Counsellor Profile

Jason Shawana, BiSW, RSW
Founder | Counsellor | Athlete Development Practitioner
Registered Social Worker – Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

Jason Shawana is a registered social worker, former high-performing athlete, and the founder of Four Hills Athlete Development, a Brantford-based practice transforming how we support athletes to succeed—in and out of sport. With a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work (BiSW), minors in Psychology and Indigenous Healing & Wellness, and more than a decade of youth-focused leadership, Jason brings both professional depth and lived experience to his work with athletes, families, and teams.

Concurrently, Jason serves as Executive Director of NPAAMB Indigenous Youth Employment & Training, where he leads the organization, and its services and programming to help hundreds of Indigenous youth a year build identity, skills, and confidence while engaging on their employment, training, and career journeys. His background is rooted in culturally responsive, emotionally intelligent, and systems-aware approaches to youth development.

As a former AAA hockey player who was drafted to the Barrie Colts (OHL) and played at the Junior B and C levels, Jason knows firsthand the pressures that come with high-performance sport—and the life challenges that often go unseen. After walking away from hockey due to family expectations and a lack of internal tools, he’s now committed to helping athletes build the mindset, identity, and support systems they need to thrive.

Jason’s approach integrates ecological and systems theory, behaviorism, and contemporary mental performance strategies, always grounded in relationship-based practice and inclusive care. Four Hills is a proudly affirming space for all youth, including LGBTQ and 2-Spirited athletes. Through counselling, camps, and workshops, Jason empowers athletes to lead from within—because true performance starts with knowing who you are.

"Growth beyond the game isn’t just a motto—it’s the mission."