- 5 weeks ago
Making Canada's Team Season 1 Episode 2
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00:00Previously on Making Canada's Team, we were introduced to all eight of our athletes pursuing
00:10Olympic or Paralympic glory. We're in the Hoggy Canada jersey with our last team in the backwoods
00:16league. We'll lead literally the world to me. I'm dominating but not in the conventional way.
00:25To me, domination is not just about results. To me, dominating is just putting my stamp on the
00:32sport and I'm not the only one doing it and we're doing it as a team also. So I think that's just
00:37great. Johans, everything gets a lot faster, everything gets a lot heavier. So he's got to
00:41be able to just survive and hold on. We're trying to keep it as consistent as possible. You know,
00:45my every day, if I can show up, put in the work, walk away, return tomorrow and try and elevate but
00:50stay consistent. That's the key at this point. Natalie Spooner and the Scepters lost a critical
00:55final game of the PWHL season. I had totally blown up my ACL. I would love to say that like,
01:04you know, I'm back and I feel that good but I think that maybe people thought I'd be able to
01:10step right back into that role but at the same time, like I've, you know, I've been through a
01:13major surgery. And Mikel Kingsbury missed out on his 100th world championship. Went away from 100.
01:20I'm not thinking about it. I didn't think about it all day. A little bit in the last
01:24gondola ride because I was like, ah, you're there. Like, don't mess up the last one. But
01:30yeah, I'm not thinking about it.
01:32The Olympics and Paralympics are more than competitions. They're a pulse, a rhythm that draws people
01:52together. Moving in concert, layered, harmonized, not across keys and octaves, but across countries,
02:06across time, across relationships.
02:22Strong relationships are the truest measure of success. And over each four-year Olympic and
02:34Paralympic cycle, the strength and depth of those bonds is tested and tested and tested again.
02:48Important as they are, those connections are in the background.
02:52Semi-tones beneath the melody.
02:56Is your mom the best hockey player?
02:58Family, friends, mentors, some visible, many unseen. They are the load-bearing cords.
03:09The strength that keeps the composition upright when the chaos of a live performance threatens to
03:16collapse it.
03:16Every champion's journey is scored by the rhythm of family. They are the metronome. Steady, certain.
03:28Their voices, sometimes quiet as a lullaby, sometimes bold as fanfare.
03:34Create the chorus that carries the athlete from first rehearsals to final spotlight.
03:47Preferably, atop a podium.
03:49Sometimes, being an athlete isn't as glamorous as it seems. And if you're Will D'Ingenue, it means you have to pick up some ingredients on the way home for lunch so you can cook with your roommate.
04:10And when your roommate is another short track stirrer, with a packed schedule, it's best not to be late.
04:19Hi, Victoria. It's the reason that we live together. It's like he says that for me.
04:24It's something to be stressed, and he does a lot, and I love it. Even if I don't call him, he will text me. It just makes me reset because he has more experience than me, and he can calm me. It'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.
04:50Do you have a set of warm-up, or...?
04:52Yes, I have a set of warm-up, or...?
04:55We have an idea. When I arrive and I see the trainer program, he can smile, it's a little bit of a smile.
05:00All right, let's go.
05:02Up. Nice.
05:04Attention, up. Up.
05:05Come on!
05:06Come on!
05:09What's that going on, where's my arm?
05:10Is this what...?
05:11Sir.
05:12Turn to help, man.
05:13Yeah.
05:14Just go, up.
05:15Up, up, up!
05:16Come on, come on.
05:17Come on, in, out, way.
05:18Up.
05:19Don't get to me.
05:27All right, big boy.
05:29All right, up, up, up, up!
05:32Come on! Push it! Push it!
05:33Come on, come on, come on, man.
05:35All right, let's go.
05:36No, I'm here!
05:37All right, let's go.
05:38Up, up, up, up, up, up!
05:40Alright, let's go west!
05:42Alright, let's go west!
05:44Up, up, up, up, up!
05:48Good job!
05:50Good job, Willie!
05:58That's why we work.
06:00That's why we work.
06:02We work to have trouble, and we have trouble for winning.
06:04Oof!
06:08It's this exact type of effort
06:10that gives all our athletes
06:12their best chance of meeting the moment.
06:16Moments like the PWHL
06:18playoffs opening in Toronto.
06:20A stage
06:22where heartbreak still lingers.
06:24The season-previous Minnesota
06:26and first overall pick Taylor Heise
06:28eliminated the Scepters
06:30from the playoffs, while Natalie Spooner
06:32could only watch from the sidelines
06:34injured.
06:36Now, both stars
06:38are back.
06:40Healthy, hungry, and ready
06:42for the rematch.
06:44Crowdy crowd.
06:46Cheering on this board battle.
06:48Where are you, Blair?
06:50In comes Turnbull!
06:52She scores!
06:54Toronto with the first goal
06:56in the playoffs!
06:58Come on, Willie!
07:00Rip it!
07:02She shoots!
07:04Misses!
07:06Bizarre miscommunication there now.
07:08Julia Gosling comes in!
07:10Step up!
07:11Shoot!
07:12She scores!
07:14The crowd is electric as Toronto
07:16takes Game 1 at home.
07:18But Game 2 arrives with bad intentions.
07:20Here we go, Super Brickwall.
07:22The politeness gone.
07:24Replaced with hostility.
07:26Body her!
07:36Body her! Body her, Nat!
07:38It's a banger!
07:40What a manpuck turns into a 2-on-1!
07:50What?
07:51Spooner shoots!
07:52It's just wide!
07:53Yes!
07:54Yes!
07:55In comes Taylor Heisey in the slot.
07:58Now, Quint Schofield!
08:00The door is shut by Gamble.
08:02And we're getting into it.
08:04Everyone win it?
08:06Uh, decent and all.
08:07You wanna quick it?
08:08Quick, like, round.
08:09Or, like, something that's gonna be, like,
08:10catch-walk guard,
08:11because they've been sitting for a little bit.
08:12Yeah.
08:15Heisey at the dot.
08:17Now, stack line!
08:18Shoes and Lee scores!
08:20On the back!
08:21Right here, Blue!
08:23Monroe now.
08:25Sets it up.
08:26Scores!
08:27Emily Monroe!
08:28Dives it up!
08:31Well, how about that, Toronto Scepters?
08:36To Jake's patience.
08:38Channel Watkins.
08:41No!
08:42They got one.
08:43Natalie Spooner and the Scepters head to Minnesota for games three and four,
08:59with the series locked at one game apiece.
09:02The next victory means precious momentum for one side and the pressure of survival for the other.
09:08Larova!
09:09Delish Shepers!
09:10She scores!
09:11A champ!
09:12Daryl Watts!
09:14Plies, he feeds it into stack line!
09:17She scores!
09:20They down, down, down, and they score!
09:23Did you think you'd say it?
09:24Not many times!
09:25The one-timer from Jake's it pops up, and they put it away!
09:30Space, the one-timer from Jake's, it pops up, and they put it away!
09:36The Frost, a dominant Game 3 win.
09:39Highest scoring game in PWHL history.
09:44Game 4 in the state of hockey, must win for the Toronto Scepters.
09:50Spooner, getting to work below the goal line once more.
09:53Miller, grips it, scores!
09:56Game 4 heads to overtime.
09:58Toronto, this is their chance to stay alive.
10:01Trying to keep Minnesota to the outside, Taylor Heisey, with the shot, she scores!
10:08Minnesota Magic in overtime!
10:12The reigning Walter Cup champions are heading back to the PWHL Finals.
10:28People have asked me this, like, what they thought I was, like, kind of playing at, and to be honest, I probably started off, like, 50%, 650%, 60%, but, 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, and I think, like, probably watching people probably tell I was a little bit hesitant.
10:54You know, not just, like, driving through people as I normally would, but kind of, you know, avoiding a hit to make sure my legs were still attached.
11:04Right 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.
11:30Like, Emily Clark, I was out of practice, and I was, like, so frustrated.
11:33She just looked at me, she's like, you've got to 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 going to 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.
11:54Fear of not making the team.
11:58Steaks are high.
11:59I obviously want to make the Olympic team.
12:01That's the goal.
12:03But I think, you know, I just need to focus on one day at a time getting back to where I want to be.
12:10For Natalie, this offseason isn't rest.
12:14It'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 and prove she's ready when the world is watching.
12:29While 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 going to end up, they're always going to be there.
12:50And that just means the world to me.
12:53It's, like, scary to know what's going to happen soon or not.
12:56But 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 going to make it the perfect game?
13:05I don't know.
13:06Maybe 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.
13:17What?
13:18Hmm.
13:18Excellent.
13:19It's fun to register.
13:22Because there's a lot of information.
13:23OK.
13:24Perfect.
13:26It's a little bit more.
13:27It's a little bit, a little bit, but you're very emotional.
13:34Very emotional.
13:37OK.
13:39OK, it's something that you want to do for a long time.
13:42OK?
13:43And here, like I said, it's going to go faster than that.
13:47It's a new project.
13:48Go full it.
13:49It's going to go well.
13:52And stop putting pressure on the road.
13:54You have a lot of pressure on the road.
13:57I think it's going to be a little bit more.
14:01VoilĂ .
14:02Merci beaucoup.
14:03Merci.
14:04Although the reading checks out at first glance, Raphael needs a second opinion.
14:09Yeah, it was pretty accurate, I think.
14:11Yeah.
14:12It does check out.
14:13And 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, but yeah.
14:21So apparently I have a high ability to feel stuff through me, and my feeling is always very good.
14:29You feel a family thing, I guess.
14:31I'm one of the 15th person of people all around the world that has good values.
14:39Justice is very important to me, which is definitely true.
14:43I don't mind doing a lot of sacrifice.
14:45I'm born to be a boss and a leader.
14:48I'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.
14:59Let's leave it there.
15:01Let's leave it there.
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 routines.
15:22But rest is just as important for the body and mind to stay sharp.
15:26One, two, one, go!
15:28Mikel takes this opportunity to volunteer at a kid's ski camp to inspire the next generation of mogul skiers.
15:36We're going to be better than you.
15:38We're going to be better than him?
15:40Yeah.
15:40You're perfect.
15:44You're right, you're atterri.
15:46Did you see that you were well atterri?
15:47I said I'm really good.
15:49For nothing?
15:49No.
15:50Here.
15:51It's not me who...
15:53If I can make a mini difference in their career, I find it super important.
15:58That rich Quebec ski history is woven into the culture.
16:2180% of Quebecers live less than an hour away from a ski center.
16:26Most of the mountains are smaller, so there's a lot of repetition.
16:30Perfect for moguls and freestyle.
16:33Freestyle was a demonstration sport at the Calgary Olympics in 1988.
16:38In 1994, Lillehammer, Quebec's Jean-Luc Broussard wins moguls gold.
16:43Just 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.
16:54Jump, a back lift.
16:56Brenda, look at that time.
16:58Whoa.
16:59Alex Bilodeau.
17:01That is the run he's been dreaming of.
17:05The DeFore-Lapoint sisters.
17:09This is where she'll make it or break it.
17:11It's a gold medal for Justine DeFore-Lapoint and a silver medal for her sister Chloe.
17:16So aggressive.
17:18And then ultimately, Mikkel.
17:20Mikkel Kingsbury wins gold for Canada.
17:24Giving back feels good.
17:26But spring?
17:28Spring belongs to baseball.
17:31From the mountain range to the baseball diamond, Mikkel 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.
17:45Bravo.
17:45So try to dig into the seams here.
17:53And then when you release it, you're almost going to go like this.
17:56Yeah.
17:56But 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.
18:05Okay.
18:06So it's much more fun to throw it in a softball.
18:11After a quick warm-up with the team, the stands are getting packed
18:14and spectators are fired up with anticipation.
18:18Toujours pour lui, c'est vraiment, vraiment wow de venir sur le Stade Canac.
18:21C'est comme un rĂŞve d'enfant.
18:23Fait que si ça lui fait plaisir, ben pour nous, on va l'accueillir tant qu'attac possible.
18:27Gaëlle, donc pour moi, c'est un modèle pour la communauté de baseball,
18:30pour les jeunes, les jeunes qui fréquentent les installations de Stade Canac.
18:34T'es un modèle pour lui.
18:35T'es un modèle pour lui.
18:44Turns out, the King of Moguls has a decent fastball.
18:48finally some peace
19:04after the game
19:08Mikhail sticks around to sign autographs
19:10and hang out with fans
19:12Hello, I'm your friend
19:14How's it going?
19:15Nice to meet you
19:17I'm also
19:19K-L-O-R-A-N-E
19:23My friends who come from the team
19:25who come check the game with me
19:27check a little baseball game
19:28relax
19:29they're still in the morning
19:30but I'm going to enjoy
19:33a good ball game
19:42Hey Canada
19:43Cabby Richards here
19:44thrilled to be your host
19:45for this year's edition of The Game
19:47the nightly trivia game
19:48for all Canadians
19:4919 and over
19:50packed with questions about the Olympics
19:52Four all-inclusive tropical getaways
19:54are up for grabs
19:55and all you have to do
19:56for a chance to win
19:57is play the game
19:58The faster you answer
20:00the more points you score
20:01It's the simple yet difficult
20:03exciting yet frustrating way
20:05to play your way through
20:06this upcoming Olympic season
20:08Join Canadians in their quest
20:09to win one of four beach getaways
20:11skip out on the winter blues
20:13catch some rays in Mexico
20:15Three high scores
20:16along with one lucky random draw winner
20:18will be eligible to win a trip
20:20Plus, nightly prizes are always on the line
20:23When the Winter Olympics begin
20:25so does the game
20:26It all kicks off on February the 6th
20:28so don't miss your chance
20:29Register today at cbcolympics.ca
20:32presented by Bette Rivers
20:41Time off the track doesn't come often
20:51But when it does
20:52Johan spends it with his grandfather
20:56Take care of the keys
21:02Today we're here in Cochrane
21:03for the car show that they have annually
21:05Here with my grandpa
21:06who's taken out his 1957 Thunderbird
21:08I have a hard time getting into this thing
21:10with the top on
21:11Johan it's really quite comical
21:13watching him get into the thing
21:17As he became a teenager
21:19we started doing a summer road trip
21:21We would just pick somewhere to go
21:23for a week or two
21:24and then drive
21:27My grandparents play a key role
21:28in like making all of what I do possible
21:30There's been a few times
21:32where sport gets expensive
21:33or really difficult
21:34and they're there to look out for me
21:36and support me through this
21:39Patina?
21:40Is that what it's called?
21:41Yeah
21:42You look like you're in better condition
21:43than this is though
21:44I kinda hope so
21:45Moments like these are rare
21:47Most days Johan juggles training
21:49and two jobs
21:51One of which takes him to the racetrack
21:53where he swaps his bobsled
21:55for a camera
21:58Johan has picked up a freelance gig
22:00with his friend Jackson
22:02a photographer
22:03who brings him along
22:04to help out at the racetrack
22:06And then there'll be a hard right hand
22:07and that's like a dip in
22:09so we'll have to take a little hike
22:10Alright
22:11Always down for a little hike
22:12Yeah
22:13Being constantly on the move
22:14leaves little time to connect
22:16Today is a rare opportunity for Johan
22:19to catch up with an old friend
22:21Man didn't you say
22:22last time we talked about this
22:23you were saying like
22:24it's not a steering wheel in there
22:25it's just like
22:26you're pulling a string or something
22:28Yeah
22:29Yeah, there's a string
22:30that comes forward
22:31and then you're sat right there
22:32and you pull on one side
22:33this tower will go back
22:34and it pulls that that way
22:36Loki on the two-man sled
22:38The two-man sled
22:39the breaking hole is there
22:40so it's like you get a little like
22:41see the ice
22:43just going
22:44just like that
22:45you know
22:46you're like
22:47ten feet off the ground
22:49horizontal
22:50going to 120
22:51and you're like
22:52this is just not
22:53natural bro
22:54Dude that
22:56it must be a thrill though
22:58Yeah, that's why
22:59it's like
23:00you know me man
23:01you know
23:02As Jackson absorbs the intensity
23:03of Johan's bobsledding life
23:05their conversation turns
23:07to an even tougher truth
23:08Johan
23:09has to work
23:10two jobs
23:11because Olympic training
23:12doesn't pay the bills
23:13You can't just be a full-time athlete
23:15right?
23:16Yeah
23:17You don't have to do other things
23:18Cause yeah, I feel like the resilience
23:19is something that like
23:20you gotta have
23:21and I feel like no matter
23:22like how hard times have gotten
23:23like here and there
23:24like I've always been like
23:25I'm gonna continue
23:26Yeah
23:27I don't know how you do it
23:28but
23:30While Johan keeps pushing
23:32those close to him
23:33start to worry
23:34Like Graham even asked me the other day
23:36like are you happy with the path you chose?
23:38Part of the worries me
23:39is how he handles the mental side of things
23:41Probably never realized how much time
23:44and effort that goes into it
23:45I think the hard part for them is that
23:50they see kind of what it does to me
23:51like as far as just being like
23:53completely 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
23:58Season starts pretty soon here
24:00Thank you
24:01And if that's the cost
24:04and 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
24:15It's just hard
24:17Underneath the highlights and performances
24:27Culla and Sierra are just people in their early 20s
24:30Here in Toronto
24:32They take a breath and hang out before a huge press day
24:35Oh yeah
24:40Getting ready for Italy
24:41My sorbet
24:42Sierra's my guide
24:44For the people that might not know what a guide is
24:47I'm visually impaired
24:49Sierra is essentially my eyes
24:51when it comes to ski racing
24:53Everything that I can't see
24:54she tells me about
24:55How exactly do you ski with a guide?
24:58A para-alpine team communicates with headsets built into their helmets
25:04Sierra is always one step ahead
25:06and provides Culla with instructions about navigating the hill
25:10A team like this needs to be tight
25:13The bond between guide and athlete is extremely important
25:17Trust built on and off the snow
25:21I met Sierra
25:22I first started ski racing just after I started losing my vision back in 2021
25:27And 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 is awesome
25:37Like we were just like immediately really close friends
25:40But how close exactly?
25:44We don't cross the line and try and mix them too much
25:48Like obviously we are dating, we are athlete guide
25:51But try not to get it too blended
25:54That things get messy
25:56I mean I feel like people know
25:58But it's not talked about
26:00I think like just acting
26:02And like this is a normal day
26:04But you know we're not like all PDA and stuff
26:07In a professional setting nor are we those people
26:10Yeah
26:11So just keeping a professional
26:12Like it's our job and knowing that we're going in there
26:14And talking about what we have to talk about
26:17And yeah not being weird about it
26:19What I love most about Culla
26:21Honestly probably his patience
26:23And he like grossed me so much for this
26:26Because 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
26:38Is that work trips can have romantic outings
26:41There's nothing more romantic than you know
26:44Ice cream at sunset
26:45Downtown 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
26:58Downtown Toronto has to offer
27:00Culla and Sierra have a jam packed press day
27:03Full of interviews and photo shoots
27:05Their success on and off the hill
27:08Seems fueled by the same thing
27:10I think the trust in one another
27:14Trust in communication
27:16Like right from the get go
27:17We 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
27:28So it makes it really enjoyable
27:30CPC summits are a new experience for Culla and Sierra
27:34Their first press day as a team
27:37But for Mark
27:38All of the lights and cameras are routine
27:41We're going to go through a whole day of
27:43Sharing my story and different ideas
27:45And just trying to get everyone
27:47A sense of who I am
27:49Mark start your movement
27:53Bear in mind
27:54Anyone who's watched the last four Paralympics
27:56Knows exactly who Mark is
27:58What's your favorite cheat day meal?
27:59Oh I eat cheat day meals everyday
28:01Cause I'm trying to gain weight
28:02I eat cheat day meals everyday
28:03Cause I'm trying to gain weight
28:06Teglatelli is a little thinner than spaghetti
28:08I believe
28:09What's your favorite?
28:10Uh...
28:11That was weird, hey?
28:14While Culla, Sierra and Mark wind down a long day
28:18At the CPC summit
28:19Another athlete is well on their path to recovery
28:23Media is undeniably a core segment of an athlete's schedule
28:28Equal in prominence is maintenance
28:31And nobody has had a larger slate of schedule repairs
28:35Than Natalie Spooner
28:36The work has been done here
28:38At the Elite Performance and Injury Centre
28:40Here, Hockey Canada and the Scepters have designed her workout and rehab routine
28:52To accelerate her progress back to the Olympic level
28:55Yeah, I have a knee again, I have a muscle again
29:13So it's like from where I was at the end of the season to now
29:16It's like night and day
29:25Natalie's gym is conveniently built into the Kamoka Centre
29:29Home to an NHL-sized ice surface
29:32And a few old friends who can pop by for moral support
29:35How was your knee killing?
29:36It's good now
29:37And your hip?
29:38No, not my hip too, didn't you?
29:39No, never my hip
29:41Like, were you like, every time I turned on the TV
29:43You were like, scoring winning goals?
29:45Last year
29:46I mean, you can't dominate the league every year
29:48They catch up to you every once in a while
29:50Well, she's come a long way
29:52We had nine months
29:54And we started back from recovery with baby steps
29:57Public skating
29:58And worked our way up
30:00You gotta go
30:01Pick it up
30:02She wasn't allowed to do it in the gym
30:03We could not do it on the ice
30:05So that is why it is such an amazing story
30:08For so many young girls coming out
30:11You're big enough, you're strong enough
30:12To mix up your skating patterns
30:14She has the fight
30:15And with that fight, she will get back
30:17She's almost there now
30:19And everyone's behind her
30:21Excellent
30:23Better
30:24Every time
30:25Natalie's high performance athlete life
30:29Filled with workouts and therapies
30:31And private on ice sessions
30:33Actually 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
30:42Picks 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
30:52So everything was new
30:53And getting my body used to all the new movements
30:56Really
30:57I guess it's like equally as exciting as it is hard
30:59I see like a light at the end of the tunnel in a sense I guess
31:02Like I see it getting better
31:03Which 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
31:11As much as any mother and partners can be
31:13Her husband Adam Redmond manages to see the bigger picture of the time put in
31:18The 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
31:27And 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
31:34And hard work and resilience
31:37And all those things that I mean she's really demonstrated
31:41The last three years of his life right
31:44Where I really get caught up is
31:46You know when Roy's sitting next to me at a game
31:49And he's glued right in
31:52And he sees his mom walk out the tunnel and onto the ice
31:55And 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
32:02But I mean inevitably it likely could be
32:05To share that experience with him
32:07And watch his mom at the highest level
32:10Potentially for the last time
32:12I think it'll be pretty memorable and special
32:14And just something we'll be able to look back on forever
32:19We have Olympic training blocks coming up
32:23And they're going to be huge for me
32:25I think just to continue my training
32:26But also get to you know play and practice with the best in the world
32:30So I think that's really going to be the way that I'm going to get back
32:33You know to where I want to be is being able to train every day with them
32:38And get that speed back
32:40Because I'm going to have to play at that speed every day
32:42So I think it will come back a lot quicker because of these training blocks
32:45Which will be great
32:46Speed is critical in the game
32:49But right now after this day and these weeks
32:52Natalie can enjoy slowing down
32:55For an evening
32:57CBC's The Game is back
33:01Answer 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
33:07The game recognizes game
33:08But don't worry
33:09Coach Cabby's got your back
33:10Warm up with the training game
33:11Brush up on the rules and the FAQs
33:13And you'll be ready to crush it when the real action starts
33:15Prepare
33:16Train
33:17Win
33:18It's all at cbcolympics.ca slash the game
33:20Presented by Bett Rivers
33:35At practice with the women's team
33:37Raphael 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
33:54Raphael 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
34:14So basically I have an AC sprain injury
34:16So my clavicle pops out and all my ligaments are torn around it
34:21They told me it will be around 8 to 12 weeks to be fully, like, to fully recover from that injury
34:31Everything happened for a reason, literally in life
34:34Like, I had cancer and now I'm being, like, I'm a professional athlete
34:38I 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 and hopes for some good news
34:50The news that I'm expecting today is probably the okay to go practice on the ice again
34:57I'm not talking about, like, full-contact game
35:00But more, like, going to the ice, see how it feels
35:05Like that, at the gym, it went super well
35:07Yeah, for real, I'm really happy
35:09It's been a long time I've never had a record
35:12I was really satisfied
35:14Right 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
35:45If you feel comfortable with it, you can go with it
35:47With the skier on the ballon, practice with it
35:49And I don't have a problem with it
35:50And I don't have a problem with it
35:51I don't have a problem with it
35:52You don't have contact with it
35:53You don't have a situation of game
35:54Just practice with it
35:55With the official okay from her physiotherapist
36:05Raphael takes to the ice with a renewed spirit
36:09Yeah, I don't know, it's so peaceful
36:12I kind of like it
36:21I was really looking forward to the ice this afternoon
36:24Like you never know what to expect
36:27And to know that my shoulder is doing well now
36:30I can now build on that
36:32And go back home and train
36:34And I can get excited for Worlds
36:37And I'm convinced now that I will be back to my full potential
36:41Like until then
36:42So I'm very excited
36:45It's very nice
36:51Setbacks are inevitable for all high-performance athletes
36:55While Raphael will miss the Para Hockey World Championship in Buffalo
36:59She'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?
37:20The day after I saw you last
37:22What testing do you have today?
37:23Strength and power
37:24Strength and power
37:25Which involves what?
37:27Lots of jumping
37:28I was going to say
37:29Like are you force plate jumping all day?
37:31Recovery is just one part of the process
37:34Next up
37:35Baseline testing
37:36A data-driven check that shows what's working
37:39And what still needs work
37:41She's trying to get warmed up
37:43Do a little bit of core
37:45Then we'll do fitness testing
37:47So
37:48At least one day of the year
37:50At baseline testing
37:51Alex has run through a series of drills
37:54Spot you hold
37:55This gives a snapshot of where Alex stands now
37:58And how she compares to last season
38:00Jump
38:01Jump.
38:03Three, two, one.
38:08Good.
38:13Good.
38:14I'm walking.
38:15Jump.
38:16After a day of data and drills, it's time to unwind.
38:32At home, Alex's parents host their annual barbecue, a tradition that brings the whole ski jumping team together.
38:39Anyone who has participated in the fry gets a special card and they join the brotherhood of the fry.
38:46Cheers to that.
38:49All our coaches are from Europe, so 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, so it's extra special for us.
38:59This time, she's here with all her teammates and all the coaching staff and all the parents are going to come over.
39:09Hallelujah.
39:09In the middle of all the laughter and noise, Alex and her mom find a quiet moment and 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 when the coaches come into town.
39:24We cry a lot.
39:28Whether we're happy, we're sad, we're angry.
39:30Mom and I cry.
39:32Alexandria, loot it.
39:33Sometimes 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.
39:40I've always felt like she's doing what she wants.
39:44You're making me 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 and watch all the successes she's had and is fulfilling as a parent.
39:57See your kids winning or not winning.
40:01Which she doesn't like that part.
40:03I like to win.
40:05Yeah.
40:05Yeah.
40:10Will D'Ingenou lives most of his life in the fast lane.
40:28From daily workouts to physio.
40:30From a buzzing social calendar to constant travel abroad.
40:34And that's where his parents step in.
40:36Reminding him to stop and smell the flowers before returning to a busy life.
40:42The dad was stylish.
40:45With the little glasses and everything.
40:48I was good.
40:50The things are fast.
40:53We're currently seeing a little bird.
40:55A little bird.
40:56I can't say the name in Latin, but he's very cute.
41:00That's what I want to say.
41:03Wow.
41:03Wow.
41:05Like we have a very healthy relationship where we make each other better and that's very nice.
41:10Yeah, that's what I'll say.
41:10Yeah.
41:12I like to go.
41:13I think that.
41:15And there's so many learnings.
41:18It's also to accompany them.
41:21So when we accompany them, they're all about what they love.
41:25That's what they love.
41:27When we talk about proximity, it's also to understand how their child is evolving.
41:37So to be present to make corrections if it's necessary.
41:42But also to be present and to enjoy the moment present and to remember them with souvenirs.
41:48So, that's one of my first competitions.
41:52Yeah, that's right.
41:53In fact, that's my first competition.
41:55I remember because I had a medal of bronze.
41:58I was a little happy.
42:00Yeah.
42:00But I've never been happy to have a medal of bronze.
42:02Yeah.
42:03I don't even know what's that, that's what you're going to do.
42:06That's what you're going to do.
42:08Oh, yes.
42:09That's Camille.
42:10That's Camille.
42:12It's pretty much Michel.
42:14Yeah.
42:15It's a lot of emotion.
42:34It's hard.
42:39It's beautiful, but it's hard to see all of these memories that I had forgotten.
42:45That's true.
42:47It's hard to see all of these memories.
42:50I imagine all the families who live in separation, where children are in a shared situation.
42:56It's hard for a child.
43:00When we separated, our father and I, Will told me that in the car,
43:06what does it mean that when our parents are separated, we become orphans?
43:11So I think it's that it's that it's that it's that it's that it's that it's that we'll always be there for you, it's that.
43:20In this period, yes, it had been high and low, but the memories are positive.
43:27You chose your first lap of the pattern.
43:29Ah, yes, I remember this moment. Wow.
43:32That's hysterical.
43:34For me, it's always been a liberator, the pattern.
43:37It's like...
43:38I don't even think about it in terms of life after that, but...
43:44It's like a person for me, an other person.
43:48It's almost like a friend.
43:50It's why when I talk about passion, it's not just a superficial level.
43:56It's really deep for me.
43:58I like a lot of sports.
44:00It's true.
44:02It's...
44:03I love sports for my heart.
44:05I'm very privileged that my parents have allowed me to participate.
44:09Yeah, it's true.
44:13Will's parents have been a steady metronome of love and support for a lifetime.
44:19A perpetual meter marking time with the inspiration and support that's allowed Will to reach this precipice.
44:26The tempo quickens now, and behind every crescendo of effort stands a chorus of parents, partners, coaches, and friends.
44:39They steady the tempo when the world feels offbeat.
44:43Papa, I'm in old American.
44:49Papa, she's lying in my bacon.
44:56In this final stretch, success will depend not just on strength or speed, but on harmony.
45:04The delicate balance of body, mind, and the unwavering support of those who make the music possible.
45:11Papa, she's lying in my gue asked.
45:27To her last year and she grew me incredibly bland.
45:31Papa, she's lying in my belly.
45:36I don't know what to do.
45:43You don't have to press.
45:48No, it's okay.
45:51But the balance is that, especially with one hand.
45:55You don't have to press it.
45:57Yeah, it's okay.
46:03But the balance is it?
46:04Especially with one ball?
46:06Yeah, no.
46:07After you gave me a shot.
46:25In 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.
46:45Questions about Olympic records, events, and Canadian athletes.
46:49All to put your Olympic knowledge to the test.
46:51The faster you answer, the more points you score.
46:53There are prizes every night.
46:55Plus, you can win one of four all-inclusive vacations.
46:58It all starts February 6th.
46:59So 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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