What defines success in high-performance sport? Is it the medals, the records, the fleeting moments of victory—or is it something deeper? Brian and Quinn, a father-son duo, challenged conventional thinking about youth athletics, urging parents and coaches to rethink their role in shaping the next generation of athletes.
Their discussion peeled back the layers of competitive sport, exposing both its transformative power and its potential for harm. They shared personal struggles—Brian’s grueling weight-cutting for Olympic sailing, Quinn’s battle with body image in transitioning from cycling to rowing—offering raw insights into the mental toll of sport. Yet, they also revealed how resilience, well-being, and personal growth emerge when competition is reframed as a journey, not a destination.
Drawing from Erikson’s Stages of Development and Self-Determination Theory, they explored why athletes thrive when given autonomy, connection, and a sense of competence. The audience was left questioning: are we raising athletes for performance or for life?
The Q&A deepened the conversation, touching on the impact of suicide within sport, the stark contrasts between North American and Eastern European training models, and the power of expectation in shaping an athlete’s fate.
In the end, one message resonated: sport should build people, not just champions.
Watch the Recording:
This evening was generously supported by:
McLean McCauig Foundation
Bob & Sue Adams
Resort Municipality of Whistler
Lightburn Family Fund
&
Whistler Blackcomb’s Epic Promise
This event was held at the Maury Young Arts Centre, 4335 Blackcomb Way, Whistler BC.
Photos by: Hannah Fergusson
Join us for our next evening of thoughtful dialogue on Thursday, March 27, Democracy & Science: Anecdotes, Positive Notes & a Forward-Thinking Approach.
