Valene Olson
Val Olson has a job here in Medicine Hat – but she doesn’t work. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“For me, my job is just a reflection of my life,” says this 31-year- old local morning radio show host. “I love what I’m doing right now so nothing feels like work.”
And what she’s doing right now is a lot – she has a new baby, a six-year-old and is a newlywed. Val also manages to be an honorary co-chair of this year’s Medicine Hat United Way Campaign, is on the board of the Saamis Aboriginal Employment and Training Association and makes time to mentor kids who are interested in a career in radio broadcasting.
She’s technically on maternity leave – but don’t tell her that. Val’s still making the odd appearance at events, and plans to do work for her radio station
31
during the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede.
“I’m living my dream right now,” says Val, who graduated from Saskatoon’s Western Academy of Broadcasting College in 2000.
Her current job marks her 11th radio hosting gig. “It’s also the last one,” she adds – which is music to the ears of her many fans. Every morning before her maternity leave, Val was up at around 3 a.m. and at work by 4:30 a.m. to begin prepping for her morning show duties.
“I love sharing my life as a mom and a wife with the listeners,” Val explains.
30 | TOP 40 UNDER FORTY
“You have to be okay with making fun of yourself but it makes for a pretty cool day.”
She’s also had the opportunity to meet many great artists and lists her favourites as Dierks Bentley and Kevin Costner. “I still have Kevin’s cell phone number,” Val laughs. “Because you never know when you’ll have call Kevin Costner for a favour.”
Val is also a big believer in shopping locally and does what she can to promote local businesses. As the host of Slice of Life, a television program dedicated to showing off hot new trends, Val highlights local goods and services whenever she can. “I see my role as shining a light on all the great things we have here,” she says.
And this very busy working mom says she couldn’t do all the things she does without the support of her husband – and mother-in-law. “I really try to just build my family into everything in my life, but it does help to have a great husband and mother-in-law,” Val says.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44