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In Focus | Kari-Anne Flatmark

Meet Kari-Anne Flatmark. Kari-Anne is originally from Norway but has lived in Kamloops since 1996. Kari-Anne is all about spending time with those who mean most to her and helping those in need.

<who> Photo Credit: Kari-Anne Flatmark
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kamloops?

I am from Aalesund Norway and I have lived in Kamloops since 1996. I moved here to finish my degree and graduated from TRU in 1998.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
I have three children and they are by far my most favorite people. Besides them, my best friend in Kamloops is Tokla Moreau. She is brilliant and funny and my time with her is never boring.

What is your favourite local store in Kamloops and why?
Strangely I enjoy my time at Save-On-Foods near my home. The butcher and cashiers know me by name and on my journey, choosing new foods to complement my lifestyle is made fun at that store. They have a large section of vegetarian options.

Describe yourself in one word.
Strong.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I would go home to Norway to see my parents, sister and close friends. It is by far my favorite place to travel to. If I could not go to Norway, I would for sure pick Dublin Love that town.

What is your favourite activity in Kamloops?
My kids are quite active, be it a basketball event or a diving competition; watching them excel and helping guide their physical activity journey is by far my favorite activity. We also hike and ski and love exploring.
<who> Photo Credit: Kari-Anne Flatmark
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?

I was in a large training session for work with managers from all over BC. We were listening to the trainer and I was tipping on my chair. I am not sure if I dozed off or just was unlucky but I fell off the chair and had a " dramatic " wipe out.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Two weeks prior to Christmas one year, with three kids, my marriage dissolved and my husband moved out The eldest two said "we got this mum," and they did. Our little family didn’t miss a heartbeat and learning who my supportive friends were was something I cannot even describe. I was humbled and felt more love in the quake of the dissolution of my marriage than I had known would be possible. The last few years have been a journey to discover who I am. I have lost over 100 lb the last 18 months and I have gone from struggling to walk stairs to working out daily and hiking mountains. I still focus on my work and kids like before but I have learned to prioritize "me" in all of the chaos called life.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My childhood in Aalesund Norway was picture book perfect. Mountains and fjords were my backyard and times were spent in the outdoors all the time. One of my great memories was when I was 16 and my best friend Mathilde and I decided to hike over a mountain range called Tafjord Fjella. My dad dropped us off at the one side of the mountain and her dad picked us up on the other side 6 days later. Looking back I have to laugh as I get nervous when my 17-year-old leaves the house for a few hours. I can't even imagine letting him walk around in the mountains for 6 days. Mathilde and I walked over glaziers, used ropes to reach peeks and camped out in our small little tent as we cooked our food on little camper stoves. It was a great trip and a bonding experience that we had for life. The year after we traveled in Asia but that is a different story.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Most of my volunteering is with my kids school and activities. I have enjoyed coaching soccer and track in the past. I am very passionate about my job and feel that I am very blessed to give back to Kamloops daily working for a great social service agency called TCS ( Thompson Community Services ). I am a community service manager. I love matching our residents with Home Share caregivers and the ongoing relationship I develop with the families we help. At TCS, we tailor highly individualized solution focused service for individuals, families and funders. Some of the families I work with have known me for almost 10 years and being part of their journey is a great joy. www.tcsinfo.ca is our web site. If anyone reading this is interested in becoming a Home Share provider or knowing more about TCS feel free to reach out.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Education for everyone. In countries where education is a priority, you see less poverty and more equality.

Where would you sneak away to in Kamloops to spend some time alone?
Alone for me at the moment is with my headphones blasting 80's music as I work out at Planet Fitness.
<who> Photo Credit: Kari-Anne Flatmark
Where would you like to see positive change in Kamloops and why?

I would like to see local businesses give more opportunity for employment for people with diverse abilities. I am so honored to know some amazing people that just need a chance to prove themselves in the world of paid employment.

What do you think makes Kamloops great?
Kamloops is a great place to raise children. There are loads of great sports opportunities as well as opportunities in the arts. I have always felt that Kamloops is a safe and friendly place to live.

What are 3 things on your bucket list
1) To run a 10 km in an actual race.
2) Travel to Australia.
3) Have some nice photos taken when I hit my goal weight.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I use to compete in throwing the Javelin.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media?
karianne_40 on Instagram and Kari-Anne Flatmark on Facebook.

What is the name of your business/organization?
I work for an amazing social service agency called TCS.
<who> Photo Credit: Kari-Anne Flatmark
What is the goal of your business?

I am a Home Share Manager at TCS. I help people with disabilities with housing solutions.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
For years and years, I struggled with my weight. I did not know at the time that it was a struggle as my confidence was never an issue, but the day my weight limited my activity level, I knew it was a problem and I had to get a grip.

What do you always find yourself saying?
"I need coffee."

Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Figure out what you love to do and then how to get paid to do it. Life is way too short to spend 8 hours a day doing things that you hate. Find your passion and make sure that people can feel your passion when they are with you.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
My parents. If I choose one the other one will be sad, so I need to say both. There is some great writers, philosophers, thinkers, actors, and singers out there, but truth is, I have some greatness in my own family and I don't get to see them every day. My parents are in their early 70's and they are brilliant humans. My dad is a retired chief of police and my mum worked as a support worker for people with disabilities. They are both very active in their retirement as tour guides in our beautiful city ( google Aalesund ). I speak to my parents daily and I feel so blessed that they are there to guide me in life. This is something I will never take for granted.
<who> Photo Credit: Kari-Anne Flatmark
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?

More of my money will be kept in my community, I embrace what makes my community unique, It creates local jobs, It nurtures the sense of community, I invest in entrepreneurship.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
My children and losing more than 100 lbs.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
The great staff at Natures Fair! They are always so friendly and helpful.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
When life kicks you down it can be hard to dig deep to make positive changes in your life. Truth is that when you feel good about yourself it reflects in everything you do. My lesson the last few years has been that it is never too late to change your path.
<who> Photo Credti: Kari-Anne Flatmark


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!



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