Category Archives: BWB Member & Partner Profiles

BWB Business Member SHRI ANANDA a Quick Profile by Tom Kernaghan

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For Shri Ananda, the path to peace starts by journeying inward and holding a lamp to our lies. He has walked this road, knows the signs, and carries a light to help others find their way toward healing. As a spiritual life coach and the visionary founder of Wellness Realization, a multifaceted company committed to supporting peace, love, and self-discovery, Shri understands there are many ways to find and tell our truths, but first we must awaken to the damaging stories we keep repeating and write new ones. 

This may sound daunting, but Shri can help. An inspirational speaker, storyteller, certified Kripula yogi, Komya Reiki master, musician, filmmaker, and retreat host, Shri has 25 years of experience in guiding people through their fears and out of harmful cycles. The author of the bestselling book The Road to Resiliency, his poignant tale of abuse and struggle, Shri (née Troy Payne) has also found other forms of powerful expression through his band, Aside from Sorrow, and his award-winning film debut, Out of the Darkness. And there is more to come. 

So we were thrilled Shri shared some gems of wisdom he has gathered along the way. 

Shri, when I heard your story at BWB’s Storytelling Tuesday a couple years ago, I found it compelling and moving. Most of us have places in our past we avoid at all costs. What is it about pain and fear that we cling to them so fiercely, to the detriment of our well-being? What do we imagine will happen if we let go? 

Fear is the expectation of pain. The pain may be psychological or physical.

Clinging to fear is based on habit, whether it is from a more ancient form of habit like instincts passed along for millions of years — the habit of involuntary reactions — or newer types of fear formed in this very lifetime. It is rooted in our lack of presence — the inability to be here in this moment. You see, each one of us has approximately 60,000 thoughts each day, so we are a little distracted. When we become emotionally hijacked with an energy such as fear, these thoughts take us to one of two places: past pain stories or future fear.

Fear being a habit can be broken, or the mind can be trained to see the world differently, without fear arising. The mind will draw a person back into the same dynamic over and over. The only way to get out of it is to interrupt the pattern and change your ways of thinking. I am actually dedicating an entire retreat to “Releasing the Fear” in May. 

What also speaks to me about your story and work is the courage and calm you maintain. You seem to embody balance. What is one of the first things you look for when helping a new client face fear and move toward realizing their own wellness?

Thank you for those words. One of the first things that I explore with a new client is identifying their rituals of creating presence. Since we can only effectively work with the present moment, how do you find it or come into it? There are so many beautiful practices to finding presence or dropping into “heart space,” as I like to call it — the natural state of who we really are. A walk in nature, breathing and meditation practices, yoga, even art, food, or music can help us arrive to the present moment. 

I once read “writing is rewriting.” In my work, I am keenly aware of this truth. Life is an ever-changing story, and yours appears to be evolving in a rich variety of ways. What does change mean to you, personally and with respect to the world at large? 

I like that you used the word evolving in your noticing. The change that unfolds in our lives as individuals and as a collective is our evolution. Think about it for a moment: the biggest shifts, growth, and expansion you have experienced mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, were birthed from your ability to navigate your way through the change that unfolded in your life story. It is in our ability as a global collective to change the current systems, structures, and stories on the planet that no longer serve us. The level or degree of change that we embrace collectively around those issues shows us our cultural and global evolution.  

I see you have a new film in development right now. This is exciting! Tell us a bit about it, and how the community might help. 

I am very excited to be working toward producing a feature film around healing the wounded child who resides inside of us — an archetype of our inner child. The wounded child is created by a childhood pain story that is unresolved or unhealed and impacts who we are as adults in almost every aspect of our lives. This film explores some powerful content and I do need the help of my community to keep the project moving forward. At this moment I am raising funds to develop demo content and launch Phase 1. To learn more about the film and how you can help, or if you feel called to donate, please visit http://wellnessrealization.com/films.

We like to finish our profiles with a fun fact or quick quirk about each member, something our readers may not know. Do you care to share? 

I have such a love for songwriting and music that I have organized over 11,000 songs into 400+ themed playlists. Music is one of the most powerful forms of storytelling we have. 

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Website: http://wellnessrealization.com
Email: shri@wellnessrealization.com
Phone: 403-999-6976

Tom Kernaghan, owner of Oak Writer 

I write stories about people, businesses, and communities so that people will remember what makes them uniquely powerful.
Tell me your story!
(250) 863-6297
oakwriter.com

BWB Business Member HEATHER HENDERSON a Quick Profile by Tom Kernaghan

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If it takes a village to raise a child, sometimes a farm can help to grow a community. As a certified therapeutic riding coach, a graduate of hotel and food administration, and the founder of Arion Therapeutic Farm, Heather Henderson knows about cultivating memorable, nurturing experiences. Starting Arion as a horseback riding program in 2009, Heather’s dream of inspiring physical wellness soon evolved into a vision of building a larger facility where anyone from tot to senior could visit a natural environment, be themselves and gain a sense of belonging, and reach their personal potential — ultimately for a better society.

Spend some quiet time with the animals. Volunteer to work on the grounds while the birds sing above. Join in on a cooking class. Sip tea with a friend in the café of the new Creative Centre. Connect with others facing similar challenges. For Heather, the way to sustainable well-being is through the empowerment born of heartfelt choices, shared experiences, and fun participation. Everyone who comes through the gates leaves feeling better.

Many individuals and organizations in Kelowna share her vision. She has seen the Arion community thrive with visitors, partners, and sponsors, and they are poised for growth in the coming year. So we were excited Heather took some time to tell us about herself, Arion, and some wonderful plans for the future.

First of all, what a fantastic world you’ve created! What struck me was the broad, inclusive nature of the farm. You have something for participants and volunteers of all ages, and yet there’s a common goal at the heart of it: well-being. What does this term mean to you?

My experience has taught me that well-being is all about how you feel, and feeling a part of something, and that can mean something different for everyone. That’s what appealed to me about focusing not on rigid programs but broadly on a facility as a safe place to come and create your own meaningful experience. Whether it’s riding, visiting the horses and helping in the riding lessons, or weeding the garden, we encourage visitors and members to come and go freely, to enjoy their time here in whatever way matters to them.

What always bothered me about many stop-and-start programs is not only that their effects are not lasting, but they aren’t inclusive; they’re limited by diagnostic and demographic factors. As a result, some with challenges fall through the cracks. I saw the need for a community where people could be at ease, develop at their own pace, and empower themselves to become healthier and happier members of society. It was more important to offer a place regardless of program funding. The place is what is healing to everyone!

We’ve had stressed-out adults, at-risk youths, and special needs children come here, and each one has a unique experience. Some come for a quick ride, some to quietly feed the horses, and others volunteer full-time for months. I’ve seen people come here for years, eventually offering tours to new visitors. There are no time restrictions. And the door is always open for people to return, as well as their family members, like being part of a little town. For some, just being here and away from their troubles for an hour is enough. It’s like watching a silent therapy session. People simply want to feel better, and seeing them find creative ways to do that is a big part of the fun and satisfaction for me.

I’m always fascinated by people’s journeys and the motivations that have compelled them along the way. What inspired you so deeply to create this space and help others?

In Bermuda, where I was born and raised, we were always outside playing, riding, and climbing trees — often barefoot. We even had tree forts. So engaging with nature was just a given for us. But then one day I broke my back during a nasty fall, and my dreams of competing in the Olympics were over, so I became a riding coach.

Needing a change, I moved to Toronto and studied at George Brown College. Then I got married and my husband and I moved to Bermuda to start a family. There we saw WindReach Farm, which offers all sorts of learning and recreational activities for the community. I thought it was super cool! You could say the first seed of the idea was planted then. Later we studied the model of Maplewood Farm in North Vancouver. It operates on a much larger scale, but the principles are very applicable here in Kelowna.

After running a landscaping company in Bermuda for eight years, we decided to move back to Canada, settling on Kelowna for the weather. Once here, I heard the call of my love for horses. When I got certified to teach therapeutic riding and started Arion Therapeutic Riding Association, I never imagined we would grow into such a thriving and broad social enterprise. This amazing transformation has presented both learning and financial challenges along the way, but these have only helped to shape the farm and clarify the role it can play in the greater Kelowna community.

We now offer a vast array of fun activities and helpful services for families and businesses — catering, classrooms, and a B & B, and more.

We are excited about the future!

Speak of which, I see some fantastic developments are afoot at Arion! Can you talk briefly about your upcoming projects and why they are important to Arion’s mission?

Two of particular note are the Accessible Nature Playground and the Creekside Habitat Garden Project. We’re looking forward to these starting, as we think they will really kickstart a greater awareness of Arion and what a great place it is for families to spend some rewarding time together. These two projects offer something for everyone, to create and play. Besides, who doesn’t want to play with dirt and rocks out in the sunshine? We’re currently seeking sponsors for these exciting new amenities. Please contact me to find out how to get involved!

We like to wrap up our profiles with a fun fact, something about you others may not know. Anything you wish to share?

Growing up in Bermuda, we didn’t watch much television. We didn’t even have a movie theatre! As I mentioned, we were always active, enjoying the outdoors. So it wasn’t until I moved to Canada that I even heard about the Bermuda Triangle!

2457 Saucier Road
Kelowna, BC   V1W 4B8
Phone: 778-477-1006
ariontherapeutic.farm

Tom Kernaghan, owner of Oak Writer 

I write stories about people, businesses, and communities so that people will remember what makes them uniquely powerful.
Tell me your story!
(250) 863-6297
oakwriter.com

BWB Business Member JOHN GLENNON a Quick Profile by Tom Kernaghan

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Selling happens by design, not by chance, and embracing this truth is essential in achieving desired success in business. Helping you to do that is John Glennon’s business. With ten years of experience as the president of Sandler Training, BC Interior, and as many years in a variety of sales and marketing roles, John knows not only the vital importance of reliable revenue to an organization but also how entrepreneurs can increase, master, and maintain their sales volumes.

There’s a system to it, which is what Sandler Training has perfected since it began in 1967. Now a global network with more than 250 offices, Sandler has distinguished itself as a leader in sales management, customer service, and leadership training through a simple but powerful approach: clear methods, experienced trainers, and continual support.

For John and Sandler, however, all the classes in the world won’t matter if improvement isn’t immediate, measurable, and sustainable. Whether you’re a small, medium, or large outfit, your future should not be gamble. Sandler gets results. They are also a partner in supporting Balance Well-being, so we are thrilled John shared his sales insights with us.

Thank you, John, for chatting today. Selling is crucial to the well-being of any business, and yet many of us have trouble getting a handle on it. And we often talk about the importance of network relationships, but there’s more. What are many missing?

You’re very welcome, Tom. It’s my pleasure. There are a few reasons why many struggle with sales and sales management. Firstly, there is a gap in our education. We prepare for our chosen professions, learning all the necessary aspects to perform at our best, and yet the one thing we overlook is how to properly sell. There’s no formal education for this, which astounds me, as it’s absolutely critical for success.

Well-meaning people will have dreams and aspirations, and even develop marketing plans. That gets them to hello. Sales is about everything that happens after that. I’ve yet to meet a person who doesn’t want a relationship. But the difference with an effective sales professional is that they know what should happen next. Most do not. They lack a system and process to follow.

Also, people are often in denial about the fact that they need help at all. Even when they’re not achieving the revenues they need, many don’t realize that selling, like all facets of life, requires correct and repeatable skills. Some will talk about quotes and coffee visits, for example. Unfortunately, the bank doesn’t care about quotes. People need to be honest with themselves when they’re not getting the sales results they need to be viable, and then look at what’s not working. That’s where we at Sandler come in. We have a proven system that can be customized to the needs of your organization, guiding you from a place of not doing the right things to turning them into habits that deliver.

That is great news! Why is the Sandler approach more effective than other methods?

First of all, our approach is clear and simple, not convoluted and over-engineered, as some are. People have to understand it before they can do it. Yet there is science behind our techniques, like muscle memory; it can be developed.

Secondly, we understand that adults learn through repetition and reinforcement. Most other approaches treat sales training as a one-off or add-on. The problem with that is very little of the material is either learned or implemented. We continually follow up with you to track and measure your progress, like providing a gymnasium for the mind. We believe in ongoing reinforcement.

Thirdly, our team knows what works. Many sales consultation services lack the wealth of real-life know-how our trainers bring to the room. Sandler is rich with experienced sales managers who get the Sandler approach and can easily teach it to others. They also understand the absolute necessity of ongoing sales in building and maintaining a healthy, successful company.

Balance Well-being is all about building connections and community, to help everyone reach greater success together. We see Sandler’s partnering with us as a perfect example of values alignment in action. What drew you to BWB?

For us it’s about giving back. We’ve been serving the BC Interior for 10 years now, with great success. When Shawna approached me, I liked the spirit of what she and Balance Well-being envisioned for business in the region. When you see someone trying to do good and make the community a better place to live and work, and you can be a part of it, then why not?

For me, the most powerful underpinning of Balance Well-being’s vision is that our four pillars can be flexibly interpreted and applied to many aspects of our lives. The terms balance and well-being can mean different things to different people. What do they mean to you?

Here at Sandler Training, we refer to the Balanced Wheel of Life, which encompasses eight main areas — financial, work, emotional, physical, social, et cetera — we see as necessary in creating lasting well-being, at least in the life of a business or entrepreneur. Our founder, David Sandler, understood this back in the late sixties, which was groundbreaking at the time. Business success is only one aspect of balanced success.

Today we continue to see the importance of taking inventory of specific goals on a regular basis, to ensure you have financial freedom through your sales efforts, not only to sustain a thriving enterprise, but also to enjoy all aspects of life in a way that matters to you.

We like to finish our profiles with an invitation to reveal something personal — a fun fact, a quirky hobby, or even a credo — to connect further with the reader.

I like these lines by Sun Tzu, from the Art of War: “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”

One without the other is dangerous ground for a business or entrepreneur. These words still apply after more than two thousand years.

We invite BWB members and anyone who wants to learn more to come and “crash a class,” to see what we do. Simply contact us and we’ll be happy to show you how Sandler can help you and your team achieve victory.

Contact info is

John Glennon
Sandler Training
109B-3677 Highway 97 N
Kelowna, British Columbia, V1X 5C3
Phone: 250-765-2047
Email: jglennon@sandler.com
www.glennon.sandler.com

Tom Kernaghan, owner of Oak Writer 

I write stories about people, businesses, and communities so that people will remember what makes them uniquely powerful.
Tell me your story!
(250) 863-6297
oakwriter.com

BWB Business Member Sheila Soule a Quick Profile by Tom Kernaghan

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For Sheila Soule, living well means living optimally. As the owner of Pure Heart Wellness, a full-range holistic service, Sheila understands that the paths to health and happiness can vary as much as the people seeking them. Fortunately, she is a skilled path finder. Sheila has her B.A.Sc in Clinical and Human Nutrition, is a Reiki Master, and has facilitated many wellness retreats, so she is ready and able to help you harmonize your body, mind, and spirit.

Sheila’s approach is an integrative one, focused on self-discovery and customizing multi-modal strategies that encompass diet, energy medicine, exercise and lifestyle, and various wellness products online. With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field, she has established herself in the wellness arena in Kelowna.

So we are thrilled she has offered some of her valuable insights with us.
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BWB Business Member Lorraine Richmond a Quick Profile by Tom Kernaghan

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Lorraine Richmond wants to know your story, so she can help you break through it and tell yourself a better one — your truth. As a certified life and leadership coach also trained in the application of Conversational Intelligence®, Emotional Intelligence, and the Values Blueprint System©, Lorraine helps leaders to discover their values, purpose, and pathways to meaningful living and leading. To do this, however, they have to be prepared to break a few rules, challenge some assumptions, and walk away from received wisdom.

The phrase of hers that stuck with me was “resolve the cluttering dissonance.” Focused on reaching clarity, identifying authenticity, and moving people forward, Lorraine aims to bring positive change to the world one person, community, and industry at a time.

So we are thrilled she has shared some valuable insights with us.
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BWB Business Member – Sharon e. Davison a Quick Profile by Tom Kernaghan

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Sharon e. Davison would like you to know yourself and what is keeping you from realizing your personal and professional potential. An educator, coach, meditation practitioner, and lifelong lover of learning, Sharon works with individuals and groups to help them increase awareness and make behavioural shifts toward a balanced way of living and working.

In addition to having a wealth of life experiences, including being a mother and grandmother, Sharon has a B.Ed (Adult), a diploma in Career Counselling, certificates in Workshop Facilitation and Employment Coaching, and she is a Certified Money Coach (CMC)®. Sharon has also undertaken extensive studies in mindfulness and meditation with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at University of Toronto, the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical, and with traditional teachers such as Nobel Peace Prize nominee Thich Naht Hanh.

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BWB BODY Business Member – Kate Shivers a Quick Profile by Tom Kernaghan

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Kate Shivers is an allergy-reaction detective. And the offenders are the stressors that cause all manner of challenges in our bodies and our lives. Her mission is to identify these culprits, and then exile them. Like any good detective, she knows it’s about evidence in the story, and so she works holistically with clients to decode and interpret what the body is saying, to see how a person’s history has led to the development of allergy-reactions. How she does this is quite amazing.

Kate is armed with a BSc in dietetics and a BEd, and she is a registered BIE Practitioner and INFORM coach. Drawing on her years of expertise and using state-of-the-art technology, she is able to test for possible stressors. Once she has identified these, Continue Reading

BWB MIND Business Member – Dirk Terpstra a Quick Profile by Tom Kernaghan

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Dirk Terpstra knows that the way to a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life is through the heart. As an intuitive speaker, coach and HeartMath® Certified trainer, Dirk helps individuals and organizations discover who they truly are, so that they can think more clearly, act more authentically, and make decisions more consciously. He understands that life is not just about ourselves but about connecting with others.

As a former CEO of a multinational organization overseas, and a longtime resident of the Okanagan Valley, Dirk has had his share of experiences, both high and low, and he has learned what joy and resilience are all about.

So we were thrilled that he shared some of his insights with us!

In reading about your work, I was struck by the importance of recognizing our inner beauty in finding our well-being. And yet it seems so many of us lose touch with our essence between childhood and adulthood. What is getting in our way? Why are we losing this simple focus?

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BWB MIND Business Member – Aly Pain a Quick Profile by Tom Kernaghan

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Aly Pain knows what it takes to achieve purpose-driven results in work and in life. As a certified life, organization, and relationship coach with over 20 years of experience, Aly helps individuals, families, and large groups dig deep to discover their true potential. She understands not only the passion required to make meaningful transformations but also the clarity necessary to navigate the complexities of today’s work-life challenges, and how to move through them and restore balance to our busy lives.

So we were thrilled when she offered us some of her valuable insights!

After so many years working in personal development, what in your experience are the fundamental barriers to well-being and fulfillment in people’s lives?

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