The Calgary Sessions with Jeff Humphreys

What does it take to lose the business you built from scratch and then come back to create an even bigger success? This week, we sit down with Hailey Seidel, the founder of Calgary’s luxury pet hotel, The Petropolitan, for a masterclass in resilience, branding, and grit.For 20 years, Hailey has been a force in the pet care industry, but her path was anything but straight. Her journey started by accident when she launched a simple dog walking business to solve a personal need. That small venture quickly exploded, leading her to take a massive risk at age 25: signing a lease on a 20,000-square-foot facility. But just as her business thrived, her personal life entered a period of turmoil that ultimately resulted in her being forced to sell the company she poured her life into. Instead of walking away, Hailey channeled that experience into a new vision, identifying a gap in the market for high-end pet care and building The Petropolitan from the ground up.In this episode, you will learn:• How to turn a personal problem into a viable business idea without a formal plan.• The mindset required to take massive risks, like when Hailey leased a giant warehouse as a 25-year-old entrepreneur.• The unfiltered story of navigating the sale of a business during a difficult personal separation and how to pivot from rock bottom.• Why finding and dominating a niche—like creating "The Fairmont for Dogs"—is a powerful strategy for standing out in a crowded market.• Hailey’s "Choose Your Own Adventure" philosophy for embracing wrong turns and building a career on your own terms.This is a raw and honest conversation about the un-glamorous reality of entrepreneurship and what it truly means to have "Calgary Grit".How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.ca⁠Hailey Seidel - https://www.thepetropolitan.caPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.ca⁠Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

What if the key to unlocking your highest potential wasn't about pushing harder, but about becoming more authentic? My guest this week, Kayti Simonson, shares her profound journey from a high-achieving lawyer and athlete running on adrenaline to a resilient competitor guided by energy and intuition.Kayti is a Calgary-based lawyer and three-time HYROX world championship competitor who seemed to have it all figured out. But after hitting a "brick wall" of burnout , she was forced to confront the emotional suppression that had fueled her success for years. In this raw and honest conversation, Kayti opens up about the messy work of feeling your emotions, why she believes "balance is a myth" for high-performers , and how learning to stop lying to herself became the catalyst for profound change.In this episode, you will learn about:• Kayti’s foundational roots in Calgary and the mountains that ground her.• The "Pick Your Hard" philosophy and why she believes luck has nothing to do with success.• The myth of balance and the true cost of high achievement in athletics and law.• Hitting the "brick wall": The story of Kayti's burnout and the decision to finally face her emotions .• The journey from a self-described "control freak" to learning the power of surrender.• Her belief that authenticity is directly linked to the energy you put out into the world.This conversation is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs come after the biggest breakdowns.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.ca⁠Kayti Simonson - https://www.instagram.com/kaytisimonsonPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.ca⁠Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

I've always been fascinated by the moments that change everything. Not the big goals we set, but the unexpected turns that truly define us. My guest this week, Cari Din, calls these powerful moments "interruptions".Cari is an Olympic silver medalist in artistic swimming and an award-winning Kinesiology professor. She was incredibly open about her journey, from the intense focus of being an elite athlete to the disorienting identity crisis that hit after leaving the pool for good. She described her life going from a single, straight arrow to "hundreds of tiny arrows that had no direction".In our conversation, we chatted about:• The mindset of a "quiet competitor" and the joy of outworking the competition.• What happens when your entire identity disappears overnight.• Building a "Bank of Trust" to become a more effective leader.• Why parenting is harder than winning an Olympic medal.• How to find a new purpose when you feel completely lost.This is an honest look at resilience, reinvention, and what it truly means to build a life on your own terms. It’s a conversation that will stick with you.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.ca⁠Cari Din - https://profiles.ucalgary.ca/cari-dinPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.ca⁠Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

What if the biggest risks lead to the most meaningful rewards? My guest this week, Christine Goudie, is the definition of that question. As the Co-founder and CEO of Granville Biomedical, she has forged a unique path driven by a desire to use her design skills for good, starting with a one-way ticket out of Newfoundland with just $250 in her pocket.In our chat, Christine took me through her incredible journey through multiple cities, schools, and startups, all in pursuit of a career with purpose. We explored the pivotal moments that shaped her mission to serve overlooked communities—from a bar conversation that sparked a passion for designing innovative wheelchair seating to co-founding a company that tackles taboos in women's health. Her story is a powerful lesson in the relentless, unsexy grind of building something that matters and the mental shift required to turn fear into fuel.In this episode, we cover:• Leaving home with only $250 and no safety net. • Her "pie-eating contest" analogy for the entrepreneurial grind. • The pivotal pub chat that changed her entire career path. • Tackling taboos in women’s health with Granville Biomedical. • Shifting from a fear of failure to asking, "But what if it works out?". If you're looking for a dose of real, unfiltered inspiration to chase your own thing, this episode is for you.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.ca⁠Christine Goudie - https://www.granvillebiomedical.caPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.ca⁠Podcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

What does it mean to shape ideas for a living?In this episode, Shelley reflects on what it takes to shape meaningful ideas, how to trust your gut in creative decisions, and what it feels like to stay curious over time. Her stories reveal how culture takes shape through consistent and thoughtful choices.A few themes that run through the episode:• Creating space for conversations that matter• Making decisions under pressure and scrutiny• Trusting instinct without needing validation• Why live storytelling still resonates• How Calgary shapes and challenges creative people• What curiosity looks like later in lifeA thoughtful look at creative leadership, culture, and staying engaged with the world around you.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caShelley Youngblut - www.instagram.com/youngblutshelleyPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Jamie Parker didn’t plan to become an entrepreneur. He worked a lot of jobs, spent time on wildfire crews, and started roasting coffee in a garage before anything looked like a business.That business became Canadian Heritage Roasting Company.This episode isn’t about overnight success. It’s about figuring things out by doing the work, staying committed when there’s no clear payoff, and navigating personal challenges along the way.We talked about building something from scratch, learning without a roadmap, and the quiet moments that shape what comes next.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caJamie Parker - https://canadianheritageroastingco.comPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Marco Carducci is still in the game, competing at a high level, leading on and off the field, and figuring it out as he goes. In this episode, Marco reflects on what it took to make it in pro soccer, what nearly pulled him away from it, and how he's found a healthier way to thrive without losing himself in the process.He opens up about growing up in Calgary, the pressures of early success, the identity trap many athletes face, and the quiet moments that helped him reset. From youth academies to the Canadian Premier League, Marco’s story is one of early sacrifice, personal growth, and learning how to play the long game in sport and in life.Whether you're an athlete, a parent, or someone navigating high-performance environments, there’s something in this story for you.We talk about:• How identity affects performance and longevity• Lessons from burnout, pressure, and purpose|• The rise of soccer in Calgary and across Canada• The balance between chasing wins and building impact• What it means to lead while still learningIt’s a grounded look at what it takes to keep showing up, stay connected, and build something that lasts.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caMarco Carducci - https://www.instagram.com/mcarducci96Podcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Trent McClellan didn’t step on stage until he was 30. No plan, no roadmap. Just a feeling he couldn’t ignore.We talked about what it took to go from a full-time day job to late-night open mics, touring small towns across Alberta, and eventually landing on 22 Minutes. Trent shared the less visible side of his career. The mental discipline. The self-doubt. The pressure to define success without tying your identity to it.This episode touches on creative risk, purpose, men’s mental health, and what it means to trust yourself when there’s nothing to prove it will work.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caTrent McClellan - https://trentscomedy.comPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Crystal was chasing the Olympics when she was diagnosed with MS. What came next was unexpected, but the way she handled it shaped everything that followed.In this episode, we talked about competing at a high level, what it’s like to face a sudden diagnosis, and why Crystal started rethinking the healthcare system from the inside. We also got into the early days of the Branch Out Foundation and the mindset shift that helped her turn a personal challenge into something bigger.This one’s about resilience, curiosity, and what happens when you follow your instincts, even when the path isn’t clear.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caCrystal Phillips - https://branchoutfoundation.comPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Dr. Karen MacNeill and I talk about what it really takes to perform under pressure. Whether you’re an athlete, leader, or just someone trying to keep it together in tough moments.She shares honest stories about setbacks, the mindset shift from fear to freedom, and how mental fitness makes the difference when it counts. We talk about resilience, finding balance, and why clarity and purpose matter more than ever.This one’s for anyone curious about high-pressure performance, real leadership, and navigating the twists and turns of personal growth.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caDr. Karen MacNeill - https://macneillperformance.comPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Ross has done a lot in his life: firefighter, nurse, musician, speaker, and now the host of a TV show. What really stood out was how all those parts of his story came together.We talked about service, identity, and the tension between being who you are and who you're expected to be. Ross shared what it’s like to discover his Métis roots later in life, the lessons that come from frontline work, and how music gave him space to finally be himself.If you’ve ever tried to balance different sides of who you are, or felt like you didn’t fit into just one box, this one hits home.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caRoss MEMPHIS Pambrun - https://rosspambrun.caPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

I sat down with Nicole Robertson, a journalist and founder of Muskwa Productions, to talk about where her voice comes from and how she’s used it to tell hard stories for nearly 30 years.With Cree and Scottish roots, she spoke about growing up between cultures and the early experiences that shaped her sense of identity. We talked about the loss of her childhood friend Neil Stonechild, her early reporting on residential school survivors, and why she built a media company to ensure Indigenous stories are told by the people living them. She also shared how grounding practices, time in nature, and ceremony help her stay connected to the work.The episode explores journalism, identity, responsibility, and the long path to telling stories that matter.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caNicole Robertson - https://muskwaproductions.comPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

In this episode, I sit down with Emma Harding, a voice coach and artist development expert who grew up backstage in the British rock scene and later built a creative life in Calgary.We get into what it really means to unlock your true voice, how healing your past can change your performance, and why community matters more than chasing perfection.We also talk about ADHD, imposter syndrome, and the impact of neuroscience and trauma on creativity.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caEmma Harding - https://www.rockitvocalstudios.comPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Daniel Plenzik built a steady career as an electrical engineer before deciding to leave it behind. What started as a personal passion for winemaking turned into a full-on commitment to craft spirits, leading to a Calgary distillery that quietly produced the best brandy in the world.We talked about what it really takes to step away from security, how long-term thinking shapes every decision, and why building something meaningful often means doing it the hard way.This one’s about passion, patience, and choosing to build something most people won’t notice until much later.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caDaniel Plenzik - https://bridgelanddistillery.comPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Tom has built a life around work ethic, stability, and solving big problems. But in recent years, he started asking harder questions about what he actually wanted—and whether the safe path was still the right one.In this episode, we talk about what it means to walk away from structure, how creativity shows up in business, and why being second-in-command can be a strength. Tom opens up about the cost of doing things you're good at but don’t love, the pull to make art later in life, and the tension between building stability and chasing truth.We also get into imposter syndrome, abstract art in Calgary, and how AI might shape the future of leadership.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caTom McCaffery - https://tworiver.caPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Dan Allard helped start Cold Garden, one of Calgary’s most recognizable breweries.In this episode, we talk about how it came together, what drove the decisions behind it, and why building something a little different felt important. It’s a look at business, identity, and what it means to create something that reflects your values.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caDan Allard -https://coldgarden.caPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

I didn’t know Scott before this episode, but his story left a mark. He built Crescent Point from scratch, led for 18 years, and eventually stepped away. We talked about the pressure of being a young CEO, the impact of government policy on Calgary’s energy sector, and the moments where everything could’ve gone sideways.What stood out most was how much of his leadership style came from unlikely places—NHL locker rooms, family dinner tables, and quiet conversations with mentors. He built a culture where trust wasn’t just a word, and he’s still applying those lessons today as an entrepreneur, mentor, and now a published author.This one covers a lot: leadership, letting go, risk, reinvention, writing, and why culture really does matter. Especially when it’s built on friendship.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caScott Saxberg - https://scottsaxberg.comPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Most careers follow a straight path. Kathy Macdonald’s didn’t.She started as a fitness instructor, then became a police officer, then a cybercrime expert and keynote speaker. At every turn, she faced setbacks—like failing the police fitness test twice—but kept pushing forward.We talk about reinvention, resilience, and how small decisions lead to unexpected careers. Kathy shares how policing shaped her, why public speaking became her next challenge, and why most people hesitate before taking life-changing opportunities.This conversation was about adapting, pushing through failure, and recognizing the moments that shape us.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caKathy Macdonald - https://kathymacdonald.caPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

Kate Ryan’s path wasn’t typical. Growing up in a turbulent home, she learned early how to adapt and figure things out on her own. At 16, she left, chasing something bigger than the life she knew. That decision took her across the world, where she discovered circus arts, built a career, and eventually founded her own entertainment company.We get into what it takes to carve out a creative career from nothing—the struggle, the setbacks, and the relentless work behind the highlight reel. Kate shares what it was like navigating the gig economy, competing in an industry that prioritizes hustle over stability, and learning to balance passion with sustainability.A conversation about resilience, trust, and the mindset it takes to build a life on your own terms.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caKate Ryan- https://www.kateryancircus.comPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com

In Episode 157 of The Calgary Sessions, I sit down with Calgary-based artist Amy Dryer for a real conversation about the creative process, self-doubt, and building a career in art. We talk about the early experiences that shaped her, the discipline she carried over from sports, and the persistence needed to carve out space in a competitive industry.Amy shares what it’s like to balance creativity with the realities of making a living, and how she found confidence in her work over time.This episode is an honest look at the ups and downs of being an artist and what it takes to keep going.How To Connect:Jeff Humphreys - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jeffhumphreys.caAmy Dryer - http://www.fragmentsofsoul.comPodcast Location - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.modelmilk.caPodcast Production - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortlinecreative.com