Risto - 58

Sometimes when you’re standing in your darkness, it appears to others that you’re staying in the light!

I was a confused child who was raised mainly by three women. My mom, my aunt and my sister who is eleven years older than me. Yes, my dad paid the bills and chauffeured me around, but we didn’t have the tightest relationship. I was the youngest of three and got away with everything.

Dad was the Sales Manager of a major food conglomerate and had to travel for work. He wanted me to fall into his footsteps, but I had no interest in his passions except fashion. He loved hockey, so I played for six years, even though the only thing I liked about it was trying to skate like Borje Salming. I thought he looked so cool when he played! 

In grade 10, I found basketball, skateboarding, dancing, and my good friend Deighton! He and his family introduced me to black culture and the origin of Funk, House, and R&B. This would cause a rift between my dad and I. He was raised in Halifax and still had a black versus white mentality.

Three years later, I became my city’s top basketball recruit. My dad had finally come to see a game. I scored 26 points. I was recruited to McMaster University thinking it was going to be awesome, but it was awful and full of darkness. I hated everything about it. I realized that I was only there to please my dad so I could become the businessman he wanted. Eventually I dropped out.

The only thing I liked in university was partying and dancing. This led me to bartending. One night while I was working, I got a phone call from my sister, my dad had a heart attack and passed away. While in his coffin as I was saying my last goodbyes, I told him “I loved you”. I quickly realized that was the only time I had ever said that to him. Pretty heavy.

I decided to use some of my inheritance and take a trip to Whistler. My friend had recently taken me snowboarding and I loved it. Six months later I was relocating. I was partying, working at a popular club and working for the mountain to get my pass. When you are Snowboarding 100+ days a season, you become good quickly, however, it takes an incredible toll on your body. “100 slams a trick!” used to be our saying when learning new skills, and we learned a lot. I eventually had sponsors, competed in pro boardercross events, and did some video work as well.

Over those 5 years in Whistler, I broke my left fibula, tore both MCL’s, both meniscus’, minor ACL tears, and eventually broke my left Femur. It was at this point, I realized that I had to leave Whistler by choice or in a body bag.

One night, I came home from work and said as a joke to my friend, “I think I’m an alcoholic?!” It was almost as if I was looking down at myself from above as I said it. I woke up the next day, went to an AA meeting, and cried in front of 12 strangers. This had a profound effect on me. On January 21, 1998 I stopped drinking.

I left Whistler and moved to Vancouver. I found a couple bartending jobs but let me tell you, bartending sober is a real eye opener. I would occasionally head up to Whistler to snowboard and attend big dance parties. Although I wasn’t drinking anymore, I loved to smoke pot and do ecstasy. “Snowball” was the big party during Gay Ski Week, and most of the bar staff would go to these events because the energy was incredible. I really knew nothing about the gay culture and thought that all gay people were feminine and nonathletic. I had a bunch of girlfriends over the years, but always felt so confused because when I was by myself, I would be thinking of men. Snowball really opened my eyes as the event had over 2000 people, and about 80% of them looked like they were from a Fireman’s Catalog. Macho, buff, friendly, and most of all, happy! It felt like a beam of happiness was shining on me too.

Six months after moving to Vancouver I had “Come Out” and met my partner, Reed. We’ve been together now for 24 years. We were in the gym 5 days a week, going to Burning Man festivals, surfing in Tofino, snowboarding, and really enjoying all that Vancouver has to offer. All the injuries started to add up and my body was breaking down. On my 40th Birthday, I took my first Yoga Class at a local gym. It was my biggest “Aha Moment!”. I started with one class a week which quickly transitioned into three. That’s when my practice really changed.

There was one class where the teacher didn’t show up. I said to the students “I do some stuff at home. Did you want me to show you what I do?”. A woman at the end of the class approached me and said, “You should be doing this!”. Two years after taking my first class I was teaching full-time. 

Over the years of teaching and a couple hard slams snowboarding, I had to address my body. The plate in my collarbone, operations on both knees, and a hip replacement. The femur break had entirely locked up my left hip. A freak fall had torn my right shoulder in 3 places, so I had a full shoulder reconstruction right before COVID hit.

I have learned a lot through all these dark times and have been able to teach from a healing place and a positive light. I teach Rocket Yoga (Playful Ashtanga/ Power Yoga) to suit my A-Type personality and flexibility, and Yin Yoga to tap into the more meditative, rehabilitative side of my journey. I also get to combine all my passions with my yoga, surf retreats.

Coming from an athletics background, I know that fundamentals are everything when learning new physical skills. Great music keeps me motivated, (I was a DJ ’89-’91), so of course my playlists are DOPE! Quality nutrition allows you to heal and function better. Surfing, waves, and mountains keep you youthful. I have combined all of this to host retreats in Tofino, and in the Jungle Paradise of Nicaragua.

As I mentioned earlier, my dad loved his fashion. I took that on and applied it to yoga and performing. Spending time in Film/TV as an Actor, and performing as a dancer, I got into making costumes. This would eventually transition nicely to yoga photoshoots and videos. I created my own brand of yoga gear and designed shorts to compliment my teaching practice. I’ve since added shirts, sweaters, and yoga bags. These things really light me up and allow me to share what I’m most passionate about.

Through all of this I realized that my darkest times were when I was trying to be someone that I thought I should be!

The brightest days are when I am just being my true authentic self!

Shine on.

Music - Risto’s music choices during our photo session included A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Funkadelic.