Meet the Team
Active Insights Lifestyle Medicine is built on the belief that lasting health begins with informed choices and purposeful habits. Founded by Dr. Owen Garrett, Shirley Garrett, and Dr. Sundeep Thinda—bringing together over 80 years of combined experience—our approach is rooted in education, empowerment, and sustainable change.
Dr. Owen Garrett, Ph.D.
Mindfulness Educator | Retired Psychologist
Dr. Garrett began his career in 1992 and practiced as a Registered Psychologist in British Columbia for 30 years. He supported thousands of individuals facing trauma, depression, anxiety, and chronic illness across both private practice and specialized rehabilitation clinics. He also served as Senior Psychologist for the RCMP in BC and Yukon. Now retired from clinical work, Dr. Garrett continues to lead various groups, including his popular mindfulness meditation groups, offering practical tools for stress regulation, emotional clarity, and self-awareness. His teachings draw from a rich legacy of therapeutic wisdom and deep personal insight.
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“My role became that of a guide and coach—helping individuals discover and embrace self-understanding and empowerment.”
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Shirley Garrett, Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach
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Health Coach | Culinary Medicine Educator | Medical Exercise Specialist
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Shirley brings over 30 years of experience supporting clients through fitness, nutrition, and habit change. A certified Health and Wellness Coach, Medical Exercise Specialist, and graduate of the Northwest Culinary Academy, she specializes in making healthy eating and movement both accessible and sustainable.
Shirley has served as a faculty member in the CHEF Coaching program at Harvard Medical School, training healthcare professionals to help patients cook, eat well, and transform their lives through food.
“Cooking became a bridge: a way to help people build confidence, develop skills, and transform their health from the inside out.”
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Dr. Sundeep Thinda, R.Psych.
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Psychologist | Educator | Consultant
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Dr. Thinda has worked in clinical psychology for over 20 years, specializing in forensics, trauma, rehabilitation, and culturally responsive care. His career spans private practice, supervision, medical-legal assessment, and teaching.
Today, he focuses on psychological assessments and educational programming, blending evidence-based insight with practical strategies for building resilience and self-directed change. He is a strong advocate for positive psychology and lifestyle-based mental health.
“There is no diagnostic label in the DSM-5 called ‘crappy lifestyle syndrome.’ Don’t you think a condition that afflicts millions of people around the world should have a label? Well, at least we now know the cure.”
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