My friend and mentor, Alastair Smart, is someone who truly embodies what it means to live a full and happy life.

Born and raised in England, he began his career as a police officer before following a path that eventually brought him to Canada. Along the way, he embraced a wide range of experiences - from driving taxis to managing retail stores - each shaping his perspective on people, work, and community.

That journey ultimately led him to Calgary, where he became the first salesperson for Big Rock Brewery, helping build one of Canada’s pioneering craft beer brands. Beyond his career, Alastair is known as a mentor and connector - someone who has helped foster a culture of generosity and collaboration across an entire industry.

Alastair’s story is one of curiosity, resilience, and leading with kindness.

Guest:

• Alastair Smart: Instagram | LinkedIn

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn
• The Gift of Happy: Instagram | Website

Amber Nicole Hayes is an entrepreneur and author of The Obedient Daughter — a powerful memoir about breaking silence, confronting trauma, and reclaiming your voice.

After leaving the corporate world to build her own design business, Amber’s greatest transformation happened internally. At 37, after carrying the secret of childhood sexual abuse for 25 years, she faced a battle with depression that ultimately became the catalyst for radical honesty and healing. Refusing to dilute her truth — even when it meant walking away from a publisher — Amber chose integrity over comfort.

Today, she is an advocate for women’s empowerment, mental health awareness, and breaking generational cycles of trauma. Guided by her two daughters — her ultimate “why” — Amber lives her message daily through movement, mindfulness, therapy, and fearless authenticity.

Guest:

• Amber Nicole Hayes: Instagram | Website

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn
• The Gift of Happy: Instagram | Website

Meet Mike Hanson, a devoted husband, father of four, and endurance athlete with a mission.

Happily married and raising a young family, Mike’s life changed in 2012 when his twin boys were diagnosed with autism. Confronted with the challenges of accessing resources, Mike turned his determination into action, launching fundraising efforts to support families in need. In 2017, he ran his first marathon, raising an impressive $61,000. Since then, running has become more than a sport—it’s a vehicle for resilience, awareness, and community impact.

This May, Mike is preparing for his biggest challenge yet: running 10 marathons in 10 days across 10 provinces with his friend, Dave Morin. Their ambitious goal? To raise $1 million for charities that break down barriers to sports and social support for children in need.

Balancing intense training, work, and family requires discipline. Mike starts his days at 3 AM, proving that with routine and commitment, even the biggest goals are possible.

Join us as we dive into Mike’s inspiring journey—his experiences as a father, runner, and advocate for children in need. We’ll talk about his upcoming challenge, his approach to balance, and how anyone, with enough passion and effort, can make an impact.

Guest:

Mike Hanson: LinkedIn

10in10in10: Instagram | Website

Host:

• Mark Kondrat: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website
• Explore84: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website