PrincipalED: Conversations with Grace McCallum

One Gear, No Breaks: Olympic Gold Medalist Lori-Ann Muenzer

Grace McCallum/Branksome Hall Season 1 Episode 4

Principal Grace McCallum is joined by the inspirational Lori-Ann Muenzer, a two-time Olympian, Canada’s first Olympic gold medalist in cycling and a proud inductee into three Halls of Fame. 

Lori-Ann’s path to greatness was anything but traditional. At age 38, while working full-time as a legal secretary, Lori-Ann took on the world’s best in elite cycling—often racing against competitors half her age. Her story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t defined by age, background or others’ expectations—it’s defined by belief, grit and purpose. Now a global keynote speaker, best-selling author and High-Performance Business Mindset Coach, Lori-Ann empowers professionals and teams to break through barriers, shift their mindsets and achieve extraordinary results in business and life without burnout.

Grace and Lori-Ann explore the importance of mentorship and sponsorship, how girls and women can authentically define success, how to stay resolved when being underestimated, and advice and tools to combat perfectionism and prioritize well-being.

Lori-Ann’s wisdom is rooted in real-life experience—from Olympic glory to boardrooms around the world. This episode invites listeners to rethink what’s possible and pursue success on their own terms.




Follow us on Instagram at @principalEDpod and listen to the PrincipalED podcast Spotify playlist here.

Follow and subscribe to the Branksome Hall YouTube channel where you can see the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@branksomehall.

The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. www.branksome.on.ca

Episode keywords: Lori-Ann Muenzer, Olympic medalist, cycling, high-performance coach, perfectionism, mentorship, self-belief

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership

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