Hey there, it’s Steve coming at you this week. Today, I want to talk about the ability to pivot, change, adapt, and grow because, while those are all basically different words for the same thing, it’s something we all have to do – whether we want to or not.

Personally, I’ve pivoted many times in my life. I feel like I have lived several different lives in one so far. I’ve been a mailroom clerk, camp counselor, dockmaster, barista, retail sales associate, pet supply store manager, personal trainer, spin instructor and doctor – crazy right?! I guess now I can add Wellness Studio owner to the list. So many different lives in my 40 years, and the one thing that strings all these things together is my ability to pivot, change direction and move forward. Sometimes that was easier said than done, but it led me to where I’m standing right now – and I think that’s a pretty great place.

There are a few notable times when the changes in my life were the scariest, and also the most rewarding – so buckle up – Stevie’s gonna tell you a little story.

the pursuit of purpose

Ever since I was knee-high to a grasshopper (that means young to you Gen Y’s and Gen Z’s reading this) I wanted to be a doctor. I used to study my mom’s old nursing books, anatomy charts, and watched every single episode of ER and Chicago Hope (these shows were like Grey’s Anatomy before Grey’s Anatomy). I thought the human body was the most perfect machine, and it fascinated me. I wanted to learn everything I could about it, and since everyone had a body, I couldn’t think of a better way to make a difference in the world – because that’s what doctors do right? You get a boo-boo, go to the doctor and they make it better. Life purpose – check!

I geared all my studies in high school and university to achieve that aspirational goal. I ended up with a bachelor’s degree in Human Biology and proceeded to take my MCAT exams, where I scored well, and the next step was applying to med-school. That’s where the train kinda got derailed a little bit – well, maybe not derailed, diverted might be a better description. With every application that I wrote – something just didn’t feel right. The system I was destined to enter just didn’t make me feel like I was going to actually be helping in the way that I wanted to. Train stalled on the tracks.

So there I was, a still relatively young lad staring down the barrel of a very uncertain future. The thing that I had worked so hard to achieve all these years – I didn’t really want anymore. So what was my option? I had to pivot.

I ended up working a bunch of unfulfilling jobs in desperate hopes of trying to find that ‘new thing’ that was going to replace that old vision. But the one thing that kept coming up with these jobs was that they weren’t leaving me feeling like I was making a difference in people’s lives. What all those failed job experiences did provide for me though, was a very strong indication of what I didn’t want – ultimately moving me closer to what I did want.

One day I walked into a small pet supply store that I frequented on Queen St. in Toronto. It turned out one of their longtime staff was leaving and they were hiring. Needless to say, I got the job (otherwise why else would I be telling you this).

I absolutely loved working there. The owners were amazing, the customers were amazing, and I got to pet dogs all-day, everyday – what’s not to love right?! As I was working there I took a real interest in the pet food industry – how foods were made, how food was formulated, the quality of ingredients and the intricacies of what made a diet good for a particular animal. This opened up the opportunity for me to take a 12-month certification to become a canine nutritionist (oh, did I mention that I was also a canine nutritionist, haha).

It was with this new found knowledge that I was able to help customers handle health related issues with their pets. I was able to steer them towards (or away from) certain brands/formulas/diets to help move their little fluffy bundles of love into a much healthier place. And it worked! Through nutrition I was able to help people’s animals. And that’s when the lightbulb came on for me – maybe I could do something like this for humans – you were gonna be a doctor Steve, so what if there was this magical profession that used normal, everyday, natural, lifestyle diet/nutrition modifications to make a difference? Oh wait… there is, it’s called being a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. Time to pivot (again).

another pivotal moment

I attended Naturopathic medical school in Toronto where I rigorously studied anatomy, physiology, microbiology, immunology, botanical medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, nutrition and psychology just to scratch the surface.

After two years of study I transferred to a full doctorate program in San Diego, California where I spent an additional 3 years finishing my medical degree. After graduation and licensing I practiced in La Jolla, California specializing in regenerative medicine (prolotherapy, PRP joint injections, medical aesthetics and IV nutrient therapy), which I absolutely loved!

Living and practicing in California was a dream come true for this blossoming Naturopathic Doctor, however US Customs and Immigration had a much different plan for Dan and I – so after consulting with our immigration lawyer, we decided that we would return to Canada and forge a new life for ourselves back in Collingwood.

Here’s the next plot twist – the scope of practice for a Naturopathic Doctor in Ontario is drastically different from what I was used to. All the procedures, prescribing and higher level interventions that I was used to performing where not permitted in Ontario – well $%*t! What the heck was I going to do now? Say it with me… pivot!

from setbacks to comebacks

When Dan and I decided to move back to Canada, it really was a bittersweet scenario. While we were so happy to be back around our families, it meant a dramatic change for both of us. Knowing that I wouldn’t be a practicing doctor where I lived left me reeling with what to do with my life (once again). How can I make a difference in the world, not doing the things I was trained to do? Well that my wellness friends is how Vortex came to be.

The combined powers of Dan and I somehow created this wonderful, magical place that allows me to use my science and medical background to support a high-tech self care studio that helps people feel better literally every single day. Is it what I had envisioned for myself as that little boy studying his mother’s anatomy books? Nope! But does it allow me to accomplish my greater goal in life of helping people? Abso-freakin-lutely!

So, to summarize this rather long and winding telltale story, I’ve had to change directions many times in my life thus far, and I can tell you with some level of certainty that I’ll probably have several more pivot points in the years to come.

What I’d like to pass on from my journey is this: the key is following the path of least resistance, choosing the decision that feels lighter, feeling for the spark of intrigue, and knowing that just because you didn’t plan to head down this exact road, every step brings you to where you’re supposed to be.

If we can look back and see how freakin’ awesome our journeys are, we can feel so much better knowing that every future pivot will undoubtedly land us in a new and magical place. The only thing that remains constant throughout our lives, is knowing that everything is constantly changing.

Embrace the change, and enjoy the pivot.

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.