Kayaking has had a profound and transformative impact on my life, shaping not only who I am as a person but also how I approach leadership and adversity today. From the very first time I sat in a kayak, I learned the value of resiliency, determination, and the importance of pushing through challenges, lessons that continue to influence me today, especially in my role as a school principal. In kayaking, there is an inherent sense of competition, both with others and yourself. The drive to win and improve, to beat my competitors, and to master my technique taught me invaluable lessons in perseverance. However, it was not just the victories that shaped me; it was the losses that truly molded my character. Losing a medal at the 1996 Olympics, although devasting, taught me how to lead truly as a team player and with humility. It instilled in me a deep appreciation for the success of others, and a commitment to celebrate their achievements. These experiences in kayaking now guide my leadership philosophy, helping me foster an environment where resilience, collaboration, and the success of others are at the heart of everything I do in my life.
I began kayaking at 11 years old at the North Bay Canoe Club. A skinny, mouthy kid who was terrified of the water. I got my balance immediately. I instantly fell in love with the aggression of the sport, the speed and beauty of my paddle gliding through the water as I move my boat forward. I would be remiss to acknowledge how lucky I was to have coaches whose dedication I truly never appreciated when I was young, but today know how much it shaped my career. From a young age I had Tex Mitchell, a strict coach who I didn’t mess or talk back to. He introduced me to mental training, a secret weapon that had an integral part of my success. Living in North Bay the winters are long and my goal of racing at the Olympics was a daily conversation by me in my house. The unwavering support from my parents moved me to Ottawa to train with Graham Barton.
I moved away from home, still in high school living with a teammate. One of the most pivotal figures in my journey through kayaking was Graham Barton. He became a pillar in teaching me not only how to handle the stress of competition but also how to believe in myself during the most challenging moments. His guidance was instrumental in shaping my mindset and work ethic, showing me that true strength wasn’t just about physical ability, it was about mental fortitude and focus. He taught me how to channel every ounce of my energy into each stroke, ensuring that I wasn’t just moving the kayak, but doing so with purpose, precision, and power. This time period I honed into my mental training, every night I went over practices and scenarios during a race and learned how to focus and relax my mind and body. I believed if I trained my brain it would build incredible strength in stressful situations. Today, I still use the same techniques of positive affirmations, goal setting and relaxation.
I finished my career with Neil MacAskill as my coach, he helped me put everything I learned together and with his support and guidance I competed in 5 World Championships and two Olympics. He tirelessly created opportunities for me and my teammate to win. A great coach doesn’t just teach the technical aspects of a sport; they cultivate a mindset that fosters resilience, confidence, and self-belief. I would not have accomplished anything in my career without these
coaches.
Now the true heroes are my parents. They financially sacrificed so much to get me to
training camps across Canada and the United States. I never raced alone, every single Canadian
Championships, World or Olympic Trials, World Championships and Olympics, they were there.
They helped me navigate not just the politics of the sport, but the turbulence of self-doubt and
stress, instilling a belief in myself that I carry into all aspects of my life.
As I near the end of my professional career in education and look to retirement, it is easy
to reflect on what and who influenced me because of sport. I know the importance of hard work
and to lean into stressful situations. I am deeply committed to empowering others, a value I hold
close because of the countless individuals who have done the same for me throughout my life.
My coaches and family took the time to invest in me, challenge me, and help me see strengths
within myself that I hadn’t yet recognized. In turn, I feel a strong responsibility to pay that
forward by empowering those I lead. Whether it’s helping my students discover their strengths,
supporting my staff in their own professional growth, or fostering an environment where
everyone feels valued and capable. Who I am today is because of sport and I strive to create the same positive impact that was given to me and pass it on to others.
Sincerely,
Alison Herst-Jackson