In Focus | Kathleen Treadgold

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Kathleen Theresa Treadgold.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I'm originally from Edmonton. I lived in Kelowna for ten years in my 20’s, and spent every Summer here for years. I finally moved back home to the Okanagan five years ago.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My partner, Curtis. He’s loving, fun, kind, active, engaging, generous, hot and is the best cuddler ever. It’s easy spending time with him. I love him.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Right here, right now.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Good question! How can I pick just one? I have many depending on what I’m looking for. For shoes, Sassy Shoes or Strut Shoes.

What is your favourite activity?
My favorite hands down is yoga. I love yoga! It keeps me centered, grounded and calm.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Vegetarian tacos.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I’ve had many embarrassing moments. Do I really have to answer this?

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
To be graced in the presence of my mom’s passing at her home with her four children and my mom’s best friend by her side. It was so beautiful and changed my entire perspective with death. There are angels among us.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
During the summer of Grade 4 it was our family’s first family vacation and road trip to the Okanagan. We were camping in the tent trailer with my mom, twin brother, two older sisters and a couple of my aunt and uncles and cousins. So fun!

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I give back and support many local charities. I also volunteer my time periodically with the food bank. We personally donate to many charities and attend fundraisers, as well, all of our tips at work are donated to different non for profit organizations (i.e. Cancer Society, Mamas for Mamas, Hospice, Women’s Shelter, etc.). I bring the homeless and women’s shelter glow juices when I have extra, just to name a few.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
World hunger.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
In the summer I enjoy boating and water sports and in the winter I love to downhill ski. Year round I like to practice yoga and walk our two dogs.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
In nature or on our boat in the middle of the lake.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would change the lack of nutrition in the hospital that are given to the patients. It’s not real food. One day, I would love to have a foundation to give free cold-pressed juices to cancer and sick patients.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The amazing people and sense of community, the beauty of the valley, the lake, the landscape, the wineries, the summers, the ski hills and the abundance of awesome things to do. It’s the best place to live!

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Go to Machu Picchu.
2. Attend a music festival somewhere different each year
3. Buy a home with my partner in New Zealand so we can see family there.
4. Go heli-skiing (that's four)

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
My mom didn’t know she was having twins and I was a two pound surprise. I have a twin brother, Brad, who is six minutes older than me. My mom had us on her birthday!

What is the name of your business/organization?
Glow Juicery Kelowna Inc.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I spent a great deal of time caring for loved ones with critical cancer, and losing my mom and many family members to cancer. I saw the lack of nutrition in the hospitals and paid attention to all of the chemicals and preservatives in food and wanted to make a change. I had been juicing for years and was aware of the benefits of how a plant based diet makes you feel and wanted to share this with our community.

What is the goal of your business?
To offer healthy grab and go cold-pressed juices, smoothies, raw breakfast and lunch options that are gluten free, dairy free, raw and vegan. We support many local organic and sustainable growers in the valley. We believe food is medicine. Food is fuel.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Being true to myself, letting go of fear and trusting that I’m exactly where I need to be at this moment.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I wouldn’t want to change history, because I believe my path has been shaped by all of the challenges and hardships, along with the beauty and magic of my life to-date. My journey has taught me incredible lessons of humility, blessings, strength, determination, passion and most importantly, love.

What do you always find yourself saying?
'Right?', 'Really?', 'Just breathe', 'Be kind', 'Whatever' and 'You can’t take it with you.'

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
My family and meet my brand new grand nephews in Edmonton and Calgary. I never get to spend enough time with family.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
As a small business owner, I believe it’s imperative to shop local. We depend on our local community supporting us, or we would not be open for business. It’s that simple. Kelowna has really evolved and has great shops and services and offers everything you could want. I’m all about supporting our community.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Giving birth and raising my two beautiful sons, Shayden and Dawson.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Jaz and Cam at Don-O-Ray Vegetables. Their farm provides us with a large portion of their sustainable produce for our company. They are such hard workers and give exceptional customer service, while still facing the challenges of undergoing massive renos. Great job!

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Laura Draycott from Wink i Wear.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
Life is short, embrace every moment, work smarter not harder, and it’s not what happens in life, it’s how we choose to deal with it.

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, Kelowna.