making it the centre of a first responder, military, and veteran BJJ retreat recently launched in Tulum, Mexico in association with Becoming Om. Special mention in that Seb’s episode is dedicated to two incredible young women: Angela Lee Pucci and her late sister, Victoria lee. They are bound by sisterhood, mma, and suicide. To honour Victoria, Angela launched the mental health not for profit, Fight Story.
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Emily Zufelt - WY20 Podcast Host
On the heels of multiple First Responders taking their lives, Emily Zufelt takes a walk inside the mind with suicide. On her own recovery journey with PTSD and CPTSD, she dares to say the things that don't get said, out loud. In Emily's first solo episode she attempts to highlight what anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts do to wreak havoc inside the minds of the incredible people who struggle with mental health and live with mental illness.
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Robin Ferrie: The Silver Cop
Robin Ferrie, also known as The Silver Cop (for his striking head of hair), is an officer with the Ottawa Police Service as well as a mental, physical & emotional health coach. Certified with the Jay Shetty Certification School, he is beginning his next journey by helping others through his own coaching platform, P3: Permanent Peak Performance. He describes himself as a man, husband, father, brother, son, and uncle… and that he has PTSD. He was diagnosed in February 2017, but suffered for many years prior as he was too afraid to come forward and speak his truth due to stigma and the societal pressures of being a man and not allowed to show emotions for fear of being perceived weak. Dealing with anxiety, depression, paranoia, and suicidal ideation, he finally put himself first and started to speak up and speak out. Now in recovery, he continues his own mental health journey, also advocating for others so that they too can heal and see that they aren’t alone and there is another way out other than suicide.
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Ryan Carey - CAF Captain (ret'd)
Exploring the latest in brain health and trauma, Ryan Carey is a retired Captain of the Canadian Armed Forces and a passionate advocate for veterans' well-being. Not only did Ryan serve in the CAF, but he also played professional football in the Canadian Football League. Intimately knowing the connection between sport and military concussions and head injuries, he was thrown into the world of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated brain trauma. After retiring from the military, Ryan joined Project Enlist Canada, a research initiative that aims to accelerate critical research on traumatic brain injury (TBI), CTE, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military veterans. Ryan has pledged to donate his brain to Project Enlist Canada, hoping to contribute to the advancement of science and the improvement of the lives of those affected by brain trauma.
Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada
Operation Brain Health Support Line
IG Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada
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CannaConnect: Veteran Ambassador Scott Atkinson & Director of Veteran Relations Corey Paris
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Brandon Peacock: Drive-by Shooting Survivor
Brandon Peacock is an incredible human whose resilience and determination have turned a personal tragedy into a beacon of hope for many. On a fateful summer evening in 2020, Brandon's life was forever altered when he became the unintended victim of a drive-by shooting. Shot three times, a bullet that hit his femoral artery could have ended his life, but instead, it marked the beginning of a new chapter. Brandon founded the charity Hit The Ground Running, an organization dedicated to supporting trauma survivors, helping them to reach their new 100%. The charity stands as a pillar of support, providing the tools and guidance necessary for trauma survivors to rebuild their lives and thrive. Brandon's story is one of triumph over adversity, and his charity is a reflection of his commitment to giving back and aiding others in their darkest hours. If the future is in the hands of people like him, I have hope. Through his actions, Brandon Peacock exemplifies the power of human spirit and the impact one person can have on the world.
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Mark Bouchard - Setting His Sights on Stigma