viaStaff Feature: Q&A with Michelle

Dec 14, 2017

Determined, competitive and compassionate. Meet Michelle Tice, Director, Communications & Engagement at viaSport. She works with the Communications team to build awareness of and drive participation in sport and physical activity in the province. (She’s also a Mom to twin 11-year-old boys – that’s a big role too!) 

Finish this sentence: To me, sport is _____. 

Life.

I grew up playing sports, including soccer, skiing and track (400M and relays). Now, not only do I work in sport, but my favourite past times are skiing, running and hiking. I couldn’t even begin to count how many hours of the week I spend watching my sons play sports… you name it, they’ve tried it. Hockey and soccer are their favoourites, though. They’ve made some great friends through sport and so have I. Sport really does build community. 

Who is your favourite athlete of all time?

I come from a huge hockey family, so I would have to say Trevor Linden. He was a true role model in so many ways. I also really like Max Domi who plays for the Arizona Coyotes. He has Type 1 Diabetes, as does my son, and he is an incredible role model for kids with the disease. Of course, I also have to mention Sydney Crosby for that momentous overtime win for Canada at the 2010 Games.

As a kid, I loved also watching Bob Lenarduzzi and Carl Valentine play with the Whitecaps and the Crazy Canucks downhill alpine ski team – Dave Irwin, Dave Murray, Steve Podborski, and Ken Read.

If you could try any sport, what would it be?

I actually just started a new sport – tennis! I love it.

It’s so different from running and skiing, and so much fun to hit a ball (and hit it hard!) Running around the court is a great work out, too. I hear there’s a great social aspect to the sport, but I’m still a little ways off from real team play… 

Michelle Tice

If you had a friend who was resistant to sport or physical activity, how would you encourage or convince them to join?

You can do anything you put your mind to. 

I remember my mom trying to learn to ski later in life and how scared she was at first. I never really understood this fear until I tried snowboarding for the first time.  Every sport has a learning curve, but perseverance will pay off.

What 3 songs are included on the soundtrack to your life?

Just Breathe by Pearl Jam
Believer by Imagine Dragons
Soul Sister by Train

If I could choose a couple more, they would be:

Courage by Tragically Hip
I Still Haven’t Found What I am Looking For by U2

(I think I just really dated myself!)

Imagine yourself at 80 years old. What physical activity will you still be doing? 

Walking my dog, Charlie! (If he’s still around.)