# Episode 439: Emily Reilhan **Source:** Pinball Profile **Type:** podcast_episode **Published:** 2026-06-01 **Duration:** 30m 4s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballprofile.com/episode-439-emily-reilhan/ --- ## Analysis Emily Reilhan, a young pinball champion from Port Moody, BC, has had an exceptional 2024 season, winning the Canadian Women's Provincial and National Championships, the WNACS (earning a pinball machine), and the Women's World Championships (earning a second machine). She is preparing to compete at the World Championships at District 82 in Wisconsin. The interview covers her competitive mindset, local league roots through the Vancouver Pinball Players Association (VRPA), her day job as a pet portrait artist, and her ambition to combine her art skills with pinball. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Emily won the Women's Provincial Championships and the Open Provincial Championship on consecutive days in BC — _Host states: 'Emily won the Women's Provincial Championships and the day before the Whole Province Championship'_ - [HIGH] Emily won the Canadian National Pinball Championships (Women's division) with 24 competitors at Arcadium in Edmonton — _Host: 'We had our Women's National Championship and 24 of our country's finest and again another steamroll. This time you took it down'_ - [HIGH] Emily won the WNACS at Lions Classic Pinball in Colorado and earned a pinball machine as prize — _Host: 'There's a pinball machine to be won for the winner. And Emily, you did it.' Emily confirms the win._ - [HIGH] Emily won the Women's World Championships and earned a second pinball machine, qualifying for the World Championships at District 82 — _Host: 'you go back to back, win the world championship for the women's, you are now a world champion, you win another pinball machine'_ - [HIGH] Emily's father Jody bought a Bram Stoker's Dracula pinball machine in 2009 to join the VRPA collector's club requirement — _Emily: 'he bought Bram Stoker's Dracula in 2009 when I was six years old... he found out about it through reading some article about Eden being the number one player in Canada'_ - [HIGH] The Vancouver Pinball Players Association (VRPA) was founded in 2002 — _Emily: 'It was founded in 2002 by a handful of people.'_ - [HIGH] Emily graduated from Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, majoring in visual arts (drawing and painting) — _Emily: 'I got into the school... graduated majoring in visual arts, so doing mostly drawing and painting.'_ - [HIGH] Emily works as a pet portrait painter at a pet memorial company — _Emily: 'I got super lucky. I got this job at a pet memorial company. And so my nine to five is getting to paint custom portraits of people's pets.'_ - [HIGH] The Canadian National Pinball Championships will be held in Mississauga at Maple Pinball in 2027 and at Neon Ranch Pinball in 2028 — _Host: 'when we talk about the Canadian National Pinball Championships in 2027, it'll be in Mississauga, Ontario at Maple Pinball, but in 2028 at the new Neon Ranch Pinball'_ - [HIGH] Emily took a pinball break during COVID and returned through weekly tournaments post-COVID — _Emily: 'I sort of took a pinball break during COVID and then sort of came back through various weekly tournaments'_ ### Notable Quotes > "I was so excited to get to be there. It was my first time in Colorado, so obviously my first time at Lyons. Amazing, amazing venue." > — **Emily Reilhan**, mid-content > _Reflects Emily's enthusiasm for new tournament experiences and venues_ > "I think having people around me sort of saying, why are you surprised when you win? You're so good. And I'm like, I have to remind myself of that. That it's like, it's, I mean, it's also important to be humble, but it's like, you gotta, you gotta, you know, admit that you're good." > — **Emily Reilhan**, mid-content > _Shows Emily's self-doubt issues despite her success and the importance of mentorship/community support_ > "I think it's very important to play against people that are way better than you because when you're playing against them, you get to watch them. And you get to learn all these little things that maybe you wouldn't have thought of." > — **Emily Reilhan**, late-content > _Philosophy on skill development and competitive growth, applicable beyond pinball_ > "It's such a dream come true. I've never been to, again, like I've never been to Wisconsin. Let alone District 82. So that'll be a thrill. That's sort of like a tick off of the pinball bucket list to be able to get to go there." > — **Emily Reilhan**, late-middle-content > _Demonstrates how competitive pinball tourism is driving travel and venue bucket lists for players_ > "I don't even know. It went after it happened because I think maybe it was also I noticed later that both with the WNACS and the Worlds, the final game, neither of those two final games were very exciting games... I never had like a, oh my god, like, this is my last ball, I need to catch up in order to win." > — **Emily Reilhan**, mid-content > _Reflects on how low-scoring final games affected the emotional intensity of her championship victories_ > "I don't think I could have come up in my head with a better job like that I'd rather be doing all day. I just get to sit around and hang around with these other artists and just chat all day and paint and it's awesome and I'm making work that's meaningful for people." > — **Emily Reilhan**, late-content > _Shows how Emily found professional fulfillment in creative work outside pinball, balancing competition with meaningful employment_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Emily Reilhan | person | Young pinball champion from Port Moody, BC; won multiple championships in 2024 including Canadian Nationals, WNACS, and Women's World Championships; qualified for World Championships at District 82 | | Jody Reilhan | person | Emily's father, also a pinball player from Canada; founded Emily's introduction to pinball by purchasing Bram Stoker's Dracula in 2009 to join VRPA | | Carrie Hill | person | Top female pinball player from British Columbia; reached finals of Canadian Women's National Championships against Emily; operator of Neon Ranch Pinball in Mississauga | | Escher | person | Prominent pinball collector and player; mentor figure to Emily; has been supportive of her career and invited her to events like Indisc | | Miles Grant | person | Young player from BC; met Emily through VRPA league nights as a child; mentioned alongside other BC players as competition | | Eden Stamm | person | Top Canadian pinball player; Emily's father read an article about Eden being #1 in Canada which motivated him to join VRPA | | Jack Tabman | person | Won the Canadian National Pinball Championships (open division) with 48 competitors; already had Worlds exemption so it passed to second-place Riley | | Tom Casey | person | Pinball player from Australia; will be attending Escher's in-wall event in Colorado before World Championships; met Emily during Brisbane Masters | | Vancouver Pinball Players Association (VRPA) | organization | Vancouver-based pinball league founded in 2002; Emily has participated since ~2013; requires members to own a pinball machine for membership; has championship trophy Emily has not yet won | | Canadian National Pinball Championships | event | First year held in 2024 at Arcadium in Edmonton; featured Canadian Pinmasters, Canadian Open, Canadian Nationals, and Women's Canadian Nationals; Emily won the Women's division; 2027 in Mississauga at Maple Pinball, 2028 at Neon Ranch Pinball | | Lions Classic Pinball | venue | Pinball venue in Colorado (Lyons area); hosted WNACS where Emily won a pinball machine as prize | | District 82 | venue | Pinball venue in Wisconsin; hosting the World Championships next weekend where Emily has qualified to compete | | WNACS | event | Women's North American Pinball Championships; Emily won this event, which included a pinball machine as prize; held at Lions Classic Pinball in Colorado | | Women's World Championships | event | Championship tournament that qualifies winner for World Championships; Emily won this event in 2024, earning a second pinball machine and qualifying for District 82 Worlds | | World Championships | event | Major pinball competition at District 82 in Wisconsin happening the weekend after the podcast; Emily has qualified through winning Women's World Championships | | Arcadium | venue | Pinball venue in Edmonton that hosted the first Canadian National Pinball Championships in 2024 | | Neon Ranch Pinball | venue | New pinball venue in Mississauga, Ontario being developed by Carrie Hill and Ashley; will host Canadian National Pinball Championships in 2028 | | Emily Carr University of Art and Design | organization | University in Vancouver where Emily majored in visual arts with focus on drawing and painting | | Jeff Teeolis | person | Host of Pinball Profile podcast; interviewed Emily about her championship season | | Bram Stoker's Dracula | game | Pinball machine purchased by Emily's father in 2009 when Emily was 6 years old; her first exposure to pinball; currently in her home collection | | Timeline | game | Older pinball machine currently owned by Emily; mentioned as a game she would not sell despite winning newer machines | | Jaws | game | Pinball machine that Emily won as one of her two prize machines from the Colorado weekend WNACS/Worlds events | ### Signals - **[competitive_signal]** Emily Reilhan has had an exceptional competitive season in 2024, winning Canadian Women's Provincials, Canadian Women's Nationals, WNACS, and Women's World Championships, establishing herself as a top-tier female competitor (confidence: high) — Host: 'It is only June, but what a year so far for our next guest. This year, she has already won some major championships.' Emily confirms wins of all four major events. - **[community_signal]** Established players like Escher actively mentor and support emerging talent; community figures encourage newer players to attend high-level events and build confidence (confidence: high) — Escher convinced Emily to come to Indisc and helped with expenses; Emily credits mentors for building her confidence and reminding her of her skill level - **[personnel_signal]** Emily Reilhan represents the new generation of elite pinball players, particularly in the women's competitive scene; her success signals growing depth in female player talent pipeline (confidence: high) — Multiple championship wins in single season; host notes 'greatest players in the world are all under 25'; Emily is establishing herself as world-class competitor - **[community_signal]** Women's pinball tournaments are characterized by a more supportive, collaborative atmosphere while maintaining competitive intensity; players actively help each other succeed (confidence: high) — Emily: 'women's tournaments are always sort of they put your mind at ease more like it's it's feels more chill' and 'people are helping each other out, not so much coaching, but just making sure everyone's having a good time' - **[venue_signal]** Canadian National Pinball Championships rotating between venues: Arcadium (Edmonton) hosted first year (2024), Maple Pinball (Mississauga) scheduled for 2027, Neon Ranch Pinball (new venue, Mississauga) scheduled for 2028 (confidence: high) — Host: 'we'll move those championships around... 2027 at Maple Pinball, but in 2028 at the new Neon Ranch Pinball' - **[event_signal]** Canadian National Pinball Championships includes four major divisions: Canadian Pinmasters, Canadian Open, Canadian Nationals (open), and Women's Canadian Nationals (confidence: high) — Host: 'Four big events that we held in Edmonton at Arcadium. Emily walks in and says, I'm going to take it all down.' - **[collector_signal]** Major tournament wins (WNACS, Women's World Championships) award pinball machines as prizes, creating tangible incentives and enabling home practice opportunities for champions (confidence: high) — Emily won Jaws machine (or another machine) from WNACS and a second machine from Women's World Championships; she expressed excitement about having a newer machine at home for practice - **[community_signal]** Long-standing local pinball leagues (VRPA founded 2002) serve as crucial development environments for skill growth and community building; players credit local leagues with foundational improvement (confidence: high) — Emily: 'VRPA has been such a such a help for me over the years, like sticking with pinball. It's it's really important to me. I love that group so much.' - **[personnel_signal]** Top competitive players struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome despite objective success; confidence and mindset management are critical competitive factors alongside mechanical skill (confidence: high) — Emily: 'Continue to be surprised... when I was a kid I was just like, oh yeah, I guess I'm good, but whatever. I'm not that good.' Host: 'a lot of the top players like yourself have the skills and a lot of times it is their mind that gets in the way.' - **[content_signal]** Pinball Profile podcast reaches engaged competitive community; episodes featuring top players generate significant interest and serve as documentation of competitive milestones (confidence: medium) — Host promotes podcast through Patreon, social media, and email; interviews championship-winning players to document their accomplishments and career paths - **[market_signal]** Pinball industry attracting players under 25; themes and competitive opportunities appeal to younger demographics; modern manufacturing (Stern, Jersey Jack, Spooky) creating products that resonate with youth (confidence: high) — Host: 'greatest players in the world are all under 25 and they embrace this. They love it, even though they may or may not have grown up to this. The companies, Stern, Jersey Jack, and all the other great companies, they keep producing these games' --- ## Transcript I want it all! And I want it now! It's free thanks to wonderful Patreon supporters like Jimmy Law, and more. That's patreon.com slash pinballprofile. It is only June, but what a year so far for our next guest. And we still have half the year left and maybe something big this weekend. Who knows? This year, she has already won some major championships. You know her and you're going to get to know her a little bit better. Emily Rayen. How are you doing, Emily? Hello! Thank you for having me. I'm good. You are on fire, girl! My goodness! Holy cow! And let's just go back for some of those that don't know. I'm sure they know some of the big things, but here in Canada, and you're from Port Moody, BC, just near Vancouver, this was our first year we ever had the Canadian National Pinball Championships, which had a Canadian Pinmasters. It had a Canadian Open, of course, the Canadian Nationals and the Women's Canadian Nationals. Four big events that we held in Edmonton at Arcadium. Emily walks in and says, I'm going to take it all down. Even the Wednesday night pre-tournament, I think you finished second in there, but then the big show, the Canadian Nationals, 48 of our country's finest, and there you are in the final four. Did you know something big was going to happen that weekend? I think I had a really good feeling. I went into it with a fair amount of confidence and just excited for it to happen, obviously with it being the first year and excited to have so many friends from BC also make the trip too. That was really cool. But I think it started, I think the reason my headspace was so good is because I was still sort of on a high from my provincial's success. Because yeah, that was also crazy that that happened. Yeah, sorry, you know what, here I am brushing over that. Emily won the Women's Provincial Championships and the day before the Whole Province Championship and there are a lot of great players in BC. You know Robert Gagnon, Miles Grant, there are so many, Eden Stamm and others and Emily said, yeah, this is going to be my year, 2026. So yeah, you were on a bit of a roll for sure going into the Canadian Nationals. But let's talk about that weekend in which you won both those events in January. Anything stand out in that weekend? I think just that I was sort of feeling good, like confident again. I wasn't sort of expecting anything crazy to happen. I think I was looking forward to it because the two years previously I had also won. I'd won just the Open and then I ended up not being able to go because I was going to be in Australia at the time. So I was sort of like, oh, no, that was my one chance. Like, what are the chances I'm ever going to win the Provincials again? Like, what if I never, you know, what if that was my one chance to go to Nationals and I missed it? So after the first day of already having won again, I already couldn't believe that. So I think that led into the Sunday Women's quite well where I was just like, well, I already did my main goal. I'm like, let me just be chill and see what happens. So yeah, it worked out well. The rest is gravy, as they say sometimes, you know, you already knocked that off. Yeah, that's an incredible double performance, but it wasn't your only double performance, as we'll get into a little bit later. But yeah, coming to Edmonton to Arcadium there, it was quite a battle to get through that gauntlet, if you will, the bracket of 48 players won by Jack Tabman. I believe Riley from BC was second and Carter Kasman, so a fine Final Four for sure. But then the next couple of days we had our Women's National Championship and 24 of our country's finest and again another steamroll. This time you took it down, you won the championship. Talk about that. Again, I was very surprised that that happened. I continue to be surprised. Maybe I should stop being so surprised, but it never feels quite real when it's happening. I think a lot of it is just like being in the right headspace and I was just like hanging out just like the women's tournaments are always sort of they put your mind at ease more like it's it's feels more chill and I think that that can help. But I do I love the big women's tournaments because they're so so competitive still and I was very excited to meet Carrie in the finals. We've played each other head-to-head a lot. It seems like we are at a fair amount of big women's tournaments that we will sometimes end up in the top four together. So that was really cool to get to play here again. So at that point I wanted to win, obviously, but I was thinking like, Carrie's so awesome. Like if she won, that'd be great. So yeah. Yeah, Carrie Hill is spectacular and she's won many championships herself too. We all know her from Neon Ranch Pinball and in fact, when we talk about the Canadian National Pinball Championships in 2027, it'll be in Mississauga, Ontario at Maple Pinball, but in 2028 at the new Neon Ranch Pinball. So we always kind of move those championships around and that'll be exciting to see her great new venue. Her and Ashley are working hard to make that spectacular. I know it's going to be fun. So you're right about the atmosphere of women's tournaments. I love watching that. Shout out to Andrea Brumwell of Calgary who did a great job putting on the women's event and all the staff that helped there. But yeah, very chill yet competitive. That's a great analogy because it is both. I mean, people are helping each other out, not so much coaching, but just making sure everyone's having a good time and looking out for each other. And I love the atmosphere and to win that against all those wonderful women, that was a big thing. And then just to keep going on for the weekend, when you win the Women's Championship, you get to go on to some big events, which kind of we're going to fast forward, maybe skip the NACS and talk about the WNACS at Lions Classic Pinball in Colorado. So you got to go to that, but also the Women's World Championships. So it starts off with the WNACS where there's a pinball machine to be won for the winner. And Emily, you did it. That was unreal. And we all got to watch that on the stream. Go back and some of your thoughts from winning the WNACS. Yeah, thank you. I was so excited to get to be there. It was my first time in Colorado, so obviously my first time at Lyons. Amazing, amazing venue. That little house they have, well, it's a big house, but it's like a maze in there and there's so many machines. And it's so cool to see like all the familiar faces again and get to be there. I was extra excited because for getting to participate in both events, I'd have the whole weekend busy. Uh cause two years ago yeah two years ago when I went to the Women Worlds I was only in Worlds I didn get to do WNACS so I was very excited to do both So yeah I think it was just kind of the same thing I think I been lucky this year I think a lot of it is just mindset Like, I just went into it just, like, excited to do whatever I could and feeling good and feeling just confident just with the people you're surrounded with. I hope I am the same way too of like building people up and you know giving them the confidence to be less nervous or like have your nerves under control because that's very important because I've been in situations in the past where sort of the nerves get control of you and you're just like I'm playing like worse than usual and then you get in your head and you gotta not spiral into that you gotta just be like yeah chill which I'm getting better at so yeah. Emily, that's a great point because a lot of the top players like yourself have the skills and a lot of times it is their mind that gets in the way. And both times, both examples we've just given right now, you've talked about having a fun experience, having a good time, you know, looking at the field going, oh, a lot of great players here versus being a top player and saying, okay, this should be an easy round or okay, you know, and then you kind of almost let your guard down because anybody can win on any given day on any day. And that mindset, if you've got that under control, oh boy, this is going to be a really good year and career for you if you can keep harnessing what you did on these weekends from a mind space. Yeah, totally. Yeah. And I think I do joke about it because I was under the Carl Weathers that whole weekend. Oh, really? So, yeah, on the interview that I was given after the weekend concluded, I was spending that whole interview on the stream just like, don't cough, don't cough, don't cough. But yeah, so I think maybe in a way that might have almost helped just to have me not thinking about how nervous I was because I was just trying to like lock in and like, you know, my mental state is like in the clouds. So I'm just trying to rely on instincts and stuff. But yeah, it ended up working out. It certainly did. And that carried on to the next day to the Women's World Championships. You had to be one of the favorites there. But again, I wonder if this was almost like you with the BC Provincials and the Women's Provincials where you won the day before, the rest is kind of gravy. Were you able to kind of separate and go, okay, this is a whole new tournament? Yeah, I'm off a high of winning a pinball machine and winning the Women's National Championships, but I've got a whole new big one here with the worlds here. I don't know what your mindset was like going into the women's worlds. Yeah, I think it was still good because I was still reeling from the night before because it was quite a late night and I was so tired and then obviously extremely thrilled to have won a pinball machine. And not that many people can say that that's happened. So I was still like, that was so unbelievable. So I was just excited about that because I have in my room right now, one pinball machine right now, an older one, Timeline, which people would joke like after I won the machine, they're like, oh, now you can finally sell Timeline. I'm like, no, I don't want to. But I was just excited about the prospect of having a newer machine and really having access I'm obsessed with that and being able to practice even more because there's a lot of smaller tournaments around here that I sort of don't go to as much so now I'm going through longer breaks without playing so I feel like having a machine at home would be good so I was mostly excited about that. Going into Worlds I was kind of like, yeah obviously it would be great to do well at Worlds, obviously I still want to qualify and make finals and do well but already having a pinball machine in my back pocket I think made me feel super chill. And just be like, whatever happens, happens. Like, you know, I already did. I already did that. So, you know. Here you are at the World Championships and just months earlier when you were at the Canadian National Championships, you and the other players knew the winner of that got a country exemption, got to go to the World Championships. And I know that was on your mind. Now, Jack Tabin won, but he had already accepted. So it went to the next person. In this case was Riley. So I think if I recall, you were a little bummed, like, oh, I was that close and, you know, not disappointed by being fourth because that's great. But still, just you were thinking about the Worlds, weren't you? Definitely, definitely. Once that fact of second place would be able to go after Jack if he won at that time, once I was made aware of that, I was thinking, like, oh, man, like, I didn't realize I was that close. And like after Yagpin happened, I dropped below Pro, which like I don't I don't think it's not that big a deal. But I was thinking like, oh, like to get as highly ranked to to be, you know, one of the main one of the invites for Worlds like just by ranking. I was like, oh, my God, I don't know how long that's going to take. Like, what if this is like it was the same thing as when I couldn't go to provincials the first time I won. I was like, what if that was my one chance? So I was kind of like kicking myself a little bit, but trying to just be like, yeah, you know, it's Worlds. It's like not everybody can go to Worlds. Like, it's fine. Yeah. No. Well, you're young and I know there's going to be lots of opportunities for you. But again, that first chance. Yeah, it's right there and it's right at your grasp. And yeah, you never know what can happen. But here you are now at the Women's World Championships where that same carrot is. The winner of that gets to go on to the World Championships, which just happens to be next weekend at District 82 in Wisconsin. And sure enough, coming off the women's NACS, you go back to back, win the world championship for the women's, you are now a world champion, you win another pinball machine. What is going through your head? I don't even know. It went after it happened because I think maybe it was also I noticed later that both with the WNACS and the Worlds, the final game, neither of those two final games were very exciting games. Like both of those games were like low scoring games and I was player one on both of them. So, like, both tournaments I won just by having the other person, like, not catch me, but it was kind of like, not anticlimactic, but it kind of was like I never had like a, oh my god, like, this is my last ball, I need to catch up in order to win, like, there was none of that. So I think I kind of, it was sort of more, it was quieter in my head, I guess, like, whoa, like, that just happened, that's crazy. And then, yeah. I get it too when you're player one because no player with any decency, and I include yourself, just wants someone to perform poorly so that you win. I think we can both say, I judge how the match went based on how I play, not so much how someone else plays. And if someone blows it up after you blow it up, you tip your cap and say, well done. That stuff happens. When you put up a great game and someone else blows it up, you go, I don't know if I could have done any better. Congrats, you win. Totally. It's opposite the other way, so I can get that kind of, not that anticlimactic feel, but just a kind of a, whoa, that happened. I get that when you say that, but still. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Women World Champion another pinball machine and maybe just as important first of all that goes down in the archives too There are not many people that win world championships Emily Rann is now one of those people and now you get to play in the world championships at District 82 This is going to be one heck of a week for you, isn't it? Yes, I am looking forward to it so much. It's such a dream come true. I've never been to, again, like I've never been to Wisconsin. Let alone District 82. So that'll be a thrill. That's sort of like a tick off of the pinball bucket list to be able to get to go there. So that's gonna be super cool. Yeah, it's crazy. It still doesn't feel real. I don't know when it's gonna start feeling real, but with every flight I've taken this year so far to go to all these places, it doesn't start to feel real until you're in the airport. Yeah. And your week kind of starts off a little return trip to a successful place. You're going to Colorado, aren't you? Yeah, me and a handful of guys there got invited to hang out with Escher at his place for a couple days and play a bunch of in-walls. So, definitely looking forward to that. I know I've been told Zoller's gonna be there, and I've been told, well, I know that Tom Casey's gonna be there from Australia, which is exciting, because we met sort of briefly once there when I was doing the Brisbane Masters. So, looking forward to that. Definitely, it's gonna be a good time. Great hang. Hopefully I'll learn a lot. Yeah, absolutely. But again, Escher's been a big, big fan of yours and friend obviously too, but I remember talking to Escher years ago and I think you were at Indisc and he was telling me that he had to convince you to come to Indisc. I think I've come to Indisc, in fact, saying, look, I'll help you get here and stuff. But obviously, being a young person, working, travel expenses, it's not easy to go to all these places. But Escher was like, you need to be here. And I think he got you there in some way. Yeah, it definitely, it really helps sort of you be more confident in yourself when all these titans of the sport are also confident in you. I don't know if I'm just stuck in the mentality of when I was a kid where I was just like, oh yeah, I guess I'm good, but whatever. I'm not that good. I'm not as good as all those other people, which is like, okay, well, who cares? You can still... But yeah, so I think having people around me sort of saying, why are you surprised when you win? You're so good. And I'm like, I have to remind myself of that. That it's like, it's, I mean, it's also important to be humble, but it's like, you gotta, you gotta, you know, admit that you're good. It's a tough balance, isn't it? Yeah. But you mentioned when you were a kid and stuff, so your dad Jody, also a great pinball player in Canada, kind of got you into pinball at a young age. And there's the very famous Vancouver League, the VRPA. And I guess he got you into that. I thought there's some kind of caveat to get into that VRPA, isn't there? Yeah. So back in the day, the requirement was that it was sort of like a collector's club, like a bit more exclusive. So to get in, he had to get a pinball machine. The funny story about that is he found out about it through reading some article about Eden being the number one player in Canada at the time. And he was thinking, oh, I used to play pinball. Like, yeah, I want to join this club. So he bought Bram Stoker's Dracula in 2009 when I was six years old. And I think I don't, I mean, obviously, I don't have a lot of memories from that time, but I remember that game being in the basement and thinking, what the hell is this? This is so scary looking, but it was so fun. So yeah, I played that a bit. And then a couple years later, I think maybe like 2013, so I would have been 10. He started convincing me to try to come to one of these league nights because he was like, oh yeah, you know, there'll be other kids there. Like you won't be by yourself. Like you can hang out with other kids, one of whom being Miles. So that's how I met Miles. Miles Grant, yeah. Yeah. Crazy. And it's basically like the rest is history. Like we took a obviously break over COVID, but I've been doing VRPA ever since. First of all, fun exposure to meet these other people, but some real, as you say, titans and great players in BC. And I've always said, you know, I see people that are just getting into pinball maybe feel a little upset when they go to a tournament like, oh, such and such is there, oh, oh, oh, oh. Where I want to, and maybe you are the same, I want to play the best players possible always because that brings my game up. Even if I lose, I probably learn something from that too. And with the VRPA and all those great players, what a learning curve for you and a great exposure to really figure out how to play pinball. Yeah, 100 percent. I think it's very important to play against people that are way better than you because when you're playing against them, you get to watch them. And you get to learn all these little things that maybe you wouldn't have thought of. Or like, you know, doing this one move when this one thing happens that you're like, oh, I didn't even think about doing that. And then now that's like your go to for like the rest of time on this game, just because you saw someone do it once. So I think it's important, like, obviously, you know, it makes sense to like be intimidated where like, oh, my God, I'm surrounded by all these world championships. Like, what am I doing here? But it's like, well, you know, that's how you get better is you play against the best of the best. And, you know, whether you you're always liable to, like, make silly mistakes, whether you're playing against the number one in the world or just some guy. So might as well play against the people you can learn from. I think that's important. And I find it a lot of fun because I'm super competitive. So, yeah. You're giving me a flashback to, sorry to turn this on a personal experience, but the first time they ever had the Stern Pro Circuit, they had 40 players and I was 40th. So I'm playing in my group. This is my group, top to advance. Yeah. The number one seed was Trent Augustine. Okay. And then two other people that somehow made it into my bracket. You can Google these names if you don't know them. Bowen Kerins and Keith Elwin. Ah, yes. That's my group of four. Yeah. And you have to meet at least one of them. So I'm like, oh boy. So everyone's like, you're going to Chicago to get your ass whooped? And I'm like, but what a great experience. And I have nothing to lose. Anything I do that's successful is gravy. First game we play is Meteor. And I can tell you, I finished second on that game, which means I beat Keith Elwin. And I'm like, if I do nothing else in pinball, I can say I did it once. And it hasn't been many times. But so that's kind of what I say to other people, like embrace these experiences and, you know, they're all good and they're all learning experiences. So whether it's something as simple as the VRPA or whether it's going to a provincial championship, a state championship, getting to go on to nationals and stuff, it's all good. And it all makes you better and, you know, take something out of it. And I'm sure you've been doing that for years. Yes, definitely. Yeah, VRPA has been such a such a help for me over the years, like sticking with pinball. It's it's really important to me. I love that group so much. It was founded in 2002 by a handful of people. So this league predates myself, which is exciting because we have a giant trophy that one day when I get my name on it, because I still haven't, it'll be it'll be a good time because that trophy is huge. Isn that funny You win all these big championships yet your local league still Yes Yeah still evades you I like that too in a few leagues where I like I won some big stuff but local leagues like, yeah, can't crack it. I get it. I just think of your father Jody in that first game, Bram Stoker's Dracula, and you're obviously learning that and that's the first thing that comes to mind. I wonder what it was like when you were a kid and you're playing another game like, hey, where's the missed multiball? What's... Yeah. I was like, this isn't in every game? What do you mean? Oh, wait a minute. Especially going to an older machine, where's the multiball? What the what? Yeah, no, it's great to watch young people get into pinball and really, I mean, I don't need to tell you this. When I tell people I play pinball and they know that I'm an older person and they say, oh, is it just a bunch of old dudes? I'm like, the greatest players in the world are all under 25 and they embrace this. They love it, even though they may or may not have grown up to this. The companies, Stern, Jersey Jack, and all the other great companies, they keep producing these games, so the themes probably draw them in at first and the competitive side of it too. Is that what kind of drew you into it? Was it certain game types? Was it just the physical aspect? What was it? Yeah, I don't even know. It was kind of everything all put together. I think it was really cool to, like when I was a kid, I was like a super shy kid. And like, I didn't really talk to that many people at the at the league nights, but I was still just like, this is such a weird, random, unique thing that I got to do. And everyone's really nice. And I didn't feel like weird, like being the only kid, like at certain times, or like, it was always always nice and inviting. And everybody was like, you know, always very encouraging and stuff. So I think I quickly got into the competitive side of it. But I think when I was a kid, the threshold of my skill was a lot lower. So I think, but thinking back, like I did have sort of high expectations of myself, like I kind of always have, but I wasn't winning nearly as much. I mean, obviously, like when I was a kid, but like, I think, yeah, the change into being very competitive and actually like really focusing on working and trying to improve, That was like post-COVID thing because I sort of took a pinball break during COVID and then sort of came back through various weekly tournaments and I was kind of fell back into it and I was like, oh, yeah, like I am good at this. And then started sort of winning various sort of weeklies and it all just sort of came from there. And I was able to improve quite a bit. And I think it feels like a short amount of time. So, yeah, it's been it's been pretty crazy. It's been a good, good ride. It's been good for you, for your dad, for your sister all playing pinball and everywhere you go you certainly meet up with great friends. I'm glad you're going to see your friends from Australia when you go to the World Championships this weekend too. But it's tough to get the time off too. I mean you've had a lot of big tournaments and time off too. You only have so many vacation times and I think what you do is very interesting for those that don't know. You went to school and graduated and got a job pretty quick after graduation. Tell us about the field you're in and what you're doing. Yeah, so I went to Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver. I didn't really have a backup plan coming out of high school because I was good at stuff here and there. I was interested in science, but it didn't sort of grab me. I always kind of did art and I knew that's what I was good at. So I was like, well, I am very lucky. I'm in a position that I can remain living at home and I can pursue this. So let me just see. And then I got into the school. I was like, wow, this is crazy. And then sort of improved my various artistic abilities through then and then graduated majoring in visual arts, so doing mostly drawing and painting. And then I was thinking, OK, I really want a job. Any sort of creative job will do. So I wasn't thinking, obviously, that I get to work sort of in my exact specialized field right out of the gate. But then I got super lucky. I got this job at a pet memorial company. And so my my nine to five is getting to paint custom portraits of people's pets. And it's crazy that I found that job because I don't think I could have come up in my head with a better job like that I'd rather be doing all day. I just get to sit around and hang around with these other artists and just chat all day and paint and it's awesome and I'm making work that's meaningful for people. I couldn't ask for anything more. It's insane. That's great too. The love people have and I have for pets, that's a job you'll have for life if you want. It's great that you did that so soon after graduating school. You know, when people in pinball hear, artists, hmm, hey, oh, wait a second. Does that mean maybe we could see, perhaps, someday, Emily, maybe whether it's pinball posters for big tournaments or maybe, who knows, maybe pinball art some way, somehow? Yeah, definitely. I would love to find a way to combine my two, basically, the two, like, huge things in my life. Jeff, that's such a dream. So, maybe. We'll see. Because I've done a couple drawings slash paintings of pinball-related stuff and I thought they were really cool. And I'm like, I don't know why I don't do more of that. I think there's a good overlap of people that would be interested in that kind of subject matter. It's pretty cool. And even for people outside of pinball, it's like it's still visually very interesting and cool to me, at least. So I think there's a there's a market for that there. So I do want to sort of take advantage of that someday because I think that'd be really, really cool. I'd love to do that. All right. You heard that Emily's available for hire, everyone, if you're listening, you know, get get more women in pinball and people that are passionate. That's how we want to promote this. And then who knows what will happen? You're so young that the world's in front of you and all kinds of great opportunities are available to you, including this weekend at the World Championships at District 82. I wish you all the success and you've got a lot of fans going to be watching you for sure on Fox Cities Pinball. Thank you so much. Yes, I'm beyond thrilled and grateful for all these opportunities that I've had. It's going to be amazing. I'm taking full advantage of this. It's awesome. All right, and I'm sure you can hardly wait until you get your Jaws pinball machine, one of the two you've won from the Colorado weekend, so congratulations on that. Emily, all the best. Thanks for joining us. Thank you so much. Okay, we'll see you soon. This has been your Pinball Profile. You can find everything on pinballprofile.com. We're on Facebook as well. We've got a great Instagram site at pinballprofile. You can email pinballprofile at gmail.com. And if you'd like to show your support, the show will always be free, but we do want to thank people like Francis W., and more. That's patreon.com slash pinballprofile. Getting ready for the World Championships at District 82, it's been great to talk to Emily Rand. I'm Jeff Teeolis. We are the champions. _(Acquisition: groq_whisper, Enrichment: v5)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-06-06 | Item ID: b53e8c9f-03d1-41a2-9642-5dc852ec0609*