Written by Evelyn Mytka, Contributing Writer
Bart Schouten has dedicated his career to helping others perform at their best. As the founder of Schouten Performance Coaching International, he works with both elite coaches and high-performance speed skaters who travel from around the world to train in Calgary. With six Olympic Games behind him and decades of experience on the ice, Bart has built a coaching practice rooted in clarity, confidence and continuous growth. His journey shows how passion and experience can evolve into a business that makes a real impact.
We sat down with Bart to learn more about his coaching journey, his business and the role Business Link Alberta played in his growth.
Evelyn: When someone asks what you do, how do you explain your business?
Bart: My business has two sides. I coach sports coaches, helping them think through challenges, grow their skills, and find new insights. In the second side of my business, I coach speed skating athletes who come from around the world to train here in Calgary, many aiming for the Olympics. Supporting both groups is what makes my work so fulfilling.
“All my education and experience, including going to six Olympics with different athletes, has gone into becoming the best coach I could be.”
Evelyn: You’ve spent your whole life in sport. What pushed you to turn that passion into your own business?
Bart: I have loved coaching for as long as I can remember. Over the years, I was asked to work with Paralympic and Olympic level coaches, and I realized how much I enjoyed supporting them. I have also been a speed skating coach since I was 17, and all my education and experience, including going to six Olympics with different athletes, has gone into becoming the best coach I could be. Coaching athletes meant travelling about four months a year, so I wanted a way to keep doing what I love while finding more balance. Starting my own business brought everything together by allowing me to coach coaches and coach athletes in a way that fits my life.
“I’ve been lucky to work with great athletes and lucky to go to six Olympics with them.”
Evelyn: For someone considering working with you, what kind of support do you offer?
Bart: I offer one-on-one coaching sessions and longer-term mentoring for sports coaches who want to grow in their roles. I have many years of experience and have worked with a wide range of athletes and coaches at the highest levels. I help coaches talk through challenges, gain new insights, and strengthen how they approach their work. I also continue to coach elite speed skating athletes who come to Calgary to train, so I support both coaches and athletes in their development.
“The moment when everything “clicks … that feeling is the best part of what I do.”
Evelyn: What’s the part of this work that lights you up the most?
Bart: The moment when everything “clicks.” When a coach talks through a challenge and suddenly finds clarity, you can see the relief on their face. That feeling is the best part of what I do.
“I didn’t know anything about running a business, so I had to figure it all out.”
Evelyn: Every business has its early stumbles. What surprised you the most when you first started out?
Bart: The biggest surprise was realizing how little I knew about running a business. I had spent my whole life focused on coaching, so things like writing a business plan and creating a budget were completely new to me. I had to figure it all out from scratch. Business Link Alberta helped a lot with that process. The resources on the website guided me through planning and budgeting, and speaking one-on-one with my Strategist gave me practical advice that helped me move forward with more confidence.
“Business Link Alberta gives you tips on pretty much everything you need to know as an entrepreneur.”
Evelyn: When you connected with Business Link Alberta, what made the biggest difference for you?
Bart: The biggest difference was the help I received with my website and my online presence. The one-on-one support I received through the Digital Marketing Program guided me through how to improve my content, understand analytics, and collect Google reviews so I could attract more clients. I also met with a strategist who helped me work through the issues I was facing and gave me direction on planning and budgeting. That combination of digital support and one-on-one guidance really moved my business forward.
“Just do it … Live your dream, do your thing!”
Evelyn: What advice would you give someone who is thinking about starting a business but is nervous to get started?
Bart: Just do it. Go ahead, don’t wait. Don’t think about your doubts. Jump in. Get as much information as you can before you start it, but live your dream, do your thing!
“I want to help more coaches and athletes at a professional level, at the highest level.”
Evelyn: What’s next for Schouten Performance Coaching International? What’s the big vision?
Bart: On the coaching-coaches side, I want to support more professional-level coaches— hockey, soccer, any high-performance sport. And for the speed skating side, I want to build a fully professional team with sponsors and paid athletes.
Bart approached entrepreneurship the same way he approaches coaching: with openness, patience and a willingness to learn. With the right tools and support, he built a business that lets him do what he does best.
Bart’s Website: Home – Schouten Performance Coaching International, Inc.
If you are starting or growing a business of your own, you can always reach out to Business Link Alberta for one-on-one guidance. Book a free one-on-one appointment today!
