The RTJ Wellness Podcast: Stress, Resilience, Why

In this episode, I sit down with Tyler Tamayose, President and Principal Consultant at Banyan Strategies, to explore the human side of organizational change. Drawing on his extensive experience leading complex healthcare initiatives across Alberta, Tyler shares why meaningful change requires more than new systems and processes, it requires trust, inclusion and genuine attention to the people doing the work. We discuss leadership under pressure, resilience through uncertainty and how organizations can achieve high performance without sacrificing employee wellbeing. It is a practical and thought-provoking conversation for anyone responsible for leading people through change.

In this episode of the RTJ Wellness Podcast, I sit down with professional hockey forward Zach Trempner to explore what it means to earn your place in high-performance environments. Zach shares lessons from four years of college hockey, playing in Finland and continuing his professional career in the Netherlands. A four-time NCAA Academic All-American and recipient of multiple team awards recognizing scholarship, character, resilience and discipline, Zach understands that success involves far more than talent. We discuss adapting to new teams and countries, building trust, handling pressure, accepting different roles and continuing to pursue an important goal when the path is uncertain. This is an honest conversation about hockey, leadership and the work required to perform without losing sight of who you are.

In this episode of the RTJ Wellness Podcast, I sit down with Cole Beck, Chief Administrative Officer of Lethbridge County, to explore what it takes to lead when demands are high and decisions matter. Drawing on his experience in healthcare, municipal government, fitness, and the outdoors, Cole shares honest lessons about service, purpose, resilience, and the risk of allowing relentless drive to become unsustainable. We discuss the importance of keeping people at the centre of leadership, aligning daily choices with personal values, recognizing organizational blind spots, and creating cultures where accountability, flexibility, connection, and well-being can coexist. Cole also offers leaders a practical starting point: identify what truly matters, recognize your strengths and limitations, and stop doing work that adds little meaningful value.

Welcome to the RTJ Wellness Podcast.
Most of us will never compete at the Olympic Games, but all of us face pressure, setbacks, uncertainty, and moments when we have to decide whether to keep moving forward.
What can we learn from someone who has spent years pursuing excellence at the highest level of sport?
Today, we're joined by Taylor Austin, a two-time Canadian Olympian, elite bobsleigh pilot, and one of Canada's top bobsleigh athletes. Born and raised in Lethbridge, Taylor has represented Canada on the world stage while navigating the challenges, sacrifices, setbacks, and relentless commitment required to compete among the best athletes in the world.
In this conversation, we'll explore the mindset, habits, and resilience that helped Taylor pursue Olympic dreams, perform under pressure, overcome adversity, and stay focused on long-term goals. We'll also discuss lessons that apply far beyond sport, including stress management, leadership, teamwork, purpose, and the importance of learning through experience rather than simply collecting information.
I'm especially excited about today's conversation because I had the pleasure of teaching Taylor during his time at Catholic Central High School. Watching his journey from student-athlete to Olympian has been remarkable, and I'm looking forward to sharing some of the lessons he's learned along the way.
Whether you're a leader, educator, athlete, parent, or simply someone working toward an important goal, I think you'll find valuable insights in today's discussion.

What does it take to create schools where both students and staff can truly flourish? In this episode of the RTJ Wellness Podcast, Dr. Carmen Mombourquette draws on more than four decades of experience as a teacher, principal, professor, researcher, and trustee to explore the powerful connection between leadership, wellness, resilience, and meaningful learning. Together, we discuss the growing pressures facing educators, the importance of balancing high expectations with strong support, and why lasting growth often happens when people are actively engaged in the learning process. From resilient school cultures to immersive learning experiences that help knowledge stick, Dr. Mombourquette shares practical insights for educators, leaders, and anyone interested in helping people thrive in today's increasingly complex world.

Most people will never experience the level of pressure today’s guest faced during his years on the RCMP Emergency Response Team.
But the lessons learned in those high-stress environments apply to all of us.
In this episode, former RCMP Emergency Response Team member Darryl Urano shares powerful insights on stress, leadership, resilience, and how to stay calm when everything is on the line.
We discuss why “toughing it out” often fails, how awareness is the foundation of effective stress management, and practical strategies that can help people perform better under pressure in work, family, and everyday life.
We also invite listeners to learn more about RTJ Wellness, our workshops, coaching, and resources by visiting RTJ Wellness at RTJwellness.com.
Thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy the episode.

Mealtime should not feel like a daily battle, but for many parents, it does. When kids refuse certain foods, it is easy to feel frustrated, unsure, and even worried about their health. So what is actually normal, and what really works? In this episode, RTJ Wellness sits down with Registered Dietitian Diane Britton, who brings over 30 years of experience helping families navigate selective eating. You will learn simple, evidence-informed strategies to reduce stress at the table, support healthy growth, and help your child build a more confident relationship with food without pressure or power struggles. If this conversation resonates with you, and you are looking to bring practical, real-world wellness strategies into your organization or community, connect with RTJ Wellness to learn more about our workshops and presentations. To learn more go to rtjwellness.com. 

My first episode of the RTJ Wellness Podcast sets the tone by tackling a problem I have seen for years in both education and wellness: why so much of what we learn does not stick. In this episode, I sit down with immersive learning specialist Craig Frehlich to explore how shifting from passive information to active experience can dramatically improve engagement, retention, and real world application. Drawing on learning science and practical examples, we discuss how immersive approaches, from simple interactive techniques to virtual environments, can transform the way we teach wellness, leadership, and performance. If you are a leader, educator, or part of an organization looking to create meaningful, lasting change rather than short term inspiration, this conversation will give you practical ideas you can start using right away.

In this short introductory episode, Rob Jetten, founder of RTJ Wellness, longtime educator, and wellness coach, explains why he launched the RTJ Wellness Podcast. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience teaching, coaching, and working with organizations on stress management and wellbeing, Rob introduces the purpose of the show: to share practical, science informed strategies that help people and organizations manage stress, build resilience, and live with greater purpose. Future episodes will feature conversations with leaders, professionals, and everyday people who have faced real pressure and learned how to navigate it. The goal is simple: provide insights that listeners can apply immediately in their work, health, and life while helping organizations create healthier and more resilient cultures.