Meet the people who bring you the MEC Blog:
Nora O’Malley
I’m a Jamchirish (Jamaican-Chinese/Irish) ex-national team fencer turned writer from Calgary, Alberta. Vancouver and MEC head office was home for a good stint, but I recently opted to flee the coop in favour of warmer swells… You’ll currently find me living the surf bum life in Costa Rica: crushing waves, hammocks, and mango smoothies.
My mom is my biggest fan, and she’s heavily stoked that MEC has kept me in the family and on tap to write Sustainability and Community focused news feeds from the beach. Aloha.
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Philip Torrens
I grew up on Canada’s east coast, and have also lived in and done outdoorsy stuff in Quebec and Ontario. It was Colin Fletcher’s The Complete Walker that originally inspired me to get outdoors (and to go solo). For the last couple of decades, my main focus in self-propelled activities has been paddle sports, with a sub-specialization in sea kayaking.
In addition to my day gig writing for MEC, I’ve been published in several paddling magazines and a few anthologies about outdoor adventures gone sideways. I cycle-commute pretty much year ‘round, thanks to Vancouver’s low-snow winters and MEC’s bike friendly, shower-equipped HQ.
I’ve been with MEC since 1989, starting out as front line retail staff. I’m loving the way that as age decreases my carrying capacity and increases my comfort requirements, outdoor gear keeps getting lighter and cushier. If these two trends continue to offset one another, I should be able to keep on keeping on ‘til it’s my turn to help the trees grow.
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Jenny J.
My name is Jen and I’m a married mom of two boys, Luke 10 and Zach 7. I have worked at MEC since 1994. Lucky me! I love the outdoors and get out into the backcountry as often as I can. While I am predominantly a canoe tripper, I enjoy hiking, cross country skiing, winter camping, snowshoeing and rock climbing. My boys are always in tow, so follow along on our adventures!
Dave Bishop
I’m the Activity Photo Coordinator here at Mountain Equipment Co-op. I do some photography myself, generally of the activities I enjoy – backcountry skiing and mountain biking. Originally from Toronto, I’ve been in Vancouver for the last 17 years.
