The Terminator Foundation’s vision is to reach individuals on a global scale who are affected by drug and alcohol addiction to radically revolutionize their lives using the Triathlon experience. We have a team of passionate individuals, who together, offer a holistic approach to addiction recovery using triathlon coaching, nutrition coaching, and physiotherapy, as well as provide therapy and mental health resources to our athletes.
Vanisha Breault is the founder and CEO of the National organization, Terminator Foundation, a cutting-edge approach to the mental health, opioid, and addiction crisis. Breault has spent over two decades as a crusader for social justice issues concerning mental health, addiction, and domestic violence. She’s an advocate and speaker who pushes the boundaries of vulnerability, introspection, and everyday courage while shifting the paradigm of judgment towards one of compassion. Her personal story of domestic violence and addiction is the motivating force behind her dream of breaking down the shame and stigma surrounding mental health issues. She continues this important work as the author of the newly released book, ‘Ordinary Courage’, and as the podcast host of the notable show, Ordinary Courage, found in the Top 100 Relationship Podcasts in Canada.
Vanisha holds a B.A. (with honours) in Counselling/Psychology, as well as her Certified Life Coach training (CCF) and Certified Triathlon Coach training (NCCP). Vanisha’s impact in the community has been acknowledged by several awards, most recently the recipient of the Universal Women’s Network, ‘Difference Maker Award’. She has supported and advised on various boards, presently, she serves as a director on the Board for RESET Society, a supportive housing program for women and children exiting sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
In her own words:
I’ve just recently decided to go for my M.A. in Counselling and will also be getting to work on my second book, which will release in the Summer of 2022. My amazing team and I will continue to spread Terminator Nationally with the vision to take it Global. In my downtime, you’ll find me running and spending time with my incredible grandkids.
Breault resides in Calgary, Alberta with her four grown children and grandchildren.
Mary started with the Terminator Foundation as a volunteer swim coach in 2019, later moving into an Executive Swim Coach role and is now serving as the National Program Director for the organization.
Mary has been swimming her entire life – as a competitive age group swimmer, as a member of an NCAA University team and as a triathlete. She tackled her first sprint triathlon in 2002, a decade later completed an IRONMAN and then became an NCCP Certified Triathlon Coach and founded LYNX Triathlon to share her passion for the sport with others.
Mary has watched the Terminator Foundation grow enormously in scope and reach in two short years and is excited to oversee and assist in the development of the triathlon training program at a national level. She strongly believes that the Terminator Foundation’s collaborative recovery approach incorporating triathlon training and peer support, alongside physical and mental health & wellness education, is an important aspect for helping youth and young adults overcome addiction.
Mary holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Economics from the University of Mary Washington and enjoyed a career in the Oil & Gas industry prior to starting her Triathlon Coaching business.
LYNX Triathlon is a valued sponsor of the Terminator’s triathlon program.
Llew Edwards carried the torch for Team Canada at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. But the journey to the top was not destined. As a youth, Llew experienced abuse. He lived in foster homes and found connection through gang life. Alcohol was a coping mechanism. Llew was on a path to incarceration or death. Then he found sport. It saved his life.
Originally from Toronto, Llew is a two-time Olympian, having trained from 1988 to 2002. As an Olympic-caliber athlete Llew has trained alongside some of the fastest track and field and bobsled athletes, such as Donovan Bailey, Glenroy Gilbert, Pierre Lueders and Christina Smith. Mastering the art of body awareness and positioning as an athlete, Llew then turned to coaching, becoming a trainer, and conditioning coach with certifications in stretching and sports science.
Coaching Highlights
Llew has coached both professional and amateur sport athletes, including some in the CFL, NFL, NHL, and CIS. He is the Owner and CEO of Quantum Speed and Conditioning.
Hockey – As a sprinting specialist Llew has worked with such greats as Steve Yzerman, Brad Stuart and Jarome Iginla to become faster and add explosiveness in their stride. For off-season strength and conditioning, Llew has worked with Joel Andresen of the Spruce Grove Broncos and Jamie McLennan of the St. Louis Blues as well as numerous talented amateur sport players such as Emily Harrison, offensive player for the Mount Royal Cougars.
Sprint Coach – Pinnacle Pioneers Track and Field, Scottsdale, Arizona
Los Angeles Rugby Club – Assisted with developing core muscle training techniques which directly helped the team qualify for the regional playoffs leading them to become national champions.
Llew holds an MBA from Canterbury University United Kingdom, London England
Llew’s mantra as a coach is to “continually grow professionally, physically and spiritually to achieve the next level”.
Llew loves music, art, movies, sports, good conversation, and when not coaching, you may find him in the mountains.
Eden Ericksen is a passionate advocate and spokeswoman for sexual exploitation, human trafficking and addiction recovery.
With immense empathy and compassion, her heart is to reach those who have felt the pain caused by these issues, whether personally, through family & friends or public speaking.
Since starting her journey through recovery nearly five years ago, Eden has spent most of that time giving back to the community through public speaking, her work at Inn From The Cold as a family support worker, and being peer support at Albertas Adolescent Recovery Centre.
Eden partners closely with the Terminator Foundation as a Recovery Coach and her hope is to shed light on addiction, relapse and life in sobriety all while training closely with the athletes.
Eden’s main focus in the previous years has been her work with Terminator as well as speaking about her personal journey through homelessness, opioid addiction, human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Eden has shared her story on countless platforms from being a panelist, to speaking in school auditoriums, businesses, media networks and within the community of recovery.
She is currently living in Calgary with her husband Keegan and their three children.
Jack is passionate about Canada becoming a Nation where every individual has the opportunity to discover and live from their strengths, and use those strengths to build up themselves and the community around them. Over the past years, he has primarily led Impact Society to focus on helping individuals, especially youth, discover their strengths and assist them to discover the greatness already inside them. However as we know, it takes a community to raise a child, which is why we also work hard to build the strengths of adults and leaders who influence youth. Since 1994 our HEROES series of programs (HEROES, HEROES2, HEROES at Home, LEGENDS (HEROES for Leaders) and Indigenous Leadership & Development) have helped over 170,000 youth and adults, discover their gifts & abilities and live with purpose and significance.
Jack and Impact Society are also dedicated to strengthening the Indigenous peoples of this country. There is much that every Canadian can learn from Indigenous culture and history, which can assist us all to become better, more responsible citizens. This is why we work hard to help Indigenous communities see the tremendous strengths they have, to grasp how the Creator has put in every community all the strengths needed to achieve physical, mental, social and emotional health and balance. That as the strengths in communities are built up and established, then the whole community will grow together. He is confident that by choosing to understand the wisdom of 7 Sacred traditional teachings of – love, respect, honesty, humility, courage, wisdom and truth, that we as a society can advance together, resulting in Canada becoming a Country providing an example to the world of how to work together, learn from each other and utilize our resources in ways that benefit and contribute to all man-kind, and leave a world which our children and children’s children will enjoy and grow together in.
Derek is President of Derek D. Fraser Philanthropic Advisors Inc., a fund development consultancy in Calgary, AB. The firm’s current clients reach across a broad spectrum of organizations from independent schools, professional association foundations, performing arts organizations, and social service agencies. Derek has worked in the non-profit sector since 1987 and has had the privilege of experiencing the width and breadth of fund development work with concentrations in annual giving, capital campaigns, major gift work both in Canada and abroad, Board development, strategic planning, alumni affairs, along with association organization and volunteer management. Derek has been a part-time instructor with Georgian College with their online non-profit studies program. He has also been a mentor, over the last 3 years, to over 40 arts organizations through the “artsVest” national program administered by Business in the Arts. Derek first worked in marketing the Arts while working at the Shaw Festival Theatre in 1985, after completing an exciting fellowship program year at Disney’s EPCOT Center in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Derek served as chair of the AFP Canadian Council in 2013-2014 and is a past president of the Calgary & Area Chapter of AFP. He also serves as Chair of the Major Gifts Committee for the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada, as well as committee roles for AFP Canada and AFP Global. Derek recently retired from the Board of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – AB/NT/NU Division after 11 years and he also chairs the Fund Development Committee of Youth Central in Calgary. Derek has recently joined the Board of the Terminator Foundation in Calgary.
Derek holds a B.A. (Hons) in Film Studies from Queen’s University and earned his Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) in 2004 with re-certifications in 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019.
Lindsey is the clinical director and owner of Versa Movement Collective – Physiotherapy in Calgary, AB. Her commitment to a professional atmosphere that integrates itself with the community and her passion to develop and grow business that exists to drive real change in our community has brought her to the board of directors for the Terminator Foundation.
After losing her brother to addiction in 2014, Lindsey felt that more had to be done within our communities to support our brothers and sisters, mothers, fathers and loved ones who are fighting for sobriety. Sitting on the board of directors is an honour that Lindsey holds close to her heart and is grateful to be a driving force towards change.
In Lindsey’s free time, you will most likely find her rinkside cheering on her son and his hockey team or in dance studios trying to learn her other son’s latest hip hop combo. In her true free time, she enjoys hiking with her husband Jordan and living an overall healthy and active lifestyle with her family.
Debbie Ermel is a Chartered Professional Accountant with more than 20 years of experience in accounting and tax, primarily in the private sector. She currently owns and manages a small accounting firm in Calgary, Alberta.
Debbie volunteers with Terminator because she is proud of the values and opportunities Terminator presents to those struggling with addictions. Debbie enjoys giving back to the community and is a strong advocate for empowering others. Debbie and her family are active in enjoying Alberta’s great outdoors and spend much of their time hiking, camping, skiing and cycling.
Daniel is a driven and hardworking go-getter focused on leaving a mark on his generation. Growing up in a household that fostered entrepreneurship, he developed a passion to try new things and explore the world of business. This led him to start ventures of his own, but more importantly find ways to give back to where his heart lies: the youth.
He has been involved in school programs that teach youth how to take an idea and use it to start a business, in addition to personally mentoring not just in their business life, but in their mental and spiritual lives as well.
He served for several years as a youth/young adults leader with his local church, being able to directly make a positive impact in the lives of those who needed it.
Daniel loves working with people, travelling, sports cars, and anything fun and exciting.
Currently, he runs his own practice in the financial industry where he leads an advisory team of over 10 people, whose focus is to empower people so they can make educated decisions about their own money. In conjunction with this, he produces daily resources and material via social media for the next generation, so that they can be inspired to find purpose and passion in their everyday living.
Shelley Gunn loves working with youth. Most recently she was employed by YTC social services as a community service youth worker. Shelley is certified in Play Therapy and Integrative Play Therapy Studies. She also completed a two-year diploma in Addiction counselling. In addition, she utilizes wilderness therapy as she is trained a variety of experiences in the outdoors: rock climbing, backpacking, canoeing, survival skills, and is a lifeguard. Additional diplomas were earned in Recreation Management and Outdoor Recreation Programming.
If life isn’t busy enough, Shelley finds joy in training for triathlons. She has worked in group homes and youth groups in BC. She also worked for a government program called “friends”, where youth learned to developed life skills to become independent. She was their caregiver, mentor and friend.
Finally, she was an adventure therapist in the Reach-out Expeditions, in the USA, where children and young people were challenged to test their abilities, through rappelling down cliffs, hiking glaciers, and trekking over mountains and valleys.
She believes Play Therapy expands the children’s ability beyond a classroom. Learning through the outdoors allows students to build self esteem by overcoming challenges. Obstacles push clients beyond their limits, leading to discovery of hidden strengths and abilities. She believes that children are expressive human beings that need to explore and discover who they are and what they can accomplish.
Shelley looks forward to engaging the youth in discovery and learning.
Mike Gunn holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counselling and 5 year Bachelor of Education teacher’s degree from UBC, Vancouver. He has been counselling for 15 years and worked for several health centres as a mental health therapist.
Presently he is employed as the main therapist for New Beginnings, Cote Health, O’Chapawace. He is also contracted for crisis situations for Yorkton Tribal Council.
Mike has a specialty in sexual abuse and has set up programs for the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Great West Life, etc. He produces many workshops utilizing a wholistic model of healing that integrates a strong spiritual component.
As a previous school principal, Mike grew distraught over the number of students who were suffering from trauma and thus struggling in their schooling. Students were disclosing personal tragedies; their suffering stirred his heart to explore their deeper emotional problems. In so doing, Mike began a pursuit to help heal trauma by obtaining his Masters degree in Counselling.
His goal is to have people see themselves as the beautiful creations they are. “What people can’t feel, they can’t heal! Students need to see through their pain, allowing healing belief to arise, then expectation will follow, leading to discovery of life purpose…”
“The wounded heart must receive love before it can transmit love. Even wilted plants grow healthy, once transplanted into a nurturing environment.”
Mike deeply cares about his clients; strives to create the conditions for deeper self-awareness. He counts it a privilege to join others in their journey toward peace, acceptance, and connection to the Creator. “Those healed in love leave lasting impacts on generations to come!” “Let life be awakened…”
Dr. Tanguay is a Psychiatrist who completed two fellowships, one in Addiction Medicine and one in Pain Medicine. He is a clinical assistant professor with the departments of Psychiatry and Surgery at the
Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. Most recently Dr. Tanguay helped found and is the Chief Medical Officer of Aspen Island Therapeutics, a program dedicated to providing medical and psychological intervention for people living with complex and treatment resistant mental health disorders such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, addiction, and chronic pain with use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
He is the Medical Lead for the Alberta Addiction Education Sessions for Alberta Health Services (AHS). He is the Regional Director for Alberta and North West Territories for the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine (CSAM) where he sits as a board member, the President of the Pain Society of Alberta, and the co chair of the internationally recognized Alberta Pain Strategy. He is the founder of the Opioid Deprescribing Program with AHS, the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Community Clinic with AHS, and the Transitional Outpatient Pain Program for Spine (TOPPS) clinic working with spinal surgeons to optimize
spinal surgery outcomes. He also consults with the Carewest Operational Stress Injury Clinic treating veterans and RCMP for trauma related injuries.
Dr. Tanguay is also the lead lecturer for Addiction for the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. Academically, he is involved in research in trauma, addiction, chronic pain, opioids, and cannabis and is a member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education at the University of Calgary.
Terminator strives to reach individuals with mental health, trauma and addiction issues to support and strengthen their recovery using our cutting edge ‘Activity-Based Recovery Therapy’, which applies the three disciplines of triathlon: swimming, biking and running.
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