Meet the Man

Welcome! Thanks for visiting my page. I want to take this time to introduce myself outside of my role as a physiotherapist. Here are 5 fun facts about me:

1. I became a first-time father in 2022.

A walk to the park with my two little ones.

My life changed in October 2022 when we welcomed our beautiful baby boy into our family. Nothing has prepared me for the work and joy of having a child. I compared the lack of sleep during those first few months to pulling an all-nighter the day before an exam but with no end in sight. Everyday presented new challenges. Just when I thought I had parenting figured out, my son threw us a curveball. Now he is six months old, we have settled into a nice rhythm and my life has become so full in ways I have never imagined. I love watching my son experience food for the first time, seeing him move and learn new skills overnight, experiencing things in a different lens and seeing the pure curiosity in his eyes. My biceps have quadrupled in strength with carrying him and bouncing him around. My respect for any parent has skyrocketed. My family is the main reason I decided to explore having my own physiotherapy practice. I want the flexibility in work hours so that I can spend more time with my family and experience life with my son.

2. I have travelled to 14 countries.

At an elephant sanctuary in Bali, Indonesia.

My wife and I have visited Canada, United States, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and Jamaica. Prior to the pandemic, we planned one big trip a year. While on vacation, we love to be out and about, exploring museums, restaurants, and the outdoors. My wife loves planning our vacations down to the hour using an excel spreadsheet, making restaurant reservations months in advance, and scouring the internet for reviews and hidden gems. The one time I told her not to make restaurant reservation ahead of time, we ended up eating at a Burger King in Mallorca, Spain because there were no tables available anywhere! I never questioned her need to plan ahead ever again. I hope we can soon go on another international adventure with our little one!

3. I have eaten at two Michelin star restaurants.

Almost too beautiful to eat!

I was never into fine dining until I started dating my wife. When we first started going to “fancy” restaurants, I felt so out of my element. There are so many utensils. The plates were beautiful but the portions were so small. I always felt hungry and needed to go for a snack afterwards. My perspective changed when we decided to splurge on a 13-course dinner at a two-Michelin star restaurant in Porto, Portugal. Each course was delicately assembled, each bite bursting with flavour. The dinner took over four hours and we watched the sunset as the wait staff catered to our every need. That meal was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. My other Michelin star restaurant experience was in Toronto. Again, the food was delicious and beautifully presented, the wait staff extremely welcoming and knowledgeable. I think I still prefer street meat over a multi-course dinner with white-glove service, but once in a while for special occasions, it’s nice to indulge and take time to enjoy each bite.

4. I was on a train in Osaka, Japan when the Toronto Raptors won the NBA Championship in 2019.

I was on my honeymoon in Japan when the Raptors were playing in the NBA Championship finals. I jokingly told my wife that I was postponing our trip to watch the finals. She was not amused. Between finding wi-fi to stream the games and juggling the time zone difference, I wasn’t sure I would be able to catch the final game but I was determined to support my team. The Raptors could potential take home the title if they win Game 6. That day, I tuned into the game every time I was able to connect to wi-fi while we were travelling around Osaka. My wife and I ate lunch in silence and anticipation as we hunched over my phone to watch the game play out on that tiny screen. During the final minutes, we boarded a bullet train. It felt like the train was moving too fast for my phone to maintain good internet connection. The game was cutting in and out. When the buzzer finally went off and the Raptors became the 2019 NBA Champions, my wife and I celebrated in silence because there was a no noise policy on public transportation in Japan. We couldn’t wait until we got off the train to voice our excitement for our hometown. I proudly wore my Home is Toronto t-shirt that day.

5. I once fought a crab and won.

The crab and I before the final battle.

I love fresh seafood. I couldn't resist the opportunity when my wife and I drove past a “Fresh Crab For Sale” sign while in Tofino, British Columbia. I impulsively pulled over and bought a 2-lb live crab from a roadside shack. I should’ve known to prepare for a fight when the fisherman refused to put elastics over the crab’s claws. By the time we brought the crab back to our chalet, I started to doubt if I could cook this crab. The crab leaped out of the bag, claws clamping down ready to fight for its life. I quickly grabbed a weapon of my own, a pair of kitchen tongs. After several rounds of sparring, the crab proved to be a feisty opponent. I temporarily considered releasing it back to the ocean, which was only steps away from our chalet. Finally, I was able to pin it down and capture it. I said a few words of thankfulness, and dealt the final blow. The meal that night felt extra filling, knowing that I fought for the dinner and won.