Luke Richards

When I was younger, I honestly had no idea what wellness was. I had no idea or any aspiration to get into a health and wellness field. I wanted to be a wrestler, a hockey player, or an actor. I just knew that I was much better at gym class as opposed to geography or religion. But little did I know, that playing sports, staying active, eating right, and helping others was actually the beginning of my wellness journey.

 

My parents both came from active lifestyles and backgrounds. My father, an accomplished hockey and baseball player, was very traditional and knew the value of playing outside and being a part of a team or competing and playing on my own. Although it was just games and fun, powerful life lessons are taught in sport and games. My mother, a dancer and cheerleader, knew that its great to have fun and be active as its a luxury many kids can't afford. I was signed up for everything. Baseball, soccer, hockey, rugby and football. Anything I wanted to try (so long as I practiced and wasn't just out there to mess around, but to actually compete). I even got into the Mixed Martial Arts Scene, getting to high levels of proficiency in Kosho Shorei Ryu Kempo and Taekwondo. I was able to become quite a well-accomplished and versatile athlete but decided to take a step back from the sports world due to unfortunate injuries.

 

Growing up, I faced a lot of health challenges. Ironically, I have been receiving massage and chiropractic work since I was only 3 weeks old (So I can attest to the benefits of each practice). Throughout contact sports, I have received countless concussions, broken fingers and toes, sprains, strains, muscle tears, subluxed and dislocated ribs, and more. My worst being a blind-sided cut block in football. Which broke my tibia and fibula in one clean break along with crushing my ankle and adding plenty of cartilage and joint damage in the process. I'm also sure that playing the 2nd half on it didn't help either... but you never know when you are going to play your last game. So I decided to go out on my own terms. Knowing what I know now as a health professional with common sense, this wasn't one of my better decisions. I stopped playing contact sports, and focused on increasing my own physical fitness on my own. But, this athletic and injury history lit a spark that I would carry with me for the rest of my life.

 

So, after all of these injuries, I knew exactly what my purpose was. I wanted to help other people get better and feel good. It can be moving past chronic and acute injuries, and get back to doing what they love. Whether that is playing sports, keeping up with their kids, or just making it through their day. When it comes down to it, health is huge. We have to deal with it every second of every day. We only get one body, and I became obsessed with improving the quality of mine, and others.

I then studied and completed my Massage Therapy Certification at Sir Sanford Fleming College of Arts and Technology, and became a Personal Training Specialist with Canfitpro. This gave me the tools to help someone from wherever they are, and get them on track to become their best.

 

I have worked with people of all ages, sizes, backgrounds, professions, and cultures. Helping them achieve their personal goal. Aiding in the manipulation of soft tissues and joints for relaxation or therapeutic outcomes in massage. Assisting in diet and nutrition advice, for those simply looking to lose weight, gain muscle, or combat certain conditions. Supporting those looking to take healthy steps and improve their cardio, body image, strength, or flexibility. Finally, increasing sports performance with individual athletes or teams using customized training plans backed by sports science to achieve their peak talent.

 

Even up to this point, I still didn't really know what wellness was. I decided to look it up and realize wellness has been my goal the entire time.

Wellness [wel-nis]

Wellness, to me, is the dedicated and consistent pursuit of health in all venues. Being healthy in mind, body, and spirit. My whole life I was looking to achieve that for myself, and now I am lucky enough to do that for others.

 

This has been my wellness journey until now. Who knows what else is in store for me. All I know is that in the next chapter of my wellness journey, I would like for you to be apart of it. To see you on the table, in the gym, or on your own making these changes for the better would be incredible. I started this journey not knowing anything about health and wellness, but my passion to improve and better myself led me to this point.

 

The same journey can begin with you, so long as you take the first step.