Monthly Archives: March 2025

Sports, Thompson Rivers University & The Vancouver Canucks: 3 things that embody community to Sara Westerholm

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Sports. A wide variety of communities built into a fundamental piece of culture. Hockey. A Canadian dream that allows for people to cheer, rejoice, and bask in the hopes of  passion and desire in the sports industry. Hockey is a sport that allows for communities to flourish in a way like no other. Hockey brings people together. Hockey is hope. Inside the sports industry, there are many jobs to be done when telling the stories of sports and who is behind all those stories, sports journalists. Sports journalists have a front row seat of all there is to be told about sports. 

Sara Westerholm has a dream. Her dream is to work in sports. She wants to tell the stories of the athletes and their fans. She wants to be able to tell both sides of the story, as everyone’s voice deserves to be heard. Everyone should have someone or something to rely on, whether  its your family, friends or a sport, like hockey. 

Hockey is a community that will never go away. Hockey is what brought Sara her love of sports and her dream to work in the industry. That is what brought her to Kamloops to be able to attend Thompson Rivers University to achieve her dreams. Except, they are not dreams, they are reality. Sara Westerholm is getting her education and making her mark in the sports community, and she is just getting started. 

WEEKLY YOGA WITH ANDREA BRASSARD

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This week I sat down with Andrea Brassard, A certified yoga instructor, who offers a free recreational class here at TRU on Monday at North Tower. The classes, called “Yoga for Weekly Movement and Breathwork “, are an hour-long class where Brassard teaches a mix of Hatha and kundalini yoga.  two practices that focus on both physical and mental well-being. two practices that focus on both physical and mental well-being.

Hatha is a branch of yoga that focuses on the physical and mental well-being of someone. It’s often practiced at a slower pace, making you mindful of your breathing and controlled movements, therefore emphasizing the stress-relieving benefits of this particular yoga. Kundalini is a different branch of yoga that is a more spiritual practice, which works by combining breathwork, meditation, and dynamic movement to awaken the inner energy. Brassard’s class focuses on mixing these two yoga types together to help students find their focus and support their mental health. 

With exam season approaching, students may find themselves overwhelmed with the pressure of deadlines and studying. For students who need to take a step away from their studies and reset with some light physical activity and a chance to relieve some of their stress, this class is a great resource for that. Whether you are a yoga pro or have never tried it before, Brassard’s class offers a welcoming space for everyone to recharge both mentally and physically.

Beyond the Scoreboard with Curtis Atkinson: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going

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The loud buzzing of a shot clock, banner-lined ceilings, and roaring crowds—this is the image in our heads when thinking about varsity athletics. Though my exchange with Curtis Atkinson, TRU’s very own Director of Athletics and Recreation, went far deeper than game day excitement. Curtis dove into the heart of TRU athletics and expressed just how deep the love of the game goes.

Atkinson explained to me what sets TRU apart, not just in the way we support our athletes, but also from a competition standpoint. He shared how his department supports athletes both on and off the courts and how the university academically supports everyone. From the court to the classroom, Curtis made it very clear the WolfPack membership doesn’t end at the buzzer.

Our conversation did get emotional; we spoke briefly on the passing of a TRU student-athlete. Curtis talked fondly and proudly and expressed a heartfelt thanks to the TRU community. It is a heart-wrenching reminder that yes, the sport is there; it is happening, but this team is about so much more: a sense of belonging, a family away from home, lifelong bonds.

You don’t need to be an athlete to tune in to this episode. Listen in and get an understanding of how easy it is for TRU students to participate in FREE campus recreation classes such as yoga, zumba, and intermural sports!

Plug in to this conversation and get a whole new perspective on TRU athletics and recreation

CITATIONS (audios)

GamingSoundEffects (2015) YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWO3f9GpOSo (Accessed: 08 March 2025). 

Ikoliks (2020) One Last Breath Song by Ikoliks, Artlist. Available at: https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/one-last-breath/41673 (Accessed: 08 March 2025). 

Snail Music (no date) YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXFlkEW3GQ0 (Accessed: 08 March 2025). 

The everlasting importance of Mental Health from a student perspective

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Hello and welcome back to T is for Teamwork at TRU! Today, I am releasing the audio podcast with Grace Grantham.Grace Grantham is a second year criminology student here at TRU. She is looking to work in law enforcement with her degree. Grace is a wonderful person who makes interviewing extremely easy. Grace and I spoke about the importance of mental health and how she deals with it in her day-to-day life! This is from a student perspective which allows for open and honest transparency as sometimes it can be hard to have someone to talk to, or talk about mental health in a way that makes sense to you! Sometimes when talking about mental health, it can be highly intimidating and nerve-wracking. Mental Health is a large topic that is highly important. Mental health is one of the fundamental pillars of health and wellness. Without taking care of your mind, you cannot take care of your body. This can lead to damage to yourself and your esteem, which can lead to negative effects. Mental health is just as important as physical health as they go hand in hand. Physical health matters. Mental health matters.