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. 

A thousand storied smiles, lining the sand-shores of Ho’okipa’s famed and familiar beach. Nothing – nothing - could be more exciting than this: peering past the breaks and seeing the colorful, eclectic display of stunts, poised to offer the most idyllic and playful scene for any keiki under 17. “This year was far and away, the best year yet,” shares Ian Walsh, professional big wave surfer and brain behind the notoriously named, Menehune Mayhem event. His goal is simple: “…. creating something fun for kids to look forward to.”

Keiki engrossed in amazing creations at the Art Center during Menehune Mayhem’s 2015 event. (PHOTO: Marc Chambers, courtesy of Menehune Mayhem)

And Walsh should know. He conceived the event over a decade ago, and has been shattering the glass ceiling of keiki dreams ever since.

For most, an event like this tells only a story of wide-eyed fun; a myriad of smiles, propelled by moon-bounce dreams and cotton candy splendor. But oh, even still, the grass roots efforts that have steamrolled into every Spring, have taken the keiki of Maui, Hawaii by perfect storm; in effect, showering them with far more than the crazy fun that meets their eye.

Sure: this is, indeed, a surf contest, consisting of multiple heats for girls and boys, based upon age; carrying with it the appearance of pro surfers, lined up for an onslaught of excitement. But this is far beyond the realm of surf, ladies and gents.

Boys giving it their all during one of Menehune Mayhem’s heats at the 2015 event. (PHOTO: Rodney S. Yap, courtesy of mauinow.com.)

“The Menehune Mayhem offers the keiki an opportunity to explore creative outlets on their path to finding a life-long passion,” explains Kitty Walsh, one of the amazing hands and hearts behind the event. It is here, that a lifelong passion of empowering the youth, brings to light the incredible work of keiki discovering theirs. The spark to do so is clear and defined: nurturing an atmosphere where every kid can fly, whether that’s with their dreams or cotton candy in hand; an environment where any child – every child - can dream big; manifesting in their dream day coming to life, right before their very eyes.

Yes: there is an intention, a primed and properly tailored purpose to the Menehune Mayhem madness. A collection of demos igniting the work of experiential learning for every bewildered and excited pair of young eyes. The natural scientists, great explorers and fearless learners kids inevitably are, come marching out, uncovering the new and groovy thing set to quench their intellectual thirst: surfboard shapers, flatbread makers, colorful Frisbee creators… nothing is short of a child’s imagination. The science of ‘how’ and ‘can I do that, too?’ are answered and undoubtedly sparked.

Kazuma Surfboards reveals the secrets of crafting surfbaords during a shaping demo. (PHOTO: Nick Ricca, courtesy of espn.go.com.)

Legends of the Menehune Mayhem, and the keiki are the golden key holders. It’s their story; their line, their book; active participants in a storied book of fun.

And it seems as though Ian Walsh has only just begun. “I just think that where it’s going is creating more platforms in and out of the water,” admits Ian. The all-but-too familiar carnival like atmosphere is anointed in a heaping overflow of heart, passion for education, empowering our next generation to an elevated level of fun and engagement.

An elevated, levitated kind of fun. (PHOTO: courtesy of magicseaweed.com)

It is a lesson in a thousand storied smiles, multiplying with every year, with every event. The real, unnamed heroes of this story are the kids that have inspired the movement: their excitement, their creativity; their expertise in being masters of fun: the unsung, myriad of keiki growing up in a world where their dreams are not only considered, but fulfilled in one, single day. After all, it is they that inspire us: Ian, Kitty and CreativeWave Movement.

Here’s to you… you incredible keiki, and to all the many amazing things you will become and do.

A Story of Stoke. (PHOTO: Zak Noyle, courtesy of espn.go.com)

–CWM–