Cover photo by Lisa Macintosh
And interview with Amy Goldberg, editor-in-chief
Tara Slone has never fit neatly into one box, and that’s exactly what makes her so compelling. From fronting a Juno-nominated rock band to becoming one of Canada’s most recognizable broadcast personalities, Tara’s career has been defined by adaptability, confidence, and presence. Whether she’s hosting Breakfast Television Calgary, stepping into arenas across the country with Hometown Hockey, or the Host, Sirius XM, San Jose Sharks & NBC Sports California, Tara brings energy, intelligence, and authenticity wherever she goes.
Tara joins us to talk about movement as a lifestyle, not a phase. This conversation explores how fitness supports stamina, focus, and longevity in a demanding, ever-changing career, and why strength isn’t just about the body, it’s about showing up fully, wherever life takes you.
Your career has taken you through music, television, sports, and live events. When you look at your life as a whole, what thread do you see connecting all of those chapters?
I think there are a couple of throughlines. The first is that I’ve always loved performing, whatever the medium. Music is my first love, to be sure, but it’s a thrill no matter whether I’m doing a concert or a hockey broadcast. The second is the sense of connection that comes from working on and expressing myself through art. Writing songs, telling stories, exploring communities… It’s all about sharing a sacred space with my collaborators and the audience.
You’ve built a career by saying yes to very different opportunities. How do you decide when something feels aligned versus when it’s time to pass?
Truthfully, I think I’ve said yes to too much! The kind of “yes” it takes to try something new is different from the type of “yes” that comes from being afraid to say no, and I think I’ve spent too much of my life doing the latter. At 52, I’m finally learning the value of being discriminated against. Doing less means more of what actually speaks to me.
Mornings, arenas, studios, stages—your days can look wildly different. What helps you stay grounded no matter where you’re showing up?
I grew up in a Buddhist community, so mediation has been part of my life from a very young age. I’m not a great meditator or anything, but I find even a few minutes a day is really grounding. I also make sure I get regular exercise – both cardio and weights; it’s a mental health saviour. I also owe a lot to my therapist… and my dog, Archie. ☺
How has your definition of success changed from your early music days to now?
I don’t think I’ve figured it out completely. But it doesn’t take long to realize that outside validation is fleeting, so you’d better start liking yourself! I am still ambitious in my career, but it has to be aligned with my values.
It may sound morbid, but I think a lot about what will matter to me as I’m on my deathbed. Was I kind? Do I love and am I loved? Have I lived my life in a vulnerable and honorable way? That’s the kind success that matters to me.
Being a visible woman in the media comes with expectations. How do you stay connected to who you really are beneath the roles and public perception?
It’s become easier the older I get. My give-a-fuck factor has dramatically decreased over the past 5 years, which I think is common for women at my stage of life. Maybe covid had something to do with adding perspective too. But I find I have started to care less about the male gaze and what people think of me altogether; it’s more important for me to stand by my beliefs than to tread lightly for fear of upsetting someone.
At the end of every day, it’s me I have to live with. So I might as well like who I am!
You’ve worked in spaces that move fast and demand confidence. Where do you go to reset when things feel loud or overwhelming?
It’s always been a funny dance with confidence and self-doubt. When I feel shaky, I am fortunate enough to have friends and family members I turn to support. I can’t overstate the importance of community – especially my female friends.
I also try to tune into the small wonders of life. Sunlight, a flower, a birdsong, a tree… nature can be an incredible reset, even in the heart of the city.
What has life taught you about pacing yourself—professionally, personally, or creatively?
That if I don’t have the discipline to do it myself, my body will intervene. Burnout will get you, whether it’s mental or physical.
Are there routines or rituals you’ve built over time that quietly support your well-being, even when life is busy?
On top of the things I referred to before, I am a regular napper. I tend to hit a wall mid-afternoon, so I’ve started listening to my body and letting myself rest.
What does “balance” realistically look like for you—not in theory, but in real life?
Well, I haven’t really figured that out, to be honest. But if I could lose the guilt that comes with allowing myself to do very little, I’d say a good smattering of leisure time is self-care for me.
Looking back, is there a version of yourself you feel especially grateful to have trusted along the way?
There are a couple. There’s the version of me that has incredible intuition, which I’ve both trusted and doubted. Time has taught me that my gut is rarely wrong.
I’m also grateful for the version of me who has asked for what she wanted, despite it feeling like a terrifying thing to do. Some of my biggest opportunities, including Hometown Hockey, have come along because I put aside my fear and told someone exactly why I was the right person for the job. As women, we are socialized to rest in quiet humility instead of asking for what we want. Fuck that!
As spring invites a sense of renewal, what are you currently making space for—more of, or less of—in your life?
I am making more space for… space! I have a terrible habit of scheduling myself to death, even though a full calendar stresses me out to no end.
If you could offer one piece of perspective to women navigating full lives and evolving careers, what would you want them to hear?
I did an interview with the author and economist Corinne Low for my Sirius XM show, No Filter. She talked about the fallacy of women “having it all”, and suggested that we start to redefine success, and also start to demand systemic change from our partnerships and our workplaces.
The biggest takeaway from our chat was that we have been measuring success in the wrong currency. It shouldn’t be just (or even) hours worked, clubs joined, emails sent, career achievements etc. She encourages up to shift to measure success by prioritizing joy. I love that concept so much: schedule joy into your calendar!
Tara, thank you so much.
It feels as though, and refreshingly so, that you’re more about integration than reinvention. It’s about carrying strength from one chapter into the next, trusting yourself as a source of stability, and understanding that life isn’t a destination, but a journey through life’s many roles.
As spring invites us to move forward with intention, Tara reminds us that true wellness lives in consistency, curiosity, and showing up as we are—strong, capable, and very much in motion.
