Ethan Myson has always been passionate about sports, excelling as a leader on the ice and on the court.
As captain of his hockey and volleyball teams, he thrived by helping teammates feel confident in their abilities. Now, Myson is applying those same leadership skills as an in-school teen mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area.
Mentoring became Myson’s way to give back. Inspired by his older cousin, a collegiate-level football player who taught him to handle both wins and losses, Myson realized the importance of the guidance of an older individual. “You don’t know how much of an impact you can make on a person until you try,” he reflects.
This insight shaped his desire to mentor younger students, especially those who may feel like they don’t quite fit in. Myson can relate to this feeling; he admits that, when he was younger, he was lonely at times and had a hard time finding his place. He hoped to become an older role model for kids who might need a bit of extra support.
Returning to mentor at his former elementary school felt like a “full-circle” moment. Myson quickly noticed that his mentee started out shy and insecure, never taking off his hood because of a skin condition.
“You don’t know the circumstances of these individuals, but sometimes your presence is enough,” Myson explains. Over time, his mentee began to trust him, gradually lowering his hood and showing his smile. By the end of the year, he was inviting other kids to join their games — a huge transformation from the shy boy Myson first met.
Myson’s approach to mentoring focuses on building trust and confidence. He lets his mentees lead by giving them choices, encouraging them to take charge of small tasks. “Be confident in who you are,” he tells them. Myson says he feels proud watching these kids grow — especially when he sees them step up as leaders, too.
Through mentoring, Myson found his own calling as a leader in his wider community.
“I used to feel uncertain about how my leadership skills would show up outside of sports,” he says. “Now I see the impact I can have.”
For Myson, the transition from team captain to mentoring is more than just a new chapter — it’s a way to create meaningful change. And, as he helps others find their confidence, he’s finding his own path, too.
