Meet Robert Petrie. He was born and raised in Kamloops, he moved away but fortunately moved back 10 years ago.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
The favourite person for me to spend time with his not really a person it's my dog, Henry. I love spending time with him because of the pure joy and kindness he brings my heart.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
It's corny but I've travelled the world and I am in the city I want to be in... Kamloops! It's where my community is and it's where I grew up, I just feel at home here. Saying that I enjoyed Maui, it feels like a second home to me when I'm there.
What is your favourite local store in Kamloops and why?
I really like PDK Cafe. It's family run, homegrown and I just like the atmosphere in there. It's relaxed and feels like home.
What is your favourite activity?
I usually say anything that makes me move, but I've come to realize recently that I like team sports more than individual sports so anything that I'm doing something in a team really excites me.
If you had to choose, would it be: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Oh wow! I think Boston Pizza has a taco pizza or a burger pizza, can I pick that?
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I once had to sing 'O Canada' in front of a movie theatre in a woman's dress and makeup.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Something that my dad said to me every day before I left the house, 'Have fun and learn lots'. Always having a smile on your face and the idea of trying to continually learn is something that I've carried with me for my entire life and that's pretty inspirational.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
It's not really a clear memory but I remember being on a Ferris wheel with my sister smiling and laughing and just having the time of our life, I think I was about 4 years old.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
A few places I volunteer are Hospice, Special Olympics, Alliance Church, and Kamloops Sports Council. If you ask me to be a part of something that helps our community I will do everything that I can to help Kamloops and the people around us.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
I would like to see more kindness in the world and I think that would eliminate a lot of bad things in the world like war, racism and pollution.
What is your favourite activity in Kamloops?
I love how Kamloops is a city but it's also a rural community. Saying that one of my favourite places to go is Kenna Cartwright and either hiking or biking.
Where would you sneak away to in Kamloops to spend some time alone?
Kenna Cartwright Park.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kamloops and why?
I think Kamloops is a pretty positive community and really has done a good job in sporting events with our volunteering. One place I'd like to see improvement is giving facilities and opportunities for arts and culture. We have a lot of talented artist in town and they deserve spaces to flourish and reflect our community.
What do you think makes Kamloops great?
I think Kamloops is great because of its diversity of activities and the ability to have the amenities of a city but then also be so close to nature.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Cycle Europe. I already checked this off my bucket list, however!
2. Learn to fly a plane
3. Go around the world of human power
What is your preferred method of social media? (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
Instagram.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I'm dyslexic.
What is the name of your business/organization?
F3FIT - Fundamental Foundation Fitness.
Why did you get into/start this business?
My purpose in life is to help people and I use fitness as the medium to do that.
What is the goal of your business?
Help people learn, build and improve themselves in the community around them.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or life?
My biggest struggle has been to be proud that I'm dyslexic and realize that it is the reason that I have all my positive qualities. Through all my struggles with it has brought the character that I have in me out but I still struggle with the shame and low self-esteem that comes with it.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I am happy where I am today but I'm not sure that if I did it all over again that I'd make the same decisions in the moment so things could be different.
What do you always find yourself saying?
Learn, build and improve.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
My dad, I still want to spend as much time as I can with him.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
It's important to shop locally because it helps and supports our community in two ways, financially and emotionally.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
My university degree from UBC.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Spencer Dobell, owner of Nature's Fare. He conducts business with honour and integrity. He is always wanting to help people and help his community.
Some general comments/thoughts I would like to share are:
Thank you. I love being apart of the Kamloops community!
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kamloops.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great.
