Future is Canadian

When did you start your music journey, and what inspired you to start? I'm a rapper/singer. I started music around my last year of high school. I used to put out freestyles over industry beats and then started creating original music. My homies and the people around me at the time inspired me to start and the support I got from starting kept me going.    For someone who has never heard your music before, how would you describe your sound to them? I would describe my sound as a blend between melody and rap.   What was your inspiration behind your latest album Don't Save Me? The inspiration behind my latest album came from the transition period that was happening in my life. The new experiences and balancing the ups and downs that came with them. What has been the biggest struggle you have faced when writing your latest album Don't Save Me, and how did you overcome it? The biggest struggle was just piecing everything together. Making sure songs turned out the way I envisioned and sticking through the rough patches creatively. Patience definitely allowed me to overcome this. As a creative there is no time limit on your art so it's ready when you feel it's ready.   What helps you maintain your drive, preventing burn-out? What motivates you each day to keep doing what you’re doing? Supporters motivate me to keep going. Daily messages from people that rock with me and let me know how my music has affected them in a positive way. Breaks are necessary to prevent myself from burning out. Finding that balance between living and working is important.   What has been the hardest decision you have had to make so far in your journey of being a musician? I think the hardest decisions I've had to make so far have just been sacrifices and deciding whether or not you really want it because if you do, you're going to lose some things and people along the way that you may not be willing to give up.   How has growing up in Brampton influenced your sound? Creatives who grow up in the suburbs tend to stay inside and work on a craft or research things. I would say growing up in Brampton influenced me in this way. Listening to different styles of music all day and watching YouTube videos of hip-hop/R&B from a young age. I would eventually study those and when I started creating I was subconsciously pulling from that because it was what I knew.   What advice would you give to young artists trying to become a musician but don't know where to start? Focus on the music. The music matters the most. Make sure your effort goes into making sure you're creating the best music possible. Everything else comes after.   Where is your favourite place to be in Toronto when you have the day to yourself? I've been at Warehouse a handful of times in the last couple of months. other than the studio, it might be there right now.   How would you describe your growth musically from your first project to this one? My melodies have gotten stronger, lyrically I've improved and my content has changed because I've changed as a person and continue to change. What’s your favourite track off of Don’t Save Me? It's always changing. Right now it's Can't Get Enough.   At what point did you realize you wanted to be a full-time musician and how did those around you react? It was in 2016 around the release of my first project. Ended up leaving my job and haven't looked back since. Some people supported me and others questioned my decision but I felt like it was the right thing to do for myself.    What does Home is Toronto mean to you? Home is Toronto literally means that. Home team. This is a special place and a lot of great things have come out of here that have impacted and influenced the world forever.

Tell us a little bit about yourself - for example, growing up what were your interests? Have they changed or did you always have a main concept/idea in your mind that you wanted to achieve? From as early as I can remember, I have always wanted to put on a show! I think I saw Eddie Murphy’s first stand up and said, that’s it show business for me. I’ve been the class clown ever since.  What’s your day to day like when there is anything basketball-related going on?  I usually meditate and do research until it’s showtime! What first sparked your interest in the game of basketball? And eventually transitioning over to the broadcast/producing side of things? My cousin introduced me to the game and there was a huge community of guys he knew that played throughout the city tournaments. I looked up to them and aspired to be like them. When I moved to Toronto from Trinidad (there was some culture shock) there weren’t many visible representations of black males around, and not having my dad present, I looked up to the players as examples. When you have some time to unwind, where can we usually find Akil hanging in the city? My couch; meditating.  What adversities have you faced throughout your journey to where you are today? All of them from legal to mental to spiritual. I’ll save most of the details for my book.  Did you ever have moments where you felt like maybe you were on the wrong path? Never the wrong path, sometimes I’ve felt like I wasn’t moving at the speed I wanted to be living at. But I’ve been in the right path most of my adulthood. What would you say is the greatest change you’ve made that’s impacted your life? Meditation. Dealing with being the producer/creator/host of the hangout, what are some ways you find to deal with the stress that can build-up when filming a show? After filming I need one to come down. I ramp myself up a lot to have high energy for the shows and it takes a while to come down. So it’s hard to be around people when you're shifting gears. That can be stressful for me personally. How do you find ways to keep up with your personal life when there’s a lot going on? Meditating.  What’s it like seeing the growth of Canadian basketball in all its entirety today? Funny. For some of us we saw it happening and tried to tell people. So it’s humorous how impressed people are now to me.  What advice would you give to young people around Canada that really want to jump into the broadcasting/producing world of sports? Start your own shit! What has been the most memorable moment in your journey to date? Interviewing Kawhi on the team bus during the parade. Honourable mention to hosting Jurrasic Park! When you’re hosting Jurassic park how much of the energy is you vs. the energy you get back from the fans? 50/50. What would you say your personal style is? 90's hoodman in tight pants. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Toronto… or Hawaii. What does Home is Toronto mean to you? How has this city helped shape who you are today? I have a pretty odd collection of interests and passions and I owe that to the fact that Toronto has exposed me to a lot, and has allowed me to pursue those interests. It’s a great environment to grow in. What about the city inspires you the most? Where we’re going. Where is your favourite place to be in Toronto when you have the day to yourself? Riverdale Park.

Tell us a little bit about yourself - for example, growing up what were your interests? Have they changed or did you always have a main concept/idea in your mind that you wanted to achieve? As a child I always loved playing soccer and it was always my ambition to become a professional footballer. I also enjoyed playing other sports while growing up such as, basketball and baseball.    What’s your day to day like, since it might not be the same every day, what does an overview of your week look like? Training every morning from Tuesday to Friday, games usually on Saturday, training on Sunday, and Monday is an OFF day. Away from training I keep myself busy with different things such as meeting up with friends, having a coffee at a cafe, etc.    What first sparked your interest in soccer? My father’s love for the sport got passed on to me. I always loved going to his soccer games to watch him play, and then go on the field at halftime to play with the other kids.    What do you seek inspiration from when it comes to mastering your skills and ability to perform at a high level? Is it the people around you, your family, your Journey? My family is definitely my biggest inspiration. They inspire me to be the best possible version of myself both on and off the field. I also get inspiration from other footballers around the world whom I look up to.   When the lights are dimmed down, and you have time to unwind, what can we usually find Jonathan Osorio doing? I really enjoy doing sudoku puzzles. Some days I like to take a walk, find a bench somewhere in the park and try to finish 2-3 puzzles before calling friends to meet up.   What adversities have you faced throughout your journey to where you are today? I have faced many adversities, most of which every footballer goes through in their careers, things like having low confidence, and not getting as much playing time as I’d like. I think my toughest test has been recently having to recover from offseason surgery.   Did you ever have moments where you felt anxious or had doubts? Where you think, maybe I’m just not cut out for this? What if something goes wrong?   There are always times where you doubt yourself and feel anxious. It's normal, it’s part of being a human let alone being an athlete. The key is to push through those negative thoughts till you find your confidence again.   What would you say is the greatest change you’ve made that’s impacted your life? I have learned to worry about the things that are in my control and not to let the things that are not in my control make a negative impact on myself.   Who do you turn to for advice when everything seems to get a bit too loud? My brother Anthony. He always gives me good advice when I am not feeling great.   What would you say to all of the other young footballers out there watching you when it comes to pushing past negativity? I would say that the bad times are only temporary as long as you work hard to get out of it, and the reward for that is always a feeling that trumps that negative feeling.    What motivates you every day, especially during times of high stress or potential burnout? Making my family proud is what motivates me to push through hard times.   How do you balance your relationships, whether it be your friends, family, etc? I always make time for the important things in my life like family, friends and work. I choose not to waste my time on things that cannot impact my life in a positive way.   Explain your experience coming up playing soccer in Brampton?  It was great. There was a lot of really good competition in Brampton during the time I was growing up and it definitely helped me be where I am today.   What was it like playing for SC Toronto and then eventually Toronto FC? Did you always think you would end up on this path? I never thought my pathway to Toronto FC would ever be what it ended up being. But I believe everything happens for a reason and I wouldn't change anything about the way I came up.   When you first found out that you would be playing for Team Canada what did you feel at that very moment?  It was a great moment for me because it’s something I dreamed about as a kid. It happened pretty quickly after I signed for TFC so that made me very happy.   What advice would you give to a young person who intends to embark on a journey of becoming a professional athlete? But just doesn’t know where to start? No matter where you start, all that matters is you keep working hard and believe in yourself! After that, everything will fall into place if it’s meant to be.   When you’re getting hype pre-game what can we usually find you listening to? Some J Balvin or Drake .   What would you say your personal style is? European/urban street style.   If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Toronto is the best city in the world and I’m blessed :)   What does Home is Toronto mean to you? How has this city helped shape who you are today? This city means everything to me. It has molded me into the person I am today, and I'm proud of that. The different kinds of people that I have been able to meet and grow up with has taught me so much about the world and how diverse it is. The people of Toronto are proud, and hardworking people, and I would describe myself as being the same way.   What about the city inspires you the most? The unity of all different cultures. I think it is what separates us from the rest of the world and it is truly inspiring.   Where is your favourite place to be in Toronto when you have the day to yourself? On a patio in Yorkville.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. For example, growing up what were your interests? Have they changed or did you always have a main concept/idea in your mind that you wanted to achieve? Growing up, my dad played for Florida State University so from a young age I had a ball put into my hands. I was born and brought up in Scarborough, since my dad had to come out to Toronto to play and train here. It’s been a journey coming from Toronto, specifically Scarborough. It’s what I represent, it’s been a special journey for me, especially since there have been a lot of ups and a lot of downs. My dad always talks about how there’s beauty in the struggle, and that’s definitely something I’ve experienced to achieve my dream of being in the NBA. I’m just grinding to be the best possible player, and the best possible person that I can be. I want to represent my family, my country, and my city in all the right ways, when I get the opportunity to. I want to play at a high level no matter where I am. Right now, I am out in Israel for a month and a half, trying to make the play-offs, and good money for the summer. I hope to use that money to take care of my family and travel. That’s me in a nutshell, travelling all over the world in a short period of time, and continuing to do that.   What your day to day life like? Since it may not look the same, what’s an overview of your week? My biggest goal coming to Israel was obviously to help the team out with the games, and do what I love at a high level. Right now, I’m in a big push to sign an NBA contract! I’m not far off, as I’ve had the opportunity to play at the highest level in the NBA. Coming out here was special in a way because I could isolate myself from  everybody, including my friends, and family. Although they are the most important people in my life, I’ve been able to focus on transforming myself, and my body to get into the kind of shape that I want to be in. I’m focusing on giving it my all, as well as hopefully signing an NBA contract this off-season. For me it’s about taking my body, and my mind to a completely new level that I have never been before. That’s my focus, and that is my day-to-day. I get up early every morning to go to the gym for 9:30am, even though practice starts at 12pm. I do my conditioning, get in a lift before practice, and then after practice I do my core. It is a very short regime, and there isn’t too much to it. I have been trying my best to get out into the city, and explore a little bit, however, like I mentioned I am here for a reason, and that reason is to really transform my mind, my body and my game. This is a push for myself, and for my family. It’s about sacrificing that short term stuff, such as going to the club, to be able to take care of your family for the long term.   What was the experience of joining the New York Knicks for the 2017 NBA Summer League like, as well as the LA Lakers for the 2018 Summer League? What was going through your mind, and how did it feel? Both experiences were really special! They were special because I had the opportunity to be around the two biggest franchises in the NBA, those being the New York Knicks, and The Los Angeles Lakers. Last year I had a really good summer league, and played well enough to get signed. However, because of the timing of Lebron James coming in, it did not work out. The NBA is all about timing, and being in the right place at the right moment. It was tough knowing that Lebron came there, and obviously Lebron is going to bring his best because he wants to win championships. Regardless, I learned a lot! This summer, wherever I am at, hopefully I can get signed! As soon as I am done in Israel, I will be taking a week off to let my body relax, and then getting right back into training. Until summer league, I’m really just preparing myself, and taking my game to another level so I can prove that I am an NBA point guard.   Who do you seek inspiration from or look up to when it comes to basketball, and in strengthening yourself as a player? I watch a lot of Damian Lillard. I feel like he’s been underrated his whole life, even in the NBA! He played at the highest level and still didn’t get picked for the All-Star game. He’s my favourite point-guard in the NBA, and I try to model a bit of my game after him. I like the way he approaches things, and just the way he is a person! I’ve gotten the chance to hear a lot about him, since I’ve played with one of his teammates, Gary Trent Jr. He seems like a great guy on and off the floor, obviously a special player on the floor. He is someone that I look up to, and want to be like.   What constraints have you faced throughout your journey? I think the first thing that comes to mind is college. I was a drafted player out of high school for being the top 20 in the country. However, I got ruled as ineligible and therefore was unable to play, which was so tough for me because basketball was taken away from me. At that point I lost the one thing that I loved the most, and I didn’t know what to do with myself. That was a point in time where I had to rebuild myself, my mind and really push myself to another level. The second biggest setback I was faced with was being undrafted. I was told that I was probably going to make second round pick, and even then, I didn’t. However, after that day I went out every single night to prove that I should have been drafted, and that I was better than any of the other players that were chosen. What I realized is that it is all about your mindset, how you look at things, and how you approach things. This doesn’t just apply to the game but in all aspects of life. What you put in is what you’re going to get out, and I put my everything into this. I’m lock in, and like I said, I’m ready to get this thing done, and there isn’t anything that is going to stop me from getting to where I want! I am super resilient in what I do, and I have to be hard-headed at times to get to where I want to be!   How was balancing academics during your college career as well as focusing on developing a career to play for the NBA? It’s always tough as a student athlete, since your time is demanded at such a high level! A lot of detail and time management goes into it. Practice is about three and a half to four hours long, and when you come home you’re tired. So it’s really about finding a balance, and ensuring that you are able to get the grades you need to stay eligible for playing. At the end of the day it’s about making sure that you don’t let anything take you off the court! That’s what my mom preached to me, that no matter what, you get things so you’re not taken off the court!   Do you feel anxious, or have doubts? Where you think, maybe I’m just not cut out for this? If you do, what do you tell yourself to get past those temporary feelings? I like to say that I’m built for this. I’ve been through the doubt, I’ve been through the fire, I’ve been through the tough times, the times that have brought me to tears, and also through the times that brought the biggest smile on my face and my family’s. I don’t think there has been a point where I’ve said I’m not able to do this. With that being said, there have obviously been tough times, which comes with everything. Nothing good in life comes without having to go through hardships and difficult times, so I try my very best to embrace those moments, and enjoy them. What I remind myself is that moments like those will make me better in the long run, and shape me into who I become. So I embrace those hardships, and welcome them. It’s all about how you look at it a situation, how you approach it, and how you take it!   Have you experienced forms of criticism? If so, how do you deal with it and transform it into something positive? I’ve learned that criticism is a great thing. When I was younger I was kind of opposed to it, but now I’m all for it. I like being coached hard, I liked being told where I need to get better, as it motivates me, and helps me become a better player as well as a better person. Criticism is a good thing, it allows you to see your mistakes, it allows you to grow, and it allows you to become better. Maybe when I was younger I would have said I don’t really like criticism but now it’s a part of what I do, it’s a part of becoming a pro, and it’s a part of advancing in my career, so I see it more positively. That’s how you got to look at it in order to keep moving forward.   What advice would you give to a young person who intends to embark on a journey of becoming a professional athlete? But just doesn’t know where to start? Mine is simple, and it’s something that you hear a lot, which is work hard! People always say it out of cliche, however it’s definitely how I’ve been able to separate myself from others. It has been through the hard work, dedication and details that I put into what I do. I think that’s where it all starts. The foundation of doing well is the hard work you put in what you do, and ensuring that your preparation is at an elite level. Everything else comes after that. So to somebody who doesn’t really know where to start, I think your preparation, your dedication, and the hard work that you put into what you do is the biggest thing! Everyone wants to be special, they all want to have millions of dollars, to be able to take care of their families, to live in big houses, and drive nice cars but not everyone is willing to put in the work to get there! The work is a different story. It’s about waking up at 5am and grinding while everyone else is sleeping, or staying up late at night because you’re not content, and so you go to the gym and shoot for a couple of hours by yourself. It’s the moments where nobody is watching, those are the moments that make or break you. It’s the hard work, passion and dedication of what you do on a daily basis, which is going to get you through all the other stuff and propel you forward to where you want to be.   What does Home is Toronto mean to you? Home is Toronto. Home is Everything. When you go back home, you feel comfortable, you feel secure, and you get a different kind of love that you don’t get anywhere else. Home is where everybody knows you, everybody understands you, everybody understands the struggles you’ve been through, and they appreciate you. Whenever I go somewhere, the first thing I say is, “I’m from Toronto”! Nothing else. Everybody knows where Toronto is, and I think we’ve done a great job of putting it on the map. Like I said, Toronto is everything to me, and it’s the place that made me who I am today, and it’s the place that is going to continue to make a lot of people. I’m proud to be from Toronto, and I definitely wear it on my sleeve every time I go out there. I got it tatted on me, as it’s important to represent my country and my city. The most special thing for me is being able to represent my city at a high level to the point that people recognize that Toronto has some really big talent!   How has the city shaped you into who you are today? Scarborough is my city. Scarborough is what made me. We call it the Bermuda Triangle because guys can be crazy. Nothing is given to you there, instead, you have to earn it, and you have to earn everything that you say you are! It is a tough environment to be in but I found that it was great for me. The challenge gave me the chip on my shoulder that I have today, and it will stay with me no matter how good I am, or even if I become the best to ever come from my city. When I go back home I’ll always hear, “you’re not that good”! However, that kind of stuff is what made me, it has allowed me to have the attitude that I have, and the swagger that I step out with on the court to prove myself. It is that kind of stuff that pushes me to prove to my family, to prove to the guys in my hometown, and prove to myself that this what I do, and I’m the best at what I do. That is what has made me. Scarborough, alongside my mom and family, is what made me the person and the player I am today.   Who are your biggest inspirations from the city? Drake is definitely one! This is because of what he has done. I’ve known his two best friends, Jordan and Nico, my whole life. I grew up around them as they used to go to the Y that I go to! Drake has been a huge inspiration for me because of what he has been able to do in his life, and through the craft of music. I don’t think there is anywhere in the world that doesn’t know Drake, and that is so special. People including, Tristan Thompson and Steve Nash are who I look up to as mentors. So I’m definitely humbled and thankful to have guys like that around, as they have paved the path for us.   What’s one thing that you think about the most when you’re overseas away from home?  Obviously family is one! With that said, there is also a plaza one street up from my house that has two of my favourite food spots. One is called Island and Spice, and the other is called Roti Hut. People from all over Toronto drive up to Scarborough to this one roti spot, and it is always jam packed. So whenever I am home, my grandma will always call me and ask if I want jerk chicken or roti for dinner that night. It’s interesting that when I think of home, the first thing that comes to mind is the food. The culture of food, and the culture of people. Toronto is so  multicultural, with a blend of different people throughout the city. I think that is so special because you don’t see that often. No matter where you are in the world, there seems to be some separation, however, in Toronto you got a bit of everything. You got the faces that you didn’t even know were possible.   What kind of music do you enjoy listening to, especially to hype you up before a basketball game? I listen to Nipsey Hustle, and a little bit of Meek Mill. However, I like to listen to slow jams before my games. I don’t necessarily like to be super hyped and jumping all over the place before a game. The slow jams calm me down, and get me ready to focus on what waits ahead. If you see me play I’m really calm, cool and collected. If it’s not a slow jam, then I’ll be listening to guys like Drake, Meek and what not. It’s the best of both worlds.   What would you classify your personal fashion style as? Since last year I’ve been getting more into fashion! I’ve been a big Nike guy, wearing tech fleece and what not. I didn’t really wear jeans, or dress up too much but Randy helped me change that! He helped me change up my style, especially when it came to appearances that I had to attend. I’ve shifted towards a different kind of style, where I put on a suit, or even go casual with nice kicks.

Growing up what were your interests? Have they changed or did you always have a main concept/idea in your mind that you wanted to achieve? From a young age soccer was a massive part of my life, and something that I knew I wanted to pursue as a career. I used to play hockey a bit as well, however, that took a big back burner as soon as I was faced with the decision to pursue a career in hockey or soccer, and obviously soccer was the one. Besides sports, my interests include music, and hanging out with friends. Overall, my appreciation for soccer has grown and it continues to grow.  With soccer was there was there an end goal in mind that you wanted to play for a premier league MLS, overseas?  My end goal is to play for the premier league, however, there are definitely stepping stones to making my way up. I am prepared to take any path or route in order to achieve that end goal, even if it means taking a couple of steps back in order to move forward. What your day to day life like? Since it may not look the same, what’s an overview of your week? It’s pretty consistent besides changes that result from our game schedule. Usually I train every morning around 10:30am/11:00am. After training is done I would usually drive one of my friends home and grab a coffee with him. Once I’m home, I do my homework and relax. We have normatec boots that we wear for recovery, so if I’m watching some TV shows, I’ll put those on for a bit. Once it’s later on in the day, I hangout with my parents and have dinner with them. It’s generally this on repeat, with a lot of resting and recovering more than anything. When we have games out of the city, there is definitely change. At that point you train, you play and you have a lot less time on your own since you’re travelling with the team.    What sparked your interest in playing soccer, and pursuing a career to become a professional athlete?  My dad had a massive influence on me since he used to play soccer at a very high level when he was younger. Also, I would say my interest started when I was younger and I would find myself waking up early on Saturday and Sunday mornings to watch premier soccer. Seeing those athletes go out on the field, in front of those fans, and in that atmosphere, was something that I knew I wanted to be a part of. So that’s when I asked myself, is this something that I really want to pursue? And it was something that I did want to pursue, so I said why not work hard, have a go at it, and just do it! If I think I can do it, then I’m pretty confident in myself in getting it done. It’s a matter of focusing down, and wanting to be the best every day.  How has balancing academics at Ryerson University, and your professional career as an athlete at TFC been like?  Both my parents and my sister graduated from Sir Wilfred Laurier with a business degree, which is what I’m pursuing. So a lot of the time I look to them for help. What I’ve learned is that it’s all about time management. It’s about knowing what I need to get done, especially if I’m on the road and have a test mid-week, an assignment, or even group project meeting to attend. It’s about knowing how to allocate my time correctly, when to study, and when to sacrifice being out with a friend. So it’s about being smart more than anything, being aware of what I have to do, and organizing my schedule accordingly.  What was the experience of stepping on the field for your first game signed with the TFC professional league? It was mad! What was going through my mind that day was how Toronto FC gave me the opportunity as a young kid from Toronto, to make it big in Toronto. I was also really happy about my parents and sister being there, that was definitely really important to me. To a certain extent I felt a moment of relief like, “hey it’s here!” I told myself at the end of the day it’s just a football game and I’ve played a thousand of these so it’s nothing new. However, looking at the atmosphere and seeing the fans that paid to see us play is something that I will never take for granted. It was a really cool moment! Who do you seek inspiration from or look up to when it comes to soccer, and in strengthening yourself as a player?  I’ll answer this question from two different perspectives. In terms of being the best person I could possibly be, I look up to my mom, my dad, my sister and my uncle. I think they’ve definitely done a great job in trying to keep my feet on the ground, and in making sure that I’m paying my dues and being a person that they all know and hopefully love. As a footballer, who is around older guys that have more experience as professional footballers, I look up to Jonathan Osorio and Ashtone Morgan. I think those guys have been massive in my development as a professional footballer, on and off the field. I owe them a lot for growing my own brand as a footballer. I spend quite a lot of time with the both of them, they both are unbelievable footballers, and are great people that I’m happy to be around all the time and learn from.   What constraints have you faced throughout your journey? A lot of time it comes down to if you’re placed in the line-up, or if you’re not. It is also a matter of being in favour with the coach, or not. Regardless, I think it’s about believing in yourself and the work that you put in more than anything else. It’s about being able to look at yourself in the mirror, knowing how much work you’re truly putting in, and how often you’re in the gym by yourself. It’s also about telling yourself that you didn’t just put all of this work in to get this far, only to give up. What helps me push through the more mental constraints is checking in on myself, whether that be just once a month. I remind myself why I am here, what I’m doing, and why this is the one thing that makes the happiest. Overall, it’s about having a strong mentality and being able to push through small times of adversity like that. What are the greatest achievements that you’ve accomplished and are proud of ? Why are these achievements remarkable for you? Signing with the Toronto FC was massive to me! Being from Toronto, and being able to play for your own city is an unbelievable feeling that I don’t think many get to feel. Just knowing that you’re born and raised in the place that you’re playing is unbelievable. I’ve also been a part of the men’s national and team, and the under 20 side, where I won a couple of the events and captained. I think those are two of my favourite achievements, playing for my hometown, as well as representing my home country. Those in themselves are massive opportunities, and I’m really gracious to have being given those opportunities.  Have you experienced forms of criticism? If so, how do you deal with it and transform it into something positive? Usually at games it is people heckling and trying to get a reaction out of you, and so you just have to laugh it off. You can’t take it seriously, you have to know that they are trying to be malicious but to a certain extent, and so you can’t be bothered by it. However, now a days, I feel like a lot of the criticism and comments are made on social media. People feel more inclined to say stuff on Twitter, or Instagram, and once again you have to be unbothered by it. If you have a bad game, people are more likely to say something about it, but then if you have a great game, everything switches on a dime and those are the same people that will congratulate you. So just use that and be unbothered by it! None of that hate will have anything to do with the personal development of your career. What habits and ways of thinking have been key to your own personal success as professional athlete? I think just having a driven mindset! The second that you give into the noise, you’re distracting yourself from reaching your ultimate goal. I apply this to my goal of reaching the premier league, and I believe that this is applicable to anyone else who has to take whatever steps necessary in order to achieve their goals. Once you understand that giving into the comments made by other people attempting to bring you down is just a distraction, then you won’t bother giving into it. As much as those comments might come across as bad press, it should be viewed as something that is taking your mind off of your goal, which it shouldn’t be doing. For myself personally, knowing that any distraction is not going to help me reach my final goal is enough for me to understand that it is not worth my time. What advice would you give to a young person who intends to embark on a journey of becoming a professional athlete? But just doesn’t know where to start? I think if they already know that they want to be a pro-footballer, then I would tell them that it’s all about giving that final push! It’s also about knowing, willing and wanting to sacrifice what may be certain moments as a young person in order to achieve the greater goal. It’s about knowing that you can’t be out late on certain nights of the week, that you can’t be doing certain things with your friends, and that discipline is required. It’s about sacrificing certain moments and spending that time on perfecting your craft, and what you do. I can assure them that the light is at the end of the tunnel, so if you’re able to keep that one track mindset, and know where you want to be and what you want to do, then all those small sacrifices are worth it.   What does Home is Toronto mean to you? It means everything to me! If you ask any of my friends, they’ll tell you that I’m always talking about how Toronto is the best city in the world. Saying that this city has crafted me and the guys on the team would be an understatement. The multiculturalism, as well as the atmosphere that exists in all sporting events, is what makes us want to win, and want to succeed. The energy with every person is unbelievable. It’s a privilege to be from Toronto and and honour to represent Toronto! It’s the best city in the world! What about the city inspires you the most? The city in itself inspires me! When I lived in Vancouver for National Team Canada, I told all my friends that they had to visit Toronto because the city has a spot for everybody. Whether that be for the different types of food, the different kinds of music, or whatever it is. Toronto is so accommodating for everybody! It’s just so inclusive and that’s the one massive thing that inspires me. Being a part of a place that wants everyone be involved is what inspires me. What kind of music do you enjoy listening to, especially to hype you up before a game? Before a game you’ll catch me listening to a lot of rap, and probably songs from Drake, Meek Mill, and Lil Baby. Any other day of the week I’m open to pretty much anything, it just depends on whatever the mood is, where I’m going, or what the team likes.  Any pre-game rituals? I live near Yonge and Eglinton, so I’ll usually go for an hour long walk the morning of a game. After my walk I would grab coffee from this shop near my house called, De Mello. Also, you’ll catch me hanging around Yonge Street for a bit, and probably grabbing my pre-game meal from this butcher called, Canada Market. Then I would walk home and just hangout there. What would you classify your personal fashion style as?  I switch up my style a lot! I wear jeans, I wear cargo pants, I wear trousers. It depends on where I’m going and what I’m feeling that particular day. I rarely wear joggers or sweatpants, it’s usually cargo, jeans or trousers. It depends on the occasion. To games, I would usually do a dress pant or a pleated pants, and go a bit more formal. If I’m on the road, cargo. If i’m just hanging out, then I’m really flexible. I’m not trying to replicate anyone, I hope it doesn't seem like I am. A lot of it just me doing me! I’m smart about what I spend it on, and stick in between my funds brackets. I’m very conscious about what I’m wearing, and making sure that I like the way I look before going out. I have to make sure I’m cozy whether I’m walking down the street, or driving to Toronto!

How did Get REAL start? Get REAL was inspired by our experiences welcoming first years to our university, within our school's Orientation "Welcome Week" program. We were focused on creating an inclusive environment, but we were also friends first and foremost to these students. So we approached conversations around derogatory slurs and close-minded attitudes from a place of honesty, no judgment, and opening up about our own stories with our students. From there we began noticing really positive results: tons of students changing their language, and tons of students telling us they felt more comfortable being themselves. Many students began saying that they felt safe being themselves for the first time. The idea we had was: could we take what we'd learned through this program, and create a program in a high school or even a middle school setting — the type of program we wished had existed when we were in school? And the student-student-group Get REAL was born!   What does Get REAL do? Get REAL is a Canadian non-profit organization whose mission is to combat 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination & bullying in schools, summer camps, and workplaces across the country. We have three main parts to our program: our workshops, our university chapters, and our after-school programs. Our workshop program is national in scope, providing students in Grades 5-12, summer camp counsellors, and workplaces with workshops focused on combatting 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination, stereotypes, education, and resources. We've spoken to over 250,000 youth across Canada and counting. Our after-school program energizes 2SLGBTQ+ youth role models to provide year-long mentorship, teaching skills, building community, and running field trips with 2SLGBTQ+ youth and their allies aged 13-17. We currently have two after-school programs, in Winnipeg & the GTA. The students from our GTA After-School Program designed our new "Futur=" shirts. Our university chapter network is made up of university and college student volunteers who work to make their own schools and communities safer and more inclusive, by creating content, running events, and fundraising for local 2SLGBTQ+ charities through our 50/50 fundraising program. We focus on providing mentorship, chances to develop new skills, and opportunities to meet recruiters at dynamic firms and start-ups looking for diverse talent.   How has clothing played a part in Get REAL's growth? From day one, we started off with our signature and now recognizable neon pink hats -- bright symbols of acceptance for those who wore them around campus. But our clothing line as a whole started off initially as a fundraiser for our work in schools. Over time though, it’s actually evolved into an unofficial “fourth part of the program” in and of itself. We noticed more and more that people from around the world were wearing our shirts and bringing them to important events in their countries: fights for marriage equality, for transgender rights, and for better 2SLGBTQ+ education. People were sharing their own stories using our merchandise and through that, we met Marion from France, who helped kick-start our Global Ambassador Program, made up of videographers, photographers, and volunteers from countries around the world who utilize our clothing to share their own stories of acceptance, coming out, support, and the on-going fight for progress. And recently, our LGBTQR Code shirts were developed as an interactive educational resource for students and teachers across Canada, inspired by the Ontario Government’s efforts to repeal 2SLGBTQ+ issues from the sex-ed curriculum.   What can people look out for this year from Get REAL? For one, we are extremely proud to be partners with Peace Collective and to be the charitable beneficiary this year for their 2019 Pride Collection. We share the same values of promoting acceptance, unity, and taking pride in who we are. We'll be hanging out at our Toronto Pride booth on the 22nd (Alexander between Church & Yonge), and anyone is welcome to walk with us in the Parade on the 23rd!

Tell us a little bit about yourself – for example, growing up what were your interests? Have they changed or did you always have a main concept/idea in your mind that you wanted to achieve? I was born and brought up in Singapore, which I believe is the most beautiful country in the world. I grew up as a very curious kid, and so from a young age I was put into karate, danced, debated, and played sports, including basketball and cricket. At the same time I was also  incredibly inclined academically. I grew up in a house of professionals, with my dad being an engineer, my brother being a lawyer, and my mom being a teacher. So coming from a family of professionals, education has always been very important. Even while I was doing all these extra curricular activities, I was very focused on school. Personally speaking, I never really had an idea of what I wanted to do until I was about 14 years old. So up till the point of being 14, I had always changed my career plan, especially when being asked by my teachers during the first week of classes for the school year. Normally teachers would as, “What does each person want to do when they grow up?” One year I would say firefighter, and the next I would say Santa Claus, it was ridiculous. So when I was 14, I decided I wanted to be a lawyer. This was primarily because of watching Suits, and also because my brother wanted to be a lawyer. My brother and I love each other but we’re also very competitive with each other. Whatever he does, I think I can do it better! So I wanted to be a lawyer, and started getting into debates! I debated for Team Canada in high school, went to two world competitions, never won but came out second. Interestingly, I lost to Singapore, which is my home country. Either way, the experience taught me a lot about critical thinking, and it also really gave me an awesome aptitude for foreign affairs, learning about the world, and being involved in political issues. However, the minute I came into university, the whole wanting to be a lawyer mentality got kicked out of me. I realized that I’m terrible at learning independently, and that I require something like high school where things are very structured, and where you’re held accountable for the work you have to do. University wasn’t exciting for me. That was until I met Trevor Booker he had reached out to me during my first year, met me, and decided to invest in my early company. From there I was able to grow out that company, move and work out of the venture capital firm called, JB Fitz Gerald. This gave me the opportunity to go back to something that I’ve been into since a young age, which was selling. I remember being 10 years old, writing business plans for a bunch of companies that I wanted to start when I grew older. So it was kind of like I knew what I wanted to do growing up but I never had the balls to admit it because being an entrepreneur was synonymous to being unemployed in my mom’s generation. So I was kind of scared to start my own company but now that I look back on my life, it definitely makes sense.   What sparked your interest in studying Peace, Conflict and Justice Studies with Ethics, Society and Law at U of T?  So when I went into the University of Toronto, I knew that I definitely did not want to study a standard political science degree. I knew I wanted to be a lawyer but I also wanted a different experience. So I noticed that Peace, Conflict, and Justice Studies was a part of the Global Affairs program, which was the only undergraduate program that they offered. It was really selective, as they only chose 30 students per year for it. So I knew I wanted to do, so I set that goal and got into the program! What was really awesome was that my classes for my main degree only had 30 people, which was great because I had a lot of 1-to-1 learning, which felt like high school. This was comforting for me because I studied in a private school prior, and those classes smaller. I also decided to study Ethics, Society, and Law because once again I wanted to have a legal career. However, looking past wanting a legal career, I have always had the dream to run for political office, so I wanted to learn about politics in Canada. Specifically delving into conflict resolution, and learning about morality, what is right, what is wrong, who dictates that, and how did we come up with the very philosophies that we live on, and that our legal system is bent on. So I wanted to learn all of that for when I run for office one day but I don’t even know if I will remember everything that I learned in my first year of university.   How was balancing your entrepreneurial endeavours, public speaking talks, and consulting roles with academics? So...I didn’t, short answer. In second year, I think I went to a total of 5 classes, 3 of those were in orientation week. I was travelling for speaking, consulting at the same time, as well as creating my own company. I was doing so much outside of school that I really didn’t have time to attend class. Therefore, the classes that I chose in second year were those that did not have any participation marks. I kind of knew that by the second year that there might be a possibility of dropping out. I didn’t want to drop out without having an opportunity ready to go, instead, I wanted to drop out and say that I’ve been continuing something that I have been building for the past year.   What sparked your interest in pursuing entrepreneurial ventures in the tech sector? Technology has been a big passion of mine for a long time, even when I didn’t get into entrepreneurship, I was always a nerd when it comes to tech. So anytime there was a new Apple product that came out when I was younger, I would be the first to buy it! Anytime I could get my hands on a new piece of software that was either for music, production or gaming, I would get it. I knew I wanted to do something there. When I moved to New York in the summer after my second year, I started working with a guy named Elliot Robinson who created Dunk. Dunk had about 2.3 million Instagram followers, with a total media network of 11 million followers across all accounts. So when I came, I helped out and became a co-founder of the media company, which enabled me to learn a lot about marketing, advertising. However, I wanted to bring a tech element to it!   What was the experience like of getting started on your first entrepreneurial venture, and creating Trufan? It was chaotic for sure! I came up with Trufan December 2017! I brought on my co-founder Aanikh, who was studying at Stanford. He did a really good job of not only learning about data science, and being really prepared but also starting his own company at 15. It was called Under the Radar. So he had a background in entrepreneurship, and I thought wow this would be easy since this wouldn’t be the first time for the both of us. But within the first four months we were bogged down with hiring people, legal work, and getting the product running. We made a bunch of mistakes early on, including failed hires, product delays, and issues with the first version of our platform. Initially it was supposed to be a mobile app, not a web application but it never got built because our developer left us 6 months after we got started. We had a trademark violation because our name was SuperFan, and somebody else owned it, therefore we had to change out name 5 months into starting. There was so many things that came up when we started and we didn’t anticipate. That’s why I genuinely love this company so much, more than ever I have grown so much from building this on every single front -from a sales front, to product front, to a marketing front, as well as  legal and  finance. Having to sort out so many problems has made me go deeper into these fields than ever before.   For someone who has never heard of Trufan, how would you describe it to them? It’s a social intelligence platform!  We help companies do two things! One is re-engage with their existing customers, so if you have customers that follow you on social media, we will give you ways to reward them directly. Secondly, we’ll help you find new audiences. So if you want to find audiences off of new potential customers in a specific area, interested in specific things, we can help you build that audience and give you those sales targets to hit on social. It’s hyper-specific data, at an accessible and affordable price point.   Who are some of your clients that are currently using Trufan? So it really ranges! We’ve had celebrities like Kevin Hart, Gucci Mane, Ka Kuzma, Dwayne Wade, all use the platform. We’ve also had brands like Dwayne Wade’s fashion label, Visionary Music Group, which represents Logic, Western Union, McDonald’s Canada, FaceClan, which is the world’s most popular esports organization. It’s been really neat to have not only a spectrum of celebrities and influencers but also big brands. Our big push over the past few months is to get smaller businesses too. Of course as a starting company we have bills to pay, and so we are focusing on high level contracts but my goal is to make this kind of data accessible to the small mom and pop shop around the corner.   How have you’ve seen the team grow since you and Aanikh founded it? It was December 2017 when Aanikh and I set out to take this vision and make it a reality. We’re now at 11 people, on our existing team. We have 3 developers that are out in Hamilton, we have 4 people on our sales team, and one person who is our head of sales. His name is Scott Bergee, and he knew us since the beginning. Another guy named Cameron Russel is our business development manager, who we hired this month. Additionally, we have two summer interns that came on to help us out on the sales end. The rest of us are all a part of the executive team. Having a team of 11 people is really hard, and it requires a lot of communication to take place every single day.  What I like is that all of us have come into our own, where we individually know what we are really good at. So from my perspective, I would consider sales as my forte, which is what I concentrate my time on. Aanikh knows that product and legal are his forte, and that’s what he mainly spends his time on. What is also really neat is that when you really think about it TruFan is really a family of more than 40 people. We have more than 22 investors, and we have around 12 advisors. We’re a big company of more than 40 people who are linked to TruFan, so for us, communication more than anything is the biggest point of emphasis.   What are you guys the most excited about with 2019 on the rise? One is definitely from a product perspective! We started off with a product that could find a person or brand’s most influential or engaged fans, and now we can build an entire social intelligence platform that can do an incredible amount for brands to help them find a new audience. We’ve gone deep into geo-locations, where you can find new customers based on the location they are in. We have gone really deep with sentiment analysis, so on top of location we can find the people that have a negative interaction to somebody’s brand. Additionally, we have gone deep in topical analysis and hash tagging keyword analysis. So even with someone like Kawhi Leonard, who isn’t a very active person on social media, we can find his top fans based on hashtags and keywords that people are using. With that we can gauge the frequency that engagement is happening across Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. The second exciting thing that is happening in 2019 is the new markets that we’re getting into. For 2019 what is really cool is the three markets that we have seen the biggest growth in, which is esports, e-commerce and cannabis. From an esports angle we’ve got a 100___ on board, which is one of the biggest esports organizations of the world. Additionally, we have FaceClan, which is the most popular by following. Also, we have Luminosity, which is the Call of Duty team here in Toronto. Then we have had a bunch of cannabis companies on board, including WayLand, Hierarchy and Supreme Cannabis to come on and pilot as well. So from an emerging markets perspective we’re pretty excited about that.   What elements of the city of Toronto inspire you the most? Just the people honestly! When we started our company, we were growing out of Vancouver, and this is no disrespect to the people out in Vancouver but I just felt like the pace that people worked in Vancouver was so different than here. People here are on the go, if you wanted to get a deal done, and if you wanted it to be done very quickly, go to Toronto or New York. I find New York to be too much to the extreme. I think Toronto is like a happy medium between L.A and New York. Toronto is a place where you can go into certain areas and get that calm vibe, while at the same time it can be the place where you can meet people who really want to get work and to hustle their ass off.I also think that culturally Toronto has grown so dramatically in the past couple of years. Even since I came to UofT, 4 years ago, I’ve seen that the city changes every single year. Toronto has held the greatest festivals that unite people, and ignited the greatest moments that unite people.   What was growing up in Calgary like, and how has that environment differed from Toronto? I grew up in Singapore until I was 9 years old, and then I moved to Calgary. It was definitely a big change. I went from high skyscrapers everywhere to what was flat, and dry. Calgary was a really nice small town, I think! It is definitely a city but you never get a big city feel from it. When I moved from Calgary to Toronto, I really got that big city feel. The big buildings, and big corporations are here, which will definitely give you that big city vibe!   Do you still have family out in Calgary? Yes, my mom lives there! I sometimes go back but not as frequently as she would like me to. We still have a house, and so sometime during the summer I take some time off to visit. Calgary is actually a great place for disconnecting in my opinion because it is not like a big city that can sometimes get on your nerves! So if you really want to disconnect and appreciate nature or appreciate the people around you, Calgary is the place.   What helps you maintain your drive, preventing burn-out? What motivates you each day to do what you’re doing? I think there are two big motivating factors for me! One is definitely providing for my mom. My parents got divorced last year, and it has been super rough on my mom. When I see her handling all her shit so well, I think “alright well if she can handle everything when it comes to her personal life, the home, and living independently on her own, why can’t I manage my life.” So from a motivation factor, I’m not only doing it for her but also doing it with her hustle and her vibe in mind. The second reason is primarily because I’ve been given gifts, I don’t know by who as I’m not very religious in a way to think that it was God that gave me all these gifts. However, I know that I’ve been given all these gifts and I don’t want to put them to waste. In terms of burning out, definitely I’ve burnt out multiple times. I think that the key thing when you feel like you’re burning out or about to burn out is to take a step back, and relax. For example, every Saturday at 3pm  I play basketball at the YMCA! I think that it is a great way to sweat out any stress or any negative vibes. Also I find that basketball is a really great way to be surrounded by a good group of people that are always positive and looking out for each other. So once every week I play basketball for 4-5 hours, I chill with a really positive group of people, and that really helps me focus on the rest of the days ahead!   How do you balance relationships- whether it be your friends, family or what not? So that’s been a big big lesson for me, especially with my parents splitting up. This past year I’ve learned the most about loyalty, and what it really means to be a friend. In my opinion, being a friend isn’t just someone that just checks in on you when you need them but it’s somebody that equally checks in on you when you don’t need them. So I’ve made it a really big part of my life to find out who are the closest people in my life, and make sure that I keep them as close as possible! Whether that means checking in on them randomly, always keeping them in mind for opportunities, or always trying to find ways to help them. Now more than ever I’ve tried to keep my inner circle small, and really focus as much energy on them.   What advice would you give to a young person who intends to embark on their own entrepreneurial venture? But just doesn’t know where to start? The number one way to start is just by starting! It might sound stupid when I say that. However, I think the big thing that you have to do is take an idea, sit down, take a piece of paper, take a pen, and write the idea. Write out everything you know about the idea, and equally everything you don’t know about it. Try to get answers within 1-2 weeks of planning, and then try to move past the planning stage as fast as possible. I believe that every early stage entrepreneur should be in a race to their MVP, which is the minimum viable product. So if you’re trying to build an app, go on Invision.com and build out a simple wireframe to show investors, financiers and clients what your product would look like. If you want to build a service, go door-knocking and ask people, “Hey, would you pay $20, for my monthly laundry service?” Get customer feedback as quick as possible. When you get that MVP, combined with feedback, I can guarantee you that 9-10 times the idea that you started off thinking about, is not the idea that you eventually build! Customer feedback will factor into that idea, hopefully making it better! Or, it’ll allow you to see if pursuing that idea you had was a good option in the first place.   What kind of music do you enjoy listening to? Do you have a favourite artist right now? My favourite artist by far is Travis Scott! I don’t know why but every song I hear from him gets me hyped up. I went to his concert, and when you go to his concert you cannot not like him! So Travis Scott for sure. I don’t have a preference with music, as long as I have a beat that I can dance to, that’s all I really care about. I listen to spanish music, and french music even though I cannot speak those languages because the beat is quick and I can dance to it.   If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be. And why? Singapore for two reasons! The first is  because it is the most beautiful country in the world, in my opinion. Secondly, I’m kind of banned from living in Singapore but not really. I’m not allowed to go back to Singapore because I didn’t complete the mandatory military service there! So I think it would be awesome to lift that ban and live in Singapore.     Trufan Website:  https://www.trufan.io/ Swish's Website:  http://manugoswami.com/        

Tell us a little bit about yourself – for example, growing up what were your interests? Growing up I played field hockey in high school and varsity in University.  I also was a competitive horseback rider, and competed at the Royal Winter Fair.  I have always been passionate about fitness and the health benefits.   Have they changed or did you always have a main concept/idea in your mind that you wanted to achieve? My interests haven’t changed, but they have evolved.  Running a CrossFit box for the past 5 years has been such an amazing learning experience.  I get to meet some of the best people.  My primary goal is to help people on the health and fitness journey, while being able to do what I love every day.  Which is learning new things and meeting new people.  My goal for 2020 is to make it to Nationals for Olympic Lifting.   Focusing more on your journey of fitness, were you always into fitness or did it become a passion over time? I have definitely always been into fitness.  I love learning new things, and learning from different coaches.  When I’m not at CrossFit Cambria I am always down to try a new class out.  I love boxing, yoga (acro yoga is my favourite) and sprint training.   What different forms of leading a healthy and active lifestyle did you follow, and how did it lead you to CrossFit? Before opening up CrossFit Cambria I did complete my yoga teacher training certification at Power Yoga Canada.  Before that I taught Ballroom/Latin dance for 5 years.  I guess you can say that I have always enjoyed moving, and being active.   How did you start your training process for olympic lifting? I had been doing CrossFit for about 4 years before I decided to solely focus on Olympic lifting.  I have been doing Olympic lifting for the past 4 seasons.  This past season I have decided to incorporate CrossFit with Olympic lifting.    Have you part-taken in any competitive events, if so, which ones and what was the experience like of your very first time? I compete in Olympic Lifting competitions, as well as the occasional CrossFit competition.  My first Olympic lifting meet I was extremely nervous.  I definitely learned a lot from the experience, and met some amazing people. It’s really cool to see how far you can come with hard work and persistence.   What constraints have you faced throughout your journey? I had a wrist injury in the summer of 2017.  I had a competition that I was signed up and registered for.  I decided to opt out of it, and focused on my recovery.  I didn’t want to push through the competition and have it become worse.  It was a tough decision, but I learned a lot from my injury, and the recovery process.  I was still able to train, it just looked a lot different.  I didn’t do any snatches or overhead work, and just did a lot of squats and sled pushes/pulls.   What keeps you motivated to keep going? During harder workouts what pushes you through, and with daily consistency what keeps you motivated to get to the gym, to train and to coach? When I set my mind to something, I do it.  I love the gym, I love training, and most importantly, I love the people, and the community that CrossFit creates.  My life revolves around my training and recovery.  My nutrition, my quality of sleep, how I train, and listening to my body, all plays a role in my training as an athlete.   What are the greatest achievements that you’ve accomplished and are proud of ? Why are these achievements remarkable for you? Qualifying for provincials for Olympic lifting has been one of my greatest accomplishments.  Next up... Nationals!   What habits/ ways of thinking have been key to your own personal success? My habits for my nutrition and recovery.  I know that I can only be as strong as my weakest link; so I make time each week to focus on my mobility.  I do accessory work like handstands to help me with overhead and core stability.  Everything I do, I do it because I love it.  I ensure that I get the proper amount of sleep for recovery and optimal training sessions. I do intermittent fasting, and track all my macros, and I am very diligent with my nutrition. Nutrition is the foundation of everything that I do.   What advice would you give to a person who wants to begin embarking on a journey of self health, fitness, and even joining CrossFit? I always tell people when they walk through the doors at CrossFit Cambria; the hardest part is showing up, the rest is a bonus. So my advice would be to show up. There will always be people there to support and motivate you on your journey.

Tell us a little bit about yourself - for example, growing up what were your interests? Growing up I was interested in such a mix of things. You could catch me playing outside climbing to the top of a tree, being social with my friends or following whatever my older brother and his friends did. I also loved being inside and spending time alone. Anything art & crafts related was so fun for me or styling my Barbie’s and myself in amazing new outfits. I was always interested in things that kept me active or let me be creative. 
 Have they changed or did you always have a concept in your mind of what you wanted to achieve?
 I feel like I’m always growing and evolving but if I compare myself now to when I was growing up I’d say the foundation is still the same. I’m still active and I’m still very creative. I for sure don’t like to sit still so you’ll always catch me keeping myself busy with something. I knew I always wanted to do something creative as well as help others so I’m still working daily towards achieving these goals. 
 What’s your day to day life like in 2019?
 Every single day is a new adventure for me and that is my favorite part! I work for a Toronto based staffing agency, Cotton Candy Event Staffing and have never loved a job more. Working in events has allowed me to grow so much as an individual as I learn a new skill set every single day. I went from being a Brand Ambassador when the company started in 2014 to a Field Manager and now I’m in office as a Co-coordinator and have never been happier. It keeps me super busy which is what I love. When I’m not working I like to spend time with those close to me or take some time to myself to relax. I am really focusing on personal development lately as well.   What habits/ ways of thinking have been key to your own personal success in your life? 
In the last year I have really learned to just trust the process and I live by the phrase everything happens for a reason. As someone who has anxiety and has struggled with depression I’ve really learned to just take things one step at a time. After spending time away from my real day to day life to be on The Amazing Race Canada: Heroes Edition I came back with such a clear mind set. Work hard for what you want but don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get it right away. Nothing great ever comes easy! My mind set before the show was always to be perfect at everything or I’d be ashamed that I failed. After being eliminated on the show I realized that I could be proud of myself for my accomplishments rather than be upset for not winning. I walked away knowing I gave it my all and since that day I work on having a positive mindset every single day. 
 What helps you maintain your drive, preventing burn-out? What motivates you each day to do what you’re doing? I have taught myself to listen to my body and my mind and when they tell me to slow down, I slow down. I used to be way too obsessed with being involved in everything and always saying yes to the point that I had 4 jobs and sleep wasn’t a priority. I’ve now realized that my health, in all aspects, is the most important thing. If I’m not healthy I’m going to miss out on everything I wanted to be involved in anyways. Now I pick and choose what I pour my energy into instead of spreading it thin across multiple things. I’m motivated to do what I do everyday because I genuinely love it. I feel like if you don’t genuinely love what your doing you need to move on from it and find where your true passion lies.   
 How do you balance relationships- whether it be your friends, family or what not? 
Everyone in my life knows how hard working I am and dedicated to doing what I love. I have the best support system hands down which has taken years to build but I appreciate every single person in my life so much. With the nature of my job since its not a typical 9-5, those close to me have learned that my schedule is all over the place and they are all so understanding if I’m not always available. But with that being said I always make sure to find the time for the ones I love. 
 What sparked your interest in trying out for the Argos cheer team? 
I was a competitive cheerleader in high school, which was always a dream of mine when I was younger. When I hit middle school I was the shyest person ever and there's no way I thought I’d end up on a cheer team. But I found myself competing for 3 years, becoming a co-captain of the team my senior year and then continuing to cheer on an all-star team in college. Once I decided to retire from competitive cheerleading I realized I missed the team aspect and was looking for something new. When I came across Argos Cheer and saw first hand the sisterhood they had I knew I wanted to be apart of it. Little did I know it would be the one thing that changed my entire life! I developed confidence, I was finally able to find the courage to conquer my fear of public speaking and I formed lifelong friendships. What are some of the most memorable moments as a Toronto Argonauts cheerleader? Hands down most memorable moment for me would be The Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program that I spent my 3 off seasons being apart of. This is the one thing that really changed my entire life. This program is so eye opening and taught me so much but also allowed me to connect with and give back to our youth in the GTA. 
Winning the Grey Cup in 2017 was also a memorable moment and that Championship ring isn’t so bad either. I truly cherish the time I spent on the team. It opened so many doors for me and was the foundation for the next chapter in my life. 
 In 2018 you participated on The Amazing Race Canada: Heroes Edition. What was that like? Being part of The Amazing Race Canada: Heroes Edition was the most life changing and amazing (no pun intended) experience to date. To this day I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. It feels like a dream that I haven’t woken up from yet. Being apart of the cast of Heroes from across Canada is something I’m so incredibly grateful for. We were able to travel, learn, grow and connect with others and ourselves across Canada and the globe. I learned a lot about myself during that time and those memories are some that I will always hold close to my heart. 
 What was the most memorable experience of The Amazing Race Canada for you?
 The most memorable experience of The Amazing Race Canada would be when we won the first leg of the race. We knew people would target us as a weak team and we played that up as best we could so they would think we weren’t going to be tough competition. We were never focused on winning every single leg but once that victory happened, we knew we had to keep pushing hard because a target was on us now. It lit a fire in us and reminded us why we were here, for the kids! We had planned on donating a portion of the money, had we won, back to the Huddle Up program so it could reach more schools and help more students. 
 Do you feel like you got to see a new perspective of Canada after being on the show?
 Canada is so beautiful! No matter where we went I reminded myself to stop for a second and take it all in. The cities and towns we were able to visit had so much character and were filled me the most helpful and kind people. It made my love for Canada grow that much more.  
 What's the biggest thing you learned well being on the show? 
I learned to trust my instinct and listen to my mind & body. We were eliminated due to a penalty we took for a challenge that caused an anxiety attack. I remember telling myself you have to try again. But in my gut I knew I had to do what was best for my health long term and just take a knee. The anxiety I would’ve felt for days, maybe weeks after was just not worth it  for me and for once I truly listened and it was the best thing I ever did. 

 What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
 I listen to just about everything. My music taste depends on my mood but I’d say 99% of the time you’ll catch me listening to something I can sing along to (not that you would ever want to hear it). It’s mainly a mix of Hip Hop & Pop I would say. What would you classify your personal fashion style as?
 My personal fashion style is for sure mood based as well. I would say most of the time I go for comfort but still fashionable. You will catch me dressed up from time to time but these days I mostly keep it casual. Jeans, sneakers and a simple T is my go to. Any favourite fashion designers that I might catch you wearing?
 House of Hayla heels and sneakers are my go to for footwear for sure. As for clothing Levis is my denim choice right now and obviously some comfortable Peace Collective gear, the crew neck sweaters are a staple in my closet. What's one thing you would really like to do this year? 
Travel as much as possible is on my to-do list this year for sure. I caught the travel bug after the show and have the urge to see some new places within Canada and also abroad. I barely scratched the surface while on the show so I may have to leave Toronto for a bit to see what else is out there but I know I can always come home.