True North Success Podcast

In this inspiring episode, Amy Kim sits down with Dr. Sylvia Chan Remillard to explore how science, compassion, and leadership can come together to truly transform lives. From growing up in a small-town Chinese restaurant to leading in the cardiometabolic health space, Sylvia shares how her unique journey shaped her approach to leadership and impact.
Dr. Sylvia Chan Remillard is Senior Manager of Medical Science Liaison and Field Excellence at Novo Nordisk Canada. With a PhD in Nutrition and experience spanning nanomaterials research, business development, and medical strategy, Sylvia brings both scientific depth and human connection to her work in diabetes and obesity care.
 
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What if ADHD wasn’t something to “fix” — but something to understand and support?
In this inspiring episode, Amy sits down with Dr. Rubina, founder of Abilities Occupational Therapy, to talk about innovation in healthcare, restoring independence through driving assessments, and empowering children and adults with ADHD using strengths-based strategies.
With 19 years of clinical experience, Dr. Rubina shares how her passion for lifelong learning and calculated risk-taking helped her build a niche occupational therapy practice serving Albertans at every stage of life. From medical driving evaluations to launching a pediatric feeding clinic and ADHD coaching services, her work is rooted in collaboration, curiosity, and mindset.
One of the most powerful moments in this episode is her perspective on independence. For many clients, regaining the ability to drive is more than getting a license back. It means freedom. It means visiting a spouse in a seniors’ residence. It means dignity, connection, and mental wellness.
Dr. Rubina also opens up about living with ADHD herself. She explains why strategies and coaching should often come before medication, and how shifting mindset alone can create meaningful change. Rather than pathologizing ADHD, she focuses on empowering individuals to leverage their strengths while building practical coping tools.
 
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What if painful periods weren’t “normal” — and women didn’t have to wait 5 to 10 years for answers?
In this powerful episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Dr. Sam Azer, a gynecologist at the Lynx Clinic in Edmonton, who is leading a revolution in women’s health through innovation, technology, and patient-centered care.
Dr. Azer shares how endometriosis — a condition where uterine lining cells grow outside the uterus — can cause severe pain, missed school, missed work, and emotional stress for entire families. Traditionally, diagnosis required invasive surgery like laparoscopy, and many women were told their pain was “normal.”
Now, with EndoSure, a groundbreaking non-invasive diagnostic tool, Dr. Azer can detect endometriosis with 95–98% accuracy using electrodes placed on the abdomen, similar to an ECG. This technology measures electrical activity linked to endometrial cells in the bowel — offering earlier diagnosis and life-changing relief for patients.
Dr. Azer also discusses emerging treatment approaches, including anti-inflammatory diets, vitamins E and C, and new research into medications like low-dose GLP-1 therapies.
 
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What does it take to become one of the few highly trained specialists in a competitive medical field? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah and Amy Kim sit down with Dr. Brent Chambers to explore the value of elite fellowship training, long-term career focus, and staying committed to meaningful work.
Dr. Chambers is a dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon based in Edmonton, Alberta. He explains what Mohs surgery is, why it has the highest cure rates for certain skin cancers, and how it allows patients to know—on the same day—that all cancer has been removed. He also shares what makes this procedure different from standard excisions and why precision and reconstruction are such important parts of his work.
The conversation goes beyond medicine. Dr. Chambers opens up about navigating a highly competitive training path, tuning out doubt from others, and staying focused during challenging seasons of his career. He talks about the importance of continuous learning, strong work ethic, and finding a specialty that truly fits your interests.
Gary and Amy also explore the business and financial realities of professional careers. Dr. Chambers shares honest insights about financial planning, building long-term security, and why seeking expert guidance is essential when your income depends on active work.
 
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What if aging joints didn’t have to mean pain, surgery, or slowing down? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Dr. Nathan Thakur to explore how regenerative medicine is changing the way people think about joint health, mobility, and long-term success.
Dr. Thakur is a medical doctor specializing in musculoskeletal and regenerative medicine. Formerly with the Cleveland Clinic, he now leads Regenerative MD in Calgary, where he focuses on helping people heal, rejuvenate, and preserve their joints and tendons using research-backed, minimally invasive treatments.
In this conversation, Dr. Thakur explains how orthobiologics like platelet-rich plasma, also known as PRP, can be used to support joint and tendon health without surgery. He shares how early action and proper diagnosis can help people avoid joint replacements and maintain an active lifestyle as they age. The discussion also highlights why service, empathy, and patient experience matter just as much as medical expertise.
 
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What if back pain didn’t have to control your life or limit your performance? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Dr. Rebecca-Jane McAllister to explore a smarter, more empowering approach to back health, recovery, and long-term success.
Dr. McAllister is a chiropractor and acupuncture provider based in Calgary, where she runs her own clinic and also works with the University of Calgary. She specializes in low back pain and helps people move from frustration and uncertainty to clarity, confidence, and self-management.
During the conversation, Dr. McAllister shares her personal journey into chiropractic care, including how her experience with scoliosis as a teenager shaped her passion for education-driven care. She explains why understanding the “why” behind pain is just as important as treatment itself, and how education plays a key role in long-term recovery.
Gary and Dr. McAllister also discuss the GLAD Back program, a group-based education and exercise rehabilitation program designed to help people self-manage low back pain. The episode dives into what truly sets great healthcare providers apart, the importance of trust and shared decision-making, and how patients can feel more empowered between visits.
 
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What if the garbage we throw away every day could power the flights we take tomorrow? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Stephen Akpakwu to explore how municipal waste is being transformed into sustainable aviation fuel — and why this could change the future of energy, climate impact, and cities around the world.
Stephen shares his journey from working in global finance at Goldman Sachs and Bank of America to becoming a co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Portage Energy in Calgary. He explains how his team takes landfill waste — something most people see as worthless — and converts it into high-value fuel for the aviation industry.
Throughout the conversation, Stephen breaks down what sustainable aviation fuel is, why aviation is one of the hardest industries to decarbonize, and how using existing carbon above ground can dramatically reduce net emissions. He also explains what sets Portage Energy apart: solving both a climate problem and a waste management problem at the same time.
The discussion goes beyond technology. Stephen talks about leadership, entrepreneurship, and redefining success as a long-term journey. He shares lessons on believing in yourself, surrounding yourself with honest advisors, and staying flexible when moving from a stable corporate career into entrepreneurship.
 
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What does leadership look like when the stakes are high and lives are on the line? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Scott Williams to explore leadership, commitment, and decision-making from the world of air traffic control.
Scott Williams has spent more than 25 years with NAV Canada, beginning his career as an air traffic controller and working his way up to Director of the Edmonton Area Control Centre. He oversees some of the largest and most complex airspace in the world, covering Western and Northern Canada. In this conversation, Scott shares how he entered a career he never planned for, why commitment matters more than comfort, and how leaders can support people in high-pressure environments.
Scott explains what it takes to train air traffic controllers, how stress is managed in critical roles, and why perseverance and delayed gratification played a major role in his success. He also discusses the shift from hands-on technical work to people leadership, managing hundreds of professionals, and ensuring safety while maintaining morale.
Listeners will also hear Scott’s thoughts on taking smart risks, getting comfortable being uncomfortable, and why seeking expert help—especially in financial planning—can make a meaningful difference over the long term. The episode wraps with a look ahead at exciting innovations in air traffic control and what the future holds for aviation in Canada.
 
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What does real collaboration look like when the stakes are high and the deals are complex?
In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Vivek Warrier, a senior energy lawyer based in Calgary, to explore why collaboration, consensus-building, and strong teams consistently deliver the best return on investment. With nearly 25 years of experience advising energy companies across Western Canada, Vivek shares practical insights from decades of navigating mergers, acquisitions, infrastructure projects, and the evolving energy transition.
Vivek explains how his approach to law is rooted in problem-solving rather than confrontation, and why adversarial tactics often slow progress instead of creating value. He discusses the importance of building trust both within legal teams and across the negotiating table, especially in cyclical industries like energy.
Listeners will also hear Vivek’s perspective on career longevity, managing the ups and downs of transactional work, and why emotional wellness matters just as much as technical expertise. He shares thoughtful advice for young professionals, including how mentorship, teamwork, and long-term thinking can shape a fulfilling career.
The conversation also touches on financial planning for professionals, diversification outside of active income, and exciting developments in Canadian energy, including renewable projects and partnerships with Indigenous communities.
 
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What does it really take to stand out in a crowded market? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Debbie Younker to explore how elite customer service can become a powerful competitive edge in business.
Debbie is the co-owner and Director of Client Experience at Nutritious Nosh, a family-run fruit delivery business serving corporate offices, schools, and organizations across Calgary and surrounding areas. With over 16 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Debbie brings a deep understanding of project management, client relationships, and service excellence to her entrepreneurial journey.
In this conversation, Debbie shares how Nutritious Nosh was born from a simple gap she noticed while working in a corporate environment. Offices wanted healthier snack options, but no one was providing a fully managed fruit delivery solution. That insight led her and her husband to create a niche business built on wellness, consistency, and listening closely to customer needs.
Debbie also opens up about navigating major life transitions, including career loss, family challenges, and deciding to fully step into the business. She explains how strong communication, empathy, and reliability have helped her build trust with clients and grow the company through uncertain times.
 
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