The Coolest Journey

This interview with Jessie Harwitz focuses on her upcoming record-breaking 106-kilometer non-stop swim across Okanagan Lake from Vernon to Penticton. Jessie, one of Canada's most accomplished open water swimmers, discussed the extensive logistics and safety planning involved in the attempt, including weather considerations, crew composition of eight people, and the use of a sailboat with suppo...

This week is extra special — it's the first week of June, which means it's Ocean Week in Canada! Ocean Week is an annual national celebration of events, learning, and engagement held around World Ocean Day on June 8th. It's a time to recognize the incredible role the ocean plays in our everyday lives, and how our local waterways connect us all — from watersheds and coastal areas right...

My guest today is extremely special and close to my heart — she's one of our nieces on my husband's side of the family. We've watched her grow into a smart, kind, and uber-talented young woman through the years, and she's now at UBC in Vancouver with one year left in her environmental engineering program.  She'll come back to The Coolest Journey later this year to talk about he...

Nicolas Guzman is back! Something happened between our podcast recorded in April and this one. Nicki found another gear, and I felt it critical to get him back on The Coolest Journey to talk about this experience. If you're interested in swimming, VO2 max and performance, this one is for you :D

Nicki really learnt to swim while in university in Chile, less than 10 years ago. The remarkable part is that he swiftly moved from swimming classes to Masters practice, then to 5km open water swimming lake/ocean/river... and now to cold open water swimming in Vancouver BC. His dream? Immigrate to Canada and swim an ice mile. Nicki has been gracing our pod since Dec 2025 with his easy-going manner...

Marie-France Lefort est bien connue dans la communauté franco de Hamilton.  La première fois que nous nous sommes rencontrées, c’était au printemps 2014 lors d’une retraite de conseil d’administration pour le centre francophone de Hamilton.  Dernièrement, nos chemins se sont recroisés dans un cercle d’écriture qu’elle a récemment commencé à animer pour le centre francophone de Hamilton.  Vous alle...

Montréal. -30C, -40C. Tumultuous Saint-Lawrence River waters. Combined together for ice surfing on an eternal wave??? You bet. Watch the 15min film about his ice surfing on Youtube: https://youtu.be/yqDKqXZTYYU?si=eyAZ2JH7GthabaTV Orion Miller makes ice surfing look easy, as if it's a totally normal, peaceful experience. There is so much depth in what he does, and he graciously accepted to del...

My chat with Dr. Mark Christie covered blue therapy, which involves immersion in natural blue spaces like oceans, lakes, and rivers; similarities with green therapy, and also unique benefits, including physical, mental, and social advantages. Some theories were highlighted such as attention restoration and stress reduction, as well as the biophilia hypothesis, to explain the benefits of being in n...

Today dear listeners, get ready for a really cool interview - figuratively AND literally.  ICY cold.   As you probably know, cold water immersion has been gaining quite a bit of traction since COVID.  I’ve had 3 guests already on my podcast who talked about their love of swimming and cold water.  Why cold water swimming you might ask?  Why not could be the better question…  Calm, elation and cente...

Let me ask you something: how important is brain health to you? Have you ever thought about the concept of brain fitness — kind of like lifting weights for your brain? Today’s guest is an internationally recognized speaker, trainer, author, and the creator of the Brain Fitness Trainer Programs. Jill Hewlett inspires and educates audiences ranging from small groups to thousands at conferences, spec...

Mon amie sirène Sylvie Krutchen est avec nous pour partager son amour de la nage, surtout en eau libre. Sylvie habite à Vancouver, fréquente autant les plages que les piscines, et relève chaque année des défis de natation qui font rêver : traversées de lacs en France et au Canada, aventures en Méditerranée… et même une piscine taillée dans la glace du lac Memphrémagog au Vermont. Et ce n’est pas t...

This interview has been over ten years in the making! This esteemed and world-renowned McMaster scientist, author, and speaker has been exploring Interval Training for almost two decades and has been featured in numerous popular podcasts, magazines, TV and radio shows. Dr Martin Gibala, Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, has graciously accepted...

On Oct 14th, I hosted a webinar discussing the benefits of cold water exposure on mental health - the replay link is available.  Dr Mark Christie, from Cumbria University in the UK, had sent some of his research for this presentation and amongst a few studies, focused on one person’s incredible results.  That was Kathleen, who has graciously accepted to talk to me today so she can tell her story i...

If you caught our previous episode, you’ll remember our deep dive into the fascinating world of radio and James’s nearly four decades of volunteering and working at CFMU. Well, he’s back — and this time, we’re exploring his other coolest journey: books. James is an accomplished published writer with two major novels to his name and the host of GetLit , his popular show on CFMU that airs Thursdays...

Today, we’re diving into a literal Coolest Journey — one that takes us right into the heart of CFMU radio itself, where this show is broadcast live every Friday from 12:30pm-1pm ET. I grew up listening to radio, and it’s something I’ve always felt deeply connected to. There’s an intimacy, a closeness, that this medium creates — one that’s hard to match, even in our digital age. What surprises me m...

Today, I have the tremendous honour of speaking with Peter Williams — a cinematographer with over 30 years of experience filming across more than 50 countries. Peter’s done it all — from reality TV and documentaries to breaking news, sports, travel, and live events. He spent over a decade with major news outlets like CNN International and BBC World, covering everything from conflict zones to stori...

Big announcement! The podcast Healing Humans, Healing the Planet - One Story at a Time is changing name to The Coolest Journey. In addition, you'll hear about 3x timely announcements: Oct 14 @ 5pm PT / 8pm ET - free 1.5hr online seminar on Cold Exposure as a Tool for Mental Well-Being, suggested donations to go to Samper Caicedo Legacy Fund. Join us, and hear first-hand stories about how a cold wa...