In this insightful conversation, elementary educator Rachel shares the lived experiences that drew her into teaching and the values that continue to guide her in an increasingly complex school landscape.

From struggling as a student herself to working at Boys and Girls Club and now navigating today’s post-COVID classrooms, Rachel’s story highlights the compassion, creativity, and resilience that shape truly meaningful teaching.

She reflects on:

• How her own learning challenges inspired her to help students who “don’t see the steps” the way others do.
• Why relationship-building—not pressure—is at the core of effective learning.
• The shift from traditional resource rooms to in-class supports, and why teachers feel stretched.
• The rise in learning needs, mental health challenges, and behavioural complexities.
• Why making mistakes is essential to learning—and how she builds safe, joyful classrooms.
• What burnout looked like for her, and why stepping out of the homeroom helped her rediscover her spark.
• How teachers and parents can better communicate to support children without overwhelming one another.

Rachel also shares the practices that keep her grounded—setting boundaries, embracing fresh perspectives, spending time on her family farm, and learning to leave work at work so she can show up fully for her students.

Her honesty offers a powerful reminder that great teaching comes from humanity, not perfection—and that supporting educators is essential to supporting kids.

Burnout isn’t just exhaustion — for many women, it’s physical pain, resentment, pressure, and feeling like there’s never enough time to take care of yourself while caring for everyone else. After a sold-out community event on women and burnout, we’re continuing the conversation here.

In this episode, physiotherapist Kate Powell returns to Camp Conversations to unpack what we learned from a room full of women navigating stress, caretaking, identity shifts, and physical breakdown. Kate works closely with women who come to her not knowing they’re burned out — only that their bodies are sending warning signs they can’t ignore.

• Why so many women experience physical symptoms before realizing they’re burned out
• The pressure for “60-minute workouts” — and why all-or-nothing thinking is hurting women
• How tiny, 10-second movements can build strength, resilience, and mobility during busy seasons
• The connection between posture, psychology, and shrinking yourself when life feels heavy
• How repetitive movement patterns (running, biking, gym routines) can weaken other muscles and worsen burnout signals
• Practical ways to integrate sneaky, supportive movement into caregiving, commuting, and everyday life
• How communities, gyms, and friends can support burned-out mothers and caregivers
  

Women aren’t burning out because they’re weak — they’re burning out because they’re carrying too much without the support, space, or sustainable practices they need. This episode brings compassion, clarity, and doable steps to help you reconnect with your body and your spark.

Resources

• CAMP Newsletter for event announcements: campmentalhealth.com/newsletter

In this special solo episode, CAMP Mental Health founder Dayna Haig-Conway shares the personal journey that shaped the CAMP framework and the deeper motivation behind her work.

From outdoor education and behavior intervention to school counselling and clinical practice, Dayna’s path has always centered around one goal: helping others feel full from within.

She reflects on:

• Why traditional behavior strategies often miss the mark.

• How unmet needs drive motivation and resilience.

• The moment she realized “fixing” specific behavior wasn’t enough.

• What it means to build both children and adults from the inside out.

• How the CAMP Certification Program now empowers coaches across Canada to teach this framework in their own communities.

Dayna also shares how motherhood, self-reflection, and her “give back” family roots continue to fuel her purpose—and why true resilience begins with understanding our needs before adding more strategies on top.

If you’re part of a school, nonprofit, or parent group, CAMP offers workshops that return 5% of proceeds back to your organization. Learn more at campmentalhealth.com.

In this heartfelt conversation, Dayna Haig-Conway sits down with Doug Wigood, CAMP Coach (Ontario) and lifelong caregiver, to explore how compassion, calm, and quiet leadership shape meaningful connection.

From early lessons in community care to years spent supporting children, youth, and elders, Doug shares how reflection, presence, and curiosity have guided his work across social services and mental health. Together, he and Dayna discuss how to stay grounded when your own flame flickers—and why leadership doesn’t always need to be loud to be powerful.

Highlights:

• Finding purpose through early caregiving and community support

• Lessons from outdoor education: reflection as a daily practice

• Why empathy begins with listening, not fixing

• How equine therapy reveals the power of calm energy

• The value of lifelong learning and collaborative care

  
  

Doug Wigood

Doug is a results-oriented and tenacious professional with a passion for lifelong learning and personal growth. His career has spanned diverse frontline roles supporting individuals and care teams across child and youth mental health, street-involved and homeless youth services, residential treatment for addictions and mental health, and elder care for those living with dementia. With extensive experience collaborating across multi-agency organizations, task committees, and community partners, Doug brings a thoughtful, person-centered approach to every role he takes on. As one of CAMP’s first certified coaches, he helps schools, organizations, and caregivers apply the CAMP framework to build connection, motivation, and resilience.

Learn more at: campmentalhealth.com

In this thoughtful conversation, Dayna Haig-Conway sits down with Gail McDonald, Executive Coach and Founder of Blind Spots Coaching, to explore what it really means to see ourselves clearly—before rushing to fix or help others.

Gail shares how her lifelong desire to care for people led her from customer service and banking to a two-decade career in coaching. Together, she and Dayna discuss how to build awareness, avoid burnout, and create space to “flow from within.”

Highlights:

• The power of reflection before intervention
  How to recognize your capacity and care for yourself as a caregiver

• The role of ego and the inner critic in professional fatigue
• Why doing what you do—and doing it well—creates meaningful impact
• Reframing setbacks and “small stuff” through self-compassion

Gail McDonald
Professional Certified Coach & Founder, Blind Spots Coaching
blindspotscoaching.com

With over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and organizations, she helps clients uncover what’s getting in their way—so they can lead, communicate, and live with greater clarity and purpose.

Specialties: Executive and personal coaching, emotional intelligence assessments, and leadership development for individuals and teams.

Certified EQ-i Practitioner | Over 20 years of coaching experience

Dayna Haig-Conway sits down with Dr. Tyla Mackay, Registered Psychologist and founder of Alpine Pathways Psychological Services in Fernie, BC. Together, they explore the deeply human side of caregiving professions — how to maintain your spark, create healthy boundaries, and find meaningful rest in demanding work.

Dr. Mackay shares practical rituals for separating work from home life, the importance of connection, and what it really means to care for others without losing yourself in the process.

• Understanding vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue in caregiving roles
• How rituals support emotional regulation and separation between work and home
• Recognizing the early indicators of burnout and loss of motivation
• The importance of self-awareness and reflective practice in sustaining long-term wellbeing
• Simple, evidence-informed tools to support mind-body connection and recovery
  

Dr. Tyla Mackay, Registered Psychologist Founder, Alpine Pathways Psychological Services — Fernie, BC

Dr. Tyla Mackay has a small private practice in Fernie BC where she specializes in trauma, specifically working with healthcare providers, first responders, and RCMP with vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue. She sees individuals and provides workshops to organizations.

Learn more or connect with Dr. Mackay:

⁠alpinepathwayspsychology.com

Episode #20: We are sitting down with Psychologist (AB) and Clinical Counsellor, and mother Lindsay Day, to explore what it really takes to sustain yourself in a demanding frontline profession.

Lindsay shares the spark that first drew her into psychology, and how curiosity—about people, their struggles, and the stories behind them—has guided her work ever since. Together, they dive into the realities of burnout: how the body often signals distress before the mind admits it, why feelings of resentment can be an early warning sign, and how compassion fatigue shows up in our closest relationships.

Listeners will hear practical strategies like:

• Using transition routines to “open and close the door” on others’ stories.

• Scheduling with intention to prevent burnout from snowballing.

• Building strong, supportive relationships as anchors in both work and life.

• Finding stillness in everyday activities—whether through nature, foraging, or moments of mindful pause.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t about doing more—it’s about protecting your energy, staying curious, and leaning into community.

Flow Psychology

Michelle Thorne, co-owner of SOAR Studios, spin instructor, and master trainer of spin instructors.

Michelle shares the spark that first drew her into the fitness world—and how that spark has evolved into something deeper: supporting others through movement, music, and community.

Together, Dayna and Michelle explore:

• How to prevent burnout as a frontline professional.

• The importance of transition routines to protect your energy.

• Why music, movement, and shared experiences are powerful tools for mental health.

• The role of community and identity in resilience.

Whether you’re a fitness professional, educator, caregiver, or simply looking for strategies to sustain your energy, this conversation is packed with takeaways you can use right away.

Power Posing Reference: Amy Cuddy Ted Talk, Your body language may shape who you are

Learn more about Michelle’s work:

at Authentic Instructor Training and SOAR Studios in Fernie, BC.

Big Takeaways

1. Build and sustain community.

2. Create transition routines to open and close your workday.

3. Triage your energy—protect what matters most.