Meet Aaron Mitchell
“Anything is possible if you try.”
Cinnamon & Oak is a long-time Movember team made up of friends having fun while doing good. Our annual member profiles showcase our merry collection of Mo Bros & Sistas. Today meet C&O team member Aaron Mitchell from Vancouver, BC.
Just so we can all get to know a sliver of you really quick, share some things that make you, you:
I was born in Penticton, BC and my dad was the store manager for the old Woodwards department stores.
My family. My wife works for Cochlear and is a rockstar. Our son Elijah is our world and I mean that. We had multiple miscarriages and had to re-evaluate what becoming a family would mean for us. On Nov. 20th (six years ago), Elijah was born and we adopted him into our family. It has changed us in so many ways.
I love leadership, teaching and coaching. I am a high school teacher and basketball coach. Basketball has meant so much to me and my life, I played in high school all the way to five years at the university level. It taught me so much and so many life lessons I want to give back to the future of our world. Teaching is a profession that makes me get out of bed each day. I enjoy seeing the kids change, grow and challenge the world around them.
When I was young we were fortunate enough to travel and go places, since being married my wife and I have a little trailer in Birch Bay, Washington and it’s our escape as a family. Sunsets and cold dips (Right JB???) can change one’s perspective.
Why do you do Movember? Why is it important to you?
I first started Movember 10 or so years ago as I thought it was a funny idea to grow a stache with some friends. Once I did my research and started to know what the cause was all about it just started to connect that much more with me and become that important. There are many reasons why, all of which are most likely shared with our team.
What’s your morning routine like?
I wakeup and meditate for 5-10 min. Shower, head downstairs for water, coffee and chat with my wife before our tornado of a 6-year-old gets up and it’s go time for us!
Favourite podcast, book, documentary, etc?
I actually host a podcast called A Hoops Journey. We are 98 episodes in (Maybe 99 by the time this is released ) and it’s been a super fun adventure, learning how to listen better and conversate with people in a fun way. So yeah, that’s a shameless plug!!!!
I continue to try and be a better reader but a favourite book for me is “Legacy.” It’s about the New Zealand All Blacks and how they were able to change their teams around from some of the worst in the world to the best Rugby country we’ve ever seen. It highlights culture, leadership, and vulnerability among many other things and connects with me in many parts of my life.
Favourite documentary is “Into the Wind” which is an ESPN 30 for 30 directed by Steve Nash. There are lots of films on Terry Fox but the thing I love most about this one is the footage that I have never seen. I share it with my Leadership 12 class each year and it gets me emotional every time.
A favourite quote or one you’re pondering right now?
“Anything is possible if you try.” - Terry Fox is my greatest hero besides my dad. I had the honour and privilege of attending Terry Fox high school and playing basketball there, a sport Terry loved. He means the world to me.
In the past year, what have you done to take care of your mental health?
Meditation, being open to conversations with friends and my wife when I’m not doing well, plus using my counsellor as a resource.
If you want to connect with me…
Twitter - https://twitter.com/AARON_MITCHELL_
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/a_a_mitch
A Hoops Journey - https://www.instagram.com/ahoopsjourney
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-mitchell-866038134