RX'D Radio E624: Chaos, Coaching & Consciousness: A Conversation With Ian McKay
Nov 26, 2025
Ian McKay is a coach and community builder from Fort Frances, known for his work in Indigenous health initiatives. He shares his journey from city life to embracing small-town community values, advocating for holistic health improvements. The conversation touches on balancing authority with humility, the struggle of social media versus real connections, and the challenges of burnout. McKay emphasizes the importance of philosophical coaching, asking the right questions, and building gyms to remove barriers in Indigenous communities. His core message revolves around accepting uncertainty and prioritizing genuine relationships.
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Coming Home For Family Changed Everything
- Ian McKay moved from Winnipeg back to Fort Frances to be with his dying grandfather and felt depressed about the move at first.
- Staying for family led to meeting his wife and building a meaningful local life and career.
Small-Town Authority Requires Humility
- Being the only authority in a small town creates both opportunity and epistemic risk for overconfidence.
- Ian balances authority with humility by intentionally seeking outside perspectives to avoid stagnation.
Choose Conversation Over Vanity Metrics
- Prioritize direct human contact over chasing social metrics; iMessage and real conversations matter more than followers.
- Use social tools as aids, not substitutes, and focus on showing up sincerely for clients.
