Meet Christie Lane. Christie is from Toronto but has lived in Kamloops for seven years. She fell in love with the city because of its amazing landscape and climate!
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kamloops?
Toronto, ON. Took a road trip to Kamloops 7 years ago, fell in love with the land (among other things) and never went back to Ontario!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My partner, Lyne Heglin. If home were a person, she'd be it. She is the "home lottery" of homes. Everything I could ever desire, she embodies. She is equally my home and my adventure
What is your favourite local store in Kamloops and why?
It would be a tie between Winners and Planet Fitness. I take pride in how I present to the world. Both of these places help me achieve not only an aesthetic value but intrinsic value as well.
Describe yourself in one word?
Anomaly.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
5-star white sandy beach off the shore of Mexico or the Caribbean. I promised my Mother as soon as she is healthy enough to fly, I'll take her to dip her toes in the warm sand of the tropics. It has been a lifelong dream for her to go to these paradises, and I intend on making her dream come true!
What is your favourite activity in Kamloops?
Hiking. Out of the many places I have lived in Canada, I have not been blessed with a town so full of amazing hiking trails! The trails on there own are captivating enough, but when you include the incredible vistas that greet us along the way, it makes me feel very lucky to live here!
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Wow, this is a tough one. Nothing readily pops up into my mind. Perhaps that means I deal with embarrassment well? I mean we are all clumsy beings going about this world trying not to fatally run into things. But I have walked into doors, walls, street signs, all by not paying attention. I mostly just laugh and shrug. I misspeak, it happens, often, haha. I've gotten berated in public in one way or the other, that makes me angrier then embarrassed. So nothing really above average day embarrassing encounters. But these are things that happen to most, if not all of us. Perspective is key, and I try to take these things in stride.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I would have to say LOVE. Bar none. Having a passionate, understanding. evolving, quirky, and deep love that I have with my partner is the most inspiring thing I can hold in my heart and in my arms. That love happened to me 7 years ago and year by year it gets more inspiring.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I was very introverted as a child, and have thankfully grown to be an extroverted-introvert in my adulthood. So as I look back it is somewhat difficult to signal out any one memory. I spent a lot of time in my head, daydreaming. But I did grow up playing rep baseball with the boys. I was always the only girl on the team and quite often was just as good if not better then the boys. I remember when I pitched a shutout tournament and received MVP. I played every position as the years went by and often received MVP. I have fond memories of playing that sport!
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I am a youth at risk worker, which means I assist youth with daily living skills, promote healthy activities, get youth to their appointments etc. The youth I look after may have behavioral issues, mental health issues, or may be addicted to drugs. I work 24-hour shifts, often 3 days in a row. Other than that, I generally try to be a good person...for the most part haha. I like to say I am a good doughnut with sprinkles of badness.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Right now? A different American President hahaha. Honestly though, for there to be more kindness and understanding in the world. Which kind of coincides with the ladder.
Where would you sneak away to in Kamloops to spend some time alone?
Any of our hiking trails, or the wilderness in general. I wouldn't be totally alone typically, because my dog Max would be with me. But he knows how to keep his mouth shut when I don't want to talk.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kamloops and why?
Again, I would like to see more kindness and understanding of marginalized groups in town. Whether it's the homeless, elderly, disabled, LGBTQ community, we should not continue hearing stories of hate, stories of criminality and violence toward these groups, and stories of people/groups/businesses taking advantage of these people for profit and/or personal gain.
What do you think makes Kamloops great?
I find Kamloops really geared towards the adventure/fitness minded. I enjoy this aspect. Also our climate is amazing which makes it tolerable to go on winter hikes, and not have to dress like the Michelin Man!
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
-Take my mummio to paradise as it's on HER bucket list!
-Continue to impress my lover with extravagant gestures in love/romance (not necessarily monetary). Because that's what it's all about!
-See more of the world!
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I struggle with thoughts of transitioning ftm (transgender). I currently identify as non-binary, which is a very sterile term for not 100% identifying as a Male or Female gender. I feel my traits are very fluid and flex back and forth dependent on the situation and how I'm feeling. I am on the list for top surgery, which means I'll have a chest that appears Male. I will not be taking hormones (testosterone) as it would change the dynamics of my romantic relationship too much. I am very much looking forward to being included as a non-binary gender bender and welcome any positive curiosities from the community about it. I think there is a ton of us out there but people may not be vocal or move forward on their dreams due to fear.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media?
Instagram:@christian___lane.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Positive and healthy self talk. I have lofty ideas and goals for myself, in all aspects of life. In the past, if I didn't quite fulfill a goal I had, or landed short, I would feel inadequate. I have grown to be more accepting of my "perceived" shortcomings and less hard on myself. I have also gained a lot of perspective and insight into my gender journey and have recently opened up about my thoughts/feelings. This has been a lifelong struggle in one way or the other and, through opening up, I feel more whole.
What do you always find yourself saying?
"I am a good doughnut with sprinkles of badness."
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Do what makes you happy, life's too short not to.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
My partner Lyne, for all the reasons previously explained. The perfect day would include a beautiful hike with a tasty beverage at the summit of some magnificent mountain, a nice dinner (maybe at a smokehouse so I can have 4 different varieties of meat paired with some hip-ass craft beer), then some one-on-one time before I pass out at 9 p.m. haha.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
To put money in the hands of dreamers, and fan their dreamy flames!
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I ran a senior support organization in town called "Happy To Help- Community Outreach and Support". I had 12 employees and over 80 clients. I was very idealistic in that I wanted to provide a wide variety of services to the elderly at affordable rates. The way I structured my client fees made it impossible to stay in business with regular business overhead costs and government dues. I got to meet a lot of amazing seniors and always loved hearing their stories. Likewise I got to hire a lot of caring and selfless people.
Give someone you think that deserves a shout out and explain why!
My partner Lyne Heglin. She is the smartest, kindest, and most understanding person I've ever met. Plus she's gorgeous! She is currently working for a company that is recognizing what an asset she is! It hasn't always been like that for her. I believe she is going to go far with her company, and I'm going to hang on to her cute little coattails!
My choice for the KamloopsBCNow In Focus spotlight is:
Lyne Heglin.
General comments:
Thank you so much for featuring me (and possibly my girlfriend) in KamloopsBCNow! I feel that there are a lot of great people in our community that should be highlighted, and I'm honored to be chosen as one of them!
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kamloops.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great!
