Meet Tracey! Tracey is originally from Ontario and has been living here in Kelowna for 22 years. She enjoys taking advantage of the countless year-round activities that the Okanagan has to offer and spending some quality time adventuring with her children.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
Originally I have from Barrie, ON but have lived in Kelowna for 22 years.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My kids as they are adventurous, fun and love to try new things.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Parlour Ice Cream. I am an avid ice cream eater and love that their ice cream is locally sourced and made in house. Plus, their Matcha ice cream is to die for.
Describe yourself in one word.
Adventurous.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Back to Africa. Africa touched my heart when I travelled there and want to go back with my children and volunteer as a physiotherapist.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
It's a tie between snowboarding and Dragon Boating (I have to cover all the seasons!)
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Doing an entire presentation to my staff and later realizing that the zipper of my pants was down the whole time.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Last week, I lost a friend and dragon boat teammate as he was tragically killed in a car accident on the way to our festival in Harrison. Our team and club decided to race in his honor. On our last race, we were met with hundreds of paddlers that held up their paddles for us to walk through. They cried, hugged and supported us through this journey. I was so touched and inspired by the human spirit by so many strangers. The support that we received from the Dragon Boat Community was overwhelming.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I used to competitively swim. My parents supported me through 10 years of racing and got up before dawn on hundreds of occasions to take me to practice. I loved finishing a race to look over at my parents and see the pride in their faces. I knew that in those moments that all that they had sacrificed for me was worth it.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I am on the organizing committee for the Annual Autism Walk and am the Master of Ceremonies for this event. I volunteer as a Team Manager for soccer with the Okanagan Football and Thompson Okanagan Football Clubs. I volunteer for my children's schools and just took the Grade 6 class to camp in June and helped to plan their Grade 6 celebration. I have also been a Girl Guide Leader and a coach for Special Olympics.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I always tell people that I am busy saving the world. To do this, it would be to create more kindness. I believe that this would solve so many conflicts and create better relationships.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Big White of course. I love to go with my family and friends but there are times that the powder is calling me alone. I cherish the times when it is me alone in the trees with some fresh champagne powder.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
To continue events and services that create a community and are inclusive to all individuals especially to those that are new to Kelowna. To preserve the beauty of Kelowna, limit the amount of development and high rises.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
I think we are very unique to have a playground 12 months a year that so many people can enjoy, from the lake to the ski hills and the wineries. Why would you live anywhere else?
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Scuba Diving with Great White Sharks (yes, really!)
Traveling to Japan (I am set to do this in January)
Take my family to Africa
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I won Miss Teen Queen when I was 13 and completely froze on stage with my speech.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Facebook (I am a big poster), Instagram and LinkedIn.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Hawthorn Health Associates.
Why did you get into/start this business?
I have been running a physiotherapy business for seniors for 17 years now. It started off with taking one client to help a friend and I realized how much I loved working with seniors and never looked back. I worked at both UBC and OC on health & wellbeing and believe that this is a critical component to any workplace.
What is the goal of your business?
To support and promote health and improve quality of life.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Having employers support positive mental health in the workplace as there is still a lot of stigma around mental illness.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would have started my own business early on in my career.
What do you always find yourself saying?
"Be your best self."
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
"Try to see things from other peoples' point of view and meet them where they are at."
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I have received local and national awards for my work on Mental Health in the Workplace but I am an honourary counselor at Blue Lake Camp and won the Random Acts of Kindness Award two years in a row and "The Sweetest Lady on Earth", now that is cool!
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
It's important to shop and buy locally both from a health and economic perspective. Eat healthily and support our community, it's that simple.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
My Dad. I have so much respect for him and the person he has made me. He is my biggest idol.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Tara Godwin for all of her community work especially her volunteering at Glenmore Elementary.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Tara Godwin
Some general comments I would like to share are:
I love Kelowna and the community we have. I love to share our beauty with anyone that comes to visit. My goal is to make it a more supportive and healthier community.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!
