100AwesomePeople Podcast

The Unbreakable Spirit: David Dittrich's Gift of Connection

Join us for a truly heartwarming episode as we chat with David Dittrich, a remarkable man from Kelowna, British Columbia, who's turning a personal challenge into a profound gift for others. Years ago, a devastating horse accident left David facing the terrifying prospect of paralysis. While he's made an incredible recovery, that life-altering event shifted his perspective, leading him to an unexpected passion: crafting beautiful, sturdy walking sticks.

But here's the truly special part: David doesn't sell these sticks. He gives them away freely to anyone who might benefit from a little extra support, both physical and emotional.

In this conversation, David shares how the meticulous process of making each stick has been a form of therapy for him. More importantly, he speaks eloquently about the immense value of simply having someone to talk to. For many recipients, that walking stick becomes an icebreaker, a reason to share their own stories, and a powerful symbol that someone cares.

David's story is a beautiful reminder that even in the aftermath of trauma, incredible good can emerge. It highlights the profound impact of human connection, the comfort found in shared vulnerability, and how a handmade gift, given with an open heart, can truly make a difference in someone's day – and perhaps even their life.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. How a life-altering accident led David to discover a new purpose.

2. The therapeutic power of crafting for healing and reflection.

3. Why David chooses to give away his handmade walking sticks.

4. The incredible value of simple conversations and genuine human connection.

5. How a small act of kindness can create significant impact.

Listen in to be inspired by David's generosity and his message about the power of just reaching out.

If you want to connect with David, you may need to exercise a little creativity and patience and actually get some exercise by heading to Knox Mountain to find him.

🎉For more episodes, follow along @100AwesomePeople on any of our socials.

❤️ Support and all episodes found at www.100awesomepeople.com

And do hit the subscribe button and follow the @100AwesomePeople to be notified and stay conencted to the Awesome folks we feature!

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Justina LeeStolz

Paper Trail with Luke Howe and Chelsey Simmons

Students at Okanagan College are tackling waste and warming hearths with their award-winning "Papertrail" project. This EnactusOC initiative ingeniously transforms unrecyclable books and beeswax into eco-friendly fire bricks. Environmentally, it means less paper in landfills and a cleaner-burning alternative to traditional firewood. Socially, Papertrail provides an affordable energy source, with aspirations to be able to ship to more remote communities globally, providing a clean burning alternative to traditional fossil fuel materials. All the while, empowering students to make a tangible difference in the world today and to come.

Listen in and learn on today's episode about all the different ways that books are being revitalized into new products that can be added to your survival kits, your camping gear or just to keep your home toasty warm in the cooler months.

Follow along with the Paper Trail crew through their:

1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papertrail.ok/ or

2. Website: www.papertrailok.ca 

And do hit the subscribe button and follow the @100AwesomePeople to be notified and stay conencted to the Awesome folks we feature!

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Justina LeeStolz

#100AwesomePeople #nowyouknow #community #giversgain #paperwaste #reducereuserecycle #repurpose #books #firebricks #cleanenergy

Jason Ranchoux on Scientists in School

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Today, there are some incredible not-for-profit organizations, like Scientists in School, which are helping to provide exploration opportunities of various subject matters in life to help the next generation get closer to actually discovering the illusive answer to that age old question that never seems to actually get old. Scientists in School focus on offering S.T.E.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) workshops to grade school students to have fun in these topics and find out if there’s a deeper interest in exploring these matters further.

Listen in and learn on today's episode about all the different ways you can get involved either as a supporter, instructor or collaborator to support the awesome, charitable work that Scientists in School is bringing to school districts across the country!

Follow along with Scientists in School through their:

1. Instagram: @sci_in_school/, or

2. Website: https://scientistsinschool.ca/

And do hit the subscribe button and follow the @100AwesomePeople to be notified and stay conencted to the Awesome folks we feature!

Connect. Local. Community.

Justina LeeStolz

Mike Greer on Elevation Outdoors

No matter your background, economic status or how you identify, Elevation Outdoors is designed to be inclusive to all youth who want to explore the great outdoors, but don't know where to start or how to get there. 

Listen in and learn on today's episode about all the different ways you can get involved either as a participant, volunteer, donor or collaborator to support the amazing, not-for-profit work that Elevation Outdoors is doing to bring accessibility and experience to youth with a passion for outdoor sports. 

Follow along on Elevation Outdoors journey through their:

• Instagram: @elevationoutdoors, or
• Website: www.elevationoutdoors.ca

And do hit the subscribe button and follow along with this project to be notified and stay on top of the Awesome folks we connect with!

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Justina LeeStolz

#100AwesomePeople #nowyouknow #kindness #giving #community #elevationoutdoors #sports #nature

Shannon Christensen on Mamas for Mamas

If you have ever wondered how Mom-superpowers work, this episode will give you insights in to the mindset of a #BossMom who is passionate about Kindness-as-Currency! Shannon managed to manifest and action her way to running an incredibly successful not-for-profit charity that supports single parents (not just mamas) across Canada and likely in a city near you!

To hear and learn more about Shannon and the Mamas for Mamas mission, have a listen to this episode and enjoy!

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Justina LeeStolz

#100AwesomePeople #nowyouknow #kindness #giving #mamasformamas #mamasforpapas #community #careculture #shareculture

Thanks as always to Lou Ducharme for his editing prowess.

Nick Pelletier on Athletic Endurance and Fundraising

If you have ever wondered how ultra-athletes manage to find the motivation and tenacity to excel in the ways that they do, this episode will give you insights in to the mindset that takes you to the next level! There are so many lessons and nuggets in here that can translate to your own athletic or business adventures to help accelerate your goals and achievements in 2022!

To hear and learn more about Nick Pelletier and the various endurance adventures he embarks on to raise funds for different projects and organizations in the community, have a listen to this episode and enjoy!

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Justina LeeStolz

#100AwesomePeople #nowyouknow #endurance #ultraathlete #doitforacause #communitycause

Thanks as always to Lou Ducharme for his editing prowess.

Christy St Jean on the Scotiabank Women Initiative

Women in business are a key part of a successful and thriving community and economy. It is through access to capital, education and mentorship that the bold and business-minded women of the world can grow and thrive to continue to evolve and shape our future. Thanks to forward thinking investment institutions, like Scotiabank, and the passionate humans who work there, like Christy St. Jean, the necessary building blocks to create a thriving business are available to those who seek them out! 

To hear and learn more about Christy St. Jean and what the Scotiabank’s Women Initiative is all about and the resources available to YOU, have a listen to this episode and enjoy!

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Justina LeeStolz

#100AwesomePeople #nowyouknow #womeninbusiness #womeninitiative #scotiabank

Thanks as always to Lou Ducharme for his editing prowess. 

Rebecca and Michael of You Are Collective

Mental well-being is gaining more and more traction these days as the once-taboo subject seeps it's way into main stream and popular media. Thanks to the many brave souls who have openly shared their struggles, challenges and triumphs as they navigate the waters of what it means to be mentally well in a tumultuous world these days. Two such people are Rebecca and Michael from You Are Collective, who has started this organization in an effort to help people speak more freely and respectfully about what means to live with or to overcome a mental health challenge. 

To hear and learn more about what the You Are Collective is all about and the big harry audacious goals they are striving towards, have a listen to this episode and enjoy!

Today's episode was sponsored in part by Kitchen Design Co. Check them out for all your kitchen and bath renovation ideas at kitchendesignco.ca.

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Justina LeeStolz

#100AwesomePeople #nowyouknow #photography #adventure #justdoit

Thanks as always to Lou Ducharme for his editing prowess. 

Mandy Lancaster on Capturing the World

Surround yourself with bold, innovative and inspiring people and there's just no way that it can't rub off on you. Mandy Lancaster (formerly Glinsbockel) is one such woman who will WOW you with the journeys and lessons she has embarked on and her utter sense of humility about it all. From global travel and documentation of the consequences of devastating natural disasters to using imagery to help strengthen the recovery and support victims of sexual and physical violence, Mandy is finding ways to connect you, visually, with the issues and realities of this world.

To hear and learn more about Mandy and the impact she has had and is having still, listen to this episode and enjoy!

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Justina LeeStolz

#100AwesomePeople #nowyouknow #photography #adventure #justdoit

Thanks as always to Lou Ducharme for his editing prowess. 

Ryan Lancaster and the Million Dollar Bus Project

There are dreams and goals that we plan to do one-day-some-day --- and then there are the dreams that we pursue to the Nth degree with passionate persistence. Ryan Lancaster is a man who took the one-day-some-day dreams and turned them into a passionate reality, first through his Scale My Life year, then his Button-to-Bus Challenge, the Beast-to-Bus challenge and eventually, the Million-Dollar-Bus Project. 

To hear and learn more about Ryan and the impact he is making not only in his own community, but in communities across Canada, listen in to this episode and subscribe for future inspirational episodes.

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Justina LeeStolz

#100AwesomePeople #nowyouknow #milliondollarbus #scalemylife #justdoit