True North Success Podcast

What does it take to build a company that helps businesses reduce their environmental impact while still growing profitably? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Amy Kim sits down with Abdullah Choudhry, co-founder of Arbor, to discuss climate technology, entrepreneurship, and building meaningful solutions that create real-world impact.
Growing up in Pakistan, Abdullah witnessed firsthand how climate change affected communities and industries around him. That experience shaped his mission to help companies better understand and reduce their carbon footprints through smarter supply chain decisions. Today, Arbor works with global companies including Crocs and other major brands to provide faster and more accurate carbon accounting tools.
Abdullah shares his personal journey from Pakistan to the UK, the United States, and eventually Canada, where he co-founded Arbor in Calgary. He explains how engineering helped him turn ideas into practical solutions and why entrepreneurship is more of a lifestyle choice than a career decision.
 
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What if the best investment you could make wasn’t in stocks or crypto — but in your own health? In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Dr. Alina Kulczycki to explore the growing field of lifestyle medicine and how small daily habits can dramatically improve long-term health, energy, and quality of life.
Dr. Alina shares her journey from studying nutrition and physical therapy to becoming an American Board-Certified Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner. She explains the six pillars of lifestyle medicine, including nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, positive social connection, and avoiding harmful substances.
The conversation also dives into entrepreneurship, overcoming fear, and building a successful wellness business from the ground up. Dr. Alina opens up about taking risks, moving to Texas, creating her own clinic, and developing digital wellness products to help more people live healthier lives.
Listeners will also hear:
Why lifestyle medicine is gaining attention across North America
How simple daily habits affect long-term health and disease prevention
The importance of stepping outside your comfort zone
How Tai Chi can reduce fall risk and improve wellness
Why empowering people to care for themselves is good business
How Dr. Alina built a digital wellness platform and passive income stream
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What does it take to go from clinician to CEO? In this episode, Dr. Mitch Colp shares how he scaled a psychology practice across Canada and built a business that goes far beyond traditional clinical work.
Dr. Mitch Colp is a registered psychologist and CEO of Hexagon Psychology, a nationally recognized provider delivering psychological services across Canada. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in assessments and interventions for children, youth, and adults, while also advocating for improved access to mental health services in rural and remote communities.
In this conversation, Mitch walks through his unexpected journey into psychology, his transition into entrepreneurship, and how he leveraged innovation during COVID to scale his business nationally through virtual care. What started as a small local practice quickly expanded into a 40-person team serving clients coast-to-coast.
He also shares the mindset shifts required to grow from practitioner to business leader. From embracing discomfort as a disruptor, to saying “yes” to opportunities, to surrounding yourself with the right mentors—this episode is packed with real-world insights for anyone looking to grow a service-based business.
You’ll also hear how Mitch diversified his income streams beyond clinical work, including training programs, research partnerships, and strategic real estate investments. His approach to building scalable systems and multiple revenue streams offers a powerful blueprint for long-term success
 
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What if your next life chapter required starting over—from scratch—in a new country, language, and career? In this inspiring episode, Gary Mah sits down with Phoebe Yu, a cross-border life transition strategist and healthcare professional, to explore how she reinvented her life from healthcare leadership in Taiwan to becoming a nurse and consultant in Canada. Phoebe shares powerful insights on resilience, cultural adaptation, and how medical tourism in Asia is opening new opportunities for high-quality, cost-effective care. Phoebe’s journey is a masterclass in courage, flexibility, and purpose-driven living. 🔑 Key Takeaways Why starting over doesn’t mean starting from zero How to transfer your past experience into a completely new career The real challenges of language and cultural barriers—and how to overcome them The importance of flexibility when life doesn’t go according to plan How medical tourism in Asia is becoming a viable healthcare option Rethinking retirement and creating a meaningful life in your later years
 
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What does it take to turn personal injury into a lifelong passion for helping others heal? In this episode, Candace Mazur shares her journey from competitive BMX racing to becoming a leading pelvic health physiotherapist—and how those early experiences shaped her career.
Candace opens up about how growing up as an athlete led to frequent injuries, and how physiotherapy played a key role in getting her back to peak performance. That experience sparked her desire to pursue a career where she could help others recover, move better, and live pain-free.
Now specializing in pelvic health physiotherapy, Candace explains why this niche field is so impactful. She shares how helping patients regain control over everyday functions—like walking without pain or discomfort—can be truly life-changing. The deeper one-on-one connection she builds with patients allows her to better understand their stories and provide personalized care that makes a real difference.
A key theme throughout the conversation is the importance of listening. Candace emphasizes that many patients, especially in women’s health, often feel unheard. By taking the time to truly listen and collaborate, she helps uncover solutions that others may have missed.
She also highlights the importance of mentorship in her journey. From early clinical placements to seeking out experts in her field, Candace shares how learning from others helped her grow and overcome challenges—especially when resources in her specialty were limited.
 
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From Trauma to Triumph: Lessons in Personal Resilience and Business Growth with Dr. Joelle Johnson
What does it take to turn life-altering trauma into a thriving career and meaningful impact? In this powerful episode, Dr. Joelle Johnson shares how a near-fatal accident became the turning point that shaped her life, career, and purpose.
With over 25 years of experience as a chiropractor specializing in prenatal and pediatric care, Dr. Johnson opens up about her journey through adversity, resilience, and building a purpose-driven business that serves families at a grassroots level.
You’ll hear how she transformed personal pain into professional passion—and why authenticity is the key to lasting success.
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
How a life-threatening accident led Dr. Johnson to discover chiropractic care
The importance of resilience and rebuilding after trauma
Why authenticity is critical for success in business and life
Unique challenges of being a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated field
How to balance motherhood, career, and personal growth
Practical goal-setting strategies to stay focused and driven
Why continuous learning fuels long-term success
The importance of community, especially for mothers and families
 
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What does it take to stand out in a competitive healthcare industry while delivering exceptional patient care? In this episode, Dr. Erin Perry shares how combining empathy, innovation, and smart reinvestment can transform both patient outcomes and business growth.
Dr. Erin Perry is a dentist and entrepreneur, owner of multiple clinics in Calgary, with a background in biomedical technology and a passion for personalized patient care.
In this conversation, she shares her journey from discovering dentistry in high school to building and scaling successful clinics. What sets Dr. Perry apart is her commitment to treating each patient as an individual—moving away from “cookie-cutter” dentistry and toward a deeply personalized, relationship-based approach.
She also dives into the power of reinvesting in your business. From opening a third clinic to adopting advanced laser technology, Dr. Perry explains how calculated risks and continuous improvement can create long-term growth and stronger patient experiences.
One of the most exciting innovations she discusses is the use of Solea laser technology, which allows dentists to perform procedures without needles, reduces discomfort, and improves treatment outcomes. This investment not only enhances patient care but also positions her clinics at the forefront of modern dentistry.
Beyond technology, Dr. Perry highlights the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership—especially when managing teams and navigating challenges like HR and workplace dynamics. Her ability to connect with both patients and staff has been a key driver of her success.
 
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What does it take to lead innovation at a global scale for over two decades? In this episode, Ibrahim Gedeon shares powerful lessons from his 21-year journey as CTO at TELUS—and what it really takes to stay ahead in a fast-changing world.
Ibrahim Gedeon, former Chief Technology Officer at TELUS, helped transform the company into a global communications leader serving millions of customers. In this conversation, he opens up about the mindset, leadership principles, and strategic risks that shaped his success.
He shares how long-term vision matters more than short-term technology decisions, why companies must build flexible systems that evolve over time, and how taking calculated risks can set organizations apart. Ibrahim also highlights the importance of customer obsession—revealing how even engineering teams reviewed customer complaints to improve real-world outcomes.
A key theme throughout the episode is growth through mentorship. Ibrahim explains why having the right mentor—someone with real experience and “war wounds”—can dramatically change your career trajectory. He also shares a powerful lesson about communication: if someone doesn’t understand you, it’s your responsibility to explain it better.
Beyond leadership, Ibrahim discusses financial wisdom, including aligning investments with your values, adapting risk over time, and choosing advisors who truly add value.
Looking ahead, he shares his passion for improving technology for first responders, advocating for modern systems that can ultimately help save lives.
 
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In this powerful episode, Sonia and Kapil Kalra, co-founders of NatureMerry, share their journey from a kitchen-table startup to a globally expanding wellness brand.
Sonia opens up about living with PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), a severe and often misunderstood condition that led her to search for natural, effective pain relief. Frustrated with limited options and harmful side effects, she began developing plant-based solutions using terpenes—bioactive compounds found in plants.
Kapil shares how they transformed Sonia’s personal solution into a scalable business. From nearly losing 90% of their business during COVID to walking into local grocery stores to pitch their products, their story is one of resilience, adaptability, and mission-driven growth.
Together, they are now pioneering a new category in wellness—bridging the gap between natural remedies and pharmaceutical-grade effectiveness.
💡 Key Takeaways
Building a business rooted in a personal mission creates lasting impact
Resilience and the ability to pivot are critical for entrepreneurs
Mentorship can accelerate growth and prevent costly mistakes
Innovation often comes from solving your own problems
There is a growing need for natural, science-backed wellness solutions
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In this episode of the True North Success Podcast, Gary Mah sits down with Bernard Roth, a highly respected energy and regulatory lawyer with over 37 years of experience. Bernard shares his journey from growing up on a large farm in Saskatchewan to becoming a leading legal expert in Canada’s energy sector.
Bernard explains how a childhood decision to pursue law shaped his entire career path. What started as a clear goal early in life evolved into a specialization he never initially planned—energy regulatory law. A pivotal moment came when he was assigned to a major oil sands hearing in Fort McMurray, setting the course for decades of impactful work in the industry.
Throughout the conversation, Bernard offers a behind-the-scenes look at Alberta’s rigorous regulatory system and the role it plays in balancing economic growth with environmental and public interests. He highlights the importance of fairness, inclusion, and ensuring all voices—landowners, Indigenous communities, and industry—are heard in major decisions.
Bernard also shares what truly sets him apart: deep curiosity and genuine passion for the energy sector. He believes success comes from doing work you enjoy, staying intellectually engaged, and committing to continuous learning.
The conversation touches on challenges in the energy industry, including shifting public perception and political pressures. Bernard reflects on navigating these difficult periods while staying grounded in facts and long-term thinking.
 
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