On October 22, 2025, Power to Give hosted The Athlete’s Purpose at Rogers Court in Calgary — a first-of-its-kind gathering designed to help athletes explore life, leadership, and legacy beyond competition.
The event brought together over 30 current and former athletes for an afternoon of storytelling, reflection, and connection — guided by the shared belief that the skills that make great athletes also make great changemakers. Through courage, curiosity, and community, The Athlete’s Purpose invited participants to rediscover who they are when the game ends — and how their next chapter can create lasting impact.
We honour and acknowledge Calgary is located on the traditional territories of the Treaty 7 peoples, including the Blackfoot Confederacy, Tsuut’ina Nation, and Îyârhe Nakoda Nations, and is home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. We are grateful for the opportunity to gather, work, and learn together on these sacred lands.
A Conversation on Life After Sport
Co-hosts Cheryl Bernard and Simon Whitfield led a dynamic discussion featuring Kyle Quincey, Tyson Barrie, Sasha Perron, and Michelle Cameron Coulter. Athletes shared honest and emotional accounts of their “now what” moments, the unexpected challenges of reinvention, and the surprising ways they’ve found meaning beyond the podium.
“The Athlete’s Purpose event was a powerful reminder that when athletes step into life beyond sport, their influence doesn’t end—it just evolves. Seeing athletes channel their leadership, resilience, and teamwork into community impact creates an incredible social return, inspiring philanthropy and meaningful change across Canada. My hope is that we continue to nurture these transitions, so the ripple effect of athlete-driven giving grows stronger, reaching even the most remote and underserved communities in our country.”
— Cheryl Bernard, President & CEO, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Cheryl’s words echoed the heart of the event — that purpose after sport is not only personal, but profoundly communal. It’s about transforming the lessons of perseverance and teamwork into meaningful contributions that strengthen the fabric of communities across Canada.
From Performance to Purpose
Following the panel, athletes took part in Exploring Purpose, a small-group session facilitated by Matt Jackson of High Impact Labs. Through guided conversation and peer-to-peer reflection, participants were encouraged to explore what truly drives them — their personal values, community connections, and the causes that bring them a sense of meaning and fulfillment.
“When you step out of sport, you lose what’s familiar — the team, the rhythm, the thing that’s been part of your life for so long. It takes time to figure out who you are outside of that,” shared Sasha Perron, one of the event’s panelists. “For me, it was about pushing myself out of my comfort zone and sharing what I’ve learned so far. Everyone has something to teach. Being part of this event reminded me that talking about your ‘why’ — what really makes you feel alive — helps you connect with people on a whole new level. It’s how community grows.”
As conversations unfolded, themes of mentorship, mental health, and local leadership emerged. Many athletes spoke of the power of shared vulnerability — how hearing others’ stories helped them recognize that purpose doesn’t disappear when competition ends; it simply changes form.
People. Place. Power.
For many who attended, The Athlete’s Purpose was more than an afternoon of conversation — it was a reminder that purpose doesn’t end when competition does. It evolves. Events like this ripple far beyond the room — strengthening relationships, sparking collaboration, and reminding us that purpose is most powerful when shared.
Power to Give extends heartfelt thanks to our panelists, our co-host, High Impact Labs and our gratitude to sponsors Rogers, Urban Recreation, Chilly Ones, and Outway, LTD. for their generous support in making this gathering possible. Their partnership helped create not just an event, but a meaningful space for athletes to connect, reflect, and begin writing their next chapter of impact.
As co-host Simon Whitfield reflected,
“This isn’t about where you played, what you won, or when you lost. It’s about life after sport.”
To stay connected or learn more about how Power to Give excites philanthropy, reach out at impact@powertogive.baremetal.com or sign up for our newsletter.
