Mary Spencer

CELEBRATE INDIGENOUS ACHIEVEMENTS IN ADVANCING SPORT

In the eyes of the world, Canada is commonly seen as a diverse, welcoming and generally inclusive place. When it comes to sport, we are even revered as progressive. But historically here at home, the truth is … we have not always been. And we have a long way to go. "We acknowledge the oppression and discrimination Indigenous ... More
Evan Dunfee_Photo by Greg Kolz

DIFFERENCE MAKERS PART 3: Putting People First

A people-first attitude leads to better Olympic performances. Sure, it seems simple. But, as easy as it sounds, it’s just as easy to forget when the pressure to perform is heavy. Putting people first is a clear-and-actionable takeaway you have emphasized as a key factor during the planning, execution and de-briefing phases of the ... More

PUT YOUR HIGH-PERFORMING ATTRIBUTES TO WORK

High-performance is simple, if you are committed to being fully prepared. “I wake up every morning with a list of tasks in my head, all focused on getting better,” said Four-time Olympian, two-time medallist and London 2012 Team Canada Flag Bearer Simon Whitfield about Games preparation. “The task doesn’t care if it's hard to ... More

DO YOU HAVE THE ATTRIBUTES OF A HIGH-PERFORMER?

You got this, right?! Of course you do. Helping high-performing athletes, teams and mission staff prepare for and deliver at the biggest sporting event in the world is what you do best! In fact, ‘high-performance’ describes your job perfectly. But, does it describe you? In these quickly passing weeks and months before Lima 2019, ... More

’TIS THE SEASON FOR REFLECTION

In sport, moving forward is what we do. But to see clearly what’s ahead, we sometimes need a long look back. That time is now. Sure, reflection is already a big part of our goal-oriented lives as we constantly ask ourselves: What went wrong? What went right? Where can I gain a competitive edge? We improve. We focus. We move forward. ... More

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD FOR CALGARY 2026

Indeed, the plebiscite in Calgary to vote yes-or-no for a bid to host the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games is an opportunity to prove the power of sport to create positive change. But, as a member of the Canadian Olympic Family, this vote is more than an opportunity — it’s your responsibility. Your journey, your work and (especi... More

HOW GREAT COACHES ARE COACHING THEMSELVES

“Without (my first coach) I would not have committed,” writes Olympic legend Clara Hughes about her provincial-level coach Peter Williamson. “The rest of my history in sport would never have happened.” That history includes multiple medals in Summer and Winter Olympic sports and iconic status as one of Canada’s greatest ... More

ARE YOU EXPERIENCED?

How do you explain what it feels like to compete at the Olympic Games? ‘I can’t describe this feeling…I’m lost for words…I don’t know what to say…’ Sure, these familiar sound bytes from post-event interviews make for emotional TV, but the truth is some experiences can’t really be explained. As athletes, you either ... More

HOW TO NAIL THE TEAM SELECTION PROCESS

This familiar high-performance attitude has helped guide Team Canada to some great results at Games. But, what happens if the “controllable” things are not clear during the selection process of that team? How can we control what we don’t understand? Easy. We find clarity, as early as possible — together. TEAM SELECTION IS ... More

YOUR BEST TEAMMATE IS YOU

The weeks, months and years behind you have defined the person who will get off that plane in South Korea. They have also defined how that person will show up when the curtain rises — now as a lifelong member of Canada’s Olympic Team. And there is no doubt that person is ready. You’ve proven it to yourself and now you’ve earned the ... More