The SPORTi Podcast

In this inspiring episode of  The SPORTi Podcast , host Pam sits down with Andrew Nahirniak, Head of Physical Education and Regional Sports Coordinator at St. Martin Catholic Secondary School. Andrew shares his journey of competitive hockey from grassroots to the NHL Draft, to education, offering valuable insights into the evolution of youth sports. He reflects on his early days playing hockey, th...

In this episode of  The SPORTi Podcast , hosts Laura and Vanesa sit down with Julie, a certified athletic therapist, registered massage therapist, and kinesiologist specializing in concussion management at Everest Academy. They dive deep into the critical topic of concussions in youth sports - how to recognize them, when to seek emergency care, and what steps parents should take for proper recover...

In this episode of The SPORTi Podcast @thesportipodcast, host Laura welcomes three seasoned parent coaches - Jesse @runs2work, Liam @coach_straney @PickeringFC2014G, and Don @DonSGrant - to share their personal journeys and insights into coaching youth sports. The conversation explores the delicate balance between being a parent and a coach, highlighting how their personal experiences in sports ha...

In this episode of The SPORTi Podcast, host Laura interviews Dr. Richard Bucciarelli, founder of @ speedtraining.ca  Speed Training Lab in Vaughan, and a professor at the University of Guelph-Humber. With a background in training athletes in professional soccer and national levels, and a PhD in exercise physiology and biomechanics, Dr. Bucciarelli shares his journey from athlete to coach and resea...

In this edition of the SPORTi Huddle, host Laura chats with triathlete, corporate professional, and supermom Angela about the ultimate juggling act – balancing a career, co-parenting to raise kids in competitive sports, and still making time for personal athletic goals: from Sprint Triathlons to Ironman and Marathon races. Angela shares insights on time management, training hacks, and the sacrific...

In this episode of The SPORTi Podcast , host Pam explores Everest Academy, a private sports-focused school in Vaughan, Ontario, that blends elite athletic training with strong academics for students in grades 4-12. The academy supports multi-sport athletes, with a staff of former pros, strength coaches, therapists, and mental health experts, ensuring balanced development on and off the ice or fiel...

In this first edition of The SPORTi Huddle , hosts Laura and Pam kick off a casual conversation reflecting on their busy weekends filled with youth sports. They share personal experiences, discuss the challenges of winter travel for games, and talk about the importance of sportsmanship, injuries, and athlete development.

In this episode, Laura chats with longtime soccer mom Jane about the landscape of youth soccer in Ontario, including the differences between boys' and girls' development paths, the sanctioned vs. unsanctioned leagues, and the various pathways to professional and national-level soccer. They discuss the OPDL (Ontario Player Development League), the rise of unsanctioned leagues, the importance of tec...

In this episode of The SPORTi Podcast, we dive into the evolving world of youth hockey with special guest Jamie Stone, co-founder, president, and commissioner of the Klevr Super League. Jamie shares his journey as a hockey parent navigating the traditional system, the impact of Hockey Canada’s changes, and how these challenges led to the creation of a new, unsanctioned league that’s changing the g...

In this episode, Pam sits down with Paul Macchia, a seasoned hockey coach and founder of Pro Vision Sports Management Agency. Paul shares his journey from volunteering as a young coach to developing players at both the boys' and girls' AAA levels. He discusses insights into building strong hockey programs, navigating player development, and his transition to creating a global sports manage...

In this heartfelt episode of the SPORTi Podcast, hosts Pam and Laura delve into their personal stories, reflecting on how their Chilean roots and immigrant experiences shaped their upbringing and ultimately influenced their approach to parenting athletes in Canada. With a 12-year age gap, the sisters recount vastly different childhoods: Laura, immersed in a Canadian upbringing with early exposure...

Get ready to dive into an eye-opening episode packed with practical advice for parents of young athletes! Pam and Vanesa bring the energy as they explore how to navigate the world of specialized school programs that blend academics and elite sports training. With personal stories, insider tips, and real-world examples, this episode will leave you feeling empowered and informed. Whether you're...

In this episode, Laura is joined by soccer coach Eddie and club manager Nadia, a dynamic duo revitalizing grassroots soccer in Toronto's Jane and Finch community. They discuss their journey to rebuild the historic Colo-Colo Toronto soccer club, the importance of making sports accessible, and how they engage the community through inclusive programs for boys and girls. Eddie and Nadia share inspirin...

In this episode of The SPORTi Podcast, host Laura dives into the world of youth sports with special guest Sly Walters, an athletic specialist and sports psychologist from Ternion Fitness and Athletics in Mississauga. Sly shares powerful insights into building mental resilience, holistic fitness, and injury prevention for young athletes. Learn how to balance sports-specific training, mental well-be...

In the debut episode of the SPORTi Podcast, hosts Pam, Vanesa, and Laura introduce their mission to support parents navigating the complexities of youth sports. Sharing personal experiences, they highlight challenges such as understanding different levels of play, accessing resources, and managing the lack of readily available information for parents unfamiliar with the sports landscape in the Gre...