In Episode 7, Kate sits down with Shawn Gallant, a former professional football player and veteran law enforcement officer with over 26 years of combined high performance service, for a powerful conversation about what it truly means to stay steady under pressure.

Originally from Windsor, Ontario, Shawn played 11 years in the Canadian Football League, including four seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, where he became known for toughness, discipline, and team first leadership. After his football career, he transitioned into policing and has now served for 15 years in frontline patrol and specialized roles, bringing the same calm under fire presence and relentless preparation that defined his athletic career.

But beyond the field and the uniform, Shawn is also a devoted husband and proud father. He shares life with his partner Jen and their two young daughters, who are the driving force behind everything he does. Whether at home, on the street, or in a leadership role, his foundation remains the same: protect, lead, and show up with strength and heart.

In this conversation, Shawn reflects on how his mindset has evolved over time, what pressure has taught him about resilience, why preparation builds confidence, and how to navigate public perception without losing your footing. He shares practical wisdom for anyone feeling overwhelmed, reminding us that strength is built in small, consistent steps.

Built through sport. Proven through service. Grounded in family.

💫 Connect with Kate Hanson
🌐 www.katehanson.co
📸 Instagram: @xokatehanson
🎧 Listen to all episodes: katehanson.co/podcast
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In this episode of Aligned Ambition: Authentically Kate, Kate sits down with Shauna Frederick, CPA, FEA — financial literacy educator, entrepreneur, fractional CFO, and co-founder of The Finance Cafe.

Shauna is on a mission to transform the way entrepreneurs, especially women, understand and engage with their finances. As the founder of Frederick OTG and co-host of The Finance Cafe Podcast, she helps business owners move beyond financial overwhelm and build clarity, confidence, and resilience with their numbers.

Together, Kate and Shauna explore:

• The emotional roots behind our financial decisions
• How money stories from childhood shape our business choices
• Why financial avoidance creates stress — and how clarity builds resilience
• The truth about debt, safety, and freedom of choice
• Practical ways entrepreneurs can build financial confidence

This conversation is honest, grounding, and empowering. If you’ve ever felt unsure about your numbers or hesitant to ask financial questions, this episode will remind you that financial resilience is learnable — and you are not alone.

Connect with Shauna:
Website: https://thefinancecafe.ca

Podcast: The Finance Cafe
Instagram & LinkedIn: @thefinancecafeofficial

💫 Connect with Kate Hanson
🌐 www.katehanson.co
📸 Instagram: @xokatehanson
🎧 Listen to all episodes: katehanson.co/podcast
💌 Subscribe for insights on resilience, alignment, and ambition.

In this episode of Aligned Ambition: Authentically Kate, Kate sits down with Sean Grixti, a leader working at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and strategic growth.

Sean is passionate about building and scaling sustainable technologies and is widely recognized for his expertise in commercial strategy, technology commercialization, and developing strategic industrial partnerships. He currently leads business development at Torngat Metals, a rare earth mining company focused on the critical minerals shaping our future.

Previously, Sean served as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Cyclic Materials, where he established the company’s first commercial relationships, and led European expansion efforts for lithium ion battery recycling startup Li Cycle. His career reflects a deep curiosity for emerging technologies and a willingness to navigate uncertainty in fast growing, high impact industries.

Together, Kate and Sean explore
• Navigating unplanned pivots and uncertain career paths
• Leadership inside startup and scale up environments
• Making decisions without rigid timelines
• Managing ambition without burning out
• Risk, responsibility, and resilience in high stakes roles
• How wellness, travel, and boundaries support long term success

Sean holds an M.A.Sc. in Materials Engineering from the University of Toronto and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry from McMaster University.

This episode is an honest conversation about building a meaningful career while staying grounded, intentional, and aligned, even when the path forward is not always clear.

If this conversation resonates, subscribe and follow for more. Share this episode with someone navigating growth or a career pivot. Your support helps these conversations reach more people.

💫 Connect with Kate Hanson
🌐 www.katehanson.co
📸 Instagram: @xokatehanson
🎧 Listen to all episodes: katehanson.co/podcast
💌 Subscribe for insights on resilience, alignment, and ambition.