Hi folks!

So I have been teasing on Facebook for the past month or so that I had some BIG BIG news about Bell Let’s Talk day and me! Well the confirmation has finally come and I can officially SHARE!

Last March, I was interviewed by a team who was putting together a documentary about Clara’s Big Ride for Bell Let’s Talk. For those of you who don’t know, Clara’s Big Ride was a 110-day, 11,000 KM stigma busting journey across Canada that was done by the incredible Clara Hughes. And I have made it into the final cut of the documentary.

Here’s Bell’s press release from the CTV website (I bolded my name for convenience!):

Bell Media announced the debut of the new original documentary “Clara’s Big Ride” as its anchor program for the fifth annual Bell Let’s Talk Day.

Premiering in primetime on Bell Let’s Talk Day, Wednesday, Jan. 28, the one-hour documentary will be available on demand all day on CraveTV and CTV.ca, before airing at 7 p.m. ET/PT in super-simulcast on CTV and CTV Two and live-streamed on CTV GO.

“Clara’s Big Ride” is a powerful documentary directed by multi-award winning filmmaker Larry Weinstein, chronicling an unprecedented 11,000 km bicycle journey across Canada by six-time Olympic medalist and Bell Let’s Talk spokesperson Clara Hughes. Throughout the journey, Hughes spreads a hopeful message designed to break the silence surrounding mental illness and helps create a stigma-free Canada.

Viewers can catch an encore presentation of “Clara’s Big Ride” on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 12 midnight ET on TSN2.

Part catalyst for change, part epic road movie, “Clara’s Big Ride” is a rousing documentary that tackles the profound conversation on mental health and the stigma surrounding mental illness. Crossing every region of the country, the documentary features brave stories from Canadians whose lives are touched by Hughes’ historic ride.

In the spring of 2014, Hughes embarked upon an exhilarating journey on her bicycle in an effort to unite Canadians in a much-needed conversation on mental health, and to spark positive changes in the way mental illness is perceived. The documentary recounts the epic 110-day journey through 105 communities and 235 events in varied and often extreme weather conditions.

“The ride was all about connecting with people and putting them on the podium – elevating every Canadian to take the stage and tell their own unique stories,” said Hughes. “I’m honoured and humbled to invite Canadians in every corner of the country to relive this transformational journey, to share in the many voices and personal stories recounted in the doc. By talking, we can work toward creating a stigma-free Canada.”

Over the course of the documentary, “Clara’s Big Ride”  captures the voices of a group of heroic young Canadians as they tell their stories of living with mental illness. These voices include: Stacey, a teacher from Lindsay, Ont.; Marisa, a Media Relations Coordinator from Montréal; Antigonish, N.S. student Dexter; University of Prince Edward Island student Alanna; Dorothy, who runs a community program called “Going Off, Growing Strong” in Nain, a remote town in Northern Labrador; Sally, a practicing artist from Dawson City; Royal Roads University student Megan in Victoria; Canadian Armed Forces Veteran Terry; and Pascale, an outspoken teen and mental health advocate.

With Canada’s diverse landscapes serving as the film’s backdrop – from mountains to prairies, major to small cites, and remote communities – Hughes delivers a powerful message of healing to tens of thousands of Canadians in public squares, town halls, and schools from coast to coast to coast. “Clara’s Big Ride” not only captures the monumental effort of the ride, but also continues the conversation on how to build hope for a stigma-free future.

“This epic road movie will leave viewers awestruck at Clara’s tireless determination to tackle the sigma surrounding mental illness head on, while capturing  the magnificence and sheer beauty of this country,” said Kevin Crull, President, Bell Media. “This moving documentary serves to keep the conversation going about mental illness, and to break down the stigma – the very essence of Bell Let’s Talk.”

One of the greatest amateur athletes in Canadian history, with six Olympic medals in cycling and speed skating – two distinct sports crossing Summer and Winter Games – Hughes’ athletic prowess brought her national recognition, including the Order of Canada, and, just as she completed the ride, the Meritorious Service Cross. While cycling across the country, Hughes shares her own story of battling depression on the heels of her Olympic success.

A full complement of Bell Let’s Talk Day-related programming across Bell Media networks will be announced.

So on Wednesday, Jan. 28, check out my TV debut on CraveTV and CTV.ca before the official air time or tune in at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV Two and live-streamed on CTV GO. It will also be available the next day on CTV.ca.

Also, I made it into the random still images on the CTV website