Kendra Fisher was on track for Olympic greatness—a standout goaltender with Team Canada’s hockey program who once heard the words every athlete dreams of: You made the Olympic team. But during those tryouts, her mental health had a different plan and her life changed directions.

In this episode of It’s Not A Straight Line, Kendra opens up about the five-year stretch that nearly broke her, and the moment she decided to take giving up off the table. From working tirelessly just to survive the day to actively choosing to participate in her mental health, Kendra’s story is about reclaiming power, rewriting identity, and learning how to move forward.

Now a professional speaker, podcaster, and mental health coach, Kendra draws from her experience as a firefighter, 3x inline hockey world champion, and her experience with her own mental health journey. She speaks candidly about the courage it takes to show up for ourselves and for each other.

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep going when it feels like everything is falling apart, this conversation is a masterclass in vulnerability and redefining success on your own terms.

Follow Kendra on Instagram @kfisher30 and learn more at kendrafisher.com.

On this episode of It’s Not A Straight Line, I was joined by Michael Downey, a leader who left his mark on Tennis in Canada. His career journey started far from the courts and it is anything but a straight line.

He is the former CEO of Tennis Canada and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) in Britain, and currently serves as Chair of the Advisory Committee for the greater (a strategy consulting firm) and as a volunteer board director for Canada’s most successful community tennis hub.

Michael started his career in Consumer Packaged Goods Marketing and worked for Labatt, MLSE, Skydome, and Molson before a career pivot into tennis that would change the trajectory of the sport in Canada.

During his tenure at Tennis Canada, tennis pros like Milos Raonic, Bianca Andreescu, Denis Shapovalov, and Genie Bouchard broke through on the world stage, and there was a significant emphasis from Michael to fostering the grassroots development of the sport, add training facilities across the country, and secure key long-term partnerships

During the episode, Michael reflects on the lessons he learned early in his career, the challenges, and the moment when he joined the Toronto Raptors during their inaugural year.

We also discuss his cancer diagnosis, when Michael heard the words “you have cancer” twice in one day.

You'll hear behind-the-scenes stories from the LTA, including attending Wimbledon management meetings, sitting in the Royal Box, and seeing first-hand the tournament's focus on perfection.

This episode is filled with inspiring insights: from navigating career transitions and building resiliency, to Michael’s advice for anyone facing a job loss.

On this episode of It’s Not A Straight Line, I’m joined by Clayton Peters, producer, writer, and long-time manager of his brother, global comedy icon Russell Peters. For almost 20 years, Clayton has been at the helm of Russell’s remarkable career, managing one of the longest and most successful runs in comedy, with Russell selling out venues worldwide since 2005.

Clayton’s journey into management is rooted in a promise made to his father on his deathbed when he told Clayton to take care of and always look out for his younger brother. After years of working in corporate jobs where he felt like a “square peg in a round hole,” Clayton transitioned into the comedy and entertainment space around the age of 40. From early work in international business and managing other acts alongside his brother like Joe Koy, to focusing fully on Russell’s career, Clayton’s path to manage one of comedy’s stars has been anything but a “straight line”.

In this episode, Clayton shares thrilling stories about their successes and challenges—especially navigating the pandemic, while not spending time in person together—and the time they defied critics by filling the Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena) despite being told they’d fail. Clayton’s insights are inspiring, and his advice to “not take it personally” is a lesson anyone can apply to life and career, and one he has learned in Entertainment.

We also discuss his thoughts on what would happen if Russell ever wanted to go with another manager and the life lessons Clayton now passes on to his own son. Recorded in-person in August 2024, this conversation is full of insights, honesty, and candid moments.

Plus, don’t miss seeing Russell’s upcoming Canadian and World Tour, Relax It’s Not That Serious, which hits Toronto this December 2024. For tour information, head to https://www.russellpeters.com/