Rick Hansen

Rick Hansen is a Canadian athlete, activist and advocate for people with disabilities around the world. Rick became a paraplegic at the age of 15 after being in a pickup truck accident. He went on to complete a degree in Physical Education at the University of British Columbia and befriend Terry Fox. He has since competed in, and won, 19 wheelchair marathons, the world title three times and 9 gold medals at the 1982 Pan Am Games. He also competed in and won medals at the 1984 and 1980 Paralympic Summer Games. Rick is most famous for his “Man in Motion” two-year wheelchair trip around the world, proving the potential of people with disabilities. Rick was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2007. He is a member of the Order of Canada and has received honorary doctorates from two universities.

Website: http://www.rickhansen.com/

Clara Hughes

An athlete for all seasons, Clara Hughes is the only Olympic athlete to win multiple medals in both summer and winter sports, as a cyclist and speed skater. Hughes shared her experiences with depression, as the National Spokesperson for Bell Canada’s Mental Health initiative and the ‘Let’s Talk’ campaign, to promote mental health and combat the stigma of mental illness. A member of the Order of Manitoba and an Officer of the Order of Canada, Clara also has a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. She received the International Olympic Committee’s Sport and Community Trophy and was named one of the Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity by the Canadian Association for Advancement of Women and Sport. 

Website: http://clara-hughes.com

David “Patch” Patchell-Evans

David “Patch” Patchell-Evans is the founder and CEO of GoodLife Fitness Clubs, the fourth largest fitness company in the world with over 405 clubs and over 1.5 million members in Canada. An advocate for overall health and fitness, he has written two internationally best-selling books. An avid philanthropist, Patch founded GoodLife Kids Foundation, whose mission is to provide opportunities for kids with special needs to be active; and he established the Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group at Western, in his daughter’s name.


Website: https://www.goodlifefitness.com/

John Stanton

John Stanton is an elite marathoner and triathlete and is the founder of the Running Room Company, with over 120 stores in Canada and the United States. He is the best-selling author of ten books on running and is a member of the Alberta Business Hall of Fame. John is the recipient of many awards, including the Dr. Harold N. Segall Award of Merit, which recognized his significant contribution to the prevention of cardiovascular disease and the promotion of cardiovascular health in Canadians; and the Award for Excellence in Health Promotion from the Canadian Medical Association.

Website: https://www.runningroom.com/ca/inside.php?id=2570

Mark Tewksbury

Olympic swimmer and motivational speaker Mark Tewksbury won medals at two Summer Olympics. He was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, and the International Swimming Hall of Fame, and was named Canada’s Male Athlete of the Year. In 2003, Mark became a prominent advocate for gay rights and gay causes in Canada and the world, joining and becoming co-president of the board of directors for the 2006 World Outgames in Montreal. He is a board member of the Gay and Lesbian Athletics Foundation and was inducted into Canada’s LGBT Human Rights Hall of Fame in 2009 for his outstanding achievements and efforts to end discrimination in the sports world.

Hayley Wickenheiser

Hayley Wickenheiser is viewed as one of the best female hockey players in the world. Hayley led her team to four gold and one silver medal in the Olympics and was named the tournament's most valuable player in both 2002 and 2006. A member of the Order of Canada, Hayley is a passionate advocate of women’s empowerment, founding the Canadian Tire Wickenheiser World Female Hockey Festival. In 2014, Wickenheiser was elected to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Athlete’s Commission, and was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2015.

Website: https://www.hayleywickenheiser.com/