Caroline Thompson

[vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” parallax_content_width=”in_grid” angled_section=”no” angled_section_position=”both” angled_section_direction=”from_left_to_right” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” row_negative_margin=”” css=”.vc_custom_1440193491108{margin-top: 80px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 80px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”7962″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Caroline hails from a quirky little town called Blackpool on England’s North West Irish Sea coast. If you’ve heard of Blackpool, no, she hasn’t ever worn a “kiss me quick” hat, ridden a donkey on the beach or pulled out a tooth on a stick of ‘Blackpool Rock’ candy. She has however, broadcast her radio show while strapped precariously into a thrill ride on Central Pier….and had a stalker, who paid her a visit while she broadcast a retro chart countdown from unsavoury exhibits at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. Yes, there are many more stories to be shared over a wine or two….

Caroline’s adventures in radio and training others in this field led her to discover her talent for developing people and setting them up for success. It’s her passion, along with music, DJing, and hummus. In the last 13 years Caroline has applied her magic in a number of ways. She trained docents at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, named the ‘World’s Top City Garden’ by National Geographic. She set up and directed a national program for a London (UK) based charity, to create opportunities for young people to gain apprenticeships in the Creative Industries. She took care of the welfare management of 2,500 volunteers and staff at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She built and delivered the national volunteer program for two international FIFA competitions, with volunteers supporting these competitions from the west to the east coast of Canada. Her legacy is the hugely positive impact of her ideas, coaching, support, programs and trainings on others. Past examples include volunteers going on to gain employment in their dream field after being unemployed for a long time; others achieving national recognition for their work; staff producing incredible outputs whilst going through highly pressurized and challenging periods of work, rather than throwing in the towel!

After emigrating to Ontario in 2013 (all for love!), this sensitive Brit lamented that she’s only really comfortable with the climate in April and October. However now that Caroline has learned to ski, skate and snowshoe, winter isn’t all that bad….it’s just those damn mosquito bites in the summertime! [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Selected Non-FAQs

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being at the level of independence that allows me to regularly travel and explore new places with my husband, and spend time with my family in the UK and New Zealand.

What is your greatest fear?

My next reaction to a mosquito bite…they seem to get worse.

What is your greatest extravagance?

It’s a classic: flat shoes. I have seven pairs. That may not sound a lot, but considering I’m a minimalist, this is totally out of control.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Warmth.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Warmth.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“cool”…”butt”…”balls”

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would have the power to stop frowning without realising I’m doing it. I normally do it while I’m concentrating. I’m doing it right now and the muscles just won’t relax. I’ve had the resulting tram lines on my forehead since my early twenties. The lines will probably end up carving so deep there’ll be stalactites and a river running at the bottom of them. Then my entire face will cave in.

What turns you on?

Hearing an incredible song for the first time

What turns you off?

The smell of cooking butter – eugh.

What sound or noise do you love?

Happy coincidences between day-to-day sounds and music. For instance, when you switch on your car blinker, it happens to click in time with the song on the radio…or as you walk through a town, the church bells chiming the hour just happen to be in harmony with the song you’re listening to on your headphones.

If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

Caroliiiiine! Welcome, come in, come in….so how did you like your life? Oh you LOVED it? On a scale of 1-10, would it be 10? Ah that’s so great to hear. You know you were almost a one eyed goat but I owed someone else a favour… [/vc_column_text][vc_accordion collapsible=”yes” style=”toggle”][vc_accordion_tab title=”You Want More? There’s more!”][vc_column_text]

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I don’t deplore any trait in myself, but a couple of things do annoy me: first of all I’m prone to over analyzing things (although this is calming down as I mellow with age) and secondly, the most obvious solution to a problem is sometimes offered to me by my brain only after it’s presented me with the most complex solution first. Now I’m aware of this weird wiring I’ve learned to hold on a moment before taking action!

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Narrow-mindedness.

Which living person do you most admire?

Tim Ferriss is my current inspiration.

What is your current state of mind?

Relaxed, happy, focused and optimistic.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Probably beauty…unless it’s on the inside!

On what occasion do you lie?

I’ve come up with some crackers to make a good birthday surprise happen!

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

I wish my hair was thicker. I always worry it’ll just fall out one day!

Which living person do you most despise?

Donald Trump is pretty awful…

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My husband Paul, hands down!

When and where were you happiest?

Whenever I’m in New Zealand…my year in Vancouver in 2010….my wedding day…Christmas Day with my family.

Which talent would you most like to have?

A beautiful singing voice please!

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Following my instincts! One of which made me go to Canada on my own for a year in 2010. It turned out to be one of the best years of my life: I learned to ski, made some great friends, met my now husband and it brought me back to Canada to live here permanently!

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

A girl, and born in Sweden or somewhere where I’d have thick blonde hair and end up speaking 6 languages before I’m 21 without blinking an eye.

Where would you most like to live?

New Zealand, if I could throw a lasso around it and move it closer to Canada and the UK so I’m close to loved ones. I’d park it somewhere in the mid-Atlantic at the same latitude it’s at now (but north of the equator not south).

What is your most treasured possession?

It was my piano, but I had to sell it to move to Canada. Now it’s my engagement ring. And my next piano when I eventually buy it.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Feeling miserable and not having a reason for it. A change in my diet helped me stop feeling like that, I haven’t bumped into that low point for a while now.

What is your favorite occupation?

Writing music and DJing.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Throwing my all into supporting and cheerleading others.

What do you most value in your friends?

If I may quote a line from the song ‘Station Approach’ by Manchester band Elbow: “I never know what I want but I know when I’m low that I, I need to be in the town where they know what I’m like and don’t mind”.

Who are your favorite writers?

Hmm not sure, I tend to pick up books by topic or recommendation rather than writer.

Who is your hero of fiction?

I wouldn’t say I have a hero…but like millions of others I was totally sucked into JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

William and Kate, I love them! I can’t wait for them to be King and Queen. They’re down to earth, love their country, are loving parents, support so many people through the work they do and set a great example. They’re an inspiring pair.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My parents and my husband.

What are your favorite names?

Natalie, Martha and Rachel.

What is it that you most dislike?

People who don’t wash their hands after they’ve been to the washroom.

What is your greatest regret?

I don’t see any logic in having regrets unless you can learn from them and then toss them out straight away. Otherwise they become pointless emotional burdens that cause unnecessary stress. I don’t have any regrets.

How would you like to die?

Old, happy and in my sleep.

What is your motto?

Be happy, be grateful and be present.

What is your favorite word?

Copacetic (for now)

What is your least favorite word?

Words which have also become verbal fillers or tics. For example: “like” “literally” “kind of”

What sound or noise do you hate?

That of a baby screaming

What is your favorite curse word?

Bollocks

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Online business owner

What profession would you not like to do?

Flight attendant
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