A love letter to baseball, friendship, and finding joy again

There’s something about baseball that feels a little bit like falling in love. The slow build, the anticipation, the heartbreak, the hope that maybe this season will be the one. For me, this Blue Jays season was all of that and more: a rollercoaster of emotion, connection, and the kind of unexpected joy that shows up when life throws you off course.

Baseball, Heartthrobs, and Healing

Let’s start with the obvious: the Jays might not have made it all the way to win the World Series (Game 7, extra innings made it pretty darn close though!), but my heart still did a few laps around the bases thanks to George Springer and Ernie Clement. Tell me Ernie doesn’t look like a 90s heartthrob straight out of a baseball movie. Watching those guys play wasn’t just about stats or standings; it was about energy, teamwork, and that chemistry that makes you believe in something bigger than the game.

And yes, I’ll admit it. I bought the jersey (and finally retired my Bautista jersey). Trey Yesavage, the new kid on the block, had that spark. The kind of confidence and presence that makes you want to root for him like he’s your little brother and your celebrity crush at the same time. There’s something magnetic about a player who’s just getting started and already feels like part of the team’s story. Plus, it helps that he set a new postseason MLB record when he pitched 12 strike outs (Insane!).

Sports Are My Reality TV

Here’s the thing: for most men, watching sports is their comfort zone. It’s their ritual, their therapy, their way to turn off the noise of the world for a few hours. For some women, it’s reality TV. This is one of the few times that this girly dress-wearing gal will agree with the guys – there is just something about sports that draws me in better than any reality TV show.

The dedication, the drama, the investment—it’s all the same. We watch storylines unfold, we root for our favorites, we scream at the screen when someone we love gets traded or misses an easy play. The only difference is that my version of “who gets the rose” is “who hits the walk-off.”

Baseball, like reality TV, has that mix of chaos and connection that makes you feel like you’re part of something. It’s communal, it’s emotional, and when you really love your team, it’s personal.

When Baseball Becomes Therapy

This season hit differently. Maybe because I was rebuilding too. When I got laid off, I suddenly had time to breathe, to reflect, and to really watch. I made a decision early on that if I was going to have a season of pause, I might as well fill it with something I love.

So I went to every home game of the ALDS and ALCS. I cheered until my voice was gone, met strangers who became instant friends, and found myself laughing more than I had in months. There was a shared language in the stands: chirps, tequila shots, and collective heartbreaks that somehow brought everyone closer.

Somewhere between those games, I realized that baseball had quietly become my therapy. It wasn’t about distraction anymore; it was about belonging. About feeling part of something electric and alive.

And let’s be honest, being on Breakfast Television to cheer them on live was a moment I’ll never forget. Having my signs go a little viral on social media was pretty fun too! Maybe it wasn’t the World Series trophy, but it sure felt like a win.

Why the Jays Still Won

They might not have brought home the championship, but what they gave us was something better: a reminder of why we care. They reminded us that showing up matters. That connection can happen anywhere, even in the bleachers surrounded by strangers who feel like family by the ninth inning.

The Blue Jays didn’t just play baseball this year. They reminded us what it means to feel hopeful again. And when life feels uncertain, hope is everything.

So no, they didn’t win the World Series (No, I am still not iver the “wedge” ball). But they won our hearts.

And I’ll be right there next season, jersey on, tequila in hand, ready to believe all over again.

If you’d told me a few years ago that navigating my career and my love life would end up looking eerily similar, I probably would have laughed. Or, let’s be real, I would have rolled my eyes so hard I’d be seeing my own brain. After all, I’d taken a solid four-year hiatus from dating to focus on myself and to heal. Losing my brother was a seismic shift in my life, and I needed time to figure out who I was again without all the emotional noise. But life has a way of throwing you curveballs, and while I was busy building my career in marketing, love decided to sneak up on me—from 3,000 miles away, no less.

So, I got to thinking: there’s a lot of overlap between managing a career and navigating a love life. Here’s what I’ve learned about the job hunt, the dating game, and why finding “the one” (whether it’s a job or a person) might just be a little bit of both.

The Job Interview = The First Date

Let’s start with the basics. The job interview and the first date: two scenarios that will make even the most confident among us question every life choice up to that point. You spend hours prepping, rehearsing your lines, hoping you don’t overshare or accidentally spill something on yourself. You’ve done your research on their company—or their profile (yes, I mean the LinkedIn stalk). And you just know you’ve got this.

But no matter how prepared you are, the question “So, tell me about yourself?” still makes you sweat. Do you keep it professional, or do you sprinkle in a little humor? And just like that first date, you leave wondering, “Did they like me? Was I too much? Did I come off as desperate when I said I’m really looking for long-term commitment?”

Ghosting Happens in Both Worlds

Oh, ghosting. The bane of modern romance and the job hunt. You meet for a coffee (or have that second-round interview), things seem to go well, and then…radio silence. Suddenly, you’re questioning every little thing you said and analyzing the follow-up email you sent three days later. (Was the exclamation point too enthusiastic? Should I have added a second “thank you”?)

Whether it’s the dream job or the person you thought might be the one, sometimes they just vanish, and you’re left wondering why. And here’s the harsh truth: sometimes, scratch that… most of the time, it’s not about you. Sometimes, they’re just not ready, or they found a better fit. It sucks, but hey, their loss, right? Besides, you’ve got better things to do—like figuring out how to budget for that fancy bone broth habit.

Rejection Teaches You (Painful but Important) Lessons

The parallels between rejection in your career and love life are uncanny. You apply for a job or put yourself out there with someone new, and when it doesn’t work out, you’re left with a dent in your ego and a tub of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream that definitely wasn’t part of your meal plan. But rejection, painful as it is, has a sneaky way of teaching you things.

For example, that company that turned you down? They probably saved you from a nightmare manager. And that person who said, “It’s not you, it’s me”? Well, they probably weren’t lying. It was them, and thank goodness you dodged that bullet. You learn what you’re willing to compromise on and what you absolutely need—whether it’s remote work flexibility or a partner who doesn’t think texting back is optional.

The “I’m Just Focusing on My Career” Phase

After losing my brother, I took a break from dating. A long one. And honestly, I needed it. For four years, I poured myself into my career, focused on mastering my skills as a leader, building out lifecycle comms, planned product launches like they were going out of style, and genuinely thrived in my own space. It was like my romantic hiatus coincided with a “self-improvement montage” straight out of a movie. Except with fewer cute montages, a significant amount of therapy and more days spent in a range of colours of market dresses from Wilfred trying to nail a brief.

And honestly? That time was invaluable. It’s where I learned to love my own company again and built a life that felt whole without a partner. Because, like any good product marketer knows, before you sell anything to anyone else, you need to believe in it yourself. And I had to become my own biggest cheerleader before I could even think about letting someone else in.

And Then, When You Least Expect It…

But, just when I thought I had it all figured out, my person found me. And surprise—it was 3,000 miles away, on the other side of the continent. (No, seriously, the irony is not lost on me.) While I was busy strategizing campaigns and perfecting my LinkedIn profile, the universe had other plans. Suddenly, one swipe right on bumble premium, I found myself navigating time zones and figuring out if “good morning” texts made sense at 6am EST (12pm CET).

And just like landing that dream job you didn’t think you’d even get an interview for, love showed up when I wasn’t actively looking. It didn’t come with a 5-year plan or a polished resume. It came with unexpected FaceTime calls, virtual date nights, and a lot of aeroplan points. It’s messy and imperfect, but it feels right—like a job that challenges you in all the best ways but still makes you excited to wake up in the morning.

You Can’t Force the Right Fit—In Work or Love

Here’s the big lesson: Whether it’s a career or a relationship, you can’t force a fit that isn’t there. You deserve a role (and a person) that makes you feel valued, seen, and excited about the future. If you’re stuck in a job that feels like a bad first date—or a relationship that feels like a never-ending performance review mixed in with a regular dose of “Sunday Scaries” —maybe it’s time to reconsider.

Trust me, I’ve been there. I’ve held onto roles that didn’t appreciate my skills, just like I’ve held onto people who couldn’t meet me where I was. But I’ve also learned that the right fit doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be willing to grow with you.

So, if you’re out there wondering if you’ll ever find your dream job or your dream person, take it from someone who’s been through both. Focus on building the life you want, take breaks when you need to, and don’t settle for anything less than what makes your heart—or your LinkedIn profile—sing. Because at the end of the day, whether you’re navigating your career or love life, it’s all about finding that sweet spot between ambition and patience, growth and gratitude, and knowing when to swipe left or hit “apply.”

Have you found any surprising parallels between dating and job hunting? Share your stories in the comments below—because let’s face it, we could all use a good laugh (or cry) about those times we tried a little too hard.

May is Mental Health Awareness month, so I thought it would be fitting to talk about Mental health in the workplace – it’s a subject that’s often avoided or hushed up. But with 1 in 5 adults in Canada experiencing a mental illness each year, it’s time to start talking about it. That’s approximately 6.7 million people. Additionally, it’s estimated that suicide accounts for approximately 4,000 deaths per year in Canada, making it one of the leading causes of death in the country. 

These numbers highlight the importance of prioritizing mental health and suicide prevention efforts in Canada. Mental health issues are just as important as physical health issues, and they can affect anyone – your boss, your colleagues, and even you.

As someone who’s lost their brother and friends to suicide, and dealt with my own mental health struggles, I know how important it is to prioritize mental health in the workplace. After all, we spend a good chunk of our day at work, so it’s important that it’s a safe and supportive environment.

Recognizing Signs of Mental Health Struggles in Coworkers

Have you ever noticed a coworker who’s seemed off lately? Maybe they’re quieter than usual or seem more irritable than usual. It’s important to recognize that these could be signs of a mental health issue. And let me tell you, as someone who’s dealt with grief, depression and anxiety, it’s not always easy to talk about.

That’s why it’s important to approach the issue with empathy and understanding. Simply being there to listen and providing a safe space to talk can make all the difference. And if you’re unsure about how to approach the issue, don’t be afraid to ask your coworker how they’re doing.

Supporting Coworkers Who are Struggling

Once you’ve recognized signs of mental health struggles in your coworker, it’s important to provide support. This could be as simple as directing them to your company’s employee assistance program (EAP), or just listening to them when they need to talk.

I remember when I was struggling with my own mental health, just having someone there to listen was incredibly helpful. It’s amazing how much of a difference a supportive coworker can make.

Supporting a coworker who is struggling with their mental health can be challenging, but it’s important to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. Here are some tips on how to support a coworker who is struggling with their mental health:

Be an Active Listener: One of the most important things you can do to support a coworker who is struggling is to be an active listener. Listen without judgment, and let them know that you’re there for them. Sometimes, just having someone to talk to can make all the difference. Here’s a great article from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) on active listening: The Art Of Listening: Six Steps To Being A Better Listener or try some practice conversations https://conversations.movember.com/en/ 

Encourage Them to Seek Professional Help: While you can provide support, it’s important to remember that you’re not a mental health professional. Encourage your coworker to seek professional help, such as an EAP, Mental Health First Aider or a Therapist. Here’s an article from the CMHA on how to talk to someone about seeking help: How to Encourage Someone to Go to Therapy 

Here’s a resource from Calm on how to have a conversation about mental health: A Practical Guide to Having Mental Health Conversations with Your Colleagues or  try some practice conversations through Movember Conversations.

Respect Their Privacy: While it’s important to support your coworker, it’s also important to respect their privacy. Please don’t ever share their personal information with others without their consent.

Supporting Yourself

But while it’s important to support your colleagues, it’s equally important to take care of yourself. As someone who’s dealt with burnout in the past, I know how important it is to prioritize self-care. You know that saying “If you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness.” It is absolutely right.

Now, let’s talk about how to take care of your own mental health in the workplace. Here are some tips:

Take Breaks: Taking breaks throughout the day can help you recharge and prevent burnout. Try taking a walk outside (or at a treadmill desk, if the weather sucks) during your lunch break, or practicing mindfulness during a quick break. Here’s a great article from “Health Shots” on the importance of taking breaks: Here’s how taking a break from work can actually boost your performance | HealthShots 

Prioritize Self-Care: Self-care looks different for everyone, but it’s important to prioritize it. This could include practicing yoga, meditation, or spending time with loved ones outside of work. For me, that looks like: taking time to workout, peloton rides, writing, painting, reading or cooking a really fabulous meal for myself.

Here’s an article from the CMHA on self-care: https://cmha-yr.on.ca/what-you-need-to-know-about-self-care/ 

Use Your Resources: Many companies offer mental health resources, such as an EAP or mental health days. Don’t be afraid to use these resources when you need them. Here’s a resource from the Government of Canada on mental health in the workplace: Mental health in the workplace – Canada.ca and another great resource from the Mental Health Commission of Canada Workplace Mental Health – Mental Health Commission of Canada.

One FREE Resource, near and dear to my heart:
Equipped : an online mental health education platform that offers free, self-directed courses for young adults. Created in memory of my brother Phillip.

www.equipped.youthsmart.ca

Set Boundaries: Setting boundaries can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance. Don’t be afraid to say no to extra work or overtime if it’s not sustainable for you. Here’s a resource from the Career Contessa on setting boundaries: 8 Ways to Establish Healthy Boundaries at Work | Career Contessa 

By supporting your coworkers and taking care of your own mental health, you can create a positive and supportive workplace environment. Remember, mental health is just as important as physical health, and it’s up to all of us to prioritize it in the workplace.

Best Practices for Creating a Positive Mental Health Environment in the Workplace

Creating a positive mental health environment in the workplace is key. This includes implementing mental health policies and resources, such as an EAP or mental health days, and fostering a culture of open communication and non-judgment.

I’ve been lucky to work for a few companies that value mental health and wellbeing. They provide an EAP, managers encourage us to take time off when we need it and Short Term Disability benefits to help you put your mental health first. It’s made a world of difference in my own mental health.

Remember, mental health issues are just as important as physical health issues. Taking care of yourself and your colleagues should be a top priority in the workplace. With a little bit of empathy, understanding, and support, we can create a workplace that’s supportive of mental health and wellbeing.

Let’s make mental health a priority in the workplace – our mental health depends on it.

In September 2022, the Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Region launched EQUIPPED.

The EQUIPPED program came to be, thanks to an anonymous donation that was provided to CMHA Calgary in memory of my younger brother, Phillip Thomas.

Phillip passed away on September 13, 2019, at the age of 25, following a mental health battle. If this program can help just one person, then in my mind it is a success and a beautiful legacy for my brother to leave. You can learn more about Phillip in the “In Memory” section of the site or here.

“Our hope is that this program equips teens and young adults with the tools and resources they need to cope with mental health struggles, build resilience, and end the stigma around mental health. CMHA Calgary has helped our family survive this terrible tragedy, and we hope this program can help prevent another one.”

Thomas Family

EQUIPPED is a FREE program for anyone in the world and currently offers three courses: Mental Health Awareness, Stress Management & Healthy Coping and our newest module Skills for Being There (thanks to the RBC Foundation). Each course has a workbook and provides the opportunity for young adults to brainstorm and explore the concepts taught through activity-based learning.

The aim of the courses is to equip young people with mental health knowledge and skills to understand the things they can do to help support their own mental health.

Looking for more resources? There is a list of resources for other supports is also provided at the end of EQUIPPED courses and on the main EQUIPPED website.

Please feel free to share with your networks (reach out to me for any handouts, poster or social assets) and let’s work to end the stigma around mental health through education.

Should there be interest and funding, more courses may be developed.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of our incredible supporters.

If you know of someone who may want to support EQUIPPED, please contact CMHA Calgary’s Community Education Team at education@cmha.calgary.ab.ca.

As a born and raised Calgarian, at times I have perhaps taken this annual event for granted. Now that I have spent the last few years living in Toronto, I realize how much the Stampede has impacted the person I am today. I remember some of my fondest memories of my youth occurring during the stampede and yet many of my friends out east have yet to experience or even understand the significance of those 10 days in July. 

I have insisted that I could not possibly sum it up in words but I am going to give it my best shot. 

Every year (barring pesky pandemics), the Calgary Stampede’s 10-day festival starts on the first Thursday of July. The Stampede begins with a sneak peak on the eve of the first Thursday, with the fairgrounds (rides and eats), the opening grandstand show and the first performers in tents across the city. For me, the real kick off is the Stampede Parade. I remember the excitement of having my dad head down early to secure the prime parade seats for us kids by the Calgary Police station (for those of you who don’t know, my dad was CPS for 25 years) and the excitement of taking the bus( the #1) with ALL my best friends and their parents and siblings from West Hillhurst to the parade route. We had blankets, snacks, children’s beverages…and wait…there were separate adult beverages – I SEE YOU MOM AND DAD (Zero judgment) 

We would enjoy the parade and then enjoy an action packed day of festivities…I imagine naps were involved but it has been a few too many years to confidently speak to those. Every year the city carefully selects an incredible parade marshall to lead the parade, this year, Yellowstone‘s very own star; Kevin Costner, the legendary actor, director, producer and musician leads the Stampede Parade July 8. 

Fun Fact: Many moons ago, I had the honour of participating in the parade as a CJAY92 road crew girl with Jerry and Redawg (Good ol’ days of JUGZ – more on that in a post another day). 

The fair grounds are essentially the same as the CNE(or so I have been told – maybe this year will be the year! ); delicious, yet artery-clogging-diabetes-inducing treats, slightly sketchy rides for all ages (funhouses, log rides, haunted houses, gondolas, rickety roller coasters, etc.) and beer gardens all around. 

In my humble opinion, what makes the stampede special is the community spirit, the musical guests and the incredible rodeo. 

The Community Spirit. 

Alright, so let me first remind everyone that I was born and raised in Calgary Alberta at the Rockyview hospital…but I am the first to say that Calgary is best described as the offspring of Texas and Florida…with free healthcare! Watching this city come together, to dance, drink and celebrate year after year has been beautiful. I have had the privilege of experiencing the stampede as a child, teen, bartender, corporate event planner, attendee, sponsor, and this year as a regular ol’ guest. 

My little brother’s favourite part was the free stampede breakfasts, he and his friends would plan their itinerary in advance to visit as many free community breakfasts around the city as possible. The majority of breakfasts would include the standard pancakes and juice, but some would go all out with bacon, eggs, pancakes, sausages, mimosas, caesars and more!

The city is filled with a plethora of Cowboy attire, mainly cowboy hats and boots and most notably the token White Cowboy hat with the red ribbon. 

The corporate events were in my humble opinion better than any Christmas/ winter holiday party I have experienced in my life. Companies take their teams to various Stampede festivities followed by an open bar on the grounds or at a legendary local establishment such as my old employers Cowboys Calgary, or my other stomping grounds Ranchmans (the pole climb is a TENT POLE EVENT don’t @ me).  

The Calgary community really bands together on those 10 days every single year, and it was especially evident after the 2013 flood when the community really showed up as the Calgary core was devastated with unprecedented flooding that damaged homes and businesses and our beloved Stampede grounds. “Come Hell or High Water” was the motto and to this day seeing the thousands of volunteers show up to help their neighbours in the aftermath was one of the most incredible events I have witnessed first hand. All of those volunteers came together to ensure that the show could still go on. 

The Music. 

The Rodeo. 

Every afternoon at 1:30 MST top athletes in the rodeo circuit from across North America compete across six different events for 1.5 Mil in prize money. 

Every evening at 7:45 MST, corporate sponsored Chuckwagon races (this is for you gamblers!) with 27 Chuckwagon drivers, supported by their outriders and 162 horses vie for prize money and bragging rights. Whether you go with coworkers, family or friends there’s an opportunity to have a couple cold ones, put some money down on your pick and cheer on the best of the best. 

The Grandstand show follows the nightly chucks with incredible performances by the Young Canadians and fireworks closing out the show, every single night.
Hot Tip: For those of you at tents, it’s a great way to gauge midnight!)

Animal Care; I know that there are a lot of people who worry about the treatment of animals involved in the Stampede; all I can say is that as a person who has toured the barns and had friends compete, I am confident that the animals I have seen have been treated with incredible care and love through their lives. 

The petting farm; for those kidlets and adults who love to see animals up close and personal there is an entire section of the grounds dedicated to education on different animals and breeds from horses to goats to cows and pigs! Sometimes they even bring the fresh babies!!

What else? Well if you aren’t sold by now… I probably won’t sell you but there are a couple more events that deserve some spotlight!

Dog Bowl – If you love dogs – this show is for you! Watch elite dog athletes compete for #1!

Ranchmans Pole Climb

Ladies and gentlemen, this event is a Vanessa favourite; a perfect combination of three of my favourite things; firemen, country and drinks. Every year, the Calgary Burn Society puts on this incredible charity event where our fabulous Calgary Firemen (Usually from the Hot Stuff Calendar) race rodeo Cowboys to the top of a metal pole. You can bid on them in advance, there are a LOT of women who attend and it’s all for a good cause (Also great eye candy for EVERYONE). 

Fun Fact: One of my best friends was in the pole climb many moons ago and I made this sign (And then had to make another one for another buddy last minute): 

New this year: Whiskey Rose

Newest tent to check out is 17th ave’s newest Nashville style bar (My personal favourite!) They have an incredible lineup of local talent lined up and some of the best humans in the biz. Can’t wait to see what they have in store for their first Stampede!

On top of everything listed above, the stampede is a great time for BBQs with the people you love and a couple quiet ones under the sun, so if you’re looking for a sign to finally check out the Calgary Stampede, this is it.

In honour of Black History Month, I have shared a carefully curated list of films, series and clips to shed light on Black history and experience in Canada and throughout the rest of the world. There is something for everyone in this list from Chadwick Boseman’s final powerful performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom to Chris Rock’s documentary on the hair in black culture (one of my personal favourites) and Harriet Tubman’s heroic story. 

Short on time? Check out a short yet powerful clip from Grey’s anatomy. Looking for a series to binge with the kids? Try Black-ish. Prefer documentaries we have incredible Canadian docs in there too! 

I encourage you to watch any episode, film or clip from the list below and share your learnings in the comments below!

Did you know?

An average of 10 people die by suicide each day in Canada.

Of the approx. 4000 deaths by suicide each year, more than 90% were living with a mental health problem or illness.

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young adults in Canada. 

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/suicide-prevention/suicide-canada.html

In 2019, my little brother Phillip died by suicide and our family was changed forever. The heartache, the heartbreak and total devastation hit our family hard. The magnitude of his tragic passing absolutely compounded by another loss of life due to suicide not long before when our dear family friends lost their daughter, Josie.

Mental illness, especially suicide, has been devastating to youth all over the world and continues to wreak havoc on young adults in Canada. Josie and Phillip were both members of the Calgary Tennis club and all of us kids spent most of our summers hanging out at the club because our parents are all active members in the tennis community.

This year, the Calgary Tennis Club (CTC) will be hosting a very special tennis tournament in support of mental health and to honour the memory of Josie and Phillip. 

ABOUT THE CALGARY TENNIS CLUB

CTC is a long-established non-profit tennis club that relies purely on yearly memberships and a volunteer executive to maintain the integrity and existence of the club. Our club provides competitive and social play, and lessons for juniors and adults, to grow the sport of tennis and to encourage wellness and fitness in our community.