Crystal Flaman's Biography When I began my interview with Crystal Flaman, I suddenly realized that I had a different breed of human in front of me.   Her single-minded vision and clarity of thought became quite apparent as she answered my usual list of questions - however that list was quickly forgotten as she brought me along on a tour of her life, philosophy, and goals.   Crystal hails from Regina, Saskatchewan, in the heartland of Canada’s bread basket. She went to elementary and high school there, and then went to Australia on a student exchange program, and this is where she discovered her calling and career.   As an exchange student in Australia, Crystal went from being the youngest of 10 children to the oldest amongst five boys. This family dynamic was a complete turnaround for Crystal, and it caused her to see life in a new light.   While there she met Jim Rohn, the world-wide grandfather and guru of motivation! This meeting, coupled with her experiences abroad, led her to wander down "the road less traveled", using the words of Robert Frost, "and that has made all the difference".   Upon returning to Canada, Crystal attended the University of Saskatchewan for 4 years, working 3 jobs while studying, and then, wIthin two days of graduation, Crystal and her twin-sister, Carla, began their "Dare To Discover" tour, a 7906 journey across Canada, raising over $500,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, in support of their mother, who underwent successful open-heart surgery two years prior.  The fund-raising trek was simply to say "thank you" to the organization who gave them their mother back!  The cycling experience was a defining moment for Crystal, and since that time, she has devoted much of her energy and time to making a difference in the world and to helping others do the same by assisting them to explore the possibilities in their own lives, ultimately bringing their dreams to life!    Crystal's mission is to assist individuals and organizations to "strive to not only be the best IN the world, but also the best FOR the world" and she does it incredibly well, leading by example with tenacity and an amazing positive attitude, following her vision for a better world,  and believing that everyone has gifts, talents and dreams that could change the world!   -Tim Searles, Twin Creek Media

A “Social Entrepreneur”... Crystal has been described as a “Social Entrepreneur”.   What’s that you say?   Well, it’s like this - take all the old Greco-Roman ideals of city state responsibility and bring that to fruition in a modern world. A wonderfully existential career. Wikipedia’s definition of existentialism is “... a philosophical movement which posits that individuals create the meaning and essence of their lives, as opposed to it being created for them by deities or authorities or defined for them by philosophical or theological doctrines...”   Now that’s a goal.   Few people give their lives in the pursuit of basic egalitarianism, but Crystal makes up for some of those of us who should do more. She incorporates her love of sport and competition with her existential ideals, and comes out the other side as a “Social Entrepreneur“- and in this, she allows us to participate and help.

The means to an end... Just before you start to peg Crystal down, she springs on you that all of this entrepreneurialism is only the means to her ends. The method of raising awareness and money for her causes is through athletic competition.   As if running for an altruistic endeavor wasn’t enough for her, she shows the world that she can also compete on a global level as a triathlete.   Crystal has competed in and used athletic venues to raise the social barometer for her causes. Some of the events and partnerships she raised money with and for are: Room To Read (www.roomtoread.org),  the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (www.heartandstroke.ca), Partners In The Horn of Africa and the Great Big Run For Africa(www.partnersinthehorn.org), The Canadian Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.ca), the Junior Chamber of Commerce and their philanthropic endeavors (www.jcicanada.com) among many others.  Crystal has raised over 1.2 Million dollars for various charities through her 6 Ironman Triathlons, 100km Ultra-marathons and other fund-raising projects!    Crystal recently competed in the Ford Ironman World Championship 2008, held in Hawaii, where she raised over $240,000 for Room To Read.  Her goal is $500,000 by the end of 2009 and will be participating in the Cozumel Mexico Ironman in November 2009 to help get to her goal!  Please see her fund-raising website (www.inspiredtogivenow.com) to learn more information about her latest quest to make a difference in the world for thousands of children and to get involved!  A book compilation entitled "What I Know Now That I Wish I Knew Then" will be published to assist in the fund-raising efforts, which will be an exciting project, supporting Room To Read!

20 hours of Athletic training a week. Think about that for a moment, 20 hours of athletic training a week for a triathlon, and then she still has enough energy and vim to dedicate herself to a busy speaking tour, workshops, and keynote speeches. Most of us have a hard enough time getting out of bed without liberal use of the snooze bar. Crystal puts many of our “busy” lives in perspective by her actions alone.   Her philosophy in life, like all good ideals, is simple, “Become more than you were when you woke up this morning!”   Easier said than done for most of us, but that’s why people like Crystal Flaman are here. Their passion allows us to vicariously live, give, and feel like we are making a difference in the world; a tangible difference at that.

Philanthropy: a family affair Not only does Crystal bring her personal energy and philosophy to bear, she also draws from her philanthropic Family of Origin.  As mentioned, Crystal and her twin sister rode a tandem bike 7906 km across the entire width of Canada in their Dare To Discover tour, raising funds in support of their mother, who underwent life-saving coronary surgery in 1992.   This altruistic background, her Family of Origin, and the desire to leave the world a better place than when she leaves it, is what drives her to become one of Canada’s most successful female fundraisers. Crystal has raised a running total of $1.2 Million dollars in funds raised and has personally sponsored the building of a school in Nepal in 2008, through Room To Read.  She has no plans of slowing down!    In 2010, Crystal's vision is to backpack through Central America early in the year, in search of a village to personally adopt!  Once she finds a village in need, she will then return to Canada and to work, where a portion of her speaking fee along with profits from her other businesses including the Kelowna International Hostel and Imagine The Ripple Effect (www.kelowna-hostel.bc.ca, www.imaginetherippleeffect.com) will be donated to the village, supporting micro-financing projects, food sustainability, clean drinking water, healthcare and education for children!    Crystal herself attributes her success to her own determination, her family’s support and blessing, her insatiable appetite for learning, and her ability to make genuine personal, relative, and empathetic connections with people from all social groups.