Where movement meets mental heath
At Head2Core, we believe movement is one of the most powerful and underused tools for mental health. Yet too often, physical activity and mental wellness are treated as separate conversations.
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Our mission is to advance mental health through sport by funding innovative programs, supporting research, educating communities, and advocating for exercise as an essential component of mental health care.
We support initiatives that use movement to help people prevent, manage, and recover from common mental health challenges, including stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and burnout, while working to ensure that the proven benefits of physical activity are more accessible, better understood, and more fully integrated into mental health care.
We’re driven by our values
Mutual Respect
We recognize that everyone comes from different backgrounds and carries different experiences. Compassion and empathy are at the centre of how we show up — accepting, encouraging, and genuinely supportive.
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Leadership
Head2Core was built with an intense desire to involve and evolve. We believe in serving the common good of the communities we live in — with vision, energy, and generosity.
Self-Improvement
We encourage stepping outside your comfort zone to increase happiness. Progress isn't linear, but we commit to showing up for it — and for each other.
Philanthropy
We channel our values into real pathways toward better mental health through sport, creating programs and initiatives that benefit the whole community.
Inclusivity
Movement is for everyone. We are focused on building spaces that are welcoming, supportive, and free from judgment — because wellness shouldn't have barriers.
Head2Core exists to help with mental health
Doom scrolling, isolation, and a healthcare system stretched past its limits. The warning signs are everywhere and rising across every age group.
of mental health conditions emerge before age 25. More than half of young adults say their care is only partially met or not met at all.
Canadians waits more than 4 months for their first counselling appointment. Those who seek help, still wait.
more Canadians report poor or fair mental health than before the pandemic. Provinces spend just 6.3% of health budgets on mental health - half of what is recommended
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What Happens in Your Brain When You Move ?
Athlete mental performance and life transitions
Athletes face a distinct set of mental health pressures - performance anxiety, identity tied to sport, and the often-difficult transition out of a playing career. We fund programs and resources that support athletes at every level: mental performance coaching during their careers, and psychological support and life-skills guidance for those navigating what comes next. Whether directly delivered or through referrals to existing services, this is an area we are committed to growing.
Exercise as intervention
Programs that use structured physical activity to support individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and related challenges — as a complement or alternative to traditional clinical approaches.
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Mental health support in sport
Initiatives that bring mental wellness resources directly to those already engaged in physical activity — helping athletes, coaches, and recreational participants manage burnout, setbacks, and the psychological demands of sport.
Research and education
Work that advances our understanding of the movement-mental health connection, and initiatives that build awareness and reduce stigma in communities and healthcare settings.
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About the Founders
Bio
Joanne Rossy is a lifetime Montrealer, and an immensely proud mom to her two grown sons, Philip and Eric. She is an interior designer and a sports enthusiast.
She has competed in triathlons and participates in a number of activities, cycling and skate skiing being amongst her favourites. Throughout her life she has enjoyed the wonderful physical, social, and mental health benefits from living an active lifestyle.
In addition, she has significant experience in non-profit work, having volunteered for numerous organizations in health and education. Each experience has led to this new and exciting chapter as a founder of Head2Core, combining her two favourite passions - mental health advocacy and fitness.
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Susan was born and raised in a small town on the northern tip of Newfoundland. Sports served as an outlet for small town life and adolescence.
A graduate of Queen’s University at Kingston, she worked in the financial industry for most of her career until starting her own company in Corporate Transformation.
She is heavily involved in her community, volunteering with several not for profits and sports associations. She is still involved in athletics including cycling, running, kayaking, downhill skiing and soccer. She is a certified yoga instructor.She is married, has two wonderful children, Rafaëlle and Sasha, and is currently living in Montréal (QC) Canada.
Board of Directors
Bio
Radio personality Andrew Carter has been the morning man at CJAD – Montreal’s top-rated English-language AM radio station – since 2003. In 2017, Andrew revealed on air that he had been battling depression. His honest approach helped listeners get a handle on mental illness.
Through it all, Andrew never lost his good humour and remains one of Montreal’s favourite broadcasters.
Andrew was a champion curler, representing Quebec at the Canadian Curling championships three times, and he is an enthusiastic but average golfer. He has lent his support to many great charities, including the Cedars Cancer Foundation, the Camp Weredale Foundation, and the Theresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence.
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Anna Goodson is a seasoned entrepreneur and brand strategist with extensive experience in marketing, branding, social media, and web development.
She is the Founder and Creative Curator of Anna Goodson Illustration Agency, an internationally recognized agency known for representing a bold and diverse roster of illustrators and animators. An active athlete and passionate believer in the power of movement, Anna credits her own sports practice with strengthening her resilience and providing essential tools to cope with the stresses of daily life.
Anna also proudly serves as an ambassador and supporter of Les Roses de Montréal, the city’s first professional women’s soccer team, championing greater equity and visibility for women athletes. Through her business expertise, community leadership, and commitment to inclusion, she brings both professional and personal passion to her role on the Head2Core Board.
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Catherine Parent has worked at Roynat Capital for 18+ years and has been head of Roynat Equity Partners Eastern Canada since 2014. Born in Quebec City, she grew up in Montreal and graduated from Concordia University's John Molson School of Business with a major in finance and minor in accounting. Catherine has been involved in her personal and work community for years, volunteering with a variety of non-profit organizations.
Married and proud mama of three teens, she encourages them in their chosen sports: gymnastics, athleticism, hockey, golf, baseball and soccer.
Active in badminton, running and fitness training, she strongly believes that a balanced and healthy life still starts with physical activity. With the increasing stress, high performance expectations and fast paced lifestyles, physical activity provides her an escape by reducing stress and anxiety. Catherine did not think twice when asked if she could get involved with Head2Core as it ticks a lot of boxes she strongly believes in.
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Charlie is a Montreal born entrepreneur and the owner and president of Calo Real Estate Development. He has built a remarkable career in real estate, with over 25 years of experience in developing and managing multi-residential properties. His passion for architecture, coupled with a deep understanding of the construction landscape, has helped him build a successful business rooted in long-term community impact, particularly in the retirement home industry, where he has worked to enhance the quality of life for the elderly through his professional domain.
Beyond his professional achievements, Charlie is a dedicated community advocate. A cycling enthusiast, he has used the sport as a platform to raise significant funds over the years, combining his love for physical activity with a deep commitment to giving back. He also enjoys golf, skiing, and hiking—activities that support his strong belief in the connection between physical movement and mental wellness.
Charlie is married and a devoted father of two teenagers who keep him active and engaged. His passion for youth development is reflected in his involvement with hockey, where he has organized numerous events to bring kids together and promote team building skills through physical activity.
For years, Charlie has been a strong advocate for mental health awareness, recently recognizing the deep connection between physical and mental well-being. This realization led him to become an active member of the Head2Core Foundation, where he continues to create awareness for mental health initiatives through physical activity.
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Gianni Venturino is the co-founder of Passion Soccer Boutique and works closely with the local Montreal soccer community. He is a graduate of Concordia University's John Molson School of Business in marketing.
He rediscovered his joy for running in 2019 and has recently added endurance sports to his passions. He has competed in everything from 5K road races to 55K trail runs, as well as two 70.3 Ironman triathlons.
He leads free weekly social runs with a run club he co-founded called CSB Runs (Courir Sans Ballon). Gianni feels very strongly about creating awareness for the cause of better mental health, in particular through sports, and is a proud supporter of several initiatives in Montreal. He is thrilled to share his expertise with Head2Core.
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Dr. Heather Bullock has an extensive background in health-care policy and knowledge translation, researching how large jurisdictions implement evidence-informed policy directions in mental health systems.
While working at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Heather developed and led a knowledge-exchange network for mental health and addictions aimed at building a better mental health and addictions system in Ontario.
She also works in an advisory and governance capacity on several provincial, national and international initiatives, including the International Knowledge Exchange Network for Mental Health and the Ontario HIV Treatment Network.
Heather enjoys a variety of physical activities, including rowing, swimming, walking her dog Jackie and — since the onset of COVID-19 — working out on her pandemic-acquired Peloton bike.
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Morris Szwimer is the first member of his family to be born in Canada — a lifelong Montrealer, married with three children, and recently welcomed his first grandchild. He is a business M&A attorney and a sports enthusiast.
An accredited mediator and certified PWHL Players' Association agent, Morris has a deep passion for athletics both on and off the field. Throughout his life, he has enjoyed the wonderful physical, social, and mental health benefits that come from staying active and connected to the world of sport.
In addition, he has significant experience in non-profit work, having volunteered for numerous organizations in his community, including the Israel Cancer Research Fund, the March of the Living, and the Bronfman Jewish Education Centre, among others. Each experience has led to this new and exciting chapter with Head2Core, combining his two favourite passions - mental health advocacy and fitness.
Advisors
Bio
Camille Charbonneau is a mental performance consultant with a master’s degree in performance and sport psychology. For the past six years, she has been helping athletes see the value that mental skills training has on performance and everyday life. Through tools and strategies based on sport psychology research, Cam helps athletes feel confident and focused.
Cam has worked with musicians, athletes, coaches, children and business leaders. Drawing on her experience as an educator, competitive athlete and personal trainer, she brings a holistic approach to helping athletes build lifelong skills that cultivate more balance, focus and enjoyment in their sport.
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With experience in team sports (soccer and competitive dance), I developed a love for being on a team and working with others towards a common goal. My experiences in sport yielded both positive (e.g., winning championships) and negative (e.g., getting benched) psychological experiences, and these experiences affected how I viewed sport. To me, sport is more than just playing the sport, it is an environment that forces you to train your body and your brain, something I had never experienced outside of sport. Of particular interest to me were the negative experiences I had in sport, and how this affected my performance. This prompted me to join the McGiIll Sport Psychology Research lab to explore this avenue through research. My main research area includes women in sport and the role of the coach in athletes development and success. Specifically, my thesis focuses on barriers faced by former professional female hockey players leading to their sport discontinuation. Outside academia, I enjoy volunteering at sport events such as the National Bank Open in Montreal every August, working summers at my family café, and playing rec soccer with friends.
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A dedicated mother of two young and active children, Jessica Lento brings close to twenty years of experience in private school environments, with a background in Admissions and Board roles at both daycare and elementary school levels. Currently, she is the Admissions and Development Coordinator at Solomon Schechter Academy, where her passion for fundraising was established. Jessica enjoys engaging in activities with her children and projects that inspire her creativity, believing that shared community experiences help reduce anxiety, foster lifelong connections with others, and set a positive example for her family.
Jessica and her family embrace the great outdoors camping each summer in their RV. She spends her nights camping under the stars, waking up to morning hikes and enjoys yoga on the beach, finding tranquility in some alone time. Jessica enjoys staying active with her children, often going for small runs or leisurely walks together. By prioritizing physical activities inspired by her husband and children, she finds balance and fulfillment, striving to be the best mother, spouse, and person she can be.
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Julian Sher has written nine books and filmed documentaries around the world. His stories have included the crisis in Montreal’s psychiatric care, the rescue of children from abuse and human trafficking and the efforts to help victims of war.
He ran 20 marathons before becoming an avid cyclist, tennis player and skier.
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Kirstin Schell has worked as a personal trainer and nutrition coach for over 20 years, merging her competitive athletic background, her passion for all things wellness and her desire to help others. Kirstin has seen how regular exercise benefits her clients with mental health struggles, as well as many members of her own family.
Kirstin has a wealth of education in the fitness and health field and has presented at fitness conferences and events across Canada. She enjoys volleyball and softball and has completed many triathlons and marathons. She loves to keep moving!
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Loreen Pindera returned to running after a 20-year absence in 2002, as a way to manage anxiety and stress. A journalist with CBC News for 36 years, Loreen is an author, a mother and grandmother, an avid runner and cyclist, and an accomplished triathlete with more than 70 races under her belt.
She writes a column for Triathlon Magazine Canada, where she shares her reflections on her own challenges as an ageing triathlete and stories of other ordinary people who have turned to the sport of triathlon to help them lead healthier, more active and fulfilling lives.
Loreen is on the board of AmiQuébec, a community organization that helps families manage the effects of mental illness through support, education, guidance and advocacy.
Bio
Currently a Director at PwC Corporate Finance, Philippe Delorme brings his expertise as a seasoned CPA to deliver strategic financial insights, fostering sustainable growth for clients and projects alike. Born and raised in Montreal, Philippe's roots in the city shape his community-centered approach, which extends beyond his professional life.
A former university football player, Philippe remains deeply committed to the benefits of physical activity, prioritizing it as an essential component for sound mental health. His past service on the board at the École de Cirque de Verdun and current role as a minor football coach reflect his passion for supporting skill development and teamwork in young people. This commitment carries over to his own family life, where he actively encourages physical activity with his children, reinforcing a lifestyle of health and resilience.
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Stefanie has been a marketing and communications specialist in the fitness, wellness, and the fashion industry for over 10 years. She strives for a healthy and balanced lifestyle in her personal life as well as her professional life.
She works with like-minded businesses all over the world to create, promote, and collaborate. From working at a yoga retreat in Sri Lanka, to managing a pilates studio in Montreal, Stefanie now works alongside fitness and wellness professionals on their social media presence, and also runs a small women-owned business!