During my treatment, several new and long-time friends decided to be at my side by being active every day I’m in treatment, reducing their portion sizes in meals, and optionally taking a break on the weekends. For some, they hope this is the start of a road to a healthier lifestyle. For others, their goal is to increase their intensity and duration of current activities. It is gratifying for me to see so many people joining in.
You are welcome to join this crew of folks from various global locations and invite your friends to join in too. For details, review my post titled Going Alone You Go Faster - Going Together You Go Further.
I believe my decision to get on a bicycle almost three years ago was God’s way of preparing me to face this cancer challenge and survive. The folks listed, and many others, were phenomenal support pillars during this period of personal transition through continuous and genuine encouragement. I give you all credit for having a hand in saving my life. Paulo Coelho’s line in the Alchemist is such an apt description of what you do.
You change the world by your example; not your opinion.
Paulo Coelho The Alchemist
Brad Crossley - Brad and I have been hanging out for more than 40 years. I met him in 1976 as a grade 5 student. He became my little brother in September 1977. Brad selected to run 16 km (10 miles) daily. He is fit and active and does this distance from time to time but this is a step up to do it five days in a row. In fact, today, Saturday, he joined his friend Terry and Terry’s son Brandon to run almost 45 km (27 miles). And it was cold such that his water froze during the run.
Glenda Carson - Glenda is a new friend from the Shearwater Yacht Club where I have a membership and keep my Shark 24 sloop. Glenda selected to increase her time on her stationary bike and ride daily during my treatments. Quote: “Go for the gusto, Phil. I will be there with you. The bike is my knee panacea - so will do double duty.”
Jim Thibeau - I met Jim years ago at conferences in the United States. He makes his home outside Boston and like myself has a large family. Jim climbed back on his treadmill after a long break and plans to keep it going.
Alison Kay Diliberatore - Alison is a new online friend. She has lost 11.5 kg (25 lbs) since August and will be adding a daily activity during treatment. Below are comments she has made in response to this initiative. It is so nice to have her at my side during this challenge.
Thank you for being so candid with your medical journey. I began following your when you embarked on your fitness journey, and I’ve been inspired ever since.
Week one, the weather wasn’t the best for walking outside, so I’ve been on the treadmill mostly. I’ve never been a runner, however, I’m starting to jog slowly on the treadmill for short distances.
I aim to get 5km done each morning…at the moment, it’s a combo of walk/run.
Week two, my goal is to run for 5km consecutively.
Food intake is still a work in progress. When I began in August I concentrated on the exercise, not wanting to overwhelm myself with too many changes. This seemed to work for me, as I’ve now incorporated exercise into my daily routine. My next goal is to work on healthier food intake!
Thank you again for sharing your journey, and wishing you the best. You’re in my thoughts each day.
Jean Aucoin - I met Jean years ago as a grade 6 teacher for my son Chris and later for Melanie. Brad and Jean have taught together over the years. He is preparing for the Bluenose Marathon in May and is picking up his distance during my treatment. He touched me deeply with his plan to dedicate his race to me.
Wietse Slob - I will tell you more about Wietse sometime in the future. For now, we had a random encounter when our paths crossed while I was on the Round Denmark Bike Race. Since then we have become good friends and stay in contact by Messenger and Facetime. Although his home is in the Netherlands, at the present time he is doing Grad Studies in Sweden.
From Wietse - My weekday training looks like this currently. I am a member of the local gym now to increase strength!
- 20 minutes of rowing
- 5-10 km of running
- 5×3 reps (of 15) weight lifting exercise
- 3×3 reps of core exercises
Peter Sampson - Peter was a student from back in the late 1970s. He used this initiative to start running with a plan to do a 5k or 10k race in the spring.
Andrew Pepper - Andrew is the Team Chaplin for the Mooseheads so we are relatively new friends. About himself, he says “I am one of those guys who’s put off getting fit for a while now. I think this is the motivation I need to get active and improve my diet.” Not sure what he has in mind but will update when known.
David Rosenbaum - David and I connected through work-related eLearning conferences at least 20 years ago. Our paths crossed on many occasions and in the fall of 2017, he came to Nova Scotia to join me in The Canada Beer Run. David is an active cyclist and committed to an increased distance and daily rides during my treatments. As a craft beer brewer, this can be a good excuse for some taste testing at the end of each ride.
Steven Teal - I met Steven in the Round Denmark Bike Race. He makes his home near Washington, DC and was part of a crew of 5 riders that hung out and camped together at the start of the race. He says, “I will be both reducing portions going forward and being more regular in my riding than I have this year. After the near-miss on Denmark ride, I’ve been a little skittish on the bike but need to get over that and back to doing what keeps me alive.”
Steve Shaw - Steve is my next-door neighbour. He is walking every day and has reduced his portion sizes. This is a continuation of a plan already in progress but he is upping his intensity and has already dropped 7 kg (15 lbs).
Scotty Hayward - I met Scotty several years ago and helped him develop an online theory course in sailing. He says, “Phil I’m on-board.” Not sure what his activity is yet but I expect to hear soon
Tracey Branton-Bruce and John Bruce - I met Tracey and John when they joined the Shearwater Yacht Club. There are the sweetest couple and have become committed to making a huge contribution at the club. They say they are in but not sure what activity they plan yet.
Barry Misener - Barry has been one of my biggest fans. He owns Giant Halifax and says “Hey Phil, the BMan is obviously in on your activity challenge.” He already cycles back and forth to work a great distance daily so I’m not sure how he plans to up his game yet.
Adam Bowes - I met Adam as the driving force behind a project called Hit the Deck. About 30 cyclists set up trainers outside Giant Halifax on a Saturday afternoon in February and raise funds for Phoenix Youth Programs. Adam says, “Hey Phil, was thinking about you during Hit The Deck. I would be stoked to join your active everyday challenge.” I took part in 2019 but with my current challenge, it wasn’t an option for now. I’ll be back is 2021. I’m not sure what Adam has in mind.
Sue Sampson - Sue and I have a lot of history providing online continuing education programs for Pharmacists both here in Nova Scotia and across the country. Sue says, “Sign me up for the challenge Phil. After too long of a hiatus, I returned to going to the gym a couple of months ago, aiming for 3-4 times a week and I am doing fairly well on that front. However, I still spend way too much time in front of a computer and most days do not take a lunch break. I will commit to taking that break and getting out for a walk each day (even if it is just up and down the stairwell in my office building!). And while portion size is not a big issue for me, I could do better with ensuring a more well-balanced diet - so I will commit to being more intentional on that front. Stay strong! 💕”
Danny Lockhart - Danny is a good friend from Georgia, USA. I met him in the Round Denmark Bike Race. He is a good cyclist and won the race in 2017. I will tell you more in a separate post but for now, let me share that Danny has agreed to ride as my proxy in the upcoming Race Around the Netherlands. He will be wearing a Canadian Maple Leaf alongside his own stars and stripes. Danny says, “I am in for being active every day.” I leave it to Danny to share more what he’s doing but you can expect it to be awesome distances.
Jeff McMullin - Jeff and I have become friends through Brad. His son and Brad’s played on the same hockey team. Jeff says, “In speaking with Brad several months ago I was inspired when I learned how you successfully lost a ton weight of weight and began biking. It inspired me to stop thinking about losing weight and do something about it! I have changed my diet and have started a stare-down with my elliptical machine. It has taken me 4 1/2 months but I am pleased to tell you that I’m down 26 lbs. That elliptical machine is about to go down!!” So not sure what he has in mind for right now but I’m sure we’ll hear soon.
Pattrick Amj Dunphy Pattrick is an online friend who has been following me for some time. He says, “Put me down!!” As with a few others, we’ll have to wait to see what he has in mind.
Carol Goddard - I met Carol more than 40 years ago in her role as Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax. A few years ago she invited me to join the Board of Directors, a volunteer role which brings me great pleasure.
Phil - happy to join your challenge . . . and I’m on your side during your challenges. You got it!
Week 2 and 3: I’m going to the Dominican Republic with 9 other people from Big Brothers Big Sisters to help build a new, safe home for a family living in desperate conditions and with meager resources. We will work with the amazing folks who live in this deprived community with no government services to get this done in 2 weeks. This will be my 5th trip to do this and I know it will be hard work but I also know we will share hugs and laughter and maybe some tears as we help this whole community build better futures for their kids - one step at a time - and we’ll have a movie night under the stars with a sheet hung from the trees, dilapidated plastic chairs or log benches for seating and at least one kid in each of our laps - and we’ll have popcorn (no butter). We will walk up and down crooked, rugged paths carrying bricks, cement mix, buckets of sand, water and whatever else we need to get this home built under the direction of a Spanish speaking contractor - aches are definitely in my future but it will definitely be fun and life-affirming.
Continue to spread your own particular joy, Phil - your enthusiasm for life’s biggest and smallest moments is infectious.
So in conclusion, that’s the crew of people at my side during Week 1 of my treatment. There is always room for more and if you decide to up your game, the biggest winner will be you. There is no downside to a healthier lifestyle.
On a final note, Brad and I decided a long time ago that drinking beer and wine was totally consistent with a healthy lifestyle. And we never used the expression “in moderation.” Perhaps this is an unwise choice but it is one that I stand by. And I have it from a trusted legal authority that GUINNESS® Draught is packed with medicinal properties. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it!
As always,
Peace, Love and Laughter
Phil