The truth about fatherhood isn't found in greeting cards or gift guides. It lives in the quiet moments, the messy ones, the times when we're running on empty but still find a way to show up. We are the creators of memories and endless laughter. The ones who have wasted endless hours trying to catch fish, skip a rock or watch a shooting star in the night sky. The ones who are still able to laugh and tell a bedside story when our bodies and souls are completely broken.

This is a deeply personal post about my late mother and my relationship with her.

You might ask, “Why are you sharing this?”
The main reason is to put my thoughts and emotions into words, to honour my beautiful mother.

And maybe, just maybe, my story will inspire someone out there to reach out to their own mother while they still can.

I thought being kind to myself was weakness. As a man, I was taught to push through and be strong for everyone else. But after years of burnout, I realized something had to change. This is my honest journey from emotional exhaustion to discovering what self-love actually means for men. It started with the hardest thing I'd ever done - asking for help. Self-love isn't selfish, it's necessary. Because how can you truly show up for others when you're running on empty?

In a faded photograph, a boy stands on a small platform, reciting a poem at his kindergarten summer celebration. Behind his proud smile hides a world of fear—fear of failure, judgment, and not being enough. Forty years later, I find myself staring at this image of my younger self, struck by how the same battles continue to rage within me. This is my letter to little Kosta, filled with the love, forgiveness, and wisdom that four decades of living have taught me. It's a promise to honor the resilient, loving child who knew how to stand tall despite his fears—and a reminder that perhaps he had more figured out than I give him credit for.

My 3-Day Fasting: Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Journey

After experiencing a concussion and persistent brain fog, I embarked on a transformative three-day fast that tested my physical limits and led to unexpected pathways of mental clarity and spiritual growth. This narrative is not merely about abstaining from food; it is a journey (brief 😊) of self-discovery, resilience, and healing.

I felt like a leaf being tossed and turned in the rapids—completely powerless, overtaken by emotions I didn’t understand. I had no clarity, no control, and most painfully, I couldn’t give or receive love. Then, like so many of us experience, the moment came when everything fell apart. The shit hit the fan.

Loss. Addictions. Physical decline. Toxic relationships.

Each hit harder than the last, forcing me to finally confront myself—my spiritual, emotional, and physical existence. That’s when I stopped running. Instead of escaping, I turned inwards. I sat in the silence. I embraced the noise. I let every suppressed emotion rise to the surface. The good. The bad. The unbearable. And I did something radical—I listened.

After nearly two decades in health care, I came to realize that Western medicine, with its focus on treating symptoms, often neglects the deeper aspects of well-being. I was drawn to a more holistic view of health, one that sees the mind, body, and spirit as interconnected. This perspective took me back to the essence of care I saw in my parents, who practiced nursing in a raw but profoundly human way. Inspired by their approach and by leading voices reshaping the field, I launched The Men Spirit to support men in discovering their authentic selves and reclaiming wellness in a way that honors both science and spirit.

"In April, I had the privilege of fulfilling a lifelong dream—spending 20 days in Nepal, trekking the legendary Annapurna Circuit. The experience was beyond words. The majestic beauty of the Himalayas, the warmth and generosity of the Nepali people, and the incredible local cuisine were just a few of the highlights that made this journey unforgettable. Each day brought new challenges and moments of awe, reminding me of the power of nature and the resilience within us when we connect deeply with both ourselves and the world around us."