Episode 36- Michelle Matte-Stotyn of the Canadian Sport Parachuting Association

11/05/21 • 26 min

Episode 36 is out today with guest Michelle Matte-Stotyn!

Becoming a skydiver was never part of her life plan, but when Michelle Matte-Stotyn did her first tandem jump she was hooked. In the middle of completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Ottawa in Leisure Studies, Michelle drastically turned her focus from studying recreation in indigenous cultures to finishing her degree studying the gender barriers in extreme sports. In the process of her studies she joined the Women’s Initiatives Committee of CSPA as a volunteer member looking to increase female involvement in skydiving. During that time, she completed a graduate diploma in Sport Business Management from Algonquin College and in 2013, became the Executive Director of CSPA. She continued her studies part-time while working for the association and just recently finished an Accounting Diploma, to complete a tertiary qualification of sport, business, and accounting.

Michelle has been a certified skydiver for over 10 years, with a D license, and multiple coach, instructor and examiner ratings. She holds four Canadian skydiving records and has competed in both indoor and outdoor skydiving competitions. When she’s not skydiving, she can be found on the golf course in the summers and actively skiing in the winters.

For anyone interested in finding out more about the Canadian Sport Parachuting Association, please visit their website at www.cspa.ca or find them on facebook @canadianskydiving.

Episode 36 is out today with guest Michelle Matte-Stotyn!

For anyone interested in finding out more about the Canadian Sport Parachuting Association, please visit their website at www.cspa.ca or find them on facebook @canadianskydiving.

Previous Episode

Episode 35- Allison Couch

Episode 35 is out today with guest Allison Couch! This episode was recorded for this year's Candian Women in Aviation Virtual Symposium, where it is available to stream in video format. All of this year's virtual symposium content will be available to stream until April 2022. For more information, please visit CWIA's website, or find CWIA on social media @cwiacommunity.

At an early age, Allison was introduced up-close to the intricate details of airplanes by her father, as he was an aircraft maintenance engineer. “I vividly recall the excitement of attending air shows with the roar of jet engines contrasting with the tranquility of a glider display. I have been hooked ever since,” reflects Allison Couch about her early days growing up.

Since graduating from the aviation management program at Georgian College, she has held diverse, international job experiences with Emirates Airlines, Skyservice Business Aviation and Ornge Air. As Allison explains, “I learned how to work as an integrated team member with colleagues from a multitude of cultures and backgrounds.”

Two years ago, Allison made the bold decision to transition her career from flight attendant to commercial pilot. She left her job with Emirates Airlines and enrolled in the Integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence program at the Brampton Flight Centre. She graduated in April of this year and is now flying as First Officer on a Pilatus PC-12 for a corporate operator. In addition, she fulfills the role as their company Safety Manager.

Allison holds a Master’s Degree in Aviation Management, and can be found on Instagram @pilot.allison and Linkedin.

Next Episode

Episode 37- Phil Ralph of Wounded Warriors Canada

Episode 37 is out today! This episode was hosted by our producer Cameron in Laura's stead.

This episode involves discussions around Trauma, Mental Health and Mental Healthcare. We recognize that this topic may be difficult for many listeners. If you are not up for that conversation, for any reason, please take a moment to click away.

Phil Ralph, CD, Captain (Ret'd), currently serves as the Director of Health Services for Wounded Warriors Canada and has served in various capacities throughout the organization’s history, including serving as Chair for two years. As Director of Health Services, he oversees the implementation of a robust and exciting slate of transformative culturally appropriate group-based interventions that are clinically facilitated and grounded in evidence that draws upon leading trauma research benefiting veterans, first responders, and their families.

For over a quarter century until releasing from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2016, Phil served our nation as the Regimental Chaplain to the 32 Combat Engineer Regiment (formerly the 2nd Field Engineer Regiment). In that capacity, he was exposed to the challenges and needs of today’s veterans. Having seen firsthand the effects of deployments on our veterans he has a passion to contribute to assisting today’s veterans towards wholeness and healing. As the son of a firefighter whose family's service extends back into the 1800’s he has also witnessed first-hand the challenges that face first responders and their families.

Padre Ralph has served as Directing Staff at the Canadian Forces Chaplains School and Centre located within Canadian Forces Base Borden on several occasions. He has also served as the Senior Chaplain at Blackdown Cadet Training Centre, supervising his staff as they cared for a Camp of 3,000 personnel including up to 2,500 young people.

Phil holds a Bachelor of Theology degree from Ontario Bible College and a Master of Divinity degree from Ontario Theological Seminary. Beyond military and congregational ministry, Phil has been active in the wider community by serving on the Boards of several agencies dedicated to assisting those in need. For his work in the community, he was awarded the Canada 125 Medal, given for “Significant Contributions to Canada.” and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal. He is also the recipient of the Canadian Forces Decoration.

For more information on Wounded Warriors Canada, please visit their website at www.woundedwarriors.ca or find them on social media. They can be found on instagram @woundedwarriorscanada, facebook @woundedwarriorscanada, and on twitter @woundedwarriorCA. Phil can be found on instagram @ralph_phil.