E103 Chris Costa Choose Love Not Fear
Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 103
Date: January 16, 2024
Participants: Elise Seifert, Julie Wilson, John Webster, Cameron Earnshaw and Sheila Webster
Guest: Chris Costa
Start Times and Segments:
[0:00:16] What’s On Your Mind: An interesting article posted on The Expert Editor – “If you really want to change your life say goodbye to these 12 habits”, by Brendan Brown. Get past seeking external approval, procrastination, negative self-talk and more.
[0:10:42] Expanding Minds Interview: [Mental and Social Wellness] It’s our second interview of Chris Costa. Last episode, we heard how Chris got into trouble when young, ended up in prison, then took steps forward and back, including abusing substances. Today we focus on how found a way to be a positive actor for change and hope. He started to live the life he knew he wanted for himself. He declared publicly to Choose Love Not Fear. It was a way to communicate his commitment, then use his commitment to initiate change for others. He got more involved in the community. He’s conveying to people who had similar experiences that there are other people who hear them. They are not alone. Other people in the community have a direct experience and commitments to be involved. He was inspired to walk for 24-hours as a fundraiser, as part of Change in Motion. Move That Body -
[0:27:57] Adventures of the Starving Artist: You can hear the excitement in Cameron’s voice as he anticipates seeing one of his favourite bands of all time – Meshuggah.
[0:32:13] Move That Body: Elise asks Sheila a couple questions form printdiscuss.com’s article called “Exercise Conversation Questions”: (1) How do you dress when you work out and do you try to look fashionable?; and (2); Some people work out very often. Is exercise addictive?
[0:37:48] Running Popup: Focusing on the process in the current effort to get back to a good exercise routine. It worked on an HIIT run.
[0:41:14] Flipside of the Coin: Sheila’s making real changes in her life because of this podcast and the approach to wellness we talk about. John’s thinking more about a special wellness activity – the activity of balancing between different activities.
Quotes and Take-Aways:
Chris – Anyone who’s struggled with sobriety or substance abuse may end up struggling the remainder of their lives with substance abuse. It’s something that’s within us physically. We can be mentally aware of the triggers we have, but sometimes the physical ones are the ones that sneak up on us and drag us back into that space.
Chris – It takes effort and focus to honour yourself that your sobriety and wellbeing is more important than that short term gratification you get from substance. The relief that substances bring is why you find most people taking that step back. There’s some type of pressure valve that’s satiated from being exercised. It’s definitely not a straight line. It’s a winding road that anyone who’s experienced it will continue to live.
Chris – Once I made the positive decision to change my life, supports gravitated towards me. My behaviours were starting to change.
Chris – I started to live the life I knew I wanted for myself.
Chris – My public declaration to Choose Love Not Fear was an accountability exercise. It was inspired by experiences I was having around myself in change. It was a way of me communicating my commitment, but then being able to use my commitment to help others.
Chris – Choose Love Not Fear was me literally and figuratively expressing my commitment, then me realizing that it could initiate change for others.
Chris – The “fear” part is about not being fearful of change. The fear part exists and resonates so strongly in me to this day. The “love” part has to do with loving yourself, but also having compassion and care for those around you who are having similar experiences or living life in a way that’s challenging.
Chris – In my opinion you need to do these things with actions and not just words. That’s why I got more and more involved in the community. I connected with Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health, Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region and Grand River Hospital. I started getting directly involved and not just having Choose Love Not Fear as an expression.
Chris – There are a lot more words than real actions in the world we live in today. That’s where Change in Motion turned into an inspiration to walk for 24 hours, as a way of showing real commitment.
Chris – I’m trying to convey in the work I’m doing that there is real commitment to be present in our community and showing our community there are people who hear you. People are not alone. There are people in the community who have a direct experience and commitments to be involved.
Chris – Running saved my life. It’s repeated its presence in my life in a way that’s substantial. I found it just starting high school. I found it later in life as a way of trying to keep life in balance, knowing the running community is one that I understood and knew. Then later in life as a way of giving back. Without running, my outcomes might have been very different.
Bulletin Board Quote brought to you by Cameron: It’s going to be so good! I can’t wait. I can’t wait!
Guest Information: Chris Costa is an entrepreneur, athlete, and passionate community builder. He uses a love of running and sports to create positive change for others. He founded Change In Motion, a community support project that raises awareness and funds to support families experiencing domestic violence. He spoke about his experience as a TEDx speaker. He has competed internationally for Team Canada as a master's athlete in the men’s 400m and 800m events on three occasions. Most recently, Chris walked 24 hours as part of his fundraiser to support Women’s Crisis Services, Camino Mental Health and Wellbeing, and the Grand River Hospital Foundation. You can find him on Sunday evenings as a volunteer in GRH emergency room.
Chris Costa’s TEDx Talk link – Choose Love Not Fear
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Julie and Noura