Pause to Progress: A Healthier Path Forward

When first starting Market Your Health in 2020, appearances mattered more than they should have. I worried about social engagement, about what people thought of our posts, about being seen as “cool" when talking about sobriety. That mindset was tied to why I drank, and searched outside of myself for validation.

For two years, I stepped back. Sobriety had to become something I was doing for myself, not for anyone else. That shift changed how I saw everything, including MYH. When we returned, it was with a new perspective: MYH will focus on creating a healthy environment for corporate professionals, and be built on consistency. Progress over perfection.

No matter how many people engage with our posts or come to our initiatives, this community will always be here as a healthy environment that folks can count on. 

The Influences That Shaped Us

During those years away, I focused on managing my ADHD, learning how to read a book from start to finish. I fell in love with reading and spent a lot of time reflecting. Many of those lessons have become deeply ingrained in how we’ve shaped this new version of Market Your Health.

1. James Clear’s Atomic Habits reminded me that environment is everything when it comes to building new habits. That’s why MYH is dedicated to creating healthier environments for networking and mentorship, spaces that make it easier to choose connection without pressure.

2. Carl Jung was my greatest influence when I began exploring psychoanalytical therapy. At a time when I had no one else to talk to about my experiences, his work offered validation. He wrote that when you become someone different, people may see you as an outcast or even call you crazy. That truth resonated deeply with me. MYH exists for people who are carving out healthier paths, even if it means no longer fitting the old mold.

3. And Dr. Seuss. Proof that the simplest words can carry the most meaning. He wrote: “You are you. Now, isn’t that pleasant?” That line sat on our Instagram page for the first couple of years after returning and remains on our MYH banner today, a reminder that you are enough.

For most of my life, I didn’t feel “enough.” But time away helped me realize that I am. That belief, that we are all enough, lives within each of us and sits at the heart of every MYH event, mentorship session, and conversation.

The Culture We’ve Built

At every meetup, we remind people it’s technically a “networking event,” because the conversations feel so real that people often forget. Vulnerability is welcomed. Pets, kids, families are encouraged to bring along. When I was living a double life years ago, one version of myself at home, another at work and events, I felt the weight of having to hide and understood how unfair that was to our partners outside of the industry. I never want anyone else to feel that pressure. That’s why MYH is different. It’s a place where authenticity isn’t just encouraged, it’s the default.

Proof of Impact

The impact of this approach shows up everywhere: in mentorship, in meetups, and in the lives people carry beyond them. Take this reflection that William Salmon-Lefranc, a mentor in our most recent cohort, just passed along this week: “Seeing him succeed and take this next step in his career is incredibly rewarding. It wasn’t an easy journey, but his dedication paid off, and now he’s in the perfect environment to grow his skills and build a future here in Canada. Mentorship is about more than sharing knowledge—it’s about seeing others succeed, and I am grateful to have been part of Mohit’s journey.” We’ve had dozens of people secure new jobs, make lifelong friends, experience things for the first time through this community, including camping, skating and tobogganing, trying new wellness activities, not because of the activity itself, but because the kindness of the group made it feel safe to try. People are always telling us that MYH is supporting their mental health, helping them through sobriety, or simply giving them a sense of belonging they didn’t know they were missing. We truly believe that is due to putting kindness at the centre of what we do, and letting people know that whoever they are, whatever title they have, we can’t wait to meet them, hear their story, hear how their day went, and get to know them. 

Gratitude and Looking Forward

I’m so grateful for every person who has helped build Market Your Health into what it is today: the early supporters who believed in the idea, the mentors and mentees who have shared wisdom and courage, and the hundreds who’ve come to our meetups with openness and kindness.

We’ve learned that when people feel safe to be themselves, they don’t just connect, they truly thrive. And those ripples extend into workplaces, families, and communities far beyond a single event.

The pause taught me this: growth isn’t about speed, it’s about direction. Your trajectory is far more important than where you currently are. And with kindness, consistency, and authenticity as our compass, we’ll always move forward. 

An Invitation

If you’re reading this, you’re part of the story. Maybe you joined a meetup once. Maybe you’ve been following quietly. Maybe you’re brand new. Wherever you are, you belong here.

As we launch our next mentorship cohort (Cohort 5 launching this week :)) and continue building events, we invite you to join us: bring your story, your voice, and your whole self. Because together, we’re building something special.

Our journey continues. Together.