The kitchen is a new arena for you. How exactly did this project arise?
Well, it’s probably been in the works since I was about eight or nine years old — watching Ben Johnson in Seoul run in those Summer Games. And I’m like, “I’m from that guy’s country!” Becoming consciously aware of what the Olympics was, where I lived in the world and this idea of Canadian pride. I’ve been the beneficiary of a great deal of support from this country. Trying to give back, or celebrate it, and have people be as excited about something that was either a birthright or something that they’ve earned by immigrating to Canada is what I’ll do until the day I die.
And so, where this show stemmed from was wanting to highlight what’s made in Canada, who’s making it, how we’re making it . . . shining a spotlight on Canadian brands, their iconic stories — and through that mechanism of showing people how food is created and the brand that’s doing it and their story, maybe creating that inspiration to make the choice with their dollar to buy Canadian and stock that pantry with maple leaf from tip to tail.
This show was in development before the current international turmoil. Is it strange how timely it now all feels?
Well, the international stage really was the catalyst for us to be able to launch and be received with this idea while it was there percolating. We couldn’t have asked for a better catalyst to have people clamour to be a part of it. And while some things are unpleasant, they can give us strength and rigidity. When you break a bone, it heals back stronger. While we might have been insulted by some rhetoric, and while there will be pain in certain areas, others are developing, growing . . . I think, in terms of our connectedness as Canadians, we were given a gift, honestly — and it’s not to play down the financial turmoil that is being caused in some areas of the market. But the byproduct . . . I don’t think since 2010 have we felt this Canadian connectedness from our brothers and sisters from coast to coast to coast.
The nature of being an elite athlete is you have to “retire” in your 30s or 40s. What was that transition like for you?
My story is maybe a little different than most . . . but I think it’s also perspective. And it might be easy for me to say, because I did have something to transition into. But I was always super-grateful. If you can play any sport . . . most folks aren’t making a dollar. For me to be able to do sport was just the perpetual delay of reality — which is, “I’m gonna have to get a job and join the real world at some point.” I’m pretty sure, 35 years young, tobogganing in a spandex onesie is about the ultimate delay of reality that one could hope for. So, when my tobogganing career did come to an end, I wasn’t bitter. I didn’t call it “retirement.” I was quitting the thing that I loved to do, and now it was about joining the real world.
And I always say yes to an opportunity that’s outside my comfort zone because I know that there’ll be two outcomes: 1) I can have a level of success I can be proud of, and 2) I can get a really valuable lesson through falling short of that goal. The only time I’ll be a loser is if I don’t take the lesson. But any other outcome is a “W” in my mind.
Watch Savour the North on YouTube; The Amazing Race Canada airs on Tuesday, July 15 on CTV
MEMORABLE ROLES:
Jon Montgomery first made his mark on our home and native land at the 2010 Olympics in B.C. when, after winning gold in the skeleton, he downed a pitcher of beer while fans serenaded him with O Canada. Since retiring, the pride of Russell, Manitoba, has kept his competitive edge as host of The Amazing Race Canada.
CURRENT GIG:
Jon just fired the starter’s pistol on season 11 of Amazing Race, but you can also find him hosting YouTube docuseries Savour the North, which — in these times of tariffs and attacks on our sovereignty — celebrates homegrown food brands and kitchen culture.