Jason Dorland

Jason Dorland

Jason was born into a rowing family. He spent his high school years rowing at Ridley College before continuing his passion at university. Once on the Canadian National Team, he set his sights on the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.

As defending Olympic Champions, the Canadian men’s eight was expected to defend that title or, at the very least, medal. They didn’t. Instead, they finished dead last in the final.

Decades later, Jason defines that experience and the troubled years that followed as the greatest gift he ever received. “It changed everything for me. Up until that moment, I was all about the prize. Now, I get it—how we travel our life’s journey is more important than where that journey leads us.”

After earning his degree in Graphic Design from The Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Jason helped start an organic food business in 1996 that still operates today in Vancouver. He then returned to university, receiving his degree in Education before entering the teaching profession, where he taught and coached high school for fifteen years. In ten years of coaching rowing, Jason’s crews earned 12 international championship titles.

Life as an entrepreneur mimicked what Jason had learned as an elite rower, success requires sacrifice, commitment, as well as managing pressure and expectations.

Furthermore, Jason has written three books; Chariots & Horses—Life Lessons From an Olympic Rower, Pulling Together—A Coach’s Journey to Uncover the Mindset of True Potential, and his third and most recent book, a novel, IKE: the dog who saved a human.

Jason and Robyn Meagher married in 2001 and live in Victoria, British Columbia, with their family—rescue dogs included! They are now pursuing their passion for utilizing the many lessons they’ve taken from their Olympic and professional journeys to support others in pursuing their health and highest potential while living a life where they thrive!