Tyler Turner - Speaker and Athlete Artwork

Defining Moments with Dustin

Defining Moments with Dustin Heise is where leadership meets high-performance sport. Dustin, CEO of Canada Snowboard, sits down with the athletes, coaches, and leaders who know what it takes to build strong teams and values-driven cultures. Expect real conversations, practical insights, and a closer look at the world of snowboarding, from Olympic drama to grassroots beginnings.

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Defining Moments with Dustin

Tyler Turner - Speaker and Athlete

December 16, 2025 • Dustin Heise • Season 1 • Episode 3

0:00 | 19:29

In this episode of Defining Moments, host Dustin Heise sits down with Tyler Turner, Paralympic champion, world-class multi-sport athlete, and relentless advocate for resilience and perseverance. Tyler opens up about his life-changing skydiving accident, the journey of rebuilding himself, and the mindset that fueled his rise to world champion.

From overcoming addiction and physical recovery to embracing joy and finding passion, Tyler shares invaluable insights on setting small goals, celebrating victories, and maintaining momentum even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, determination, and finding purpose after adversity.

Tune in to be inspired, motivated, and reminded that even the toughest setbacks can become defining moments in your life.

00:00:00 – 00:00:27
Dustin Heise: Tyler. We get some time together. It's never easy, but whenever we get time together, it sure is an absolute pleasure. Thanks for taking time today.

00:00:27 – 00:00:54
Dustin Heise: I’m excited to introduce my good friend and Paralympic champion, Tyler Turner. Tyler, share a little bit about overcoming challenges that makes you one of the best examples in my world.

00:00:55 – 00:01:19
Tyler Turner: Cheers, Dustin. Thanks for having me on. Busy lives, but grateful to have a few minutes to chat.

00:01:32 – 00:02:00
Dustin Heise: Tyler, if you don’t mind just taking us back, when a lot of things changed for you in an instant, what was the turning point for you?

00:02:00 – 00:02:24
Dustin Heise: What was that game-changing element after your near-catastrophic injury, and how did you rebuild to become the champion you are today?

00:02:24 – 00:04:00
Tyler Turner: On September 4th, 2017, I had a skydiving accident that resulted in losing both legs below the knee, severe back and brain injuries. Recovery took years, and small goals along the way were key.

00:04:00 – 00:04:46
Tyler Turner: I focused on tiny, incremental victories, even down to daily functions like showering, building momentum step by step toward bigger goals.

00:04:47 – 00:05:20
Dustin Heise: What does celebrating victories mean to you, especially for high-performance individuals?

00:05:48 – 00:06:16
Tyler Turner: Celebrating accomplishments prevents burnout. I admit I often skip celebrating, but reflecting on wins is important to maintain motivation.

00:07:31 – 00:07:42
Dustin Heise: What did resilience mean to you before your accident, and how has that evolved now?

00:07:42 – 00:10:06
Tyler Turner: Resilience is simple: not giving up. Perpetual forward motion, using momentum even through setbacks, and celebrating small wins along the way.

00:10:37 – 00:11:04
Dustin Heise: Which chapter of your journey tested you the most, and what would you say to anyone facing similar struggles?

00:11:39 – 00:14:45
Tyler Turner: Addiction and recovery were my toughest challenges. Passion for action sports gave me purpose and drove me to overcome painkiller dependence. Everyone can find a passion that fuels resilience.

00:15:26 – 00:16:12
Dustin Heise: With world championships and Paralympic medals, how do you prepare your mindset to deliver consistently at the highest level?

00:16:12 – 00:17:53
Tyler Turner: Fun is the core. Joy drives my training, risk-taking, and performance. Maintaining happiness keeps me motivated to reach my goals.

00:18:29 – 00:19:17
Dustin Heise: Any last thoughts or words for listeners who need motivation or guidance to push forward through challenges?

00:18:52 – 00:20:00
Tyler Turner: Patience and persistence are key. Recovery and success don’t happen overnight; continued effort yields results.

00:20:27 – 00:22:52
Dustin Heise: Looking forward, what will be defining moments for you in one year and five years?
Tyler Turner: The 2026 Paralympics will be a defining moment in one year. In five years, I aim to continue as an athlete and expand into media and TV projects.

00:22:52 – 00:22:59
Dustin Heise: Thank you, Tyler, for taking the time to share your journey and inspire others.

People on this episode

Dustin Heise

Host

Tyler Turner

Guest