Patrick Waller is finding balance through family, friends, and a fake commute
“Change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end.”
Cinnamon & Oak is a legendary Movember team made up of friends having fun while doing good. Our annual member profiles showcase our merry collection of Mo Bros & Mo Sistas. Today we’re featuring C&O team member Patrick Waller from Toronto, ON.
Looking back on this year, what achievement or experience are you most proud of?
I helped my parents host an 80th and a 75th birthday party, respectively, over the past 12 months where we brought their friends and family together to celebrate their lives. It was easy for me to do digital invites, slideshows and playlists while juggling work and family. I didn’t even think about how amazing it was going to make me feel to help until after the parties and hearing from them and their friends.
How would you describe your day-to-day work?
Focus on my Family Team with love and food
Focus on Me Team with some exercise
Focus on my Career Team with questions and ideas
Focus on my Family Team with love and food
Focus on my Sport team with exercise
Focus on my Friend Team with love and food
Focus on Me Team with some sleep
Repeat
Sprinkle in some charity fundraising and volunteering, preferably with love and food.
Is there a ritual or habit that sets a positive tone for your day?
Walking my kids to school, talking to them about the little things in life, followed by a strong coffee to review the itinerary of the day / week. Strong believer in a fake commute even if you work remotely.
When you want to unwind, what do you turn to?
Exercise, prefer playing hockey, if not possible I do a walk or bike.
If you could host three people (historical or contemporary, anyone!), who would be at your table?
Other than my wife and two kids? Scott Galloway, Winston Churchill, Brene Brown.
What makes Movember meaningful to you?
I lost my cousin when he was 28 years old to suicide and I am determined to help others not lose their cousin, friend, father, brother or son. Mental health can be so complex and I think Movember does an amazing job at breaking down barriers for people to actually talk about how they are doing mentally and physically. The conversations I have had around health with strangers, colleagues, friends, and family have already been life-changing for me and I would say life-changing for many others, so let’s keep it going.
What’s a book, show, or podcast that’s captured your interest lately?
Acquired – the Costco episode is amazing on how it all started as a government employee group bulk buying membership perk and has become the everybody bulk buying membership perk.
Longest standing favourite though is No Mercy/No Malice with Scott Galloway and Prof G as it talks about relevant men’s health, tech, finance and marketing.
Is there a quote or idea that’s been resonating with you?
“Change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end.” – Robin Sharma
What steps have you taken this year to support your mental wellness?
I have more formally figured out my replenishment cycle / routine of formally dedicating time to playing hockey, spending time with my partner, hanging with my kids, giving back to charity and seeing friends on a weekly / daily basis.
What’s the best way for others in the group to connect with you?
Shoot me a text and say hi. I find we hesitate to reach out to people, as we are trying to decide if it is worth messaging, and we need more hi texts, thinking of you texts and casual high fives to keep us all going.
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