On the ice, she's known as number 22, a forward for Canada's women's national hockey team. Off the ice, this month's guest editor is a mom and a medical student, and she's helping kids get involved in sport. Hayley Wickenheiser shares her thoughts on the themes of this issue and what it means to be Canadian.

What do you love most about January?  
"It's a new year, a new start. The year turns over and everybody has renewed energy. And I love the second half of hockey season; you're always filled with promise that it will be better."

Our theme for January is Change for Good. What positive changes have you made in your life?
"I'm constantly trying to make changes for the better. I always try to evaluate where I'm at with my career and my play on the ice to find different ways I can get better. I also try to improve what I'm doing with charitable work to make the greatest impact. Every day I think about making a difference without getting spread too thin."

What makes you proud to be Canadian?
"In the face of adversity, Canadians are incredibly resilient as a nation. They stick together; they show resolve. And when I travel around the world as a Canadian athlete, I don't have to hide the maple leaf on my backpack or my jacket or worry about facing condemnation for being Canadian. People really respect Canada and stand by what we believe in."

What's your favourite place to be in Canada?
"I travel so much that my favourite place is at home in Calgary."

What's your favourite Canadian food?
"Back bacon!"

What's the most important thing we can give to the next generation of Canadians?
"A sense that they have a voice and can make a change. I was at the event in October where the prime minister was supposed to bestow honorary citizenship to Malala Yousafzai, but it was cancelled [due to the shooting at Parliament hill]. There were these teenage girls who were talking about sometimes feeling marginalized or isolated.... to know that they are our future, to know that it's important to stand up for what they believe in and to know that democracy is about being able to share their opinions freely and not be looked down on—that's what we need to give them."

What do we need to change in Canada right now?
"We're a very humble nation, but we need to show our pride in Canada. We need to do a better job of embracing and celebrating the successes that we have as Canadians. Also, the epidemic of obesity and sedentary kids is a huge, huge issue to combat through active and healthy living."

Keeping your kids healthy is hard work - here's how Hayley keeps her son active.

This story was originally titled "Hayley Wickenheiser, Our January Guest Editor" in the January 2015 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!