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The Rose of Tralee - shared by Katie Dooley the Western Canadian Chair.

Any Irish blood in your veins? Even if it is a small %, you can enter. Katie tells us about the event, from firsthand experience. It starts with a wild March weekend with the winner going to Ireland. It is a pretty big deal. Take a listen. Let anyone with some Irish blood know

About The Rose of Tralee,

As one of the Center Coordinators for the Western Canada Rose of Tralee, Katie Dooley is passionate about empowering young women and celebrating Irish heritage. Having applied for the role of Western Canada Rose herself in her 20s, she deeply understands the excitement and honour of being part of this tradition.

Katie is dedicated to creating opportunities for ambitious women to shine. She loves witnessing women connect with their culture and be recognized for their talents and achievements. Last year, she travelled to Tralee, Ireland, to experience the Rose of Tralee International Festival firsthand, a journey that deepened her appreciation for this global celebration of Irish culture.

Whether mentoring potential Roses or coordinating meaningful events, Katie champions the values of community, empowerment, and heritage. She brings boundless enthusiasm and a heartfelt commitment to ensuring this tradition continues to inspire and connect women across Western Canada and beyond.

https://roseoftralee.ie

https://roseoftralee.ie/apply-to-the-rose-of-tralee/

https://www.facebook.com/westerncanadarose

About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, and expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/

Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - myofficemedia@gmail.com

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Jane Duncan, a 67-year-old dancer and educator, shares insights on her life and careers. She always knew she was a dancer, starting when she was 11. For her, dance was a healing and power source. While she cherished it, always seeing herself as a dancer, she changed careers, got degrees and flourished. She shares her mentors and how they changed her life. She now volunteers with an organization that accredits fire organizations. All her life lessons she lays out.

Jane Duncan: Dancer, Educator, Contributor

As is the case for most dancers, we have a knowing from an early age that we are dancers. The blessing with that knowing, is that we always know who we are no matter who old, fat, or infirm we may become. I stopped trying to make my living as a dancer in my mid to late twenties but since then, I have danced on the edges of my life. In addition to dance as a primary definer, so is education. I have been an educator of adults since I was barely an adult myself beginning as a dance educator at Mount Royal College. At that time one of my students said to me, “Jane, what you are is an educator.” I was mortally offended! I thought, “I am a dancer!!” The student was right, though. I am also an educator. This understanding culminated in earning a doctorate in adult education and higher education leadership and lead me from teaching in post-secondary to administering education in emergency services to fulfill the need for a new challenge. This experience resulted in an invitation to be appointed as a volunteer for an emergency services accreditation body. I have been contributing to that cause beginning in 2008. I have been given many gifts and giving back is what I am called to do.

About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, and expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/

Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - myofficemedia@gmail.com

Send us a text

Henriette shares how being an introvert made immigrating from Holland at 35 with young children a bigger challenge than for most. She had language issues and job difficulties. Her family stepped away from religion, to the disapproval of her Holland family. She talks about how naive they were about Canada. The evolution of beliefs, personal growth and resilience. Her passion for cars. Her unique volunteer work helping new mothers care for twins and triplets. It is a unique and diverse conversation with many insights on an immigrant’s view of Canada and belonging.


Henriette Bio
I moved to Calgary from The Netherlands with my husband and 2 sons in 2002. I struggled to find a job, being strangely over-qualified yet under-educated as immigrants often are, doing all kinds of different things and even dabbling with entrepreneurship, which did not suit me at all. In 2017, I retired and started taking courses in Sociology and, later, Women’s Gender studies at Athabasca University to learn about Canadian society and culture. If I am not taking a course, I work as a volunteer with AHS to help out families with newborn twins or triplets in their homes. I read lots of books, but also a Dutch newspaper, CBC.ca and Al Jazeera. My “motto” is: ”Explore everything, discard what is bad and integrate into your life what is good.” I am an avid traveller and Reiki Master. I love modern art. I make all important decisions using my intuition. I recently started painting after encouragement from my lovely and artistic daughters-in-law.

Some words to describe me? Woman, thinker, feminist, student of and for life, introvert, reader, open-minded and fashionable.

About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, and expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/

Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - myofficemedia@gmail.com

Send us a text

Katie shares some personal insights with Mark. She tells about life advice a babysitter gave her 10-year-old self that still guides her. How a dancing instructor became a role model for a designer. Her love and advice on travelling as a single woman. Katie shares the power of being nice, giving back, and working hard. The personality traits she cherishes and those she wishes she had. Katie even talked about a plan for an extensive, well-designed obituary. This chat is funny and unexpected at times but always insightful.

Katie Dooley Bio
She is an award-winning branding expert and the creative force behind Paper Lime Creative. With a decade of experience in graphic design, she specializes in helping businesses craft authentic, eye-catching identities that resonate with their audiences. Her passion for bold, innovative design and strategic storytelling has earned her accolades in the industry, making her a trusted partner for clients looking to elevate their brands.

In addition to her work in branding, Katie co-hosts The Holy Watermelon, a comparative religious studies podcast that explores beliefs, practices, and the fascinating stories behind the world’s religions. Through this platform, she brings curiosity complex conversations, engaging listeners with humor and insight.

A former competitor at the North American Irish Dance Championships, Katie has a lifelong connection to her Irish heritage. She’s also an avid traveler who finds inspiration in solo adventures, discovering new cultures, and immersing herself in diverse perspectives.

With creativity, curiosity, and a passion for connection at the heart of everything she does, Katie inspires others to think boldly, embrace new ideas, and celebrate what makes them unique.

Reach out to Katie at:
https://www.instagram.com/paperlimecreative/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieadooley/
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/holy-watermelon/id1534587756

About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, and expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/

Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - myofficemedia@gmail.com

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Mark chats with Jennifer Keable, a heart-led entrepreneur passionate about redefining success and a work-life balance that avoids burnout. Jennifer shares her journey from corporate burnout to being life-centred in her most exciting new version of her.

Jennifer shares her terror and the power of saying no to reclaim control of her time and energy.

Mark explores how her daily breath work and meditation opened her emotional awareness.

They chat about her core beliefs and how they have served her and matched her mentors. Mark and Jennifer get into creating meaningful connections, overcoming societal expectations while creating a life aligned with their core values.

Jennifer talks about her family support and her “aha” moment when everything changed.

We think you will enjoy this conversation and have some powerful takeaways. Maybe even find your own “Aha!” moment.

Bio Jennifer Keable
Jennifer is a highly regarded Burnout Prevention & Well-Being Expert with a BA in Psychology and a proven track record in guiding professionals through burnout prevention and well-being enhancement. Drawing from her own experiences as a two-time burnout veteran, Jennifer offers relatable, proven strategies that resonate deeply with clients. With over four years as a 1:1 coach, speaker and consultant, she has helped 85% of her clients achieve job promotions, greater work-life balance, and serious health gains. Her corporate clients describe their sessions as a refreshing space to gain perspective and strategize in ways that day-to-day demands don't allow, enabling them to build resilience and actionable plans that boost retention.
Jennifer has presented for iconic industry leaders, including Shell, BMO, Cargill sharing transformative insights to elevate both personal and professional growth.
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Looking to elevate your personal and professional life? Check out Jennifer's resources. They include a daily/weekly planner to help you increase your effectiveness, breathwork practices for enhanced energy, and powerful journaling prompts to fuel your personal growth.

https://jenniferkeable.com/free-resources/
Looking forward to wherever our conversation takes us!

About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, and expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/

Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - myofficemedia@gmail.com

Send us a text

In this episode of Fascinating Women, Mark chats with Laura Watson, a business coach, competitive ballroom dancer, and expert communicato. She shares her journey of personal growth, driven by her desire to serve and lead others. She reflects on the guiding beliefs that shape her life, including the importance of service and walking her talk, even in difficult conversations. Laura reveals how ballroom dancing and a nude portrait session with Mark stretched her comfort zone. In dancing she rose to world champion trophy holder.

She also discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, communication mastery, and balancing family life with her passions. Her insights into mental and emotional mastery provide valuable lessons for business leaders and parents alike. Laura’s reflections on embracing possibility and self-acceptance offer a powerful message of transformation and growth.



Laura Watson Bio:
Laura is the founder and lead business coach at Venture Coaching International in Calgary, AB. With over 25 years of counselling and coaching experience, she helps business owners and executives across North America to improve their personal, communication and leadership effectiveness.

Laura graduated with an MSW from the University of Calgary and received her coaching certification from CoachU and the International Coach Federation. The Calgary Association of Professional Coaches and the Universal Women’s Network recognized her expertise and commitment to personal mastery.

About Laura Watson
Laura has dedicated her career over the past 30 years to helping people be the best they can be! She is an award-winning coach, wife, mother and World Country Dance Champion.

Laura's "secret sauce" is helping people bridge theory to practice. She takes challenging business, leadership and communication concepts and breaks them down into practical and useable ideas and action steps.

Laura is also a "whole person" coach. She knows that business leaders are people first who wrestle with all sorts of issues. Laura not only helps people on the business side but also on the personal side. It's common for Laura to discuss business issues one day and addictions, parenting, and infidelity the next.

Laura is an articulate speaker eager to provide audiences with value. She will ensure your audience receives value and key takeaways they can use immediately in their personal and business lives.

Connect with Laura
PH: 403-669-8684
http://venturecoaching.ca
laura@venturecoaching.ca
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurawatson/
https://www.facebook.com/laurawatsons/
https://www.youtube.com/@venturecoachinginternational

About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, and expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/

Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - myofficemedia@gmail.com

Send us a text

In this captivating episode of *Fascinating Women*, Mark Laurie sits down with his long-time friend, Lara Jickles, for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation. Lara opens up about the profound experiences that have shaped her, including the tragic loss of her baby sister and how it fueled her rebellious spirit. From her adventures as an international nude model and high-wire suspension worker to her current role as a personal trainer and district manager for Arbonne, Lara's journey is anything but ordinary.

She shares her insights on the importance of self-acceptance, a positive mindset, and the power of vulnerability combined with fearlessness. Lara's ability to connect deeply with others shines through as she discusses the lessons she's learned and the resilience she's cultivated.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration from a woman who has truly lived life on her own terms.
It is a remarkable conversation.

Lara Bio
Hello, my name is Lara Jickels, a wild child who is trying to find the best version of herself while navigating being a wife, stepmom and new mom. I come from an adventurous past, which has made me the unique individual I am today! I am unfiltered, spicy, and definitely see the world differently than most.

Like what you hear?
Feel free to follow me on Instagram @theprettykittylife
You can DM on Instagram for information on Arbonne products or sales opportunities.

About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, and expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/

Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - myofficemedia@gmail.com

Send us a text

Jennifer discusses personal growth, inspiration, and mindfulness. Shes shared experiences on embracing challenges, taking risks, and overcoming imposter syndrome. Jennifer emphasizes the value of education and healing, going deeply into her yoga philosophy and Buddhist teachings. She discusses navigating the gray area of life and business, with a focus on self-confidence and mindfulness. Jennifer talks about her challenges of modelling and the importance of breathwork in finding meaning and fulfillment.

Jennifer works as a Registered Massage Therapist and Lymphatic Drainage Therapist in Calgary, Chestermere and Langdon. She can offer cupping at all the locations and low-light laser therapy in Chestermere. She is a “no-nonsense” provider, which means that she does ae treatments she lot of research in her own time to make sure the treatement she provides are effective and evidence-based.
Jennifer's future plans are as exciting as her present work. She will be completing 100 hours of training in 2024 in lymphatic drainage, a significant milestone that will allow her to treat complicated cases of lymphedema and help clients with compromised lymph systems, possibly due to cancer or injury. This commitment to continuous learning and improvement is a testament to her dedication to her client's well-being.
She is a mom to an amazing 18-year-old and recently engaged to her partner Carrie, who lives in Kimberley, BC. You can also find her teaching therapeutic yoga classes in Calgary, and she has an extensive library of classes online.

LInks:
www.jenniferstrukoff.com
https://www.instagram.com/yogakitty/
www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-strukoff-0960b174

Jennifer Strukoff

Registered Massage Therapist - Lymphatic Drainage Therapist
Certified Yoga Instructor 500+ hours
403-830-5668 www.jenniferstrukoff.com

About Mark Laurie - Host.
Mark has been transforming how women see themselves, enlarging their sense of sexy, and expanding their confidence in an exciting adventure that is transformational photography.
http://innerspiritphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/innerspiritphotography/

Sound Production by:
Lee Ellis - myofficemedia@gmail.com