In Focus | Jessica Leeworthy

Meet Jessica! Jessica is originally from Ontario and has been living here in the beautiful Okanagan for four years. She enjoys exploring new hiking trails in the area and spending some quality time with her boyfriend & adventure buddy, Geoff.


Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
Originally from Ontario, moved here 4 years ago.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My boyfriend, Geoff. Typical answer, I know. But he's just so much fun to be around, and SO funny. He just always makes me laugh and is totally down for an adventure, or binge watching Game of Thrones all weekend.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Alchemy. It always has tiny gems that add character to our home. People will always comment on a tiny dish or some cute piece that we got there, and so gifts are always a hit when I buy them from there.

Describe yourself in one word.
Entrepreneurial.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Patagonia. The idea of being able to kayak around glaciers, horseback ride in grassy fields, hike mountains and swim in waterfalls all in one place is totally mind-blowing. Let's go!

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
I love love love hiking here. I hike for a living, and still, the views just never. get. old. Can you believe there are people who don't live here? It's insane.


What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Today alone, or?

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
When I was in high school, I worked at a summer camp that integrated able-bodied kids with some who had physical or developmental disabilities. Every summer there was an event called 'Brown Rock Swim'. This was where campers would be boated out to this giant brown rock, where they would jump out and swim back to shore. It was about 800m and no small feat for a child who had full use of their body, let alone one who didn't. One year, I had a camper named Isabelle, who had cerebral palsy and had limited use of both her arms and her legs. On land, she used a wheelchair. She was DETERMINED to do brown rock swim. on. her own. So I strapped about 47 life jackets and pool noodles to her and sat on a paddleboard beside her while she swam to shore. It took most campers around an hour to complete. She took 4 hours. This was inspiring in every way. She wanted to do something that she knew would be wildly difficult for anyone, and she was positive and cheerful the whole time. It was impossible to feel anything but joy when she was yelling out "Just keep swimming!" and "when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade!" and "it's about the journey, not the destination!" I hid tears behind my sunglasses and learned so much from this 11-year-old girl that summer. That memory will be with me always.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
When I was about 9 years old, I had a Jack Russell Terrier named Whitey, I LOVED spending time with her, teaching her new tricks and playing games. I was also obsessed with watching dog agility on TV, daydreaming about running the courses with Whitey. One day, on the last day of school, my dad surprised me by setting up an entire agility track in our backyard. I spent the whole summer working with our dog and living the dream!

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I have been very active in the UBCO B.A.R.K community with our family dog, Chanel. She passed away on March 1st, but she loved spending time with the students, making them smile and helping them to forget about the stresses of school, even if only for a little while. I'm sure that we will be a part of B.A.R.K again when we get our next dog. It's such a fun and rewarding experience for everyone involved--including the dogs!

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
If people had an easier time putting themselves in the shoes of others who maybe see the world differently. I think that cooperation, kindness and understanding would be so much easier if we could see other peoples' perspectives.


Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Hiking up Knox and sitting on the hillside watching the beautiful view.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would like to see more dog-friendly vendors, restaurant patios, etc. There is such a large community of dog owners in Kelowna and we'd love to be able to bring our four-legged family members along for our outings.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The people, the landscape and the weather. It's a perfect place to live and visit. I have so much pride in showing it off when friends and family come to visit.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
-Bike from Jasper to Banff
-Backpack around Patagonia
-Raise a PADS service dog

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I know how to speak Sign Language.


How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Instagram! @radrover.ca

What is the name of your business/organization?
Rad Rover Dog Walking

What is the goal of your business?
To exercise and socialize dogs of the Okanagan through off-leash Pack Hikes.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Mentally checking out from work on my downtime--the entrepreneur brain never quits!

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would do them the same. I am in love with the process of growing, learning, becoming a person I love. Being able to go back in time and change everything to be 'perfect' would rob me of life's greatest journey!


What do you always find yourself saying?
"Typically....." I say that word at least 785 times a day.

Tell us your best piece of life advice.
"Talk to yourself like you would your 5-year-old self. Be gentle, be kind."

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Well, *other than Geoff* who is the OBVIOUS first choice (who is watching me fill this out right now, and side-eyeing me HARD) Beyonce. No question.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Not only does shopping locally stimulate our local economy, but the character of a city is largely defined by the small businesses within it. Kelowna is a representation of the culmination of our vibrant and prosperous small businesses.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Being 100% on my own payroll. That's pretty awesome!


Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Rose Harrison -- She is one of the kindest, intelligent and supportive women in our community. She also brings the term 'networking' to a whole new level. I'm pretty sure 9 out of 10 people in Kelowna have had a meaningful conversation with her.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Rose Harrison of Harrison Health

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.

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. Thank you, Kelowna!