What happens when a little girl obsessed with animals grows up, faces down fear, and builds a vet clinic on a dream? In this episode, Beth Barrett shares her story of grit, independence, and what it really means to live in alignment with your values.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.

In This Episode

In this episode, Michael Dargie talks with veterinarian and entrepreneur Beth Barrett about her decades-long career, her passion for animals, and the power of doing hard things. From her clinic just outside Calgary, Alberta, Beth shares what it took to build her dream practice—complete with an indoor dog arena, a fancy chicken coop, and the best damn surgery suite this side of anywhere.

Beth knew she wanted to be a vet since she was a kid, and she never looked back. But the path wasn't without its setbacks. After a serious horseback riding accident, she had to decide whether to quit or face her fears. She chose to ride again. That decision changed her.

She and Michael talk about everything from the corporatization of veterinary care, to why tired dogs are good dogs, to Stoic philosophy and dried mango. Beth opens up about the joys of riding, training, and how teaching dogs stretches their bodies and their minds. Her message to rebels in waiting: do hard things. That's where the growth is.

Quotable Quotes

"Create the things you wish existed."

"A tired dog is a good dog."

"The growth I've experienced in life has come at those hard spots."

"Doing hard things will make you extraordinary."

"You don't get stronger when things are cushy."

Episode Highlights

Becoming a Vet | From childhood dream to lifelong career.

The Power of Vision | Turning a horse farm into a full-service clinic.

Private vs. Corporate | Why independence matters in vet med.

Doing Hard Things | How fear almost kept her out of the saddle.

Training for Health | Dog yoga, strength, and stretching.

Riding for Joy | The magic of working equitation.

Dog Park & Arena | Why tired dogs are good dogs.

Fill Your Bucket | What Beth does to recharge.

Favourite Place | Cycling and hiking in the Tonto Preserve.

Favourite Season | Autumn, and what it teaches us.

Rebel Advice | Do the hard thing.

Links From Episode

Barrett Veterinary Practice Website (http://barrettvet.ca)

Dr. Beth on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/barrettveterinarypractice/)

Dr. Beth on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/barrettveterinarypractice)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com

What happens when a former smoker and self-described non-athlete turns into one of Canada's most refreshing voices in fitness and habit formation? In this episode, I talk with Oonagh Duncan about Gen X women, body neutrality, the power of pleasure, and her dream of fronting an 80s hair band at brunch.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.

In This Episode

In this episode, Michael Dargie talks with Oonagh Duncan—fitness coach, author of Healthy as Fck*, and host of the podcast Goals, Grit and Some Woo Woo Shit. From her home on Salt Spring Island, BC, Oonagh shares how she helps Gen X women build habits that actually stick, even when nothing else has before.

Once a reluctant exerciser who smoked and hid from gym class, Oonagh discovered the power of habits while walking on a salvaged treadmill, watching Jerry Springer. That single act of curiosity led her to build Fit Feels Good, an online community helping women find fitness through pleasure, not punishment.

She and Michael talk about niching down, the evolution of the fitness industry, and how new weight-loss drugs like Ozempic are transforming the conversation around health. Oonagh also opens up about her beginnings as a fat activist, her pivot to inclusive wellness, and why the ectomorph-mesomorph body type theory belongs in the past.

Beyond business, she talks about life on Salt Spring Island, Sunday hikes, fart reels, fake meat, and why living in a small community has taught her to be kinder. They also dive into her creative past as a playwright, the pain of a sophomore flop, and why her next big dream involves spandex, power ballads, and brunch.

Her message to rebels in waiting: don't wait to have everything figured out. Move toward whatever feels warmer, follow the good feelings, and the rest will come.

Quoteable Quotes

"If you hate exercise, you just haven't made it small and pleasurable enough." — Oonagh Duncan

"Don't be a dick." — Michael Dargie

"Weight loss isn't controversial in science, only on social media." — Oonagh Duncan

"You just have to move towards warmer." — Oonagh Duncan

"Living on an island makes me a better person—reluctantly." — Oonagh Duncan

Episode Highlights

Finding Her Niche | Why Oonagh focuses on Gen X women and habits that feel good.

Fitness for Everyone (Almost) | The lessons from bootcamps and niching down.

The Weight Loss Shift | How GLP-1 drugs are reshaping the wellness industry.

Habit Loops | The treadmill, Jerry Springer, and discovering pleasure in movement.

Body Neutrality | From fat activism to inclusive health conversations.

Small and Pleasurable | The secret to habits that stick.

Island Life | How community keeps her accountable and kind.

Fake Meat & Fart Reels | Her unapologetic guilty pleasures.

Sophomore Flop | The tough lesson from her second play, Talk 60 to Me.

Brunch Rock | Her dream of fronting an 80s hair band… before noon.

Rebel Advice | "Move toward the warmer."

Links From Episode

Fit Feels Good (http://www.fitfeelsgood.com/)

Oonagh on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/oonaghduncan)

Oonagh on Facebook (http://facebook.com/fitfeelsgood)

Get Your Copy of Michael's Book:
"BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable"
Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com