I’m going to be brutally honest: The past two years have been tough, especially so coming in the wake of a global pandemic. War. Divisive politics. Hate. Feeling isolated. It’s enough to make one sick. And, at times, it’s had that effect.
But, why am I sharing such personal thoughts? Well, health reasons, of course.
Health is an outcome of seemingly infinite variables, including the obvious: Genetic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle behaviours such as exercise, sleep quality, smoking, alcohol, etc. Lesser known factors like job satisfaction and familial support also loom large in health outcomes.
Passion has served me well throughout my life: For my family. For my job as your chiropractor. For music, books, fitness, and sports. Oh, how I love sports! Of course, the connective tissue between sports and my job should be obvious: Athleticism. The athlete. The physical feats achieved. The agony of injury. The rehabilitation. But, most of all, it’s passion. The love.
A Love Story
My love for our Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays and I were born in 1977. I grew up playing baseball. It connected me to my father, friends, and teammates. A Jays fan I was destined to become. I practiced everyday on the baseball diamond at school and summer camp. Heck, I remember throwing the tennis ball against the couch to catch the rebound to challenge my glove skills. I simply loved the game. I remember my 1980’s Blue Jays players as heroes. I can replay in my mind the moment they won the division for the first time in ’85. Real memory or simply highlight reels that live in my head, it doesn’t matter. They’re part of me. Then the heartbreak of losing game 7 in ’85 to the Royals – I was only 8. We’d have to wait a bit longer to get to the World Series. Memories of the 1987 regular season collapse to the Tigers costing us the division and return to the playoffs. And, of course, eventually, in my formative years (ages 15 & 16) winning the World Series in ’92 & ’93. Passion cemented. Sports have a unique way of doing this to us. It must be the emotional connection.
Why It Matters
When sports returned after the pandemic shutdown, it was like a light turning back on in my life. I felt connected to an aspect of my life so dearly missed during the world’s upheaval. We need these connections, sources of love and passion in our lives. It doesn’t have to be sports, of course. Any hobby will do. But we need them in our lives. To distract from life’s stresses. To connect us to others – loved ones, friends, neighbours, and even strangers – mind you, a Blue Jay fan anywhere is no stranger to me!
The science of health points to the aforementioned critical factors like sleep and fitness. But, love, and passion light up our lives, and provides a variable hard to measure.
Sports, in particular, seem to cut through a lot of the world’s problems, even if just for a moment. Our city has been filled with hate and divisiveness. Then the Blue Jays captured our hearts and attention. They connected strangers, reunited friends, and brought family closer together in a quest to win a trophy. Magic.
Life has been hard the last couple of years. The news cycle is devastating. But, October 20, 2025, was a night I shall never forget. The news cycle disappeared. Hate irrelevant. My son, Nathan (age 14), and I were lucky enough to go to Game 7 of the ALCS – the game that will live forever as the ‘Springer Dinger Game’. Being at Rogers Centre with him alongside one of my best friends and his son was a dream come true. Strangers Blue Jay fans high-fiving, and hugging. From heartbreak to elation. A core memory burned onto our souls. Sports. Father and son. Friends. Strangers. United. Magic.
Even Heartbreak Is Healthy
I began this blog the day after we won Game 7 of the ALCS, on the high of going back to the World Series for the first time since 1993. I’m finishing this blog on the morning after we lost Game 7 of the World Series in extra innings. Tears being wiped from my eyes as I type – not so much because we lost, but rather, the emotions stirred in me with respect to the role sports play in my life, connecting me with my family, friends, and strangers. Standing in front of the television, arm around my son, hand gripping a rally towel, experiencing the joy of Bo Bichette hitting a 3-run homerun off Shohei Ohtani. The ensuing ‘Vladdy-Kirk hug-dance’ my son and I emulate to celebrate. There’s no replacement for this type of moment. I cherish it. The agony of defeat on that season-ending double play. Gutted. Yet, I cherish it just as much. Without risking heartbreak, one cannot truly enjoy the wins. So, yes, it’s heartbreaking. But, worth it. I’d live it again. I hope to.
That’s sports. That’s passion. It’s hard to quantify – although I’m sure scientists are attempting to do so: Neurotransmitter spikes, cortisol levels, heart rate, endorphins, etc. Whatever is happening inside the body, it’s gotta’ be good for us.
I wear a t-shirt around the house that reads: ‘Science: Like Magic, But Real’. Well, we may have lost last night (by a hair), but it was a historic, magical World Series, and a magical season I/we will never forget.
Thank you Toronto Blue Jays. Thank you sports. Thank you passion. I needed it.
We’ll get ‘em next year!