Rick Hu's The Winding Life: Recent Episodes
Rick Hu
Although we like to think so, not everyone takes a straight path through their lives. Why do people make the life choices that they make? What factors went into the decisions? Did things work out? Why did things work out... or not?
I visit with friends and acquaintances that I have known in my lives as orthopaedic surgeon, cooking show host and executive producer, researcher and healthtech startup founder and CEO. We explore these questions and more.
Winding Life Podcast
Episode 007 – Marc Joiner
Today, Rick speaks with Marc Joiner about his work as a self-styled “Connector of People,” and how that came to be. In addition to his career in high-level accounting services, Marc shares how risking his success in work to prioritize a long stretch of time in Paris with his family shaped his outlook on life, as well as some of the most profound catalysts for personal growth that Marc has experienced so far. Marc also reflects on his personal experience with the concept of Ikigai, which he relates to the state of the wider culture in the wake of the pandemic in his highly popular LinkedIn articles.
Episode Highlights:
[0:00] Marc shares a bit about his upbringing.
[4:09] Entering into general business in college without a specific plan.
[9:14] How a risky decision to take sabbatical in Paris shaped his life. “I don’t know what I’m going to be doing tomorrow or next week.”
[19:45] Marc’s father’s struggle being the most profound catalyst for defining what was most important in his life.
[25:25] Advice to people who have family or friends who are struggling.
[27:17] Incoroporating the concept of Ikigai into his life to define his purpose, and publishing articles on LinkedIn based on his findings.
[39:09] Reflecting on the surprising popularity of Marc’s Ikigai articles. and what people are relating to. “The extreme vulnerability of courage.”
[47:41] Advice to his younger self. “Make time to reflect.”
Episode resources:
Marc’s LinkedIn: ca.linked.com/in/marcjoiner
Winding Life Podcast
006 - Scott Cozens
Today, Rick is joined by his friend Scott Cozens, who is the founder and co-owner of a small boutique law firm in Calgary with his wife. Scott is a true example of the benefits of embracing a winding life, as he discusses the many pivots that he has taken throughout his life, from shifting away from his passion, hockey, to becoming an electrician to working in a large law firm to finding himself as the host of a popular reality TV show. Scott reflects on how these experiences have helped him life what he is proud to call a full life.
Episode Highlights:
[0:00] Rick introduces Scott as they discuss the eclectisicm of his office.
[3:11] Upbringing in Ontario, Georgetown, and Alberta, and loving playing hockey.
[11:27] Early success in lacrosse and hockey.
[15:59] Hurting his knee and working odd jobs with “practicality” as his guiding principle.
[27:46] Finding his way into practicing law.
[35:14] The satisfaction of being in control of his own workload.
[43:06] Having a passion for collectibles, and hosting Canadian Pickers.
[63:16] Leaving oneself open for whatever comes.
[71:08] What’s next for Scott.
Episode resources:
https://www.natgeotv.com/ca/canadian-pickers
Winding Life Podcast
Episode 005 Carol H
Rick speaks with his colleague and friend of more than 25 years Carol Hutchison, M.D., an accomplished Orthopedic Surgeon and a deeply passionate yogi. Carol shares how she confronts the challenges of being a woman in a predominantly male and often sexist industry, and what drives her to provide her patients with the best care possible. She and Rick also discuss the importance and benefits to mind and body wellness of dedicating oneself to a regular spiritual practice, as she has with Yoga, and how she seeks to benefit future generations by passing on those values as Associate Dean of the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary.
Episode Highlights:
[0:00] Rick introduces Carol.
[2:51] Growing up, positive influences, loving going to summer camp as a kid, the power of love and nature.
[9:52] Taking on medicine as a potential career path.
[18:24] Being open to opportunity and results. “Any action is better than inaction.”
[19:41] How a palm reading lead Carol to finding and cultivating her deep love for Yoga and Eastern philosophy.
[26:10] Exploring her relationship with Yoga.
[33:14] Experiencing sexism being a woman in a male-dominated industry.
[43:23] Decision to move out of performing surgery.
[48:56] Thoughts on addressing the chronic pain problem through the lens of Yoga.
[54:02] Working with and being inspired by students.
[57:45] Advice to her younger self.
Resources:
https://cumming.ucalgary.ca
Winding Life Podcast
Episode 004 - Bill Norrie
Today, Rick speaks with his friend and bona fide adventurer Bill Norrie! When he’s not practicing medicine, Bill is climbing mountains and sailing around the world. Listen as he delights us and Rick with his (literally) death-defying stories, and what drives him in his ceaseless quest to live his life to the fullest. Join us for a wildly entertaining conversation in which Bill explains why and how he lives his mantra: “Don’t buy a house with a view. Live the view. Be part of the view.”
Episode Highlights:
[0:00] Rick introduces Bill.
[2:32] Growing up immersed in nature in Lethbridge, and finding his way into medicine.
[7:18] Being driven to embrace life by doing as much as he can.
[10:59] Mission to return to the outdoors of Vancouver Island.
[15:29] What pulls Bill to the mountains and the sea, and how he prepares for his trips.
[23:33] Going on long sailing expeditiong by himself. “There’s an electricity at sea!”
[29:26] Being a student of stoicism, having a stoic view of the world.
[31:33] Recounting his life-threatening sailing trip.
[48:11] Advice to Bill’s younger self.
For the full story
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bill-norrie-calgary-pixie-cathy-sailing-vancouver-island-1.5573848
Winding Life Podcast
Episode 003 Allan Shewchuk
Today, lawyer and Italian wine and food instructor/chef extraordinaire Allan Shewchuck joins Rick to discuss his unique journey through his professional pursuits and passions. Allan shares how he was able to turn his love for all things Italian into his life’s work, as well as his views on what work/life balance really means and how to cultivate it. Join Rick and Allan for a conversation full of wit, laughter, and well-earned life lessons.
Episode Highlights:
[0:00:] Rick introduces Allan.
[2:09] Upbringing as the son of Ukrainian immigrants, and having a knack for comedy.
[9:13] Frustration with working in a high-end law firm.
[13:10] How he was able to pursue his creative endeavors while working as a lawyer.
[15:08] The epiphany that pushed Allan to Italy and changed his life.
[20:46] How Allan’s vacation in Itality turned into his career.
[23:02] Allan illuminates his sometimes controversial ideas on work/life balance, and how they are influenced by living in Italy.
[31:17] Encouraging people to stop worrying about money and be open to opportunities.
[37:30] Allan’s Top Ten List in Supreme Advocacy as a guide to life.
[41:56] Thoughts on The Great Resignation. “People need to be willing to take chances.”
Episode resources:
www.allanshewchuk.com
Close to the Bone: Surgeons and Chefs
https://youtu.be/C3rc1yuAFIU
Winding Life Podcast (photo by Pierre Doyon)
Episode 002 - Pierre Doyon
Rick is joined by his longtime friend Pierre Doyon, who is a leader in the entrepreneurial community in Calgary and Director of the Venture Mentor Service in Alberta. A farmboy at heart, Pierre shares with us his unlikely journey to success, which saw him making an impact in sheep herding, marketing, agricultural product sales, advertising, and real estate along the way. Pierre was CEO of Chariot Carriers and negotiated the friendly acquisition of the company by Thule of Sweden. We also learn why loving nature and remaining resilient in the face of challenge have been instrumental throughout Pierre’s life.
Episode Highlights:
[0:00] Rick introduces Pierre.
[2:13] Growing up on a farm with a passion for nature and achieving.
[12:35] Translating his passion for farming into a career after restlessness in university.
[19:57] Taking big risks in his early career.
[21:51] Spending a year learning sheep farming in a remote village in France (with vipers!) .
[35:23] Lessons learned from France, and growing his career back in Canada.
[42:57] The importance of timing, luck, and initiative to success.
[49:01] Translating pain and discomfort into drive.
[55:12] Reflecting on his unexpected career path.
[67:01] The four buckets: family, professional life, leisure life, spiritual life.
[72:20] Exploring the idea of “happiness.”
[92:11] Selling his company, Chariot.
[98:31] Pierre’s sense of purpose.
Join me, Rick Hu, orthopaedic surgeon, researcher and entrepreneur for The Winding Life. In a world of uncertainty and change, it helps to meet and talk and compare notes and learn from one another. We don't always follow a straight line to our destination, even if we know what that destination is. I talk to friends who have decided to change their lives in meaningful ways. I learn what drives them, how they made difficult decisions, and hear about how things worked out.
Episode 001 Carolyn Anglin
Today, Rick speaks with Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Tactile Orthopaedics, Inc., and Rick’s longtime friend and collaborator Dr. Carolyn Anglin, Ph.D. The two discuss Carolyn’s career and life path, her early influences and supporters, and her passion for tactile orthopaedics. Please enjoy!
Episode Highlights:
[0:00] Rick introduces Carolyn.
[2:11] Upbringing with a Statistician mother and Actuary father.
[6:21] Following her passions into engineering.
[10:13] Driving forces in Carolyn’s career.
[13:42] Similarities between Industry and Academia.
[18:56] Bumps in the road, successes and future initiatives of Tactile Orthopaedics, Inc.
[26:32] Answering the question, “Can we lead?”
Episode resources:
www.tactile-ortho.com