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Why is ‘You throw like a girl’ an insult?

Anything a boy can do, a girl can do better For me, gender equality had always been a given. I grew up with the belief, ‘I can do anything a boy can do, and maybe even better’. I was born in an era where women had the right to vote, go to college, run a company and govern a country. Born in 1971, I started playing soccer when I was just 5 years old, coached for years by my father and mother. If I wasn’t playing on an organized team I was playing in the school yard, or even playing hockey in the…

Books that inspire

Do you have a book that you read a number of years ago that has stuck with you? Do you remember the name? The story? Or, maybe just the feeling you get when you think of the book? For me, it was a book I read over 10 years ago (thank goodness for the old boarding pass bookmark to remind me of the trip). This is one of the rare books I have packed and unpacked over the years. Something clicked and I decided that it would be worth my time to re-read it. What an experience, it has solidified…

No One Ever Wakes up with bad intent

Early lessons ‘Never judge someone unless you have walked a mile in their shoes,’ was a constant mantra from my father when I was growing up. This critical lesson was instrumental in establishing my approach towards life and shaping my leadership style. I looked up to my father (and still do), so, I would take this phrase quite literally and spent many an evening shuffling around the house in his big brown moccasins. Honestly though, this is a standard saying in our family and a value that has also now passed down to his grandchildren which we all try to…

Fear vs. Freedom

Everything you have ever wanted is on the other side of fear – Henry Ford Avoiding risks I grew up in a very loving, nurturing, protective environment. My parents always encouraged us, but at the same time wanted to make sure we were protected and safe. My father was never comfortable going on a cruise with his wife and 2 girls because he could never save us all if necessary. Flying however was ok, because we would all go down together (we are a close-knit family). We would get the cautious “wet road speech” every time we left the house…