INTERVIEW: KRISSY // THE MOTOVATION PODCAST

MEET KRISSY Vann OF THE MOTOVATION PODCAST

Introducing Krissy Vann, a master storyteller known for her adventurous spirit and impressive broadcasting career, which includes work with The Weather Network, CBC, and CTV News. Her path took a significant turn when she became involved with the motorcycle community, leading her to leave her decade-long TV career for new ventures. During the day, Krissy works in corporate fitness, while by night she channels her storytelling prowess into The Motovation Podcast, combining her love for compelling narratives with the impactful experiences of womxn motorcyclists. Read on to learn more about Krissy’s journey into the motorcycling world and how it has changed her life.

“Riding has fundamentally changed who I am and has allowed me to tap into a level of vulnerability I had never experienced before”

About:

I'm Krissy Vann, and I ride a Ducati Scrambler Sixty2. Originally from the Niagara region in Ontario, I have called Vancouver, BC, home for the past nine years.

I am a former Canadian national television host, but exited my career in 2022 to start a B2B fitness media company called All Things Fitness and Wellness. I also co-host my passion project ‘The Motovation Podcast’ with fellow rider Laurie Joy Kingwell.

Motorcycle Journey:

I've always had a passion for adventure and adrenaline. As a teenager, I spent time as a backpack on my boyfriend’s dirt bike and motorcycle. In my early 20s, my friend's parents owned a Kawasaki dealership, and her dad taught us how to ride. I bought a little Honda CBR 125 at the time, but I only put about 50 kilometers on it because I was terrified. I ended up selling the bike nearly new. I would say that was a regret, but I think it was just a poignant life lesson of the importance of pushing through fear.

Fast forward to when I was a 32-year-old passenger again. I distinctly remember the moment a woman rode next to us during golden hour, framed by the mountains. She looked powerful and majestic. I immediately thought to myself, "Why am I back here?" I took my knowledge test the next day and bought a Honda Rebel 500 shortly after. I had no idea that one decision would change the course of the rest of my life.

How riding has changed my life:

Riding has fundamentally changed who I am and has allowed me to tap into a level of vulnerability I had never experienced before. Joining The Litas Vancouver introduced me to souls I can't imagine my life without now. They are a community that celebrates personal growth, pushes boundaries, and challenges individuals to confront their fears.

Whether on motorcycles or off, they peel back the layers and provide a soft space to land, which becomes increasingly important as we face the harder lessons of midlife.

It's incredible to think that the decision to ride a machine has had such a profound impact and ripple effect on my life.

Aside from the community, I’m someone with a busy mind and have always had careers that require a lot of energy output. The therapeutic benefits while on two wheels is profound.

The podcast:

The Motovation Podcast started in 2021, co-hosted with one of my closest riding friends, Laurie Joy Kingwell. Like many creative endeavors, it was born out of the pandemic. At the time, I had wanted to start a podcast called The Motivated Millennial, but it never got off the ground. Laurie and I were just getting to know each other, but there was this incredible energy between us. She said to me, "I have no idea what we are going to do, but I can’t shake the thought that we are going to collaborate one day." That week, I nearly fell off the stairclimber at the gym as I was struck with the realization that we were supposed to podcast together. Laurie was immediately enthusiastic about the idea.

We were both acutely aware of the incredible inspiration, personal growth, and life lessons this community was offering. We wanted to create a space where we could speak to some of the lessons we’ve learned along the way. Much of our podcast has become our very public diary, as we don’t hold back about the realities and vulnerable moments we are experiencing. We talk about all the things we can do to unlock parts of ourselves that will allow us to live a life more true to who we are and get curious about what that looks like.

We also have guests who are women, or those who identify as, within the motorcycle community to specifically learn from their experiences. Some of our guests' topics have ranged from fellow riders who have moved through addiction, explored BDSM and intimacy, divorce, changing careers, went on grand adventures or navigated deep grief and loss. Essentially, it’s a self-improvement podcast filled with the raw honesty and acceptance found in the motorcycle community. Each episode, we deliver ‘Motovation Maintenance,’ an actionable tool to implement what was discussed.

We also have Off Road episodes where we invite our friend Richelle Trelenberg of True Grit Moto. These episodes are just comic relief and debauchery, where we ask ridiculous questions and answer them honestly. I have made my mom promise she will never listen to those unless she wants to learn way too much about me.

“
In life, challenges and unexpected turns are inevitable. By leaning into these moments, we open ourselves to growth and transformation. This mindset encourages us to fully engage with our experiences.
”

— Krissy Vann, The Motovation Podcast

Challenges and Successes:

The greatest challenge is that maintaining a podcast is a lot of work. Prep time, recording, and editing are all long processes, especially for long-form content. We also want to expand our social reach, but with the constantly changing landscape, if you’re not consistently feeding the machine, you really aren’t in the arena. We do all of this in our own time while managing our busy day jobs. That said, we’ve always promised to keep this a passion project. When life has thrown us unexpected twists, we’ve prioritized the time we need for our own well-being. Another challenge is the cost of production. We've never sold sponsorships, but it is something we hope to get serious about in the future, as we've proven that people are interested and we've been consistent.

As for success, I remember when we started, we said we would be happy if just one person was inspired or felt seen from a podcast episode. We have received many personal messages from listeners when something has resonated with them. That is the beauty of vulnerability and our stories. We’ve now surpassed ten thousand downloads and over 120 episodes. In the content creation world, those numbers may not be mammoth, but they seemed unimaginable for us when we started. The entire project is soul fuel for us.

Advice for the moto-curious:

Don't let your "maybe somedays" become a "never." If you're interested, the written test is an easy first barrier to overcome. Sign up for a riding course to explore if this is something you really want to do. They provide bikes, solid instruction, and a safe environment to see if it resonates with you.

If you do get started, don’t hesitate to join your local Litas community. It's incredible how individuals from different walks of life can unite and instantly feel a supportive bond. The energy in the space is welcoming and powerful. The first step may seem nerve-wracking, but you wouldn't be riding a motorcycle if you were a creature of comfort in life anyway.

Personal philosophy:

Our mantra at The Motovation is to ‘lean into life’.

When you're on a bike, you don't resist the curves of the road; you lean into them, trusting your instincts and the machine beneath you. This act of leaning requires faith, balance, and a willingness to flow with the path ahead, no matter how uncertain it may seem.

In life, challenges and unexpected turns are inevitable. By leaning into these moments, we open ourselves to growth and transformation. This mindset encourages us to fully engage with our experiences.

Leaning into life means trusting ourselves, embracing vulnerability and uncertainty, knowing that these are the moments that shape us and make our journey uniquely ours.

Finally:

Truthfully, I feel immense gratitude for this community and everyone who has ever been brave enough to show up. At the end of the day, women in motorcycling are still a minority. However, we are increasingly seeing more women-owned businesses, stunt performers, product launches, communities, and content creators enter the arena. It is thrilling to witness this growth and equally inspiring to see the sisterhood of support. The decision to ride a motorcycle and embrace a community like this can be truly life-changing. It has cultivated some of the most meaningful relationships of my adult life. I now truly understand the meaning of having 'ride or dies.'