Unveiling the Story: My Feature in Swerve Magazine and the Journey Beyond the Pages

Last Friday marked a rather significant moment for me: a full-page feature in Swerve, the Calgary Herald’s popular weekly lifestyle supplement. To say it was an experience would be an understatement. The photograph, a stunning capture that truly brought the story to life, was courtesy of the exceptionally wonderful and talented Bryce Meyer. He’s not just a photographer; he’s a conversationalist, an artist who makes you feel completely at ease, allowing for genuine moments to be immortalized. However, bringing this up here always feels a bit like yelling, “HEY, CHECK ME OUT! I’M IN A MAGAZINE!” Which, I assure you, is never my intention. My aim is not self-promotion but rather to share the journey, the process, and the unexpected insights that came from putting a piece of myself out into the world.

A Collaboration of Creativity: The Bryce Meyer Experience

The photo session with Bryce was far more than just posing for the camera; it was a deep dive into an engaging conversation that spanned a multitude of topics. We talked about everything from the ethereal beauty of Nepal, its profound cultural impact, and the transformative power of travel, to the whirlwind experience of new parenthood – the joys, the sleep deprivation, and the constant learning curve of raising tiny humans. We reminisced about the nostalgic beats of 80s music, a shared soundtrack of our youth that evoked memories and laughter. And then, there was the unique paradox of being old enough to be the dad of most kids at the skate park, yet still finding the joy and freedom in skateboarding. This last point, in particular, resonated deeply, touching on themes of embracing your passions regardless of age, the evolving definition of “cool,” and the beauty of intergenerational connections formed around shared interests. Bryce has an incredible ability to create an atmosphere where vulnerability feels safe, allowing for authentic expressions that translate beautifully onto the page.

The Unexpected Wave of Feedback: Connecting Beyond Traffic Complaints

What truly surprised me, and honestly, touched me deeply, was the incredible feedback I received following the publication. In my usual line of work, calls often come in with traffic complaints or urgent reports. But for nearly half of my callers yesterday and today, their purpose was entirely different. They had no traffic complaints whatsoever. Instead, they called simply to tell me how much they loved my story. This was an unprecedented and incredibly validating experience. To know that something I poured my heart into resonated with so many people, prompting them to pick up the phone and share their appreciation, was immensely rewarding. It underscored the power of authentic storytelling and the profound human need for connection through shared experiences. This kind of feedback is a writer’s greatest reward, far exceeding any metric or accolade.

The Creative Gauntlet: Writing Under Pressure

The journey to that full-page feature was, to put it mildly, a chaotic whirlwind. The weekend leading up to the deadline saw me as a “total wreck,” battling the clock and my own perfectionism. Writing this piece was an intense process, often done in frantic chunks, feeling like a high-stakes game of literary ping pong with the editor. There was a constant back-and-forth, refining ideas, tightening prose, and ensuring every word served its purpose. Adding to this already demanding schedule, I was simultaneously working on the Blog Aid book, a project that required its own significant dedication and focus. Juggling multiple creative endeavors, each with its own deadlines and demands, truly tested my limits. It’s a testament to the passion for writing that one pushes through such challenges, fueled by the desire to create something meaningful.

Vulnerability in Print: The “Underwear” Analogy

When the piece finally came out in print, distributed throughout the city in every issue of the Herald, as well as in countless coffee shops and other places where people grab reading materials, a very particular feeling washed over me. It was akin to that mortifying memory from school, when some kid stole my underwear in the locker room and ran through the school with it. This analogy might sound dramatic, but it perfectly encapsulates the mix of emotions: a sudden, overwhelming sense of exposure, vulnerability, and a dash of exhilarating, albeit slightly terrifying, public display. There’s a profound intimacy in sharing a personal story, and seeing it amplified across a city makes that intimacy feel incredibly vast. It’s a raw, exposed feeling, yet also a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to be truly open and authentic in one’s work.

“Results May Vary”: Beyond the Disclaimer

The article, while originally conceived under the title “Results Not Typical” – a phrase we so often see as the disclaimer attached to virtually any diet program-based weight loss success story with an asterisk – ultimately appeared as Results May Vary. This shift in title, though subtle, holds significant meaning. It moves away from the direct implication of a “typical” outcome and instead embraces the reality that personal journeys, especially those related to health, wellness, or any form of self-improvement, are inherently unique and unpredictable. There are no guarantees, no one-size-fits-all solutions. My story, much like anyone else’s, is a testament to this truth. It acknowledges the individual effort, the inevitable setbacks, and the often-unforeseen paths our lives take, emphasizing that while inspiration can be shared, the precise outcomes will always be deeply personal.

Food, Culture, and Connection: A Culinary Interlude

Interestingly, despite the broader themes of personal journey and transformation, some readers might have been curious about the inclusion of recipes. While my feature didn’t include a comprehensive recipe section, there was a mention, almost a whisper, of a recipe for roasted salmon over apple slaw. This particular dish is actually part of another health-related piece I worked on, but its spirit resonates deeply with the philosophy embedded in my Swerve article. It speaks to the idea that our well-being is intrinsically linked to what we consume, not just for sustenance but for joy, for connection, and for cultural expression. As the late, great food writer Laurie Colwin once so eloquently wrote, “It is not just the Great Works of mankind that make a culture. It’s the daily things, like what people eat and how they serve it.” So true, don’t you think? This quote beautifully encapsulates the essence of what I strive to convey in my writing: the profound significance of the everyday, the culinary traditions, and the simple act of sharing a meal as cornerstones of our collective and individual cultures. Food, in this context, becomes a metaphor for life itself – a blend of nourishment, creativity, and shared experience.

The Enduring Wisdom of Everyday Life

Ultimately, this experience – from the creative collaboration with Bryce Meyer to the profound feedback from readers and the internal wrestling during the writing process – has been a powerful reminder of the enduring wisdom found in the daily things. It’s in the conversations we have, the food we share, the passions we pursue, and the vulnerability we dare to embrace. It’s in recognizing that while our individual “results may vary,” the journey itself, with all its challenges and triumphs, is what truly defines us. And when we share these journeys, we forge connections that transcend the pages of a magazine, proving that the most impactful stories are often found in the authentic, unvarnished moments of our everyday lives.