28 minutes | Wednesday, February 4, 2026
In this episode of Keep Talking, host Sam Madore is joined by Karen Furneaux — three-time Olympian, world champion sprint kayaker, author, and mental health advocate — for an honest conversation about strength, vulnerability, and resilience.Karen shares her experience of receiving a late-onset mental illness diagnosis after years of competing at the highest level of sport, and how that moment reshaped her understanding of identity, balance, and wellbeing. Together, we explore the mental side of high-performance athletics, the role of movement in mental health, and why speaking openly about mental illness can be a powerful act of leadership.This conversation is a reminder that mental health journeys don't follow a single path — and that redefining strength can open the door to healing and hope.We’ll also continue the conversation with the Foundation’s President and CEO, Starr Cunningham, reflecting on what this work means for mental health and addiction support here in Nova Scotia and beyond.New episodes of Keep Talking are available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.This episode was recorded and edited by Tiny Rhino Studios and produced by Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.Music: “I Must Believe” by T. Thomason⸻Support & ResourcesThis episode may include discussion of mental health or suicide. If this brings up difficult feelings, help is available.Canada Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988 (24/7)Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team (NS): 1-888-429-8167Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.⸻About Keep TalkingKeep Talking is a podcast by the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, which funds community-based mental health and addictions programs across the province. The Foundation does not provide direct services.Learn more or support our work: mentalhealthns.ca⸻About Karen FurneauxKaren is a three-time Olympian and two-time World Champion in the sport of sprint kayaking. She is an author, her book, Strong Beauty: Power Up the Champion Within, helps build resilience and self-confidence in sport and life. She has been named one of the top 15 most successful athletesin Nova Scotia sport history. Karen was diagnosed with late onset bipolar disorder in2024. She shares her story to raise awareness and decrease the many stigmas surrounding mental illness. She is most passionate about the positive impact of movement on mental health.