WITH HOPE IT'S POSSIBLE

Fitz 'The Whip' Vanderpool. Inspiration comes with a powerful punch.

For Fitz 'The Whip' Vanderpool, the whip isn't only the sound his fists make in the ring, it means a whole lot more. It's also what helped us return after our own devastating blow after Season One. We took an 8 count, shook the cobwebs out, reevaluated our mission and got back in the fight for Season Two!

That thing was HOPE, and as Fitz Vanderpool, the most decorated professional boxer in Canada, the oldest boxing champion in Canada, and the most amazing human in the Waterloo Region, has always proclaimed, 'With Hope It's Possible'! And today, April 19th, 2026, marks a very important day in the life of our Canadian champ, as I'll tell you later on in this post.

When we started Founders Music Lab, our intent was to give people hope, including ourselves. We knew our Music Guy might not be with us by the end of the first season, and it turned out to be true. We hoped he would, but it was not to be. However, the big realization was that it was the hope that got us going, kept us going, and helped us recognize what we were doing. We were giving others hope.

Hope is the fuel of INSPIRATION, and as you'll see, INSPIRATION.CA is our new name. Our focus will remain the same. We will continue to bring inspiring stories from some of the most admirable people in the Waterloo Region and beyond. Including our Region's own Fitz 'The Whip' Vanderpool.

Fitz was the middle child of five boys, all of whom are equally driven and powerful. His journey to become a six time professional boxing champion was fraught with incredible challenges and non believers. Take a listen to Fitz as he tells us how he did it, how he's continuing to do it and the impact his successes have had. You can hear him here at Fitz 'The Whip' Vanderpool.

So what is the significance of April 19th, 2026 you ask? Well it just so happens that exactly 30 years ago, Fitz did what no one thought he could. Fitz 'The Whip' Vanderpool brought home the first Professional Championship Belt back to Waterloo Region. Happy Anniversary, Fitz!!!!!