Ned Phillips
Ned shares his love for ultrarunning and where his mind goes when faced with the immense physical and mental strain that comes along with it.
More Than Our Story
Greg Robertson
Greg Robertson shares his enthusiasm for the sport of triathlon, talks about the inspiration behind his first race, his current ambassadorship for the Somersault race series and his goals for 2023 and beyond.
Highlights
My first knowledge of triathlon came from the Sydney 2000 Olympics, it was the first time that triathlon was an event and Simon Whitfield had won the gold... I was watching with my stepmother who made a comment that triathlon is the pinnacle of sport. It became one of those core memories... I want to do that, I want to try that.
I was talking to a good friend of mine, and he was like, you know you can do all this stuff that you talk about doing. You don't need to say you can't just because you're a little bit bigger, you have that ability. You just need to do it.
Triathlons are all about being uncomfortable, it's not going to go perfect. It's not going to go to plan. Your races get canceled, injuries happen, medical reasons happen, life happens. It's just a matter of keeping the feet moving and keep on going.
Over this off season Somersault made a decision to do an ambassadorship with some of the people who had run their races that year. They have ambassadors who are high level athletes and then they have other athletes who are beginners such as me, who are just enthusiastic about the sport and want to get as many people involved. My job is to get people to learn more about the series. To get people to come out and try the sport... It's not about winning, it's about getting people doing the sport, it's about being accessible.
Not long after I’d signed up as an ambassador, I got a message from a woman who had seen me race. She had mentioned that she'd always wanted to do a triathlon but assumed it was only for very small, skinny, athletic people. She went down to the race to get a gauge of what type of people were doing this race and she saw a bunch of people who looked a lot like her, who were out there having a ton of fun, and made her realize that she could do it too.
When we get into these modes where you have these goals, it feels like if I take a break, it's going to hurt my abilities, my gains - it's important to give your body some time to just relax, heal up, and come back stronger.
I set a goal that before I turn 40, I want to do a full Ironman. So I have some time, but my goal this summer is to do a half iron.
Spreading positivity and being positive always helps other people. It's never a bad thing to be positive and to be fun.
Somersault
Eastern Ontario’s Largest Multisport Series.
Somersault is a race series, based in Ontario, Canada, that specializes in multisport and running events. Somersault has been producing events for over 35 years and has grown to now host thousands of athletes each year.
Our Values:
Safety – Above all, safety is our utmost priority. We are committed to ensuring that you are safe and supported in all of the phases of race day. Whether it is in water or on land, you will be supported by skilled safety teams.
Community – Our events serve as a gathering place for the running & multisport community. It is a community that lifts each other up and lends a hand when it is needed. We engage with our community continuously through seeking and responding to participant feedback and suggestions.
sFun – Why race days are so special – the buzzing energy at the start line and the pride and smiles at the finish. Fun is the reason why at the end of each race, you cannot wait for the next one!
Inclusion – No matter if it’s your first race or fiftieth, there is a place for you at Somersault events. We believe that triathlon, duathlon, and running are sports where everyone belongs. When you race with us, you are treated equitably, and always with respect.
Take a look at our upcoming events to see what we have in store.
People who want to do Somersault can contact Greg at @bigtriguyRFM.
Daniel
Daniel is an extremely curious person, a wealth of random knowledge and facts. Extremely passionate about a vast array of interests ranging from health to history, science to athletics, everything culinary and the list goes on. Trust us, you would want to be on his team for Trivial Pursuit.
Daniel is also years into his battle with brain cancer. He experienced a seizure while on a Zoom call at work in late 2020 and quite literally, his life changed within minutes. After his operation he started to talk about his story but had always known it was more than just him. From then, More Than Our Story became a PROJECT that has evolved into the starting point it is today.
Additional Profiles
Stephen Glaus
Stephen shares his story of grit and determination of how he battles multiple sclerosis and his journey to becoming a three time IRONMAN.
Eric Duplain
Eric Duplain defines generosity, kindness and selflessness, and possesses the sheer determination and talent to master whatever he sets his mind to.
Daniel Hight
The inaugural profile is none other than Daniel Hight, founder of More Than Our Story.
Michelle de Clair
Michelle juggles many roles with pride: mother, wife, volunteer, her career; yet she maintains a humble, quiet resiliency, as a daily reminder of the dangers of COVID-19.
Jillian Best
Jillian Best shares her inspiring journey from liver transplant recipient to becoming a world record holding swimmer and the first transplant recipient to swim across Lake Ontario.
Interview: I Have Cancer, Cancer Doesn’t Have Me
Our founder Daniel Hight is interviewed by Dr. George Ackerman for Together For Sharon on how he navigates life with his cancer diagnosis.
Brandon Throop
Brandon shares his story, from his diagnosis with non-Hodgkin lymphoma to his aggressive treatment and current remission from the disease. He also talks about his fundraising.
Bob Knuckey
Bob Knuckey, 75-year-young, endurance athlete extraordinaire became a 2-time, age-group IRONMAN world champion this year in Nice, France.
Needs Improvement Podcast: Daniel Hight
Our founder Daniel Hight joins Nicholas Whitaker on his Needs Improvement podcast to share his thoughts on the impact of physical health on mental wellbeing.
Ryan Stark
Ryan shares his love of being creative, debunks some of the myths surrounding diabetes, and about what it's like living with this condition.
Dr. George Ackerman
Dr. George Ackerman advocates for increased awareness of Parkinson's disease in memory of his late mother who passed from this terrible affliction.
Embracing You Podcast: Daniel Hight
Our founder Daniel Hight joins Eric Pothen on his Embracing You podcast to share his story about his renewed fitness journey and his perception of his body.
Ryan Grant Little
Ryan Grant Little shares his story from serial entrepreneur to angel investor and food tech ambassador. He also talks about his ongoing charitable and humanitarian efforts.
Ruthie Sloan
Ruthie shares her story of courage and determination as she balances motherhood, trail running, and getting diagnosed with cancer during COVID.
Steve Veasey
Steve Veasey candidly discusses his life, his epilepsy, and how his journey has brought him back full circle to his first love - illustration.
Carol Schulte
Carol shares how her struggles with mental health led to her founding The Brave Initiative and become the bravest version of herself.
Dr. Caesar Lim
Dr. Caesar Lim talks about his podcast The Capable Dads, where he and his co-hosts discuss topics related to fatherhood in an open and honest way.
Nicholas Whitaker
After his layoff, Nicholas Whitaker co-founded the Changing Work Collective, become a life and career coach and devoted himself to improving workplaces, leaders and work culture.
Kevin Culliney
Kevin Culliney advocates for cancer awareness and seeking out second opinions and alternatives. He shares his remarkable story of survival, from diagnosis with stage IV cancer.
Kieren O’Hanlon
Kieren opens up about his health challenges, and how he is still perfecting the balance of being a loving husband, father and his well-being.
Danielle Patrice
Danielle shares her incredible story of survival against domestic violence and how she now advocates and champions for those who have lost their own voice and agency to this evil.
Nicholas Umali
Nicholas shares his story of persevering through stage 4 cancer and how he views his diagnosis as a blessing that's given him a new perspective on life.
Greg Robertson
Greg Robertson shares about his enthusiasm for triathlon, his ambassadorship for the Somersault race series and his goals for 2023 and beyond.
Eric Pothen
Eric shares his story from struggling with an eating disorder, to coaching people to help heal their relationship with food and their bodies.
Joe Tolles
Joe Tolles is a semi-retired, professional hockey player, CrossFit gym owner/operator, organ donor, and inspiration to others.
Mark Opauszky
Mark Opauszky shares his story of unbelievable resilience in his fight against necrotizing fasciitis.