It was a Thursday night in Toronto. Amidst the hustle of the city, we navigated to Hoame Meditation Studio to breathe, play and be inspired. Off came our shoes, as we made ourselves comfortable in a cozy room, for an intimate conversation hosted by The Gist with guests Olympic Gymnast Rosie MacLennan, TSN Sportscaster Kate Beirness and Olympic Speed Skater Anastasia Bucsis. We're thrilled to share their stories with you. 

Meet Rosie MacLennan

Rosie's smile lights up the room. Her positive attitude and passion for making the world a better place is simply contagious! 

Rosie, a 30-year old from King City, Ontario and winner of Olympic gold in both 2012 and 2016 is recovering from a broken ankle. When asked how her injury has impacted her life, here's how she responded: 

"Injury can take you off track. You need to adapt. Either let it take you down or see it as an opportunity to do something you wouldn’t otherwise be doing."

On the road to recovery, Rosie is having fun in the gym and stepping up her mental game. Check out her inspiring Instagram post. 

Safety in Sport

Former sports doctor Larry Nassar's abuse of female athletes has rocked gymnastics and opened up some much-needed conversation about safety in all sports.  Rosie's view on this topic:

"Change is coming. Providing a safe space for athletes to come forward and engage in conversation is crucial. The more athletes that are engaged in the conversation the better."  

Rosie's Mantra

"Chase the dream, enjoy the journey. You get all the value, community, and life lessons from the journey."

How Rosie is making the world a better place

Rosie is a huge fan and advocate of Right To Play, an organization that aims to protect, educate and empower children to rise above adversity using the power of play. Rosie's view on the power of play:

"Play gives you a voice, confidence, sparks discussions."

Following the panel discussion, Rosie and Right To Play Playmaker Mike Sharpe invited us to play. This fun, simple exercise of a variation of the game of tag demonstrated how when we all work together we can keep threats away and support each other. 

Right to play's work focuses on 4 types of play:

How you can help:

1. Become a Playmaker or sign up for a monthly Playmakers event like this. The Playmakers are a new movement of young professionals (25-40) across Canada who have come together to raise funds and awareness for children rising up. By joining the Playmakers you’ll get invitations to active, inclusive and fun events each month hosted by Right To Play’s corporate partners – all in support of a great cause. Interested in joining the Playmakers? Sign up with a monthly gift of $25 or more and help children overcome the impossible.
2. Donate to Right to Play and help a child rise. 

Meet Kate Beirness 

Kate has this aura of confidence that makes you want to stand up and do something you never thought you could. An injury early on in her career took her off the pro-Athlete path and into sportscasting where she's killing it. 

Kate recently hosted a historic all-female TSN panel covering FIFA Women's World Cup in France.  "This is a panel with great knowledge of the game, huge passion, and very strong opinions. And they’re funny, sometimes self-deprecating and very shrewd." states The Globe and Mail in a recent article applauding TSN's coverage of the World Cup. 

Kate loves working at TSN a progressive organization that treats their staff equitably. When Kate started at TSN, there were three female anchors in the country. Now, TSN has more female anchors then male anchors. 

How Kate got her start in broadcasting

Kate's love of sport led her into broadcasting. Kate was born and raised in Port Perry Ontario. Her parents John and Chris were both teachers and always encouraged her dream of playing in the WNBA. An injury early on forced her to change her focus. Kate missed sport in her daily life when she got injured. She knew she had to be a part of sport in some capacity.

"Being a journalist is the next best thing to being an athlete. And I got to chug champagne with the Raptors.”

The future of broadcasting

When asked about the future of broadcasting as a career for women (14% of broadcasters are women), here's how Kate responded:

"Absolutey hire the best person available. As an organization just make sure to give the opportunity to everyone. With women it’s about confidence. I know just as much as anyone else. Remember you are there for a reason. Be confident in yourself - own it."

How women can be a part of the sports conversation 

For some women participating in sports conversations can be intimidating.  Kate's view on how to be a part of the conversation: 

"Have the confidence to join the conversation. After all, they're people just like you. There’s a lot of human stories in sport. That’s also a good way to be a part of the conversation." 

How Kate is making the world a better place

Kate is grateful for the amazing opportunities she has been given and is rallying female Olympians and industry leaders to empower the next generation of female leaders through the annual one-day HER MARK Summit.

Founded and hosted by TSN’s SPORTSCENTRE anchor Kate Beirness and sponsored by TSN, MLSE, and Under Armour, HER MARK Toronto was attended by 250 female high school students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills in their schools and communities.

Kate's ultimate goal for HER MARK Summit: "Empower girls to come take their jobs."

Kate's Mantra

"You can only control attitude and effort. If you have a good attitude and work like crazy chances are, you'll be successful." 

Meet Anastasia Bucsis 

Anastasia is courageous and real. Speed skating gave her values and adversity training that helped her work through identity and mental health struggles and be a role model for so many others. We are super grateful to hear Anastasia's story and are inspired by her strength and honesty. 

"I’m not famous. I’m simply an ordinary person that has had the privilege of opportunity, working hard, and of chasing my dreams. I’ve celebrated the beauty of sport- I’ve felt some of the highest highs, and I’ve lived the lowest lows." Anastasia states in a guest post on Student-Athlete Mental Health Initiative's blog.

As a Canadian Long Track Speed Skater, Anastasia has started in two Olympics, six World Championships, and 42 World Cups while wearing the Maple Leaf.  Despite her successes, Anastasia struggled with self-acceptance and self-love. It took her three years to come out to family and close friends and she struggled with depression that gradually improved with the right help. Anastasia is now living a happy and fulfilled life and encourages anyone feeling alone, confused or depressed to seek help.

Mental Health - Start Talking

LGBTQ youth are disadvantaged. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, LGBTQ youth face approximately 14 times the risk of suicide and substance abuse than heterosexual peers. It took Anastasia a long time to accept herself. She was very lonely and close to ending her own life.  Many live lonely lives struggling to share their challenges and start a conversation with someone who can help.  Anastasia's advice:

"There is no perfect moment, so just start and continue the conversation."

LGBTQ in Sport

Anastasia was asked about her experience in sport after coming out 5 years ago in Sochi. "While language in sport is often homophobic, progress has started." says Anastasia. "Athletes can make a difference. Megan Rapinoe (a forward for the U.S Women's soccer team) and vocal advocate for inclusion has done so much more for humanity than just sport." 

How Anastasia is making the world a better place

Anastasia is a beacon of light. She share's her story to help others who struggle to learn from her experience. 

Following a knee injury, Anastasia transitioned to host of Players Own Voice CBC podcast where she brings her unique backstory to funny, friendly conversations with high-performance athletes. No formulaic jock talk here ... these are buddies who understand each other, and help us do the same.

Anastasia's Mantra

"We're here to love not to judge." 

Meet The Gist (co-host of this event)

Ellen Hyslop, Jacie deHoop and Roslyn McLarty started The Gist to make sports news more accessible to women by creating sports content, experiences and communities that are for women, by women. 

From newsletters loaded with great stats and humour, to sports viewing parties, panels, and resources, The Gist is breaking down barriers and converting women to sports fans. All proceeds for this Playmakers event were donated to Right To Play.

 

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