NHL legend Brian Propp (1,004 points in 1,016 NHL games)

Chris and Mark have a conversation with NHL legend Brian Propp. He’s 1 of only 90 people to acquire 1,000 points in the NHL. He made 5 Stanley Cup Final appearances and played for Team Canada on a line with Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. We discuss his background, hockey accomplishments, stroke, and all of the charity work he does.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY0_rcvN_Bemer
Intro Music: “Blue Scorpion” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Outro Music: “Neolith” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Transcript:

(0:20) Welcome. (0:21) Hello. (0:22) Live from the Treehouse in Phoenix, Arizona.(0:24) Hello, Mark Checkmark. (0:27) Sir, Christopher Peralta, a.k.a. Woodsy. (0:30) Good afternoon, good evening, good morning.(0:31) How are you? (0:32) Good, sir. How are you doing? (0:33) Excellent. Welcome to A Knocked Conscious, everybody.(0:36) Today we had a pretty awesome interview. (0:39) Actually, I don’t even call it an interview. (0:40) It was a great conversation.(0:41) It was a conversation. We don’t do interviews. We’re not those people.(0:45) Don’t be that guy. (0:46) We had a great conversation with Mr. Brian Propp. (0:51) He is one of only 90 people to ever score 1,000 points in the NHL.(0:55) He’s a hockey legend, Philadelphia Flyer legend. (0:59) Wood or Mark was so in love with him when he came on. (1:01) He was so happy over there.(1:04) We were starting chanting, let’s go Flyers. (1:07) No, we were not. (1:09) We were not.I did my best to not fanboy too much. (1:12) I hope I didn’t sound too gushy. (1:14) You were good, dude.You were better. (1:17) I know, but thank you. (1:18) Some great questions.(1:20) You bettered that one time, man. Remember that one time? (1:22) Yeah, I know. (1:23) It was phenomenal.Thank you, Chris, for being on that ride. (1:28) Learned some really interesting things. (1:30) Absolutely.(1:31) You’ll hear the interview in a second. (1:34) Chris, any final thoughts on that? (1:35) I appreciate you busting your butt to get Mr. Propper on the show (1:41) because I think everything he had to say about his career (1:44) and his injury after he retired and his recovery, (1:49) it’s an amazing story. (1:50) I think to bring awareness to stroke victims is very important (1:56) and head injuries as well is something that is important to both of us.(1:59) Some of the alternative therapies that he does still, (2:03) I think we should all look into. (2:05) I think those are really cool things that we could bring up to everybody. (2:08) I appreciate you working so hard to do all that.(2:11) Thank you. (2:11) A special thank you does go out to my brother. (2:14) He’s actually the one who has the connection.(2:16) He’s the one who connected us, so thank you for that. (2:18) On the show notes, we will be having an affiliate link (2:22) for the CAFA cigars that are charity-driven as well. (2:27) Which we did order today.(2:28) Which we also ordered today. (2:31) Once again, this is Brian Propp, and I hope you enjoy the conversation. (2:37) Welcome, Mr. Propp.(2:39) Tell us a little bit about your background and where you grew up (2:42) and how you got to where you got. (2:44) We’d love to hear your story, so please feel free to share away. (2:47) My name is Brian Propp.(2:51) I grew up in Saskatchewan in Canada. (2:54) That’s in the middle of Canada. (2:57) My dad was a Lutheran minister, (3:00) and he preached in German and English every week.(3:05) I didn’t learn German, but it was okay after that. (3:14) I have two brothers and two sisters. (3:17) They were all 13 months apart.(3:20) At the start, we had our own hockey team (3:23) because we only had 300 people in the town. (3:26) That way, it made it much better for us to play hockey together (3:31) and grow up together. (3:34) It’s a simple life.(3:35) We just lived on the farm and the plains where it was very cold. (3:41) In January and February, it was minus 40 below every day. (3:46) All you had to do was skate and go to school.(3:50) In the summer, you played some sports, and you just had some fun. (3:55) For me, it was pretty easy because you didn’t know anything. (4:02) You just grew up the way you were, (4:04) and you wanted to make an impact in your life.(4:09) When I was 15, my dad taught me all the basics of hockey. (4:15) I turned out to be a good hockey player, (4:17) so when I was 15, I played for the Melville Millionaires (4:23) in Saskatchewan. (4:24) It was a junior team.(4:26) I set the records for points, (4:28) and I smacked all the records and won the MVP. (4:36) I didn’t know any better. (4:38) I just had fun and played hockey.(4:40) My dad taught me how to be a good sport, how to give back, (4:47) and how to be humble. (4:49) That’s what I learned from him, and it made a big difference for me too. (4:53) After that, I played three years for the Brandon Wheat Kings (5:00) in Manitoba, which is the Western Hockey League.(5:05) We had powerful teams. (5:10) I remember when I started with the Brandon, (5:13) Dunk McCollin was my coach. (5:16) He played in the NHL for 15 years, (5:18) and he taught us how to work hard and do things a little better (5:25) so you can get ready to be in the pros.(5:28) I also had a couple of really good friends, (5:31) Ray Allison and Brad McCrimmon, (5:33) that played with me for the last three years at that time. (5:38) Unfortunately, Brad died in a plane crash eight years ago. (5:43) Ray Allison is still with me in Cherry Hill.(5:47) I see him quite often. (5:50) It’s just nice to keep up with the people that we started our lives with. (5:55) We had good teams in Brandon.(5:58) My first season, we only lost 12 games. (6:03) My second season, we only lost eight games. (6:07) My final season, we only lost five games, if you can imagine that.(6:12) That’s how powerful our team was. (6:14) That was pretty amazing. (6:15) It’s interesting.(6:17) I just pulled up the Melvin Millionaires, (6:20) and you scored 75 goals and 92 assists for 168 points in 57 games. (6:28) Yeah, I had a good coach because at that year, (6:32) it was Jerry James who won a Stanley Cup in Toronto, (6:37) and he also was a football player. (6:40) He was a kicker.(6:42) He learned from football how to prepare (6:49) and how to put the lines together, how they organize everything. (6:55) We were way ahead of where it was at that time. (7:02) That’s amazing.(7:03) Did you win the championship all three years with them? (7:08) No. (7:08) My first year in the playoffs in Malville, we lost. (7:13) Then my three other years, we lost again.(7:18) But the final season, we lost it over time, (7:23) the Memorial Cup, which is a big deal. (7:27) We did as well as we could. (7:30) We were happy to be where we were.(7:33) It was good for me. (7:35) Then after that, because we did so well, (7:39) and I scored a lot in the juniors, (7:42) then I got drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1979. (7:47) That was when the league merged.(7:51) There was only one league, and it was the NHL. (7:55) Before, it was the World Hockey Association and the NHL. (8:00) I didn’t know any better.(8:02) I just did what I was told. (8:04) We didn’t have any bargaining power out at that time (8:08) because there’s only one league. (8:09) I ended up only making $60,000, $65,000, and $70,000 my first three years.(8:15) Otherwise, it could have been like $150,000 or more at that time, (8:19) which was huge. (8:20) But now it’s a lot different. (8:23) Now the guys are making millions of dollars, (8:25) and they don’t have to work as hard for everything they have.(8:29) How old were you when you got drafted? (8:31) I was 19. (8:33) Wow. (8:35) When that happened, was that expected of you? (8:41) Did you assume that was going to happen at that young of an age? (8:44) Well, yeah.(8:45) I was one of the best players in the league for juniors at that time. (8:50) But when the league merged, (8:53) then it changed to an 18-year-old draft too. (8:57) A couple other players were drafted ahead of me, (9:00) like Lori Boshman, who played for me in Brandon, (9:03) and Ray Dwork, who won the Rookie of the Year that year.(9:09) But I was happy that a couple of people that I know, (9:13) like the scouts before, (9:16) they said that I was a bad leaver, a bad liver, (9:19) and so I drank too much. (9:22) That’s why they passed on my – (9:24) otherwise, I would have been drafted in the top five. (9:27) But it actually ended up working out better for me (9:30) because I went to the Philadelphia Flyers, (9:34) where I was in the playoffs my first 13 years consecutively.(9:39) Wow. (9:39) And so that made a big difference for me, (9:42) just being there with the Flyers (9:45) and then playing with Bobby Clark as a leader. (9:49) And me, I worked the same as Bob Clark.(9:53) We were from the West, (9:55) and we kind of knew how to win. (9:58) And so for me, it was really nice for me just to get where I was. (10:02) But at that time, I was working on the farm.(10:05) I didn’t even know when I got drafted and who to. (10:09) And so I got a call from the Philadelphia Flyers (10:12) that I got drafted. (10:13) And so I was like, oh, okay, that’s okay, (10:15) because I wasn’t big on following hockey.(10:18) And a lot of the other guys were. (10:20) But for me, it was just really good for them to get them drafted. (10:24) And then I started right at the start, (10:26) and I played from right there.(10:28) That’s great. (10:29) But I think the important question is, (10:32) what was your drink of choice? (10:35) Well, it was beer, of course, the Canadian beer. (10:38) There’s a good, good beer, like Labatt’s.(10:42) I like Labatt’s. (10:44) And of course, when you’re young, you had fun. (10:49) And after my stroke five years ago, (10:52) I stopped drinking four years ago, (10:56) just to be a little healthier.(10:58) But I like a beer every once in a while, but not anymore. (11:02) But it was good. (11:04) And the first year for the Flyers, (11:09) I remember we won the first game.(11:11) I scored the game-winning goal in my first game against Bill Smith (11:16) and played with Bob Clark and Reggie Leach on the line. (11:21) And then I switched after that to Kenny Linsman and Paul Holmgren, (11:28) and Bill Barber took over my place. (11:29) But I won the first game.(11:31) I scored a goal and had an assist, a good way to get started. (11:34) And then we lost 9-2. (11:36) So I was like, oh, my God, is this what the NHL is going to be like? (11:41) And then we went 35 without a loss, which was amazing.(11:46) And the record is still today, probably won’t ever be broken. (11:50) And then my first year went to the finals in my first season as a rookie, (11:58) and we lost to the Islanders that year. (12:01) Otherwise, if it’s not an overtime goal, we’d probably win in game seven.(12:08) But, you know, it didn’t work. (12:10) But it was a good start for me just to get started with my career, (12:14) with 74 without a loss, and then the Stanley Cup finals. (12:21) That’s amazing.(12:22) Not to pick at that scab, but I was born in 74, (12:26) so I was born right between the two Flyers championships, Stanley Cups. (12:31) So I am obviously, like, married to the Flyers. (12:34) I bleed orange and black.(12:35) Well, you were born in Philadelphia. (12:37) Well, yes, I was born in Philadelphia as well. (12:38) You were born and raised in Chile, right? (12:39) And the 1980 Islander, was it the offside? (12:45) Was that the infamous offside call that didn’t happen (12:48) and they scored a goal off of it? (12:50) Well, that was one, but I think a lot of people kept thinking (12:54) that the overtime goal was offside.(12:56) It wasn’t, but the other game, the goal to tie the game at two apiece (13:02) was stutter, and I was right there, but it was, like, two feet off. (13:07) And so, like, everyone just stopped. (13:08) And then it kept playing, and then it was, like, they scored, (13:13) and otherwise it could have made a big difference.(13:15) But, you know, at that time, you don’t worry about it. (13:19) Like, you know, we were tied after the game, (13:24) and then so, you know, I knew that we had to win to force a game seven, (13:29) and unfortunately the Islanders won in overtime. (13:33) Oh, wow.That’s a great story. (13:36) So after that, tell us a little bit about your career (13:40) with the Flyers in the 80s, because you had a lot of success there as well, (13:44) all throughout the 80s. (13:45) Yeah, so, like, as I said, you know, I was with the Flyers (13:49) from 79 to 90, 11 years, and, you know, had good coaches.(13:55) Pat Quinn was a good coach, and then McCammon was there. (13:59) I didn’t like him, and then Keenan was there for four years, (14:02) and then Paul Holmgren at the end. (14:04) So I had good coaching, but the thing about the Flyers (14:07) is that they draft people with character, (14:12) so they put the team together knowing the character (14:14) can be a big difference.(14:17) And then, of course, with Bob Clark starting and, you know, (14:21) Bill Barber and myself and then other leaders, you know, (14:26) then after five years, like Bobby Clark was the GM, (14:32) and then we had Mark Howe and Dave Poulin and myself (14:37) kind of were leaders, and Brad McCrimmon, of course. (14:41) But we took care of our own team. (14:45) They didn’t have to worry about what we did (14:47) because we were so good and disciplined.(14:50) And so that made a big difference with the leadership (14:53) that we had at that time, so that’s why we won all the time. (14:58) And, you know, so like we went to the finals in 85, (15:02) and then 87, and then Pelly died in 85 after the season, (15:08) and then Hextall started in 87. (15:10) So, you know, we had good goalies, (15:12) and we had a good chance to win.(15:15) But the Islanders, like they won four in a row. (15:17) They were really tough to play on, (15:19) and then they switched the conference (15:23) after the second round. (15:24) Otherwise, you know, we ran into each other too much, (15:29) and then Edmonton was too strong after that for four years.(15:34) And so it was tough to win at that time (15:36) because those best teams were there for so many years. (15:41) But, you know, I just remember that we were in the playoffs (15:45) every time, but I noticed that, you know, (15:48) I struggled my second and third year in the playoffs (15:52) because I was expected to score. (15:55) And because the goalies played so well, (15:58) I didn’t score that much.(15:59) And so I got roasted by the press, you know, (16:04) even though I was playing well. (16:05) But I learned a big lesson from that (16:08) because it taught me that I had to be much better (16:12) in the playoffs in the first round (16:15) after I lost a couple of years. (16:17) And so I learned from that.(16:19) And then I also had a chance to play for Team Canada (16:23) in Germany and Finland for the World Championships. (16:28) So that gave me a little more time to think about, (16:31) you know, playing a little bit better (16:33) and then playing for your country. (16:35) And so, like, you know, it helped me (16:39) because I learned at an early age (16:42) I had to be much better when the playoffs were all around.(16:45) That’s amazing. (16:46) So the pressure, like I said, (16:50) growing up in Philadelphia, you know the booberge, right? (16:52) And the pressure that you have put on you (16:54) as an exceptional player (16:56) and how you can’t take a day off. (16:59) How do you handle something like that? (17:00) How do you handle that pressure? (17:02) Well, I was very consistent.(17:04) And so I didn’t have to worry about that. (17:07) Like, I was one of the best players all the time. (17:10) And I was quiet.(17:11) And I just made a difference (17:13) with the team of how we played. (17:16) And that’s why I was so consistent. (17:18) And that’s so that people knew that we, (17:20) as long as we tried hard, nobody would mind.(17:24) And, you know, and then in the 90s, (17:28) like when I got traded (17:31) and then they didn’t make the playoffs for five years, (17:33) it was bad, you know, but I played against. (17:37) I was in Boston and I went to the finals (17:40) and then I was in Minnesota for a year (17:42) and then went to the finals there. (17:45) And then I ended up in Hartford for a year.(17:47) And then I went to play for France for a year. (17:51) So, you know, I continued to play better in the playoffs. (17:55) With Boston, we went to the finals and almost won.(17:58) And then against Minnesota, (18:00) we went to the finals and almost won. (18:02) So, like, I was in five Stanley Cup finals, (18:04) even though I didn’t win any, but I produced. (18:08) And it was a key factor in the whole thing.(18:11) And so that’s why, you know, for my stats, you know, (18:15) like my memory of the playoffs is key (18:19) because I’m still number one in the history of the game (18:23) for left wing scorers with points, you know, 64 goals, (18:28) 84 assists, 148 points in 160 games. (18:32) And so I’m very proud of that. (18:34) And, you know, just they won’t ever take that away from me.(18:38) But other than that, you know, (18:40) other than that, I’m still kind of working to see (18:43) if I can get in the Hall of Fame, NHL Hall of Fame, (18:46) because I was so quiet. (18:47) But, you know, we’re working on that with a couple of friends (18:50) just to see if we can promote it a little better (18:53) and see if I can get in. (18:55) Well, I definitely will be pushing for that for sure.(18:58) Yeah, we’ll vote for you. (18:59) What’s interesting is, it’s funny, (19:01) because we always look at, like, points per game, right? (19:03) Each goal is a point. Each assist is a point.(19:05) You almost averaged a point per game your entire career. (19:10) Yes, that’s why I was so consistent. (19:13) You know, so like… (19:14) And when I played as a team, (19:17) I didn’t worry about the points.(19:20) You know, I could have scored more points, (19:22) but, you know, I didn’t want to do that. (19:25) I wanted to win for the team. (19:28) And that’s why I played defensive and offensive together.(19:32) I was one of the best penalty killers in the 80s (19:36) with Dave Poolin and myself. (19:37) So I’m very proud of that (19:39) because you played both sides of the ice. (19:42) And, you know, overall, (19:46) for the forwards in the history of the game, (19:50) I’m plus 10 in the history of the game for forwards, (19:54) you know, which I’m very proud of, too.(19:58) That is… I mean, you were one of the best two-way players that I recall. (20:02) The only one that comes to mind for me would be later (20:04) would be like a Pavel Datsuk type, right? (20:06) Just someone who always was on both ends of the ice. (20:09) Oh, yeah, definitely.(20:11) Yeah, so… (20:12) Yeah, so it was good for me. (20:14) And then, of course, (20:16) I want to talk about the Canada Cup in 1987. (20:21) Please.(20:22) That’s, you know, special to me. (20:25) One of the best seasons, a series in hockey, (20:29) a three-game series against Russia and against Team Canada (20:35) in September of 87. (20:39) So, you know, I played with Lemieux and Gretzky on the line (20:43) most of the tournament, (20:44) and we filled with a couple other players, (20:47) but we had great teams.(20:48) The Russians were unbelievable (20:50) because at that time, (20:52) they couldn’t get drafted into the NHL until 1990. (20:56) So, like, they would have to defect (20:59) if they wanted to play in the NHL. (21:02) And that didn’t happen at that time.(21:03) So at that time in 87, (21:06) it was you hated Russia and Canada and the U.S., (21:11) and so you didn’t know any better. (21:13) But, you know, after time, (21:15) now it’s a little different with the way the world is. (21:19) But, you know, and I still remember (21:21) we lost the first game 6-5.(21:24) We won the second game. (21:25) We won in double overtime to make it 6-5, (21:30) and then we won the final game 6-5 with a minute left. (21:35) And so that was a big spill, (21:39) a big prize for me just to be on the winning side (21:42) after playing three Stanley Cup finals at the start.(21:46) Yeah, and playing for your country. (21:48) How did that feel, playing for your country? (21:51) Everybody there, it plays a little different for your country (21:55) because your country is different than playing for a team. (21:59) You know, for the Stanley Cup finals, (22:01) like everybody wants to win the Stanley Cup as a team.(22:06) But for your country, it’s so much better (22:08) because, you know, you know everybody (22:10) that in the country is rooting for you. (22:13) And so, of course, I was able to be (22:16) one of the top continuers for that. (22:21) So I was really happy with my career, (22:24) especially at the start in the 80s.(22:27) You know, it was a lot of fun. (22:29) You know, I had a lot of great memories, (22:31) and so I was very happy with my career. (22:35) That’s amazing.(22:36) So going into the mid-80s, (22:39) I’m sure you’re asked this all the time, (22:41) but I can’t not ask, (22:43) but your celebration after scoring a goal (22:46) started in about 86 or so, in the 86-87 season, (22:49) and you start in 79. (22:52) Could you share with us what your celebration was, (22:55) what it was called, (22:56) and how you got to celebrate so many times? (23:01) Yeah, so like in the 80s, (23:05) I went to Howie Mandel’s show (23:09) in Atlantic City a couple times, (23:12) and I got to see him. (23:13) I really liked what he did, (23:14) and he’s a Canadian comedian, (23:16) and so I really liked that.(23:17) And so I went to a couple shows, (23:19) and then I said, (23:20) hey, I want to do something a little different (23:21) when I score goals in the NHL. (23:24) So I started with the Flyers, (23:26) and like in about 84, (23:29) I decided to take my glove off (23:32) and center ice and want to do something (23:34) a little more fun. (23:37) And so I did a little wave (23:39) from my right to the left, (23:42) and then I just said, (23:43) gaffaw! (23:45) A hearty laughter in the English dictionary.(23:48) So I wanted something a little with more excitement, (23:51) and so I started with that, (23:52) and I talked with Howie Mandel later. (23:56) He didn’t mind that I branded that. (23:58) I still trademarked that as a gaffaw, (24:01) and so he didn’t mind, (24:03) and I talked with him a couple times.(24:05) And like six months ago, (24:06) I was just at a show in Atlantic City with him. (24:10) I talked with him again about his health problems (24:13) and everything that he’s doing (24:15) and how I had a stroke (24:17) and how it could be different (24:20) for people that have to live (24:22) a little bit differently. (24:23) But it was good because (24:26) when I first started in the 80s, (24:29) Keenan was a coach, (24:30) and so he said, (24:31) what is it? (24:32) Don’t ever do that again.(24:33) And I said, yeah. (24:33) I said, don’t worry about it. (24:35) I said, I just kept it going, (24:37) and then it kept.(24:38) I only laugh because I know (24:41) the Mike Keenan of the Flyers. (24:43) I just know how he just was, (24:46) like he was just a commander, right? (24:48) He kind of led. (24:49) He didn’t let you get out of hand, right? (24:52) That’s right, yeah.(24:54) So that’s great. (24:56) So what’s interesting is (24:58) part of our connection is through my brother. (25:01) And my understanding is my brother, (25:03) you were playing for the Hartford Whalers (25:05) when you scored your thousandth point, (25:07) and it was against the Flyers in Philadelphia.(25:09) My brother actually attended that game. (25:11) Is that correct? (25:12) Yes, yes. (25:14) I was at the end of the year.(25:16) I was at 998 points, (25:20) and I really wanted to get that milestone (25:23) of a thousand points. (25:24) So I ended up scoring two goals (25:28) that game against the Flyers, (25:30) an afternoon game, (25:32) as they were trying to get into the playoffs. (25:34) And so I spoiled it for them.(25:38) But for me, it was a big milestone (25:40) for me to get the thousand points. (25:42) And scoring two goals in Philadelphia, (25:45) in the spectrum, (25:46) was really important for me to get. (25:50) And so I’ll remember that for as long as I live.(25:53) It’s just a thrill. (25:55) And playing in front of the people that I had (25:58) the last five years of my life there, (26:03) just a lot of people were there. (26:06) We had a great time.(26:08) I was very happy that I got that accomplished. (26:13) That’s amazing. (26:14) And I can tell you from Philadelphia, (26:16) we still love you.(26:17) I know. (26:18) Even though probably that day was heartbroken (26:20) for Philadelphia fans. (26:22) But how satisfying was it to, (26:25) first of all, (26:25) your first game with Hartford was against Philadelphia, (26:29) and your thousandth point was against Philadelphia.(26:32) How did that feel for you to also be able to (26:34) play spoiler in that case too, (26:36) not just the thousandth point? (26:37) Well, (26:38) at that time, (26:39) you’re a competitor. (26:40) And so it doesn’t matter who you’re playing for. (26:43) You have to do the job.(26:45) And so I was always a competitor that didn’t want to win, (26:52) to lose. (26:52) And so the Flyers were getting better in the 80s and 90s. (26:58) And so then they had to keep work on it.(27:01) But it took them a couple of years. (27:03) But they got leaders there. (27:04) And they had good players like Lindros and Leclerc.(27:06) I mean, (27:07) it’s unbelievable that they didn’t do as much better as they did. (27:11) Yeah. (27:11) Only one final.(27:12) Having the good players, (27:14) you get ready for it. (27:17) And you’re very good with playing against them. (27:23) That’s great.(27:24) And thank you for sharing all that. (27:25) Do you have any more hockey stories before we move on to your (27:28) charitable events or what happened? (27:31) No, (27:32) that’s all pretty good. (27:33) I ended up a year in France after I retired.(27:38) After Hartford, (27:39) I went to France for a year, (27:40) which was, (27:40) I really liked that because it was beautiful. (27:44) I just wanted to figure out what I wanted to do after my career. (27:47) And then I started with the Medford Ice Rink for three years, (27:50) running the whole rink.(27:51) And then I did the radio for the Flyers for nine years, (27:55) every game. (27:57) And then I was at the Judge Group for five years. (27:59) And now I’ve been at Wolf Commercial Real Estate the last six years.(28:04) And I really like Wolf Commercial Real Estate as I’m a realtor. (28:08) And I’ve been with them for six years. (28:12) And we’ve set up a lot of things for that.(28:15) We set up a couple of charity hockey games. (28:19) We did four of them. (28:20) We did six former alumni with two teams and four goalies.(28:26) And we raise money for the charities. (28:29) And so the six charities that we support, (28:32) we get a piece back from the money we raise. (28:36) And the last year we raised $80,000 for the hockey game.(28:41) And then we also have a golf tournament the last couple of years (28:45) that’s raised another $40,000 for the six charities that we have too. (28:50) So our Wolf Commercial Real Estate in Marlton and Philadelphia (28:56) learns how to give back because it makes a huge difference (29:00) for the charities that need the money. (29:06) That’s great.(29:07) So, Chris, I understand you like golf. (29:09) Yeah, I was Mr. Prop. (29:12) I was reading all about you since I’m from Southern California.(29:16) So I was not a big hockey person because the weather was too nice. (29:20) So sadly, I was a Dodger fan and a Raiders fan growing up in the 70s and 80s. (29:25) So I didn’t get into hockey until probably 92 when my college roommate (29:30) was a psycho and we’d watch a Friday night hockey night on ESPN (29:34) because in the U.S. (29:36) So I was reading all about you the last couple of days and boom, (29:40) he’s a golfer.(29:41) I went, oh, yes. (29:42) But I understand with your recent situation, (29:46) now how often do you get to go out and play golf? (29:50) Yeah, there’s a lot of charity events that I go to, especially in the summer. (29:53) But like last summer, like with the virus, we couldn’t go out that much.(29:58) And so at the end of the year, like in September, (30:01) I had a lot of outings that were postponed and rescheduled. (30:06) So, you know, I give a lot back to charity golfs that I play in, you know, (30:11) because now like today’s player for the Flyers don’t want to pay scrambles. (30:20) They just rather play their own golf course.(30:22) They make too much money. (30:23) But, you know, in the 80s, Ron Jaworski and the Eagles and other people (30:28) that are still there, they know why they’re here for the people (30:32) and they brand themselves the right way. (30:35) So that’s why there’s lots of charities events that I have in the Philadelphia (30:40) and New Jersey and New York area.(30:43) Yeah, so I used to, you know, love golf. (30:45) I was a poor handicap, but now I’m like 15 because, you know, (30:49) right hand and right side doesn’t work that well. (30:54) But, you know, I have fun with it all the time.(30:57) But it’s going really well. (31:00) But golf and hockey is awesome. (31:03) I still skate twice a week, Wednesday and Friday mornings, (31:08) at Pennsauken Skate Zoning in New Jersey with a group of guys.(31:12) We always have two goalies, five on five, a couple subs, (31:16) and we skate for an hour and a half from 7 to 8.30 each week. (31:21) And so that’s been really good, you know, because after my stroke, (31:27) like, you know, I still have good balance. (31:29) Just like I said, my fingers and the right side don’t work that well.(31:32) But, you know, I find out a way to play a lot better. (31:37) So speaking of the stroke, would you like to share with us your experience (31:41) and kind of go through what happened for you? (31:43) Because I understand you’re a really strong advocate now. (31:47) You’ve always given back.(31:49) And that’s one of the greatest things that people admire about you. (31:51) Do you want to share a little bit about your story with the stroke (31:54) and how it happened and go through that? (31:56) Yes. (31:57) So I had a massive stroke on September 3, 2015.(32:05) I was on vacation with my family in Annapolis, Maryland, (32:09) because my children were just getting ready to go to college. (32:12) And so we wanted to do a trip for a couple of days. (32:15) And so the first day I was doing okay.(32:19) The second day I had a really bad headache. (32:22) And I think that it’s because I had AFib. (32:27) But just so that you guys know that before that, like 10 years before that, (32:31) I had an ablation of the heart, which means if you Google that, (32:35) it’s just it burns the ends of the sides out.(32:39) Then it was supposed to be much better. (32:43) But I think after time, the medication wore off. (32:47) And so I was in good shape, but I didn’t notice that I was in AFib.(32:50) So what happened is I had AFib, (32:53) which meant that the clot went into my heart to my brain. (32:59) And so that night at 1.30 of the night, I fell out of bed. (33:04) I couldn’t talk.(33:06) I couldn’t move. (33:06) I couldn’t do anything. (33:07) I hit the side of the bed.(33:10) All those years playing hockey, I didn’t lose any teeth. (33:13) And so it was a nightmare. (33:15) But thankfully, my family was there and saw that it happened.(33:21) And they called the hospital right away. (33:24) So I was fortunate to be alive and with family when it happened. (33:31) Otherwise, I might not be here today.(33:34) So it’s kind of scary. (33:36) And at the start, I couldn’t talk or move at all for the first five days. (33:44) And then I got transferred to McGee Hospital.(33:48) And I was there for six weeks every day in the hospital. (33:53) And then I was able to kind of go five days a week at McGee outpatient (33:59) and keep working on it. (34:02) So the speech therapist took me the longest because at the start, (34:07) I couldn’t talk at all.(34:09) The only thing I could say at the start was Anne and Bernie Pront. (34:13) I don’t know why that came across, but it did. (34:16) Well, Bernie, I mean, doesn’t Bernie slip people’s lips all the time? (34:21) He’s one of the greatest, isn’t he? (34:23) Oh, yeah.(34:24) He’s awesome. (34:25) And I know I was the ambassador for the Flyers the last four years. (34:29) And he was part of that for three years.(34:32) And I see him all the time at the shore. (34:35) Like he has a place in Avalon, and we have a place in Seattle City. (34:39) And so I talk with him all the time.(34:42) But he gives back a lot too. (34:44) But, you know, the stroke at the start was kind of really difficult (34:51) because you didn’t know what was going to happen. (34:54) You know, you have to make a living.(34:57) And so, you know, I had to work on, you know, (35:01) I got disability after a few months. (35:03) And you don’t know what you’re going to do for the rest of your life. (35:06) And so thankfully for me, the people at McGee and my speech therapist (35:12) and occupational and physical therapy people really helped me.(35:18) And then, you know, I became the ambassador for Bancroft brain injury (35:22) people in the last couple years because they’re in New Jersey. (35:27) And I know them from before. (35:30) And so I live in New Jersey.(35:32) So for me, it made sense to be an ambassador for them. (35:36) And I do some speaking with the people that are there. (35:40) I keep track of all the people that have had strokes.(35:43) And I talk with them all the time. (35:45) I try to give them encouragement. (35:48) I used to visit at the hospitals.(35:51) But now with all the things that are going on, everything’s more virtual. (35:55) And then we have a couple of events. (35:57) We had the golf tournament at the Union League at the shore, September 25th.(36:04) And then we had the virtual event to give back to Bancroft, (36:09) which raised almost $500,000 for the charity. (36:14) And so after time, like, you know, we still have to keep working at it. (36:18) But I’m on the board of Bancroft along with my boss, Jason Wolf, (36:24) who just started.(36:24) So we’re one of the charities that we support the people that we have (36:30) at Wolf events and other events. (36:32) So did I just hear $500,000 was raised? (36:36) At the virtual event, I think that for the golf, (36:41) we raised about $240,000 just for the golf alone. (36:48) Wow.(36:48) It was pretty amazing. (36:49) And with that, you know, so, like, I give my time, but I also, you know, (36:55) I give a donate, like, a jersey. (36:57) And I, you know, I started – I donated my Gafoss cigar badge, (37:03) brought a box.(37:04) And so, you know, a lot of things that just may add up to help a lot. (37:10) That’s amazing. (37:11) So during your recovery, can you tell me about the Victor? (37:16) The Victor? (37:18) Yes.(37:18) So that, like, for me to help with skating? (37:22) Yes, sir. (37:23) Correct. (37:23) Yeah.(37:23) Yeah. (37:24) So, like, at McGee, like, they had a machine that I used. (37:30) So, like, I learned to skate with the whirler blades.(37:36) And so, like, it helped me just because my balance has been really good, (37:44) right, from the start. (37:45) So I didn’t have to worry about my feet. (37:49) And so I’m very happy that I still skate and play hockey.(37:52) But the Ventur machine made a big difference because, you know, (37:55) just kind of taught yourself how to be – think more about skating again. (38:02) And so that’s what I’ve done. (38:04) And, you know, again, thankfully my balance is still good because, you know, (38:09) I’ve been doing some things that can help with your balance.(38:12) And another thing that I’ve done is, like, I’m a distributor for Vox socks (38:19) and Insights inserts. (38:22) So, like, they cost, like, $30 or $35 a pair. (38:28) But it really helps with the balance of your brain.(38:32) If you wear the socks more, it takes time. (38:35) And then it’s got an import that helps with the balance of your whole body. (38:44) And I noticed when I play golf with the socks, (38:47) it makes a big difference with my balance because when I swing, (38:51) I keep hitting it straighter.(38:54) And so I’ve noticed a big difference with my balance just by using that technology. (39:02) And so I’ll send you guys, like, the link after that. (39:05) Yeah, please, because I have a terrible slice.(39:07) So I need all the help I can get. (39:09) I’m also a 15 handicap, but I don’t – I’m just a bad golfer. (39:13) Yeah, well, it could really help.(39:15) And the only slice I have is pizza. (39:17) Yeah. (39:18) Oh, that’s okay.(39:19) That’s good. (39:20) So what is Vox? (39:21) Is it V-O-X? (39:22) How is that spelled just so we have it for the podcast? (39:25) V-O-X-X. (39:27) V-O-X-X.(39:32) And they have other things that they use too for your – with the socks. (39:38) Like they have a design on them that actually, after time, (39:42) it recalibrates your brain. (39:45) Wow, that’s amazing.(39:48) I wish I would have heard of that eight years ago. (39:51) My other question about your therapy, whatever word you want to use, (39:57) is that I read that you do several treatments still up until today. (40:01) And one of those is the Beamer, which a friend of mine is a very big fan of that.(40:06) And I have used it once. (40:08) So can you tell me about that and what – (40:11) how have you seen positive effects because of that treatment? (40:15) Yeah, so the Beamer machine, it helps with the circulation in your whole body. (40:22) So like – and every time you use it, it’s a mat that’s like six feet, (40:28) but you lie in it like every day for eight minutes in the morning and at night.(40:35) So eight minutes a day. (40:38) You have different levels that you set it. (40:41) But, you know, after time, I sleep every night with the Beamer machine.(40:47) So like the circulation in your body kicks in for two hours and then stops (40:52) and then kicks on again in the morning. (40:53) But, you know, most people use the eight minutes a day in the morning and afternoon (40:58) because it helps for 12 hours. (41:02) But the circulation in your whole body with all the small capillators in your body (41:08) makes a big difference, especially people that are getting a little older, (41:12) like their feet and hands and the blood flow doesn’t work that well.(41:19) And so ever since I’ve been using it, I’m a distributor for them too. (41:24) So like, you know, it costs a little bit, like a lot of money just to get started. (41:30) But the people that use it know that they’re never giving it back.(41:34) And after time, you know, it just pays for itself. (41:38) Yeah, I’ve heard amazing things about it. (41:41) Yeah, and so it’s – but I haven’t been sick the last three and a half years (41:46) using the Beamer machine.(41:47) And I have tons of energy because when I skate in the mornings and, you know, (41:54) it just gives me going. (41:55) I know that when I skate, like I don’t sweat as much, like I don’t get winded. (42:00) It just – it’s pretty amazing.(42:03) And like it takes the – it can really, with the blood flow in your body, (42:10) take the place of medications, I think. (42:14) You know, that’s just my thought. (42:17) Because the better your blood flow in your body, the better you get healed (42:24) in your whole body.(42:25) And then there’s a couple of attachments that we can use too. (42:29) Like there’s one’s a light, which helps with the skin, (42:35) and it’s only like four minutes a time. (42:38) And then you just kind of rub it around.(42:40) And people that have bad skin, you know, it really helps with that. (42:44) And then there’s an elbow and it’s called a spot. (42:51) And there’s a mat that’s like about two foot by three feet that you can use.(42:56) That’s what I use, yeah. (42:58) A little bit more, like for 20 minutes. (43:00) And so like when I play golf, when I first got started, like I had stiff.(43:07) And so I wanted to use the Beamer for my back for 20 minutes. (43:12) And then that made a big difference because, you know, it made it much better. (43:17) So all the things that I’ve been doing have really helped me.(43:22) So in addition, all those things sound amazing. (43:25) We’re already looking these things up, looking to try to buy these. (43:27) So we’re going on Amazon right now.(43:30) But do you have any other holistic approaches? (43:33) Do you take supplements versus medication or anything like that? (43:36) Do you have other holistic things you do besides these apparatus, apparati, (43:42) or apparatuses, whatever the term is? (43:45) No, no. (43:45) Just the only thing that I take is a small blood thinner and a baby aspirin every day. (43:51) So because I still have to with my brain.(43:58) So like, you know, just the blood thinner. (44:01) But other than that, like I feel great. (44:03) I have tons of energy.(44:05) I’m up usually early every morning and stay up, you know, all the time. (44:11) And, you know, I don’t have to take naps like I used to when I played hockey. (44:16) And, yeah, but it just, you know, all the things that I’ve done over the years have made a difference for me.(44:22) And also one thing that I did in 2017 was I did the StelSAM treatment in Colorado. (44:33) Like they took the stems from my hip and put them back in my body. (44:42) I got that from the NHL program that they had.(44:45) So they gave me a free trip or treatment for StelSAM treatment. (44:51) And I noticed at that time immediately it made a huge difference with my speech. (45:00) Because, you know, a lot of these people are football players and hockey players.(45:04) You know, they have bad necks and knees and shoulders. (45:08) So I noticed a big difference with my speech. (45:12) That’s absolutely amazing.(45:14) I mean, the stem cell research has come so far and it’s still kind of poo-pooed a little bit. (45:18) But I’m glad that they’re starting to really look at that for treatments for the future. (45:24) Yeah.(45:25) I read that there’s 800,000 strokes per year. (45:30) 800,000 people have a stroke per year. (45:33) And obviously I saw some articles mentioning you and Luke Perry who passed away.(45:38) So my question is do you think that people at a younger age are having strokes more frequently? (45:44) It looks like it now, especially with today’s people. (45:52) I think that a lot of people are getting heavier at a younger age. (45:56) They don’t take care of themselves.(45:58) They play video machines all the time. (46:00) They don’t exercise as much. (46:03) And it makes a big difference.(46:04) That’s what I think. (46:06) You know, just they’re not eating well and they live a little bit different. (46:13) So to me, I think it’s getting worse.(46:17) I know because when I do some speaking, you know, I always talk about FAST. (46:23) But now they just said it’s going to be – there’s another thing that they have is re-FAST. (46:29) So like they respond a little different.(46:32) So like that’s the new thing that I’m going to be talking about soon. (46:38) Do you want to share a little bit about it with us? (46:40) Yeah, I have FAST on my list. (46:43) So what’s the RE in addition to that? (46:46) So I just heard it like when I was with Bancroft.(46:49) We had a meeting. (46:50) And so like it’s just – it just changed how it’s looking. (46:54) Like the RE is – I can’t remember it because I get confused.(47:00) But I’ll text you the – how it is again when I talk with the Bancroft people. (47:07) So because Mark doesn’t know, I’ll let him know it. (47:09) It’s M like – it’s the same as FAST, but there’s an RE associated with it too.(47:18) Okay. (47:19) So it’s the way you recognize a stroke. (47:21) It’s an acronym for how to recognize a stroke.(47:24) Yeah. (47:26) T meaning time because it’s so time sensitive. (47:29) Oh, yeah, definitely.(47:30) Super quick. (47:31) Yeah. (47:33) Yeah, that’s amazing.(47:34) And what – I think one of the things that stuck out to me was about your hockey career. (47:40) You did not lose a single tooth in your entire hockey career. (47:45) And then you have the stroke, and you fell out of bed.(47:49) Yes. (47:49) And then two are gone. (47:51) Yeah.(47:54) That’s interesting. (47:55) Irony. (47:57) Well, it’s funny because I look at your – also how you were brought up.(48:00) You were raised on a farm and everything and how healthy you must have eaten, (48:03) how active you must have been, how physically fit you had to have been to be able to do that kind of work. (48:10) Oh, yeah. (48:11) Growing up in Saskatchewan, you didn’t know any better.(48:14) And it was like – but for me, we’re in downtown and like – well, downtown, there’s only one street. (48:22) But I skated – when the pond froze, we skated in the – for lunchtime. (48:30) We’d skate for like all the time.(48:31) So then I went to the rink in December and January. (48:37) I went skating all the time because I had the ability to skate a little bit more. (48:42) So that made a big difference for me, just skating and getting better with your muscles.(48:50) So do you have anything you’d like to add about the charity that you’re currently doing? (48:54) Because then we can certainly move on to Wolf, and you wanted to talk about the real estate company as well. (48:59) Yeah. (49:00) So like I’ve been working with Wolf Commercial, like where we’ve done a couple of other charities, (49:07) like the hockey and the golf, and we give back from that, and then we help other charities too.(49:15) But I’m just a realtor. (49:16) Like the way I work it with our team is that if I find a space in the U.S. and know the people, (49:25) what I’ll do is I’ll work with another broker on our team and split the commission. (49:30) So like it’s me using my name and the people that I know to help us much better.(49:37) But we do really well. (49:41) We promote ourselves really well through Google, and we pop up number one all the time for real estate and things like that. (49:51) So we do a lot of work with that.(49:53) But for me at Wolf, I’m happy to be there with the team. (49:58) A lot of the athletes that work on our team are like lacrosse and football and other players like that. (50:06) So it just makes a difference of working as a team, not as an individual.(50:11) And so I’ve been doing that for the last six years, and I love that. (50:16) And just to kind of finish, with Bancroft as their ambassador, what I did is I started my own Gaffa cigar brand from the Dominican Republic. (50:30) I started with 425 boxes of 10 cigars, and their limited edition numbered and a little prize in them for 140.(50:42) Like that’s 14 a cigar, but they’re only one time. (50:46) So that means that once they’re sold, they’re not going to be available anymore. (50:54) So I have about 150 boxes left because I’ve done a good job.(50:59) It’s been almost five months. (51:02) So I’ve had great support from that. (51:04) But every box I sell, I give a percentage back to Bancroft brain injury people.(51:10) And so that’s good. (51:12) And they promoted for me. (51:14) And now I just started a five pack for $60.(51:23) And everything is online. (51:25) If they want to go to my gaffasigars.com website, there’s a place that they can order. (51:32) And shipping is free for five packs.(51:35) For the other kinds of like boxes of 10, and I have other boxes of 24 and bundles of 25. (51:44) It’s a little more expensive. (51:46) It’s like nine or 10 a cigar.(51:48) But they’re really good. (51:50) I didn’t want something cheap. (51:52) That way, you know, they’ll keep working on it.(51:55) And the taste is so good. (52:00) And it’s smooth. (52:01) It’s outstanding.(52:03) The people that have tried them before would keep ordering them. (52:07) Because I didn’t want something cheap. (52:09) So I wanted something that would be quality.(52:12) When did you start that? (52:14) Well, it took me a year ago. (52:16) But I started a couple years ago, like in the summer. (52:20) I was with my son Jackson and Ken Dunick, former Eagle.(52:25) We visited Santiago in the Dominican Republic and visited a cigar factory from there. (52:32) So we learned how to make them, smoke them, roll them, all about them. (52:39) So I’ve been thinking about that for a few years.(52:42) Because I like the cigar. (52:44) Every time I’m on the golf course, I just wanted to try one. (52:48) So I wanted to decide to make my own brand.(52:52) So the way it works is that I have a licensing agreement with Vivente Cigars in the Dominican Republic. (52:59) Which means that I don’t have to worry about being a manufacturer of cigars. (53:04) I’m just going to be licensing through them.(53:07) And so we work really well with them. (53:10) Everything is online. (53:12) But as people know, I always have boxes with me at Haddonfield in New Jersey.(53:18) So if anybody wants, I deliver it to them. (53:21) It makes it a little cheaper for them. (53:23) Yeah, and just so you know, we’re going to put an affiliate link on our show notes as well.(53:29) So you can go right there. (53:30) That would be awesome, yeah. (53:31) Yeah, absolutely.(53:32) Yeah, we’re absolutely here to promote all those things. (53:35) Because you do so many good things within the community and the giving back. (53:39) Are there still some of those limited boxes available? (53:41) Because Chris and I are cigar aficionados.(53:44) Yeah, I smoked two yesterday on the golf course. (53:47) I lost one ball and I smoked two cigars. (53:49) So it was a pretty good day.(53:51) Yeah. (53:52) Yeah, yeah, yeah. (53:53) So like I have 150 boxes of 10 left.(53:58) What I do is I usually sign them before when I have them at home. (54:05) And I usually put a picture of my flyers card. (54:12) And then there’s a little prize.(54:14) It’s a ball marker that people get every time that they order one. (54:18) Yeah, Mark, we’re both drooling because I’m the golf guy and he’s the hockey guy. (54:23) So this is going to work out pretty well.(54:27) So another thing I understood about the stroke is you said your right side has kind of atrophied (54:33) or has been more damaged than the left. (54:35) You were a righty and now you’re a lefty. (54:37) Is that correct? (54:39) Well, not by design.(54:42) Like I rolled with my right hand. (54:44) But now my fingers don’t work. (54:46) So like they’re just pretty straight.(54:47) So I learned how to sign with my left hand now. (54:54) Yeah, because the right side was affected by the speech and the right side and fingers. (54:59) And so it’s about as good as I can get.(55:03) But, you know, like I can still every once in a while go to Bancroft and do like a workout (55:08) where I can stretch the arm a little bit and the fingers. (55:11) You know, I tried something with my hand, Botox in my hand. (55:20) But after time, it kind of just kind of got a little better.(55:23) But then it kind of just kept going back. (55:27) And so I’m thinking about acupuncture to see if I could try that. (55:34) Have you ever thought about like CBD oil or anything like that, any other holistic approaches? (55:39) I don’t know if that’ll work because like the fingers like it gets cold or they get strict.(55:46) But I think that, you know, the range of my fingers like are OK, but it only goes so far. (55:57) I think that the stroke in my brain like blocked a little, little, little, little things. (56:05) Yeah, for sure.(56:05) I know I work a lot with CBD oil and I know people who had a lot of the lock hand, you know, (56:11) that hand where the hand becomes like a claw. (56:13) And it’s helped loosen that up. (56:15) But it sounds like yours is kind of the reverse problem.(56:17) You can bend them if your brain can get the signal to you. (56:20) Yes, that’s it. (56:21) Yeah.(56:22) OK. (56:23) OK, so to go back, I’m so sorry because I need to place an order here. (56:26) So the cigar package, I guess, with the signature and the ball marker is the $140 box, correct? (56:38) Yes.(56:39) OK, perfect. (56:40) I’m on the web page right now. (56:41) What it does is that like unless I have a bunch with me in New Jersey, if you’re not that far, (56:49) like I can deliver them and then save you $25 shipping charge.(56:56) We are sadly that far. (56:59) Oh, well, maybe. (57:00) We are broadcasting from Phoenix, Arizona.(57:04) Oh, OK. (57:05) In the desert. (57:05) Well, if you order more than like I think more than $300 worth of cigars, then it’s free shipping.(57:14) OK, perfect. (57:15) So speaking of which, because you’re an avid golfer, do you make it out to Phoenix a lot? (57:20) Obviously, our head coach of the Arizona Coyotes, I know you played with him at times, correct? (57:26) Yes. (57:27) Yeah.(57:28) Yeah. (57:28) I don’t make it much in Phoenix. (57:32) I mean, it’s just because, you know, it’s just too far to go.(57:36) But I would love to, you know, if you, I think that you guys, if you know some golf clubs, (57:45) because what I’m trying to do is set up the Gafas cigars in my golf clubs. (57:51) Like I’ll give them a nice deal if they want boxes through me. (57:56) And that way, like what I’ve worked with Rambleroof in Jaworski’s clubs is that I’ve worked a deal with them for a box of 20, 25.(58:11) I’m going to charge them 200, which is eight a cigar. (58:15) And then what they can do is they probably, they can mark them up a little bit more and then they can go from there. (58:21) Yeah.(58:22) I have a connection at one of the, what’s the, I think it’s the 20th best course in the state of Arizona. (58:28) So I’ll, we can get you that offline. (58:30) Yeah.(58:31) Okay, good. (58:32) Well, definitely. (58:32) And if you ever do come out, please, please know open invitation.(58:37) You’re well, I would love to break bread with you and, you know, you’re welcome to come out anytime, especially being a golfer. (58:41) Once, once the COVID thing kind of settles down a little bit, I know travel will be opened a lot more, maybe in a year or so. (58:48) Yeah.(58:49) Now it’s getting worse again too. (58:52) So like, I know that, you know, it was, it was, it was nice. (58:56) And then, you know, because, you know, I just got married last September 25th.(59:00) And so, you know, just, we had to be home for the first four months and then just by together, but, you know, we’re doing well. (59:09) And, you know, love being at home with my wife. (59:11) And so it’s, other than that, it’s been going really good.(59:15) Excellent. (59:16) Do you have any, do you want to share anything about your family or anything else or anything else you’d like to talk about? (59:21) We’re here. (59:22) We love the conversation.(59:23) This has been so amazing for me just to, to be able to have a fun chat. (59:28) Yeah. (59:29) So like, I know my, my daughter, she works at Comcast.(59:32) She used to be a rower, a good, good rower from Drexel. (59:38) And so she’s been there for a year and a half. (59:40) She works at Comcast now in Philadelphia.(59:42) And then my son’s in his fourth year at Rutgers, New Brunswick. (59:46) He’s also another rower, but he also a licensed captain in the summer. (59:53) And in Ocean City, New Jersey, he has his captain’s license.(59:58) And so he gives people rides to tubing and things like that. (1:00:01) And so I talk with them all the time. (1:00:03) And it just, and my other brothers and sisters, like most, live in Saskatchewan, except for my brother, Ron.(1:00:14) He just got a job for the city of Philadelphia. (1:00:17) So he’s going to be here in a couple of weeks as an IT guy. (1:00:22) So, you know, just stay in front of these people and have a big family and lots of, lots of kids.(1:00:29) And they’re having kids. (1:00:31) So it’s worth living. (1:00:35) That’s awesome.(1:00:37) The only, my last question is, I read a comment that you made that during your recovery, it took, it was going too slow. (1:00:46) And that was a difficult thing for you to do. (1:00:49) And I can relate to that because my recovery was, I wanted to get better every single day by a little tiny bit.(1:00:56) And that was never the case. (1:00:57) I would get better and then get a little worse and then get better and get a little worse. (1:01:00) So how did that, the slow progress, how did you deal with that? (1:01:09) So at the start, like I was impatient, you know, I was moody.(1:01:15) And I, you know, I did, it’s one of the things that happened faster. (1:01:18) You know, with your brain, you take some time to heal. (1:01:22) So after time, I figured out how to be much patient, to be think a lot clearer and to take my time.(1:01:33) And so that really made a big difference for me, just by giving the time to be much better and heal. (1:01:42) People that I talk with with stroke, they want things to happen fast. (1:01:48) And I keep telling them it’s going to take some time.(1:01:52) So you might not be the same. (1:01:54) You have to take your time and really concentrate on slowing things down, making it a little better. (1:02:01) And, you know, again, I talk with other people, I think by me telling them to slow it down and taking their time, (1:02:10) it helps them think about it rather than people that want to go so fast.(1:02:15) And so it doesn’t happen like that, especially your brain, it’s injured. (1:02:20) It makes a big difference, you know, and you might not ever get better, but you just have to think about it (1:02:26) and be clear with people that it’s going to take a lot of time. (1:02:33) I could not agree with you more, but that’s still, I mean, eight years after my injury, that’s very challenging for me to accept.(1:02:39) And I read an article about a month ago by a neurologist and he said, any brain injury is a lifetime recovery. (1:02:45) And I was, I mean, obviously he’s way smarter than me because he’s a doctor of the brain. (1:02:51) But that was a huge light bulb for me that, hey, this is a lifetime thing that anybody with a brain injury is going to have to deal with.(1:02:59) Yeah, well, you know, just keep work on it. (1:03:02) And again, we’re both fortunate that we’re still alive and, you know, there’s lots of ways to improve, you know, (1:03:11) the things that I’ve done that have made a difference in my life, like the socks, the beamer, the Stelsam treatment. (1:03:19) You know, these things are, you know, that you’re always looking for something to be a little bit better.(1:03:26) And in addition to that is just the charitable event, the charity that you’re giving back with this is just so amazing. (1:03:36) All I see is you’re connected directly to stroke and how much you help others. (1:03:41) Is that your best piece of advice is to be patient with that? (1:03:44) Or do you have like one of those big pieces of advice for you that you could share with everyone about that? (1:03:49) Yeah, so like, you know, I think it’s you have to be patient.(1:03:54) And, you know, like what we’re starting at Bancroft. (1:03:57) Every three months, we’re going to do a video with people that had brain injuries and put them on a list and then they can tell their story. (1:04:06) So do that very, pretty quickly.(1:04:09) Like, you know, it’ll be like some of the meetings that I have at Zoom with the people that I know. (1:04:16) 30 minute, 30 second commercial for the things that they have. (1:04:22) And so, like, that’s what we keep working on just to make sure that these other people are heard.(1:04:30) You know, because, you know, a lot of people after rehab, like they keep falling down and not doing as much as they should. (1:04:40) And it just it’s a reminder that you have to keep up with things that you have at home and everything else that you do. (1:04:47) So for me, I just just trying to slow it down and take my time.(1:04:53) I love that. I love that advice. (1:04:55) And thank you so much again for all the great work that you do with everything.(1:04:59) I mean, you must be pulled in so many different directions, but you it just sounds like you keep giving and giving. (1:05:05) And I can tell you from, you know, Chris is one of my absolute best friends. (1:05:09) And when he went through that, I remember I didn’t even know how to even handle it for him because I don’t know what he’s going through.(1:05:17) You know, I can’t imagine knowing what you’re doing unless you’ve been through it yourself. (1:05:22) Well, what do you guys think about doing a golf tournament in Phoenix? And I’ll be there. (1:05:26) That’s a genius idea.You talked me into it. (1:05:28) I think we’re going to start typing things up right now. (1:05:30) Yeah.Yeah, no problem. Especially this is the best time of year, right? (1:05:34) The grass is beautiful. The weather, it’s 70 degrees today.(1:05:38) Nice. (1:05:38) That’s a great, great idea. (1:05:40) And you’re and like I said, you’re welcome to our house anytime.(1:05:44) And we have what’s called the tree houses is in Phoenix. (1:05:47) Chris lives in Gilbert, which is it’s a suburb of Phoenix, but I’m directly in Phoenix. (1:05:52) So anytime you want to come out, like I said, I think Chris and I are going to start brainstorming about maybe getting a tournament together.(1:05:58) We would love that. (1:06:00) Find some sponsors. (1:06:01) If you get the right sponsors and maybe you can find a cigar sponsor that then they give a little bit back and where the place is, you know, how it works and how much it costs.(1:06:17) Yeah, absolutely. (1:06:18) And I’ve been involved with a few before. (1:06:20) So, I mean, I kind of know I wouldn’t say I’m an expert, but I do know the ropes a bit.(1:06:27) So I think that’s a great idea. (1:06:28) And I’m an idiot for never thinking of it before. (1:06:33) Yeah, well, is there anything else you’d like to share? (1:06:36) I mean, we’re about an hour in.(1:06:37) I am so grateful for your time. (1:06:39) I’m sure we could share stories over over non-alcoholic beverages all day. (1:06:45) Oh, yeah.(1:06:47) There’s lots of stories. (1:06:49) You just have to take the time and just keep up with it. (1:06:54) But you guys will know that you have my numbers and you can call me at any time you want.(1:07:00) And we’d always talk about it later. (1:07:03) Absolutely. (1:07:03) And if there’s anything you ever wanted to share, you have our number as well.(1:07:07) So feel free. (1:07:09) We just started about five months ago, but we’re starting to get a little bit of, you know, (1:07:14) we’re starting to get a little bit of attraction going. (1:07:17) And part of the reason we’re doing this is because we care about people and we want people to be better.(1:07:23) And we want to share our experience with our life to help others with their challenges. (1:07:29) Yeah, that’s good. (1:07:31) So once again, Mr. Prop, Proper, Brian, thank you so much for being a part of this today.(1:07:38) Thank you for having me. (1:07:40) Yeah, I can’t thank you enough. (1:07:41) Appreciate it.(1:07:42) Thank you so much.