In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.
What is your name?
Dan Drynan
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
Mississauga, ON. Obtained my undergrad from Univeristy of Ottawa and moved shortly thereafter to Kelowna in 2008. Having "accidentally" landed here then, I knew right away that this was where I would spend the rest of my life!!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My son. Just being a part of his life as he slowly grows into being a man has been an honour and an amazing learning process for both of us!!
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Machu Picchu. It has been on my bucket list ever since I first saw the pictures in National Geographic as a kid. It will be our families next trip for sure!!
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Farmers' Market is where our family does all its grocery shopping as we are big supports of local business and eating a clean and balanced diet. Both of which are done through shopping there!!
What is your favourite activity?
Teaching my son how to play hockey.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Pizza. A life without pizza is a life not worth living.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
While playing soccer in a coed league in university I went to field a high kicked ball off my thigh when it hit me square in the junk!! To which everyone in the stands and on the field let out a large "OOOOOHHH" haha!
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Holding my son for the first time.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Growing up in Ontario, our family spent a lot of time camping in Algonquin Park. One evening, we were able to listen to a pack of wolves howling in the night. They couldn't have been more than a couple hundred yards away. I probably should have been scared for my life but I was eight and thought it was the coolest thing ever!!
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
We are in the process of setting up a regular Strength and Conditioning program with The Boys and Girls Club focusing on the most at-risk youth. Not only is it great for the kids to have access to a facility that they would never be able to afford themselves, but to be given to opportunity to teach kids what I only wish I knew 20 years ago means a lot to me.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
The Toronto Maple Leafs didn't suck as much as they do!!
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Other than CrossFit at Orchard City Athletics, snowboarding at Big White.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
After coaching the morning CrossFit classes, I have been known to jump on my paddle board and go for a brisk rip before all the boats get on the water.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would love to see everyone make their health and wellness a priority in their life. A wise man once said, "Money can't buy life" – Bob Marley.
If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
That my family were blessed with a healthy lifestyle until it was our time to leave.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I don't have cable TV.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Orchard City Athletics
What does your business do?
Fitness centre providing trainer led CrossFit, and Bootcamp Classes in addition to personal training, Registered Massage Therapy and Chiropractic services.
How do people connect with you through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Orchard City Athletics
Where can people find your business online?
www.orchardcityathletics.com
Why did you get into/start this business?
After working in acute care medicince, I realized that doctors and trainers are in the same field, just opposite ends of the spectrum. As such, I beleive I can do more good to help people before they are debiliated and/or affected with chronic disease(s).
What is the goal of your business?
To make the Mission area the fittest community in the city.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Being a new business in Kelowna, getting our name out to the community has had its challenges.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I wouldn't change a thing. I am super stoked on life, and couldn't have a better family to support each other in this journey.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
In small towns like Kelowna, our local shops and the local families that run them are the lifeblood of Okanagan life. If we dont support eachother we're only left with corporate entities that will dictate to us what we want out of this life!
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
The KRZY Fitness Girls, Rianna Forbes and Kirsten Martell. Based out of West Kelowna, these girls bring the passion and knowledge to elicit the changes in their clients that they (the clients) are looking for.
My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
Jesse Webber, RMT
Other information you would like to share:
I first found my passion for training at the age of 16. But that was the mid 90’s and the classic bodybuilding routine was the rage and I would tear through all the muscle mag’s I could get my hands on. Fast-forward to 2007, I walked into the local CrossFit gym as a former competitive hockey player thinking he was in shape. At that end of the workout, laying in a pool of his own sweat, I had an epiphany. I realized that i was lied to my entire life. Up until that point, I never questioned the prevailing belief out there that bodybuilding’s isolation movements was the key to health, vitality, performance, and true strength and conditioning. I was hooked. I enjoyed a successful career in acute-care medicine at Vancouver General Hospital as a Respiratory Therapist. While working in acute medicine, and coaching part time, I realized that doctors and trainers are in the same business, just working on completely different ends of the health spectrum. I am on a mission to stamp out bad information in the strength and conditioning field by providing athletes with a simplified approach to their training based in both evidence and application-based practice.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!
