Searching for Sero
Freeskier, Theo van Zyl, profiled on Searching for Sero. (PHOTO: John Rathwell, for www.searchingforsero.com)
There’s a peaceful tone to his speech; an ease in the way he speaks of remaining positive. It’s an unassuming, effortless way in which he prevails through each question. And yet, no one would ever know that John Rathwell lost his father just months prior to our conversation. It is an unnerving revelation; one that causes you to check all of your very mild and rather light complaints at the door. And officially, they’ve all been checked.
“Two days after Dad passed away, I had no clue what it was, but I knew I had to do something,” the Canadian-based creative recalls.
Galvanizing strength and perseverance as he did- in the manner in which he did- sets your head in a tailspin. His knee-jerk response to a tragedy was to gain perspective- and where, of all places? In the grand expanse of the outdoors.
Gen Gagnon, finding sero as she mountain bikes Gatineau’s rugged terrain. (PHOTO: John Rathwell for www.searchingforsero.com.)
One decisive move to get outside and bike-ride along Ottaws’s tricky terrain, provided a level of light and perspective he didn’t know he’d find, but found. The determined photographer from Ontario was coming to terms with a new-found mission, in a very unconventional way… and Searching for Sero- a project that would help encourage mental well-being and balance, while highlighting outdoor recreation- was conceived.
“That’s always kind of natural,” John says of his instinctual nerve to grapple with loss by finding the positive. “What can I do with my skill-set to shed light and open up the conversation about mental health?”
Share the positive out of the pain: a lesson we can all learn from.
Above the traditional fray of grief, John’s combined passion for photography and staying active, began to serve as reason to share this with others; and, naturally, bring them along for the ride. “Searching for Sero is important to me for so many reasons,” he says, later giving light to the name behind the movement. “Sero is short for serotonin: it’s the chemical in our bodies that is believed to produce the feelings of happiness. It’s a chemical that we need to produce.”
With this declaration, its mission became increasingly certain: a progressive instrument chronicling ways to discover and maintain happiness amidst the outdoors; a kind of sublime state of bliss John had encountered upon one fateful and solitary bike ride.
John Rathwell and Tracy Guenard officially begin their North American adventure, Spring of 2016. (PHOTO: Searching for Sero)
Along with girlfriend, Tracy Guenard, the pair have embarked upon something beyond the walls of Ottawa; a mission clearly serving more than one purpose. When asked to speak to the why behind Searching for Sero, John gave the only natural response: “I think there’s way more than one reason- and there has to be.”
Indeed, there is.
Standing as a direct recipient of this physical phenomena, Rathwell knew he was on to something that wouldn’t speak simply to his journey, but give voice to others. “Several studies have shown that time spent outdoors … helps produce serotonin in your body.”
And amen for that.
River surfer, David Crichton, gears-up for another state of euphoria along the Ottawa River. (PHOTO: John Rathwell for www.searchingforsero.com)
On a path to spur the happy… one bike ride, kayak glide and unspoken adventure at a time. The road to active-high has made for quite the adventure; and already, the ripple effect in this pronounced experiment of joy has given way to other’s finding and sharing theirs.
Within eight profiles, Rathwell admits that each has had, “… their own unique story.” Rathwell explains that each profile has carried its own weight of revelation, hope and inspiration.
So he and Tracy haven’t stopped.
Cregg Jalbert, finding sanctuary and joy through whitewater kayaking. (PHOTO: John Rathwell for www.searchingforsero.com.)
What Searching for Sero has demonstrated is a holistic way to deal with hurt; a balanced way to lead our lives. It is an active documentary, reminding us of the playground found right within our natural world; still proven to paint a plastered smile on every face. The imprint he and Guenard hope to leave others with is ever-evolving, but rests upon one constant core: “We hope that we can inspire someone with mental illness to speak up and seek help.”
As for the mind behind the mission, the restorative search for sero- that childlike stoke and adventure, waiting for resuscitation and revival- is, inexplicably, taking shape; not just through him, but for every soul witness to his journey.
To find your sero and help other’s find theirs, visit Searching for Sero and join the conversation.