Paced in the Press: Why our "Shame-Free" Mission is Making Headlines

Mar 6

I’ve spent 12 years as a REALTOR® in Saskatoon, but today, the conversation is shifting. Both CTV News and SaskToday recently featured the story behind Paced—marking a major milestone in our mission to trade the "scroll-hole" for a stroll.

A 50th Birthday to Remember

If you’ve been following this blog, you know that Paced started as a personal mission. On February 13, 2026, I celebrated my 50th birthday by officially releasing the app to the Google Play Store.

For months, I’ve been living a bit of a double life—balancing my career as a REALTOR® with the late nights of a tech founder. Today, that journey reached a new level of validation with featured media coverage across Saskatchewan.

The Spark: From a Facebook Post to the Play Store

The idea for Paced wasn’t born in a boardroom; it started with a simple Facebook status update in January 2025. I asked my friends if there was an app that forced you to "earn" your screen time with steps. When I couldn't find one, the idea stuck.

The final push came from a Mel Robbins podcast on habit change. She spoke about two essential habits: spending less time on your phone and moving your body more. I realized Paced could be the bridge between those two habits. I started development in July and launched just seven months later.

The Mechanic: Why the "Golden Ratio" Works

It’s one thing for me to tell you that app blockers are too punitive. It’s another thing to see the local media recognize that the "shame-cycle" of digital wellness isn't working for busy professionals.

In the featured articles, we discussed the "Compassionate Pattern Interrupt" that makes Paced different. Most tools act as "Digital Jailers," but Paced treats you like an adult.

When your session timer runs out, the choice is yours:

The Wait: Accept a cooldown period.
The Walk: Use the "Golden Ratio"—100 steps equals 3 minutes of unlocked time.

This physical action snaps you out of the "scrolling trance" and gives you a moment of conscious awareness to decide if you really want to keep scrolling or get back to living.

A "Prairie Solution" to a Global Problem

I think the reason the media leaned into this story is because the "digital drain" is universal. Whether you are in real estate, tech, or any "always-on" industry, we are all fighting the same algorithms.

Seeing Paced featured in the news is a huge win for our community of 47 active users. It proves that there is a real hunger for "unfancy," grounded tools that actually work with our brains instead of against them.

Read the Full Features

If you want to see the "behind the scenes" of how Paced went from a 50th birthday idea to a live app, check out the coverage:

What’s Next?

This media coverage is just the beginning. As a REALTOR®, I know the value of reputation and trust—and seeing Paced recognized by local journalists adds a massive layer of social proof to what we are building here.

We are still "Building in Public," still learning, and still committed to helping you find your focus—one step at a time.

Rhonda Lavoie