What is your name?
Tristen
What is your position with the Y?
I’m a Health, Fitness, and Membership Coach!
What Y centre/program do you work with?
Mostly the DTY, but sometimes I help cover the KFY during staff meetings.
What do you always find yourself saying?
Where are my keys?
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Donald Trump (It would be amusing).
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
I don’t want any! I’m non-striving. :)
Please explain one fond memory you have of the Y.
I have a great memory of the 2019 staff Christmas party. I made amazing sausage rolls, and found out the hard way that setting a hot Pyrex dish down in the snow while fumbling for your car keys was a bad idea. Long story short, the staff ended up getting 5-minute frozen spanakopita.
What are you doing to stay connected while at home (personal connections)?
I play a lot of online games like Star Wars: The Old Republic and No Man’s Sky, so I have friends from all over the world I play with!
Are you staying connected with your Y family during this time, and if so, how?
Mostly through work!
Where is your favorite place to “dine”/order takeout in the Okanagan right now?
Best place ever is called Latin Fiesta — authentic Latin food
What is your favourite activity while social distancing in the Okanagan?
I like gaming and puzzles. (I’m sort of boring)
Who inspires you (within your Y family or elsewhere)?
Dr. Mike inspires me. He has a great channel, you should all go watch!
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
I don’t have a bucket list! I prefer to just do as much as I can while I have the time.
Tell us about a defining moment in your life.
Graduating from UBC without a cent of student debt was a huge moment for me!
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about health, and about happiness.
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Probably the day I was born. Really glad that one happened!
If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
Get everyone to stop drinking soda, and change people’s opinions on self-care.
What 3 qualities do you feel your Y exemplifies?
Caring, compassion, and inclusiveness.
How does your team make a difference every day?
Oh boy, how do we not! We give people a place to call home, to workout, to feel safe, man the list goes on and on.
What words of encouragement would you say to our Y members and participants right now?
Folks, it’s going to be just fine. We’re a big team, and we can do this. Also, eat your vegetables!
What would you like to say to your fellow staff/volunteer team?
You guys are my reason to believe in humanity. Keep it going.
How has your role changed during COVID?
A bit less personable, less face-to-face meetings.
What does community mean to you?
Community means solidarity. We all support each other.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite is just being able to be useful to people.
What Y team member would you like to give a shout-out to and why?
I’m shouting out Collin Polmear, the manager at DTY, because that man juggles 60 thousand things a day that need to be done. He’s a rockstar. Scratch that, every single person who works here is a rockstar. I’m shouting out everyone!