Shea Balish

Co-founder and CEO, Curv Health

HOW IT WORKS: Curv connects users with fitness coaches, physiotherapists and other pros through messaging and video calls. FOUNDED: 2018

HQ ’HOOD: Queen and John

EMPLOYEES: 15

USERS: 12,000

COST: $120 for an initial assessment; $25 to $100 for follow-ups. FINANCIAL BACKING: $1.5 million from angel investors, NewStack and NewFund. FOR MY COMPANY, THE PANDEMIC WAS… “An accelerant.” FOR MY PERSONAL HEALTH, THE PANDEMIC WAS… “Surprisingly positive. I found a love for road cycling.” WELLNESS REGIMEN: “Seven-plus hours of sleep every night, cardio and strength training five times a week, and as many steam rooms and cold showers as I can fit in.”

GUILTY PLEASURE: “Probably alcohol.” MISSED MOST DURING THE PANDEMIC: “Friends.” MOST ANTICIPATED POST-PANDEMIC ACTIVITY: “Returning to the gym, 100 per cent.” BEST SCI-FI MEDICAL INVENTION: ”Life extension, which will exist in the coming decades.” MOST HATED BUZZWORD: “Telehealth.” MOST USED BUZZWORD: “Asynchronous care.” FAVOURITE VIDEOCONFERENCE PLATFORM: “Zoom.” MUST-HAVE HEALTH APP: “Peloton. I love the blend of music and programming.” ALTERNATE-REALITY DREAM JOB: “Investing in start-ups.” WORST THING ABOUT TORONTO: “Lack of easy access to green space.”

BEST THING ABOUT TORONTO: “The increasing number of opportunities to realize bold endeavours.”