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00:00Previously on Making Canada's Team, we were introduced to all eight of our
00:09athletes pursuing Olympic or Paralympic glory.
00:13Wearing a Hoggy Canada jersey with our last team in the Backwoods League.
00:18We'll mean literally the world to me.
00:21I'm dominating but not in the conventional way.
00:25To me, domination is not just about results.
00:29To me, dominating is just putting my stamp on the sport.
00:32And I'm not the only one doing it, and we're doing it as a team also.
00:35So I think that's just great.
00:37Johans, everything gets a lot faster, everything gets a lot heavier.
00:40So he's got to be able to just survive and hold on.
00:43We're trying to keep it as consistent as possible.
00:44You know, my everyday, if I can show up, put in the work, walk away, return tomorrow,
00:49and try and elevate but stay consistent, that's the key at this point.
00:53Natalie Spooner and the Scepters lost a critical final game of the PWHL season.
00:58I had totally blown up my ACL.
01:02I would love to say that, like, you know, I'm back and I feel that good,
01:07but I think that maybe people thought I'd be able to step right back into that role,
01:10but at the same time, like, you know, I've been through a major surgery.
01:13And Mikel Kingsbury missed out on his 100th World Championship.
01:17One away from an 100.
01:19I'm not thinking about it.
01:20I didn't think about it all day.
01:22A little bit in the last gondola ride because I was like, ah, you're there.
01:26Like, don't mess up the last one.
01:29But, yeah, I'm not thinking about it.
01:31Yeah, I'm not thinking about it.
01:44The Olympics and Paralympics are more than competitions.
01:48They're a pulse, a rhythm, that draws people together.
01:53Canada in goal position!
01:55Mark Gallagher! Mark Gallagher!
01:57Moving in concert.
01:59Layered.
02:01Harmonized.
02:02Not across keys and octaves.
02:04But across countries.
02:07Across time.
02:09Across relationships.
02:11Strong relationships are the truest measure of success.
02:32And over each four-year Olympic and Paralympic cycle,
02:35the strength and depth of those bonds
02:38is tested and tested and tested again.
02:48Important as they are, those connections are in the background.
02:52Semitones beneath the melody.
02:55Is your mom the best hockey player?
02:58Family.
02:59Friends.
03:00Mentors.
03:01Some visible.
03:03Many on scene.
03:05They are the load-bearing chords.
03:07The strength that keeps the composition upright
03:12when the chaos of a live performance threatens to collapse it.
03:20Every champion's journey is scored by the rhythm of family.
03:24They are the metronome.
03:26Steady.
03:27Certain.
03:28Their voices, sometimes quiet as a lullaby.
03:31Sometimes bold as fanfare.
03:34Yeah, that's right!
03:38Create the chorus that carries the athlete from first rehearsals to final spotlight.
03:44final spotlight. Preferably, atop a podium.
03:59Sometimes, being an athlete isn't as glamorous as it seems.
04:03And if you're Will D'Ingenue, it means you have to pick up some ingredients on the way home for lunch
04:09so you can cook with your roommate.
04:11Hello.
04:13And when your roommate is another short-trackster, with a packed schedule, it's best not to be late.
04:19Hello, Victoria.
04:21We live together. It's like a surprise for me.
04:24Something to be stressed and he does a lot and I love it.
04:29Even if I don't call him, he'll text me.
04:32It makes me reset because he has more experience than me and he can calm me.
04:38It's really nice.
04:39After lunch, Will does what he does every day. Training at the Olympic Park. Guided by his support staff, making sure his strength stays at its peak.
04:49Do you have a set of warm-ups?
04:51Yes.
04:52We have an idea. When I arrive and I see the training program, he often makes me smile.
04:59All right, let's go.
05:01Up. Nice.
05:03Attention, up.
05:04Attention, up.
05:05Come on.
05:06Let that go.
05:07Come on.
05:08This one.
05:09Up.
05:10Come on.
05:11Up.
05:12Up.
05:13Come on.
05:14Up.
05:15Up.
05:16Up.
05:17Up.
05:18Up.
05:19Up.
05:20Up.
05:21Up.
05:22Up.
05:23Up.
05:24Up.
05:25Up.
05:26Up.
05:27Up.
05:28Up.
05:29Up.
05:30Up.
05:31Up.
05:32Up.
05:33Up.
05:34Up.
05:35Up.
05:36Up.
05:37Up.
05:38Up.
05:39Up.
05:40Up.
05:41Up.
05:42Up.
05:43Up.
05:44Up.
05:45Up.
05:46Up.
05:47Up.
05:48Up.
05:49Up.
05:50Up.
05:51Up.
05:52Up.
05:53Up.
05:54Up.
05:55Up.
05:56Up.
05:57Up.
05:58That's why we work, that's why we work.
06:02We work to have trouble and we have trouble to win.
06:09It's this exact type of effort that gives all our athletes their best chance of meeting the moment.
06:16Moments like the PWHL playoffs opening in Toronto.
06:21A stage where heartbreak still lingers.
06:25The season previous, Minnesota and first overall pick Taylor Heise eliminated the Scepters from the playoffs.
06:31While Natalie Spooner could only watch from the sidelines, injured.
06:37Now, both stars are back.
06:40Healthy, hungry and ready for the rematch.
06:44Rowdy crowd.
06:46Cheering on this board battle.
06:49Tuck comes out.
06:50In comes Turnbull.
06:51She scores!
06:53Toronto with the first goal of the PWHL playoffs.
06:57Come on, White.
06:59Rip it.
07:01She shoots, misses.
07:03Bizarre miscommunication there.
07:06Now Julia Gosling comes in.
07:08Step up.
07:09Shoot.
07:10She scores!
07:13The mood is electric as Toronto takes game one at home.
07:17But game two arrives with bad intentions.
07:21Here we go, Super Rick Wall.
07:23The politeness gone.
07:25Replaced with hostility.
07:36Body her! Body her, Nat!
07:38It's a banger.
07:40What a manpuck turns into a two-on-one.
07:49What?
07:50Spooner shoots, it's just wide.
07:53Yes!
07:55In comes Taylor Heise in the slot.
07:58Now Quint Schofield.
08:00The door is shut by Gamble, and we're getting into it.
08:04Everyone winning?
08:06Uh, decent and all.
08:07You wanna quick it?
08:08Quick like round.
08:09Or like something that's gonna be like catch mock guard,
08:11because they've been sitting for a little bit.
08:12Yeah.
08:16Heise at the dot.
08:17Now Stackline shoots and they score!
08:19On the power of blood here, Blue.
08:22Monroe now sets it up, scores!
08:26Ellie Monroe dives it up!
08:32Well, how about that, Toronto Scepters?
08:36To Jake's patience.
08:39Channel Watkins.
08:41They got one.
08:56Natalie Spooner and the Scepters head to Minnesota for games three and four,
09:00with the series locked at one game apiece.
09:03The next victory means precious momentum for one side,
09:06and the pressure of survival for the other.
09:11To Liz Shepard!
09:12She scores!
09:15A champ!
09:17Darryl Watts!
09:19Ise beats it to Stackline!
09:21She scores!
09:22They score!
09:25Did you think you'd say it that many times?
09:29The one-timer from Jake's!
09:31It pops up!
09:32And they put it away!
09:34The Frost of dominance!
09:37Game three win!
09:39Highest scoring game in PWHL history.
09:42Game four in the state of hockey must win were the Toronto Scepters.
09:49Spooner getting to work below the goal line once more.
09:52Miller rips it!
09:53Scores!
09:54Game four heads to overtime.
09:58Toronto, this is their chance to stay alive.
10:00Trying to keep Minnesota to the outside.
10:02Taylor Heise with the shot!
10:04She scores!
10:06Minnesota Magic in overtime!
10:11The reigning Walter Cup champions are heading back to the PWHL finals.
10:18People have asked me this, like, what they thought I was, like, kind of playing at.
10:32And, to be honest, I probably started off, like, 50%, 650, 60%.
10:38But, like, probably by the end I felt about 70% of myself.
10:41I think, like, mentally probably, like, just not the same amount of confidence in my body to, like, be strong enough getting into battles and stuff.
10:50And I think, like, probably watching people probably tell I was a little bit hesitant.
10:55Um, you know, not just, like, driving through people as I normally would, but kind of, you know, avoiding a hit, um, to make sure my legs were still attached.
11:05Right now, if you were to look at my legs, you'd probably be like, wow, you have no left quad muscle.
11:11Like, where did your leg go?
11:13Whereas I'm hoping by the end of summer my legs are a little more even.
11:17My teammates would have loved for me to come back and just been my same self, but I think that's a little unrealistic in a sense.
11:25Like, this whole season was really a rehab season.
11:28Like, uh, Emily Clark, I was out of practice and I was, like, so frustrated.
11:33And she just looked at me, she's like, you gotta give yourself grace.
11:35Like, you know, you're just coming back.
11:37Like, it's part of the process.
11:38I think it's just, like, realizing that it's gonna take those game minutes, take that time on ice to just feel good and confident again.
11:47Yeah, there's a lot of fears.
11:49Fear of failing, like, fear of not feeling good, not feeling like I can get there.
11:55Um, fear of not making the team.
11:58Stakes are high.
11:59I obviously want to make the Olympic team.
12:01That's the goal.
12:02Um, but I think, you know, I just need to focus on one day at a time getting back to where I want to be.
12:08For Natalie, this off-season isn't rest.
12:13It's redemption.
12:15The Olympics don't wait.
12:17The clock never stops.
12:19And before the torch is lit, Natalie must rebuild both her strength and her confidence.
12:25And prove she's ready when the world is watching.
12:32While Natalie's fortunes on the ice don't pan out this time, Raphael is looking for insight into her own with a group of friends.
12:40I'm very lucky to have this in my life, that a group of friends, no matter where I'm gonna end up, they're always gonna be there, and that just means the world to me.
12:53It's, like, scary to know what's gonna happen soon or not, but it's exciting to get to know yourself a bit more.
13:00I can't think of anything.
13:01I don't want to ask those big questions, like, am I gonna make it the perfect game?
13:05I don't know, maybe some stuff about my love life, and big question like that, I guess.
13:12The group is meeting with a psychic medium to shed some light on the road ahead.
13:17First time?
13:18Mmm.
13:19Excitant.
13:20It's fun.
13:21Don't record.
13:22Because there's a lot of information.
13:24Okay.
13:25Perfect.
13:26It's a little bit, a little bit, but you're very emotional.
13:33Mmm.
13:34Very emotional.
13:37Okay.
13:39Okay, it's something you want to do for a long time, okay?
13:42Okay?
13:43And here, as I said, it'll go faster than that.
13:46The next project, go for it.
13:49It'll go well.
13:51And stop putting pressure on you.
13:54Put pressure on you.
13:55Put pressure on you.
13:56Put pressure on you.
13:57Put pressure on you.
13:58It'll go well.
14:01That's it.
14:02Thank you very much.
14:03Thank you very much.
14:04Although the reading checks out at first glance, Raphael needs a second opinion.
14:08Yeah.
14:09It was pretty accurate, I think.
14:10Yeah.
14:11It does check out.
14:12And actually, check out what she told me.
14:15So, that's a good sign.
14:16It's a good sign.
14:17We'll see in the future.
14:20But, yeah.
14:21So, apparently, I have a high ability to feel stuff through me, and my feeling is always
14:28very good.
14:29You two?
14:30Family thing, I guess.
14:31I'm one of the 15 person of people around the world that has good values.
14:38Justice is very important to me, which is definitely true.
14:42I don't mind doing a lot of sacrifice.
14:44I'm born to be a boss and a leader.
14:48Same.
14:49I'm going to have some great news around October and January.
14:54I'm probably going to get an answer of something.
14:56So, yeah.
14:58Let's leave it there.
15:00Leave it there.
15:01Yeah.
15:02On the heels of the World Cup loss in Lavigneau, Mikel is back home in Saint-Sever, Quebec.
15:15Being an athlete is a life full of arduous workouts, heart-stopping competition, and regimented
15:21routines.
15:22But rest is just as important for the body and mind to stay sharp.
15:26One, two, one, go!
15:29Mikel takes this opportunity to volunteer at a kid's ski camp to inspire the next generation
15:35of mogul skiers.
15:36We're going to be better than him.
15:38We're going to be better than him.
15:39We're going to be better than him?
15:40Yeah.
15:41You're going to be better than him?
15:42Yeah.
15:43You're perfect.
15:44You're right.
15:45You're atterri.
15:46You're atterri.
15:47You're good atterri.
15:48I told you that I'm really good.
15:49For nothing?
15:50Well.
15:51It's not me who...
15:53You know, if I can make a big difference in their career, I find it super cool.
15:58And you know, I bring my best friends.
16:01And most of them have all the podiums in the Coupe du Monde.
16:05There's a good gang of my coaches who are Olympians.
16:10There's a lot of history with our parents in Quebec.
16:13Yeah.
16:14And all the best people are here in the camp.
16:17That rich Quebec ski history is woven into the culture.
16:2180% of Quebecers live less than an hour away from a ski centre.
16:26Most of the mountains are smaller, so there's a lot of repetition.
16:29Perfect for moguls and freestyle.
16:32Freestyle was a demonstration sport at the Calgary Olympics in 1988.
16:37In 1994 Lillehammer, Quebec's Jean-Luc Broussard wins moguls gold.
16:43He's just flying through the bottom section with great turns.
16:46I think Jean-Luc has a plane to catch.
16:48Wow!
16:49I don't think he's ever skied faster than that.
16:51The next generation takes over with Jen Heil.
16:54A back lift.
16:56Brenda, look at that time!
16:58Wow!
16:59Alex Bilodeau.
17:01That is the run he's been dreaming of.
17:06The DeFour Lapointe sisters.
17:08This is where she'll make it or break it.
17:10It's a gold medal for Justine DeFour Lapointe and a silver medal for her sister Chloe.
17:16So aggressive!
17:18And then ultimately, Mikael.
17:20Mikael Kingsbury wins gold for Canada!
17:23Giving back feels good, but spring...
17:27Spring belongs to baseball.
17:31From the mountain range to the baseball diamond, Mikael refuses to sit still.
17:37He joins the Capadelle de Quebec at one of the biggest games of the season,
17:41to throw the first pitch and connect with the community.
17:50So try to dig into the seams here, and then when you release it you're almost going to go like this.
17:56Yeah.
17:57But do you use your wrist or no?
17:58A little bit.
17:59Stay close though.
18:00It might be ugly.
18:02Oh my...
18:03It moves so much!
18:05OK.
18:06So...
18:07It's much more fun to throw it in a softball.
18:11After a quick warm-up with the team, the stands are getting packed, and spectators are fired up with anticipation.
18:17For him, it's really, really wow to come to the Stade Canac.
18:21It's like a dream of a child.
18:23So if it makes him happy, for us, we're going to welcome him as much as possible.
18:26So for me, it's a model for the baseball community, for the young people who visit the Stade Canac.
18:33Turns out, the King of Moguls has a decent fastball.
18:48Finally, some peace.
19:04After the game, Mikhail sticks around to sign autographs and hang out with fans.
19:11Hello.
19:12I'm Sen.
19:13Hello.
19:14Hello, my name is Sen.
19:15Hello, hello, hi.
19:16Hi.
19:17I'm very happy to talk about you.
19:18I'm too excited.
19:19K-L-O.
19:20R-A-N-E.
19:22My friends who come, the team members who come check the game with me, check a little
19:28baseball game, relax.
19:29We're still at the same morning, but we're going to enjoy a good ball game.
19:35CBC's The Game is back.
19:42Hey Canada, Cabby Richards here, thrilled to be your host for this year's edition of The
19:46Game, the nightly trivia game for all Canadians 19 and over, packed with questions about the
19:51Olympics.
19:52Four all-inclusive tropical getaways are up for grabs, and all you have to do for a chance
19:56to win is play the game.
19:58The faster you answer, the more points you score.
20:01It's the simple yet difficult, exciting yet frustrating way to play your way through
20:06this upcoming Olympic season.
20:08Join Canadians in their quest to win one of four beach getaways.
20:12Skip out on the winter blues and catch some rays in Mexico.
20:15Three high scores along with one lucky random draw winner will be eligible to win a trip.
20:20Plus, nightly prizes are always on the line.
20:23When the Winter Olympics begin, so does the game.
20:26It all kicks off on February the 6th, so don't miss your chance.
20:29Register today at cbcolympics.ca slash the game.
20:33Presented by Bette Rivers.
20:46Time off the track doesn't come often.
20:51But when it does, Johan spends it with his grandfather.
20:54Take care of the keys.
21:01Today we're here in Cochrane for the car show that they have annually.
21:04Here with my grandpa who's taking out his 1957 Thunderbird.
21:08I have a hard time getting into this thing with the top on.
21:11Johan, it's really quite comical watching him get into the thing.
21:15As he became a teenager, we started doing a summer road trip.
21:21We would just pick somewhere to go for a week or two and then drive.
21:26My grandparents play a key role in like making all of what I do possible.
21:30There's been a few times where sport gets expensive or really difficult and they're there to look out for me and support me through this.
21:37Patina, is that what it's called?
21:40You look like you're in better condition than this is though.
21:43I kind of hope so.
21:45Moments like these are rare.
21:47Most days Johan juggles training and two jobs.
21:50One of which takes him to the racetrack where he swaps his bobsled for a camera.
21:56Johan has picked up a freelance gig with his friend Jackson, a photographer who brings him along to help out at the racetrack.
22:06And then there will be a hard right hand and that's like a dip in.
22:09So we'll have to take a little hike.
22:11Alright, but always down for a little hike.
22:13Being constantly on the move leaves little time to connect.
22:17Today is a rare opportunity for Johan to catch up with an old friend.
22:21Man, didn't you say last time we talked about this, you were saying like it's not a steering wheel in there.
22:26It's just like you're pulling a string or something.
22:28Yeah.
22:29Yeah.
22:30There's a string that comes forward and then you're sat right there and you pull on one side.
22:33This tower will go back and it pulls that that way.
22:36Loki on the two-man sled.
22:38Yeah.
22:39The two-man sled, the braking hole is there.
22:40So it's like you get a little like see the ice just going like just like that.
22:45You know you're like 10 feet off the ground, horizontal, going 120.
22:51And you're like this is just not natural, bro.
22:54Dude, that must be a thrill though.
22:57Yeah, that's why I was like, you know me man, you know.
23:01As Jackson absorbs the intensity of Johan's bobsledding life, their conversation turns to an even tougher truth.
23:08Johan has to work two jobs because Olympic training doesn't pay the bills.
23:13You can't just be a full-time athlete, right?
23:15Yeah.
23:16Like you don't have to do other things.
23:17Yeah, because I feel like the resilience is something that like you've got to have.
23:20And I feel like no matter like how hard times have gotten like here and there, like I've always been like I'm going to continue.
23:26Yeah.
23:27I don't know how you do it, but.
23:30While Johan keeps pushing, those close to him start to worry.
23:34Like Graham even asked me the other day like are you happy with the path you chose?
23:38Part of worries me is how he handles the mental side of things.
23:41Probably never realized how much time and effort that goes into it.
23:48I think the hard part for them is that they see kind of what it does to me like as far as just being like completely crushed at the end of the day.
23:54Everyone pay attention.
23:56I don't feel super social.
23:57I don't feel super outgoing.
23:59Season starts pretty soon here.
24:01And if that's the cost and I'm willing to accept that cost.
24:06It always impresses me.
24:09It makes me extremely proud.
24:11Never get used to that feeling.
24:13It's not like that I'm sad or anything.
24:16Like it's just hard.
24:24Underneath the highlights and performances, Culla and Sierra are just people in their early twenties.
24:30Here in Toronto, they take a breath and hang out before a huge press day.
24:35Oh yeah, getting ready for Italy, my sorbet.
24:42Oh, Sierra's my guide.
24:44For the people that might not know what a guide is, I'm visually impaired.
24:48Sierra is essentially my eyes when it comes to ski racing.
24:52Everything that I can't see, she tells me about.
24:55How exactly do you ski with a guide?
24:58A para-alpine team communicates with headsets built into their helmets.
25:03Sierra is always one step ahead and provides Culla with instructions about navigating the hill.
25:09A team like this needs to be tight.
25:12The bond between guide and athlete is extremely important.
25:16Trust built on and off the snow.
25:20I met Sierra.
25:21I first started ski racing just after I started losing my vision back in 2021.
25:28And at the time, I was skiing without a guide.
25:31Just kind of sending it solo.
25:33Just lost.
25:34Just super lost.
25:35First time I met Culla, I was like, oh, this guy's awesome.
25:38Like we were just like immediately really close friends.
25:42But how close exactly?
25:46We don't cross the line and try and mix them too much.
25:49Like obviously, we are dating.
25:51We are athlete guide.
25:52But try not to get it too blended.
25:55That things get messy.
25:57I mean, I feel like people know, but it's not talked about.
26:00I think like just acting and like this is a normal day.
26:04But you know, we're not like all PDA and stuff in a professional setting.
26:09Nor are we those people.
26:10Yeah.
26:11So just keeping a professional and like it's our job and knowing that we're going in there and talking about what we have to talk about.
26:17And yeah, not being weird about it.
26:20What I love most about Culla, honestly, probably his patience.
26:23And he like grossed me so much for this because I can't say I'm the most patient person.
26:28But this guy has so much patience for me.
26:31And I should probably reciprocate it a bit more.
26:34But that's definitely what I love most about him.
26:36One of the benefits of dating your guide is that work trips can have romantic outings.
26:41There's nothing more romantic than, you know, ice cream at sunset downtown Toronto next to the Hooters.
26:48Did you see that over there?
26:50Yeah, I did.
26:51No, I do.
26:56After taking in the beautiful sights downtown Toronto has to offer, Culla and Sierra have a jam-packed press day full of interviews and photo shoots.
27:06Their success on and off the hill seems fueled by the same thing.
27:11I think the trust in one another, trust and communication.
27:16Like right from the get-go we clicked really quickly.
27:19The trust came really naturally between us.
27:24That guy was super cool.
27:26So yeah, very, very close.
27:27I mean, best friends so it makes it really enjoyable.
27:31CPC summits are a new experience for Culla and Sierra.
27:34Their first press day as a team.
27:37But for Mark, all of the lights and cameras are routine.
27:41We're going to go through a whole day of sharing my story and different ideas and just trying to get everyone a sense of who I am.
27:49Mark, start your movement.
27:52That's a take for me.
27:53How did that feel?
27:54Bear in mind, anyone who's watched the last four Paralympics knows exactly who Mark is.
27:58What's your favorite cheat day meal?
28:00Oh, I eat cheat day meals every day because I'm trying to gain weight.
28:03Teglitelli is a little thinner than spaghetti, I believe.
28:09What's your favorite?
28:11Uh...
28:13That was weird, hey?
28:15While Culla, Sierra and Mark wind down a long day at the CPC summit, another athlete is well on their path to recovery.
28:24Media is undeniably a core segment of an athlete's schedule.
28:29Equal in prominence is maintenance.
28:31And nobody has had a larger slate of schedule repairs than Natalie Spooner.
28:36The work has been done here at the Elite Performance and Injury Centre.
28:41Here, Hockey Canada and the Scepters have designed her workout and rehab routine to accelerate her progress back to the Olympic level.
28:55Yeah, I have a knee again, I have a muscle again, so it's like from where I was at the end of the season to now, it's like night and day.
29:17Natalie's gym is conveniently built into the Kamoka Centre, home to an NHL-sized ice surface and a few old friends who can pop by for moral support.
29:35How was your knee killing?
29:36It's good now.
29:37And you're hip?
29:38No, no.
29:39You're hip too, didn't you?
29:40No.
29:41Well, never mind.
29:42Were you, like, every time I turned on the TV you were, like, scoring winning goals?
29:45Last year.
29:46I mean, you can't dominate the league every year, they catch up to you every once in a while.
29:50Well, she's come a long way.
29:52We had nine months and we started back from recovery with baby steps, public skating and worked our way up.
29:59You gotta go!
30:00Pick it up!
30:01She wasn't allowed to do it in the gym.
30:03We could not do it on the ice, so that is why it is such an amazing story for so many young girls coming out.
30:10You're big enough, you're strong enough to mix up your skating patterns.
30:14She has the fight, and with that fight she will get back.
30:17She's almost there now, and everyone's behind her.
30:22Excellent.
30:23Better.
30:24Every time.
30:26Natalie's high-performance athlete life, filled with workouts and therapies and private on-ice sessions,
30:32actually mirrors that of a traditional nine-to-five.
30:36She's been at work all day.
30:38Not gonna help mommy bring in her hockey stuff?
30:40And now, on the way home, picks up her son from daycare.
30:44Her second career as mom and wife begins.
30:47Probably the most difficult was really just starting a new phase, so everything was new and getting my body used to all the new movements, really.
30:57I guess it's, like, equally as exciting as it is hard.
31:00I see, like, a light at the end of the tunnel, in a sense, I guess.
31:02Like, I see it getting better, which is a great feeling to feel like, okay, I can do this.
31:07Like, I'm getting there.
31:08Natalie's focus is very much on herself, as much as any mother and partners can be.
31:14Her husband, Adam Redmond, manages to see the bigger picture of the time put in, the sacrifices made.
31:20We both know that there's a finite amount of time to be a professional athlete.
31:25It's important to have goals and be driven and have a passion and reason to get out of bed in the morning.
31:30And I want him to understand the value of pursuing your dreams and hard work and resilience and all those things that, I mean, she's really demonstrated the last, well, three years of his life, right?
31:44Where I really get caught up is, you know, when Roy's sitting next to me at a game, and he's glued right in, and he sees his mom walk out the tunnel and onto the ice, and people cheer for her.
31:57And that's pretty special, and that's really when it hits.
32:00I don't want to call it her last go around, but, I mean, inevitably, it likely could be to share that experience with him and watch his mom at the highest level, potentially for the last time.
32:13I think it could be pretty memorable and special, and just something we'll be able to look back on forever.
32:19We have Olympic training blocks coming up, and they're going to be huge for me, I think, just to continue my training, but also get to, you know, play and practice with them.
32:29And practice with the best in the world, so I think that's really going to be the way that I'm going to get back, you know, to where I want to be, is being able to train every day with them and get that speed back, because I'm going to have to play at that speed every day, so I think it will come back a lot quicker because of these training blocks, which will be great.
32:47Speed is critical in the game, but right now, after this day and these weeks, Natalie can enjoy slowing down for an evening.
32:59CBC's The Game is back! Answer trivia questions for a chance to win one of four all-inclusive beach getaways.
33:05You've got to know the Olympics, and you've got to be fast. The game recognizes game. But don't worry, Coach Cabby's got your back.
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33:15Prepare. Train. Win. It's all at cbcolympics.ca slash the game. Presented by Bett Rivers.
33:21At practice with the women's team, Raphael pushes a bit too hard and re-aggravates a shoulder injury.
33:42The injury is a thorn in her side as she navigates these crucial few months.
33:48But with support staff, on-site physiotherapy, and restorative workouts, Raphael is cautiously optimistic about the road ahead.
33:58So the reason why I'm doing pre-ab and mobility for my shoulder is because I injured myself during a practice.
34:10So basically I have an AC sprain injury, so my clavicle will pop out, and all my ligaments are torn around it.
34:20They told me it will be around 8 to 12 weeks to be fully, like, to fully recover from that injury.
34:31Everything happens for a reason, literally in life.
34:34Like, I had cancer and now I'm being, like, I'm a professional athlete, I play for Canada, I travel the world.
34:40So I think that's the mindset that I'm trying to have with this injury.
34:44After a quick workout, Raphael heads to her physiotherapist
34:48and hopes for some good news.
34:51The news that I'm expecting today is probably the OK to go practice on the ice again.
34:57I'm not talking about, like, full-contact game, but more, like, going to the ice, see how it feels.
35:04Like that, at the gym, it went super well.
35:07Yeah, for real, I'm really happy.
35:09It's been a long time since I've never had a record that I was really satisfied.
35:15Yeah.
35:16Right now, she'll be at the Canadian Championship.
35:19And maybe, who knows, maybe I would have been at the World Championship next week with the men's team.
35:26While Raphael focuses on recovery, the men's team prepares to head to the World Championship in Buffalo.
35:33Playing with them would have been a huge step towards the Paralympic dream.
35:38But for now, her goal is just getting back on the ice.
35:41Here, in the back, like that.
35:43A little skier.
35:44And after you feel comfortable with it, you can go.
35:47With the skier on the ball, you practice it.
35:49And I don't have any problem when you turn slowly on the glass.
35:52No contact.
35:53No situation of game.
35:54Just by yourself.
35:55With the official okay from her physiotherapist, Raphael takes to the ice with a renewed spirit.
36:09Yeah.
36:10I don't know.
36:11It's so peaceful.
36:12I kind of like it.
36:13I was really looking forward to the ice this afternoon.
36:25Um, like you never know what to expect and to know that my shoulder is doing well now.
36:30Um, I can now build on that and go back home and train and I can get excited for Worlds and
36:38like I'm convinced now that I will be back to my full potential back like until then.
36:43So, I'm very excited.
36:45It's very nice.
36:46Yeah.
36:51Setbacks are inevitable for all high performance athletes.
36:55While Raphael will miss the Para Hockey World Championship in Buffalo, she's making the best of her situation.
37:02Like she has her entire life.
37:07Pushing through is critical.
37:09Whether it's a bad shoulder or a bum foot.
37:12Well, I can't feel the underside of my big toe.
37:15So, my physio is going to take a look at it.
37:18When did you start feeling this?
37:20Mmm, the day after I saw you last.
37:22What testing do you have today?
37:24Strength and power.
37:25Which involves what?
37:26Lots of, lots of jumping.
37:28I was going to say, like are you force plate jumping all day?
37:31Recovery is just one part of the process.
37:34Next up, baseline testing.
37:36A data driven check that shows what's working and what still needs work.
37:41She's trying to get warmed up, do a little bit of core.
37:44Then we'll do the fitness testing.
37:47So, at least one day of the year.
37:50At baseline testing, Alex has run through a series of drills.
37:54Spot and hold.
37:55This gives a snapshot of where Alex stands now and how she compares to last season.
38:01real quick and well deep.
38:02Cool.
38:03Awesome.
38:04Good, well, good.
38:06Come on...
38:07You've done a rush!
38:08T responsibilities.
38:09With uh...
38:10Video games now and you've done all this thing and we've done all this.
38:11Got it.
38:12Good.
38:13Good.
38:14And what then?
38:15What's up?
38:24Push, push, push, push, push, push, push, push, push, push, push.
38:28After a day of data and drills, it's time to unwind.
38:32At home, Alex's parents host their annual barbecue,
38:35a tradition that brings the whole ski jumping team together.
38:39Anyone who has participated in the fry gets a special cart
38:43and they join the brotherhood of the fry.
38:46Cheers to that.
38:49All our coaches are from Europe,
38:51so we're going to give them a little taste of Canadiana.
38:54Typically, she gets two times a year when she gets to come home,
38:57so it's extra special for us.
38:59This time, she's here with all her teammates and all the coaching staff
39:03and all the parents are going to come over.
39:09Hallelujah.
39:10In the middle of all the laughter and noise,
39:13Alex and her mom find a quiet moment
39:16and realize just how much they've missed each other.
39:19It's nice to be able to get together.
39:21You know, it really only happens once a year
39:23when the coaches come into town.
39:27We cry a lot.
39:28Whether we're happy, we're sad, we're angry,
39:30Mom and I cry.
39:31Sometimes you feel like you've given up your child for the sport, right?
39:37She left when she was 15.
39:39She needs a good one here.
39:41I've always felt like she's doing what she wants.
39:44Here we cry.
39:46She's got a good one.
39:47Wow, that's a great one for Alexandria.
39:50But getting to go and watch her compete
39:52and watch all the successes she's had
39:54and as fulfilling as a parent,
39:57to see her kids winning or not winning.
40:01Which she doesn't like that part.
40:03I like to win.
40:04Yeah.
40:05Yeah.
40:12Hello.
40:14When you travel, do you see a lot of jardins?
40:17But it's always winter, in the end, when you travel.
40:20Hello, young man.
40:22It's okay?
40:23It's okay.
40:24Will D'Angenou lives most of his life in the fast lane,
40:28from daily workouts to physio,
40:30from a buzzing social calendar
40:32to constant travel abroad.
40:34And that's where his parents step in,
40:36reminding him to stop and smell the flowers
40:39before returning to a busy life.
40:42My dad was stylish.
40:45He had little glasses and everything.
40:48I was beautiful.
40:50The things move quickly.
40:53We see a little bird.
40:55I can't say the name in Latin,
40:58but he's very cute.
41:02Wow.
41:03We have a very healthy relationship
41:06where we make each other better.
41:08That's very nice.
41:09That's what I said.
41:10Yeah.
41:11I like it.
41:12I think it's beautiful.
41:13It's beautiful.
41:14I think it's beautiful.
41:15And there's so many learnings.
41:18It's also to help them.
41:21So when we help them,
41:23they're all about what they love.
41:25What they love,
41:26what they love,
41:27what they love,
41:28what they love.
41:33When we talk about proximity,
41:34it's also to understand
41:35how their children evolve.
41:37So to be present
41:38to make corrections if necessary.
41:42But also to be present
41:43and to enjoy the present
41:46and to remember them
41:48with memories.
41:51So...
41:52That was one of my first competitions.
41:53Yeah, that's right.
41:54That's true.
41:55That's my first competition.
41:56I remember
41:57because I had a medal of bronze.
41:59I wasn't happy.
42:00Yeah.
42:01Yeah.
42:02I was happy to have a medal of bronze.
42:03Yeah.
42:04Yeah.
42:05I don't think so.
42:06What's that?
42:07Did you say something?
42:08Ah, yeah.
42:09That's Cam...
42:10That's Camille.
42:11That's Camille.
42:12That's...
42:13That's...
42:14That's Michel.
42:15Yeah.
42:16That's right?
42:17Yeah.
42:18Just...
42:22But what do you think?
42:23What do you think?
42:27Hmm?
42:30Hmm...
42:33C'est...
42:34Beaucoup d'émotions.
42:36Ah!
42:37C'est dur, ouais.
42:39Bien, c'est...
42:40C'est beau, mais c'est dur,
42:41de voir tout ça.
42:42C'est...
42:43Ça rappelle des souvenirs
42:44que j'avais complètement oubliés.
42:45Ha!
42:46Ha!
42:47Ha!
42:48Ça a été...
42:49Il y a eu des choses difficiles,
42:50comme tous les autres.
42:51J'imagine toutes les familles
42:52qui vivent des séparations
42:53où les enfants sont dans des...
42:55des situations de garde partagées.
42:57Pis c'est...
42:58C'est...
42:59C'est dur pour un enfant, t'sé.
43:01T'sé, quand on s'est...
43:02On s'est séparés,
43:03son père et moi,
43:04Will, il m'avait dit, t'sé,
43:05dans l'auto,
43:06est-ce que ça...
43:07Est-ce que ça veut dire
43:08quand les parents sont séparés,
43:09est-ce qu'on devient orphelins?
43:11Fait que...
43:12T'sé, je pense que c'est ça
43:13que ça réveille.
43:14C'est que...
43:15Ben non, t'sé,
43:16c'est sûr qu'on va toujours
43:17être là pour toi.
43:18C'est sûr.
43:19Euh...
43:20Cette période-là ,
43:21oui, il y a eu des...
43:23des hauts et des bas,
43:24mais le souvenir reste positif.
43:27Tu chaussais tes premières lames
43:29de patins de vitesse.
43:30Ah, oui!
43:31Ça, je me souviens,
43:32à ce moment-là !
43:33Wow!
43:34Ça, c'est hystérique, hein?
43:35Au moins,
43:36ça a toujours été libérateur,
43:37le patin.
43:38C'était comme...
43:39Pis...
43:40T'sé, j'ai pas encore à penser
43:41à ça tant que ça
43:42en termes de...
43:43la vie après ça,
43:44mais...
43:45ça...
43:46C'est comme...
43:47une personne pour moi,
43:48autre.
43:49Comme un ami, quasiment.
43:50Fait que...
43:52C'est pour ça que,
43:53quand je parle de passion
43:54par rapport au patin,
43:55c'est pas juste à un niveau
43:56superficiel, t'sé.
43:57C'est vraiment profond pour moi.
43:58Pis j'aime beaucoup ce sport.
43:59Fait que...
44:00C'est ça.
44:02C'est...
44:03J'adore ce sport pour mon cœur,
44:05pis je suis super privilégié
44:06que mes parents m'ont permis
44:07d'y participer,
44:08fait que...
44:09Ouais, c'est ça.
44:10Ouais, c'est ça.
44:14Will's parents
44:15have been a steady metronome
44:16of love and support
44:18for a lifetime.
44:19A perpetual meter
44:21marking time
44:22with the inspiration
44:23and support
44:24that's allowed Will
44:25to reach this precipice.
44:27The tempo quickens now
44:29and behind every crescendo
44:31of effort
44:32stands a chorus
44:33of parents,
44:35partners,
44:37coaches,
44:39and friends.
44:40They,
44:41steady the tempo
44:42when the world
44:43feels off beat.
44:44Papa,
44:46coming over my hair again.
44:49Papa,
44:50she's lying in my back again.
44:56In this final stretch,
44:59success will depend
45:00not just on strength
45:02or speed,
45:03but on harmony.
45:04The delicate balance
45:06of body, mind,
45:07and the unwavering support
45:09of those
45:10who make the music possible.
45:12the work possible.
45:13.
45:14.
45:15.
45:17.
45:18.
45:19.
45:20.
45:21.
45:22.
45:23.
45:24.
45:25.
45:26.
45:27.
45:28.
45:29.
45:30.
45:31.
45:32.
45:33.
45:34.
45:35.
45:36.
45:37.
45:38.
45:51.
45:52.
45:53.
45:54.
45:55.
45:56.
45:57.
45:58.
45:59.
46:00.
46:01.
46:02.
46:03.
46:04.
46:05.
46:21.
46:23.
46:32.
46:33In which Olympic sport did Canadian John Montgomery win gold at Vancouver 2010?
46:42Skeleton.
46:43CBC's The Game is packed with fun trivia just like this.
46:46Questions about Olympic records, events, and Canadian athletes, all to put your Olympic
46:50knowledge to the test.
46:51The faster you answer, the more points you score.
46:54There are prizes every night, plus you can win one of four all-inclusive vacations.
46:59It all starts February 6th.
47:00So head over to cbcolympics.ca slash the game to sign up and get your game on.
47:04The Game, presented by Bett Rivers.
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