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Takedown: The DNA of GSP

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Possibly the most dynamic mixed-martial arts (MMA) fighter of his time and certainly the most popular Canadian MMA fighter around, Georges St-Pierre (aka GSP) has launched into international superstardom before our very eyes. 

Now you can go behind-the-scenes with the fan favourite in the upcoming documentary, Takedown: The DNA of GSP. Distributed in Canada by Remstar Films, the biopic is sure to strike a chord with fight fans across the nation, who will get an in-depth look at the life of the highly-coveted champion outside of the octagon for the first time. GSP-poster-ang-1462x2100

A unique visual work of art, the film follows the path of a lone wolf, whose life and beliefs are greatly influenced by Eastern philosophies. After being bullied at school, GSP took to martial arts disciplines to defend himself, and despite his hardships, has remained level headed since. The St-Isidore, Que. native has continued to take the high road even in his professional career, rarely engaging in barking matches with opponents. Whether it is known trash-talker and rival Nick Diaz (who almost got to GSP), or UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey, GSP has always chosen to turn the other cheek.

St. Pierre has mastered the art of mentally defeating his opponents, never getting frustrated during a fight. When you think he is going to punch, he goes for a take down. When it’s obvious he will throw a leg kick, he jabs. Furthermore, his mindset works for him just as well outside the cage as it does inside. Each time GSP has suffered a loss, he has come back stronger and a more complete fighter.

The film showcases how important the psyche is of a world class athlete like St. Pierre. Especially now, with GSP taking a break from the spotlight (but not necessarily retiring) we will get to see how much mental wear-and-tear the champ really endured leading up to this point.

However, despite the pressures of being the top Canadian fighter, face of the UFC, a target for media and a target for anti-violence groups, GSP has always persevered.

Produced by Emmy-winner Neil Lucas (Life and Planet Earth) the film has a wide, majestic scope as it follows the poster boy of the most controversial sport of our time.

– Andrew Chapados | photos by Will Lew

A Conversation with Marilyn Denis

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Marilyn Denis is one of the most fun-loving — and quite honestly, one of the nicest people in broadcasting — as host of her own and Canada’s #1 daytime lifestyle series, THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW. The veteran broadcaster also co-hosts Roger, Darren & Marilyn weekday mornings on Toronto’s #1-ranked radio station 104.5 CHUM FM. A dominating presence in Toronto radio and Canadian television, Marilyn’s quick wit, connection with the audience and charm have made her a much-beloved figure in CHUM FM’s 27 year history and a favourite among viewers nationwide. We were lucky enough that she took some time out of her incredibly busy schedule to answer some questions for On the Go. 

1. You are the ultimate Lady On The Go … What’s it like having both a radio show and TV show each day? 

It’s a lot of fun! Let’s start with the radio first: it should be completely illegal to have so much fun and laugh so hard at 5:30 in the morning — I recognize that and cherish it. It’s such a pleasure to work with Roger Ashby and Darren B. Lamb on the CHUM FM morning show (they get my sense of humour) and there is a whole team that supports us. On the television side of things, again it is about team work! And of course it’s about the camera — it shows every flaw and picks up everything you want or even don’t want to see — all on live TV! I love the in-studio audience who have travelled (in many cases from very long distances) to be a part of the live broadcast; they are the ones who make the show. Plus, with the great lifestyle experts that we have on both the radio and TV show, I learn something new every day and that is ultimately the most important thing to me: and that in return the viewers at home also learn something new and are thoroughly entertained.

 2. What are three things people may not know about you?

1) That radio is my first love. From the early days of listening to my tiny transistor radio in my bedroom in Pittsburgh, I have always had a strong connection to the music, personalities and information emanating from those invisible airwaves.

2) I’m a big football fan. My team, of course, is the Pittsburgh Steelers (although I am Canadian-born, my parents were transferred to Pittsburgh when I was young and thus my love for football began). Like all fans, my heart rises and sinks with the team on any given Sunday. But I am also a CFL fan. Back in 1986, I tried out for the Calgary Stampeders cheerleading squad and unfortunately for them I made it! I never had to pay for a ticket and there I was right on the field. To be truthful, I never paid much attention to the cheers we were performing, but I sure was excited to be part of the game! 

3) I consider my circle of girlfriends to be my biggest support group. Although I love my time alone to just relax and decompress, those lunches, dinners and get-togethers with my various BFFs have been an important part of my life.

3. How have you been able to be on top for so long?

I haven’t always had the success that I am experiencing right now. There have been days that have been very slow and inactive, which makes me really relish the days that I have now … which is absolutely loving each day spent on the CHUM FM morning show and having a ball on CTV doing THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW. I think it has a lot to do with loving what you do. I’ve been very lucky to have two great jobs that are both enjoyable and incredibly surprising every single day. And once again, working with a great team of creative and professional people makes it very rewarding and interesting.

4. What is the most embarrassing and/or funny thing that has happened to you while live on the air? 

When you’re live every day, it’s hard to recall any one specific moment, as there is always a surprise waiting around the corner. The key to trying to get out of a mistake or mishap is to live in the moment and just roll with it. The funniest moments are really with the audience — from in-studio audience members to the listeners on the radio who call in. The things that people come up with are real, authentic and unbelievably entertaining on their own and sometimes their reaction and timing is bang on! If you don’t have audience interaction or participation then there would be no show and I take that seriously.

THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW airs live Weekdays at 10 a.m. ET on CTV and the CTV GO app and 11 a.m. ET on CTV Two and the CTV GO app. The show is also available on demand following the broadcast at Marilyn.ca and CTV GO (check local listings). 

More information about THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW, including ticket information, can be found at Marilyn.ca. Follow Marilyn Denis on Twitter:
@MarilynDenisCTV.

 

 

Canadians go hockey mad

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 Olympic men’s squad nets gold medal

Hockey-crazed Canadians from coast to coast thought nothing of an early morning start and streamed into bars—and even a Halifax church—on Sunday to watch and triumphantly celebrate Team Canada capturing Olympic gold.

The diehard crowd at the Real Sports bar in downtown Toronto exploded in an ear-splitting roar as Canada topped Sweden 3-0 to win its second consecutive Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey.

Beer—which began flowing when the puck dropped thanks to relaxed liquor rules—was tossed into the air from red hockey-boot mugs, while revellers mounted chairs and tables in unbridled joy as red-and-white streamers fluttered down on them.

Superfan Mike Berks knew what to wear for the big game—a hockey helmet mounted with a working red goal light—and didn’t give second thought to getting up well before sunrise for the gold-medal contest.

“This is our team, this is what we live, this is what we breathe, this is what we do—4:30 in the morning is nothing to watch this,” he said as fans decked out in red-and-white jerseys hooted and hollered around the bar.

“There’s no doubt that Canada’s the No. 1 hockey team in the world. This is it, Canada’s No. 1.”

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was among the capacity crowd, and briefly pulled many eyes away from the jumbo screen as he posed for photos with fans.

“This is what Canada’s all about—it’s hockey right? When people say how do you define Canada, I say, wait until there’s a hockey game,” Ford said.

Crowds then spilled into the streets, with a throng of fans paralyzing a major downtown intersection.

Snowy weather, no booze and an early 4 a.m. game time didn’t stop the outpouring of jubilation at a downtown Vancouver sports bar.

David Addison stayed up all night to make sure he’d get a spot at the Sin Bin Sports Grill and said the fact the taps were dry due to provincial liquor laws didn’t take away from a fantastic win.

“The energy in there is electric,” said Addison pointing the crowd in the bar. “We’re just going to high-five and hug a bunch of strangers and feel really, really awesome.”

Montreal fans packed into a stretch of downtown pubs to watch the gold medal matchup.

One group of women decided to wear their pyjamas to the game.

“When I’m on vacation, I don’t usually get up at 6:30, so I decided to come like this,” said Montrealer Nathalie Theoret.

For many, the celebratory eruptions started as the clock ticked away the final seconds of the game and Canada’s decisive 3-0 lead no longer in any doubt.

The hockey faithful jumped out of their seats and waved flags over balconies at a two-storey sports bar in downtown Halifax just before the final buzzer. A local church even took fans into its pews to watch the contest.

Some cried as they watched the players receive their gold medals, and fans in Sidney Crosby’s hometown let out a deafening cheer when it was his turn to accept gold.

Bonnie Forrestall said Crosby’s breakaway goal during the second period that cemented Canada’s lead was the highlight of the game.

“Sidney Crosby showed who he really is,” said the Halifax resident, who was amid the crowd at HFX Sports Bar and Grill. “(He’s) always in the moment when he needs to be. He’s there, always.”

Crosby, Jonathan Toews, and Chris Kunitz scored their first goals of the tournament in the gold medal game, while goaltender Carey Price earned his second straight shutout.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper honoured the hockey heroes.

“Today’s exciting victory by this exceptional group of players has demonstrated once again that hockey truly is Canada’s game,” he said in a statement.

Canadians watching the game both here and aboard lit up Twitter as the squad in Sochi took home the coveted medal.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau tweeted “This is OUR game! Congrats to #TeamCanada on completing the sweep of hockey gold!”

“Congratulations to the best hockey players in the world! Canada, numéro 1 au monde. Bravo!” said his NDP counterpart Thomas Mulcair.

Many Canadians proudly posted posted photos of friends and family crowded around TVs worldwide as they cheered on Team Canada.

“Dubai>a bar full of Canucks rooting for Team Canada!” tweeted celebrity chef Michael Smith, along with a photo of himself in a hockey jersey surrounded by cheering fans.

Several hockey devotees used Twitter to track down a pub in London, U.K., that would show the Olympic hockey final instead of Premier League soccer.

And Canadian eyes were firmly cast on the game even in Yangon, Myanmar—until recently closed to the rest of the world—where roughly a quarter of the 200-odd Canadian ex-pats living there revelled at the novelty of watching the game together at a swanky new bar.

The spectators were handed lapel pins intertwining the Canadian and Myanmar flags by Canadian ambassador Mark McDowell, who called it a “very interesting evening.”

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, attending meetings with his G20 counterparts in Australia took in the game in Sydney. He was joined by Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz and the Bank of England’s newly imported Canadian governor Mark Carney.

“It was a very good hockey game last night,”said Flaherty, speaking from Sydney where it was already Monday morning.

“I watched the game with the governor of the Bank of Canada and the governor of the Bank of England. A whole group of Canadians here in Sydney. There was great joy.”

—With files from Steven Chua in Vancouver, Aly Thomson in Halifax, Ben Shingler in Montreal Bruce Cheadle in Ottawa and Tamsyn Burgmann

 

Courtesy of the Canadian Press