Have You Ever?

Today's guest is Ron Thiessen from Thiessen Farms, a 15 acre vegetable farm in Jordan Station, Ontario. Established in 1948 by Ron’s father, Thiessen Farm currently grows vegetables, herbs, flowers & blackberries. Together with Ron’s wife Lorie, and their daughter Amy, their goal is to grow healthy produce that tastes great – and looks great too! Thiessen farms believes that healthy produce starts with healthy soil. The use of compost, manure, cover crops, green manure, mulching, crop rotation & companion planting are ways they maintain & improve the soils. They love colour & variety in their vegetables! The farm grows more than 80 kinds of tomatoes – from old heirlooms to modern hybrids in all sizes, shapes & colours, along with 15 varieties of eggplant, 30 kinds of hot peppers, 15 sweet peppers, and more than 15 kinds of squash. Almost 400 varieties of at least 40 different vegetables are grown plus herbs, edible flowers and cut sunflowers. Thiessen Farms markets their produce seasonally through a community supported agriculture (CSA) program, and can be found at the Downtown Georgetown Farmers’ Market in Georgetown on Saturday mornings. 

Highlights of todays episode include: 

• What a typical day is like on the farm 
• Community Supported Agriculture Programs 
• The challenges of farming and the produce industry 

Check out thiessenfarms.com for more information and follow them on instagram @thiessenfarms 

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In today's episode I speak with William Almas, the founder and lead upholster of Yellow Chair Upholstery about starting your own business. In 2018 William made a career shift, and started down a new path to follow his dream of working for himself. He has always loved the craft behind things. Whether it be the art of brewing a perfect beer, growing a top-notch garden, or bringing an old piece of furniture back to life - he has a passion and talent for hand made excellence. Since its foundation, Yellow Chair Upholstery has doubled its business year over year, thanks in part to focused customer service and happy returning customers. William's passion for his work has been rewarded, winning Best Furniture Upholstery and Repair in Hamilton for three years running from The Hamilton Spectators Readers Choice Award. Highlights of today's episode: - William shares the journey of how he started Yellow Chair Upholstery - How you can turn your passion into a profitable business  - Three things William has learned about himself since starting his own business For more information visit Yellow Chair Upholstery's website: https://www.yellowchairupholstery.com/ or on Instagram @yellowchairupholstery Follow us on Instagram: @haveyouever.podcast

In today's episode I explore the story of Steve Bartman, the unluckiest Chicago Cubs fan in the world, and the curse of the Chicago Cubs. It is 2003, the Chicago Cubs are leading the Florida Marlins 3-2 in the National League Championship Series. If they win game 6, it will be their first league pennant since 1945. Top of the 8th, a foul ball is hit down the left field line. Cubs left fielder Moises Alou is so close to catching the ball... until someone else does. Special thanks to the following people who were interviewed in this podcast: Greg Hoogkamp Mike Stull Steve Sweats Brian Nagorsky Jeff Funk Follow us on Instagram: @haveyouever.podcast

In today's episode I chat with Jesse Lumsden about his career as a professional athlete and life after sports.

Originally from Burlington Ontario, professional athlete, Jesse Lumsden spent many years on the football field before flying down a frozen sheet of ice in a bobsled.

Jesse had a 4-year standout career playing for the McMaster Marauders. When his college career was finished with Mac, he was the all-time Ontario leader in rushing yards and 3rd in Canadian history with over 4,000 yards.
In 2005 He was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 6th overall. He signed two contracts in the NFL with Seattle and Washington, but ultimately made his biggest impact playing back in the CFL. Jesse played for 3 different CFL teams- Hamilton, Edmonton and finished his career in Calgary.

Jesse transitioned his career and competed for Team Canada in the 2010 winter Olympics In Vancouver, Canada. He would go on to compete in two more Olympic games in Sochi, and in PyeongChang. Jesse fell just short of winning a medal at all of the Olympics he completed in.
Jesse has now transitioned his career again and works for a Canadian based tech company- Neo Financial. When Jesse isn’t working or playing sports you can find him spending time with his family or fishing.

Highlights of todays episode:

• Jesse shares some of his proudest moments as a professional athlete including many of his records from his time at McMaster, and walking into the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics
• Jesse shares how he was able to quickly transition from football to become an Olympian
• Jesse shares a great lesson for anyone going through any kind of transition in their lives

Follow Jesse on Instagram: @jesse.lumsden

Follow us on Instagram: @haveyouever.podcast 

In today's episode I chat with Patrice Amore about Nutrition.

Patrice Amore of Amore Fuels Nutrition, is an anti-diet, registered dietitian with a goal of helping people make lifelong, sustainable behavioural changes. When she's not counselling clients at her private practice or her clinical dietitian job, she can be found adventuring outdoors or watching comedy specials on Netflix.

Highlights of todays episode include:

• We discuss a few trendy diet topics, which Patrice shares the truth behind many of these diet myths.
• Patrice shares some of the best foods for your gut health, a very important factor in your body’s overall health 
• Patrice explains what we need to fuel our bodies in a very easy and understandable way

Follow Patrice on Instagram:

@patrice.amore or @amorefuelsnutrition

Follow us on Instagram: @haveyouever.podcast

In today's episode I chat with Joel Cruz about coaching tennis. 

Joel was born in Oaxaca Mexico. He started playing tennis at the age of 12. Joel was the Number #1 player in his state in Mexico for under 16’s, 17s and under 18s. Joel came to Canada when he was 17 years old . He ended his Jr. tennis career in Canada, ranked in the top 10.
Joel is currently the club pro at the Grimsby tennis club. He loves to coach the game to anyone who is interested in the sport.

Highlights of todays episode include:

• Joel shares what it was like playing in his first tennis tournament back in Mexico
• Joel shares what every top high performing tennis athlete needs, in order to complete at the highest level
• Joel talks about why playing wheelchair tennis has taught him a new perspective on life

Follow us on instagram: @haveyouever.podcast

In today's episode I am chatting with Sara Stein on concussions, and post concussion syndrome (PCS). As always this podcast episode is about sharing information. It does not substitute professional medical advice. It is important to always seek the advice of a physician or qualified health care provider. Sara Stein is a mother of two, a Court Reporter turned Personal Trainer. She is extremely passionate about helping others live up to their full physical and mental health potential. Now with PCS, she has an even more clear understanding and vision on what her purpose is in her coaching business. She is extremely active and spends most of her time outdoors in nature. Sara shares her story on PCS in hopes that even just one person can relate and can be inspired to get back to living a life they deserve. Highlights of todays episode include: Sara tells the story on how she suffered her concussion Sara shares the most important things that have helped in her recovery journey and how her injury has made her a better fitness coach. Concussion Support: Brain Save by Dr. Titus Chiu The Concussion Repair Manual By Dr. Dan Engle Follow us on instagram: @haveyouever.podcast

Welcome to Season 3!

In todays episode I am chatting with Tom Farrar about his experience living in South Africa for the last 13 years.

Tom grew up in Grimsby, Ontario, the fourth of five children in a close-knit family. He completed a mathematics degree at Brock University and a Masters in statistics at the University of Waterloo. In 2008 he made the life-changing decision to relocate to South Africa, and has lived there ever since. Tom spent four years in Durban working for an HIV/AIDS charity called WhizzKids United. He met a South African girl, Ayanda, who worked for another charity, and they married in 2012. Tom became a stepfather and later adoptive father to Ayanda's son, Sphesihle (now 18). Since 2012, they have lived in Cape Town on the other side of the country, where Tom works as a Senior Lecturer in Statistics at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. He is currently working on his PhD in statistics.

Highlights of todays episode include:

• What was the most difficult thing Tom experienced moving to South Africa
• What are some of the stereotypes that western culture has about Africa which are incorrect 
• Tom speaks about African marriage customs, and specifically- Lobolo

Follow us on instagram: @haveyouever.podcast

In the final episode of Season 2, I chat with Dave MacLean on the subject of the online security

Having spent nearly 20 years in corporate technology, Dave currently works for a major financial institution as an information security specialist. He has a strong interest in all things technology, and is always researching the next big thing.

Highlights of todays episode include

• Why we use passwords and why they are important to help protect your online accounts
• Common password mistakes 
• Dave shares a few tips on how to keep your online accounts safer

Follow us on instagram: @haveyouever.podcast

In the final episode of Season 2, I chat with Dave MacLean on the subject of the online security

Having spent nearly 20 years in corporate technology, Dave currently works for a major financial institution as an information security specialist. He has a strong interest in all things technology, and is always researching the next big thing.

Highlights of todays episode include

• Why we use passwords and why they are important to help protect your online accounts
• Common password mistakes 
• Dave shares a few tips on how to keep your online accounts safer

Follow us on instagram: @haveyouever.podcast