Don't Change Much

You feel fine. Nothing hurts. Everything seems normal. But that doesn’t always mean you’re healthy. In this episode of the Don’t Change Much Podcast, hosts Mike Cameron and Trevor Botkin sit down with medical oncologist and prevention researcher Dr. Zia Poonja to talk about a problem many men don’t realize they’re facing until it’s too late. The gap between feeling healthy and actually being healthy. Because for a lot of men, the warning signs don’t show up until years, sometimes decades, after the damage has already started. Dr. Poonja introduces the idea of healthspan. Not just how long you live, but how long you stay strong, capable, and independent. The conversation explores why so many men avoid doctors, delay testing, or assume they’re fine simply because they don’t have symptoms. And how that mindset can quietly lead to bigger problems later on. It also challenges the idea of “normal” health. Just because your numbers fall within a range doesn’t mean you’re operating at your best. One of the most powerful ideas in the episode is a simple shift in perspective. Instead of asking, “Do I feel okay right now?” Ask, “Am I building a body that will hold up 20 or 30 years from now?” Because the goal isn’t just to live longer. It’s to stay strong enough to actually enjoy the life you’ve built. This isn’t about fear or drastic change. It’s about paying attention earlier, making small adjustments, and giving yourself a better chance at a healthier future. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why many men feel healthy but aren’t actually healthy The difference between lifespan vs healthspan (and why it matters) Why waiting for symptoms is one of the biggest health mistakes men make How “normal” test results can still hide underlying risk Why strength and muscle are critical for long-term health The real reason men avoid doctors and delay testing How to start thinking about your future health today Simple ways men can take a more proactive approach to their health Support This Podcast and Canadian Men's Health Foundation https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/ Follow Dr Zia Poonja LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zia-poonja-38481237/  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/my_healthspan/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ownmyhealthspan/  Website - https://www.myhealthspan.com/  Follow Canadian Men’s Health Foundation Website - https://menshealthfoundation.ca/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/menshealthfdn/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/menshealthfoundation Follow Mike Cameron Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikecameron.ca/ Youtube - https://youtube.com/mikecameronspeaks  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mikedavidcameron/ X - Mike Cameron (@axiommike) / X  LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/mikecameronWebsite - https://mikecameron.ca/TedX Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/mike_cameron_redefining_badass_the_way_we_think_about_strong_is_wrong   Follow Trevor Botkin Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gsnscreative Muster Point IG - https://www.instagram.com/the_musterpoint Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gsnscreative LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-botkin-869ab5143/ Support Men & Their Familes: https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support This Podcast and Canadian Men's Health Foundation https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/ The career is steady. The family is healthy. And on paper, life looks exactly the way it’s supposed to. But internally, the weight of carrying it all is starting to feel unsustainable. You might even catch yourself wondering why you feel so exhausted when you have so much to be grateful for. Sometimes life can look fine on the outside and still feel heavy on the inside. In this special live recording of the Don’t Change Much Podcast, hosts Mike Cameron and Trevor Botkin sit down with broadcaster Chris Gailus, Paralympic gold medalist Greg Stewart, and comedian Toby Hargrave for an honest conversation about the things men don’t usually say out loud. Chris shares how a sudden medical emergency forced him to start paying closer attention to his health. Greg reflects on how tying his identity to achievement left him searching for who he really was. Toby talks about the moment he realized burnout had quietly caught up with him. And Trevor speaks openly about the cost of pretending everything was fine when it wasn’t.  What follows is a conversation about the pressure many men feel to hold everything together and what happens when that pressure finally cracks. The discussion moves from the “armor” men wear as providers to the simple but powerful idea of being a lighthouse for the people around them: someone who shows up, stands steady, and listens. In this episode you’ll hear about: The "Lighthouse" Concept: Why you don’t need to steer someone else's ship; you just need to stand on solid rock. Body Literacy: Recognizing when your physical symptoms like shortness of breath or persistent pain are actually a cry for help. The Guilt Gap: Breaking the cycle of resentment that comes from struggling while "having it good." Spontaneous Connection: Why the most important conversations don't happen at a boardroom table, but in the middle of everyday life. This isn’t a lecture or a self-help formula. It’s a group of men telling the truth about their lives and discovering that honesty might be one of the strongest things a man can do. Follow Toby Hargrave Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tobyhargrave Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheRealTobyHargrave/ Men’s Health Champion - https://menshealthfoundation.ca/champions/toby-hargrave/ Follow Greg Stewart Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/greg_r_stewart/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-stewart-ply-bba-7ab19161/ Website - https://themindfulete.ca/ Men’s Health Champion - https://menshealthfoundation.ca/champions/greg-stewart/   Follow Chris Gailus Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisgailus/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/chris.gailus.2025 Get to Know Chris Gailus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqeifo44uj8 Follow Canadian Men’s Health Foundation Website - https://menshealthfoundation.ca/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/menshealthfdn/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/menshealthfoundation   Follow Mike Cameron Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikecameron.ca/ Youtube - https://youtube.com/mikecameronspeaks  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mikedavidcameron/ X - Mike Cameron (@axiommike) / X  LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/mikecameronWebsite - https://mikecameron.ca/TedX Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/mike_cameron_redefining_badass_the_way_we_think_about_strong_is_wrong   Follow Trevor Botkin Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gsnscreative Muster Point IG - https://www.instagram.com/the_musterpoint Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gsnscreative LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-botkin-869ab5143/ Chapters 00:00 Rock Bottom Wake Up 01:05 Live Podcast Kickoff 01:52 Meet the Panelists 03:53 Chris Blood Clot Scare 07:37 Symptoms and Self Advocacy 09:28 Greg Identity and Help 14:20 Toby Silence and Burnout 19:50 Redefining Strength as Men 21:05 Owning Addiction Truth 22:04 Guilt Despite Good Life 23:08 Judgment Steals Love 24:34 Both Things Can Be True 26:42 Roomwide Struggle Exercise 27:48 Conversations Without Scripts 28:47 Mens Groups And Patience 35:28 Be The Lighthouse ClosingSupport Men & Their Familes: https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support This Podcast and Canadian Men's Health Foundation https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/ There are things many men carry that no one sees. Grief. Trauma. Pressure to hold it together. The belief that if you slow down or speak up, you’ll fall apart or let someone else down. In this episode, hosts Mike Cameron and Trevor Botkin sit down with former NHL player Bob Wilkie and filmmaker Shayne Putzlocher to talk about the documentary Sideways and the story behind it. At 17, Bob survived the 1986 Swift Current Broncos bus crash that killed four of his teammates. What followed wasn’t just resilience. It was silence. Substance use. Suicidal thoughts. Years of trying to function while carrying more than he knew how to process. The conversation moves beyond the crash. They unpack the belief that “caring” means worrying, stressing, and losing sleep. That if you’re not overwhelmed, you must not care enough. But when stress becomes constant, it doesn’t make you stronger, it just gets heavier. Eventually, that weight shows up somewhere. In your health. In your relationships. In the way you move through your own life. Inside this episode: Why silence can feel safer than telling the truth What unprocessed trauma can look like years later The difference between caring and carrying too much Practical language for setting boundaries without blowing up relationships How small moments of honesty reduce shame This isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about taking the pack off your back, even for a minute, so you don’t have to carry it alone.   Watch Sideways with CMHF We’re proud to be a partner on this film and help bring this story to more Canadians. Use the promo code CMHFSIDEWAYS to get $5 off the digital download and watch it at home. https://sidewaysdocumentary.ca/   Follow Bob Wilkie Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/igotmind1/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpqCxLbVCoY0ZyCVtgBzd4Q Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/igotmind LinkedIN - https://ca.linkedin.com/company/i-got-mind Website - https://igotmind.ca Podcast - Tear off the Tape - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tear-off-the-tape/id1836507415 Follow Shayne Putzlocher Website - https://trilight.ca/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyyKGy5rwu6fbw7Swh9B6FQ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sputzlocher/ Follow Canadian Men’s Health Foundation Website - https://menshealthfoundation.ca/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/menshealthfdn/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/menshealthfoundation Follow Mike Cameron Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikecameron.ca/ Youtube - https://youtube.com/mikecameronspeaks  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mikedavidcameron/ X - Mike Cameron (@axiommike) / X  LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/mikecameronWebsite - https://mikecameron.ca/TedX Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/mike_cameron_redefining_badass_the_way_we_think_about_strong_is_wrong   Follow Trevor Botkin Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gsnscreative Muster Point IG - https://www.instagram.com/the_musterpoint Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gsnscreative LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-botkin-869ab5143/ Support Men & Their Familes: https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comfort can feel like relief. Staying quiet. Keeping things to yourself. Not risking rejection. For a lot of men, that comfort slowly turns into distance, and then into loneliness. In this episode of the Don’t Change Much Podcast, hosts Mike Cameron and Trevor Botkin talk openly about how isolation becomes a habit long before it becomes a problem. Drawing from their own lives, leadership roles, relationships, and past struggles, they unpack how choosing comfort can quietly cost men the connection they actually want. They explore what happens when men wear masks, manage impressions, or keep people at arm’s length to stay in control. The conversation moves through fear of rejection, the urge to self-isolate, and the belief that independence means handling everything alone. The shift comes when both men name a hard truth: connection doesn’t break when you speak up, it breaks when you disappear. This isn’t about forcing vulnerability or oversharing. It’s about learning to listen, to stay present, and to let yourself be seen without trying to manage the outcome. You’ll hear: How comfort can slowly replace real connection Why isolation often feels safer than risking rejection What actually helps men open up without losing themselves Small, practical ways to rebuild connection without changing everything Before they close, Mike and Trevor leave listeners with two simple challenges: Reach out to someone who has impacted you in a positive way and let them know. Start a conversation with a stranger who is different than you. If you’ve been feeling disconnected, even while surrounded by people, this conversation meets you where you are.   Support This Podcast and Canadian Men's Health Foundation https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/ Follow Canadian Men’s Health Foundation Website - https://menshealthfoundation.ca/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/menshealthfdn/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/menshealthfoundation Follow Trevor Botkin LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-botkin-869ab5143/ Follow Mike Cameron Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikecameron.ca/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@mikecameronspeaks/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mikedavidcameron/ X - Mike Cameron (@axiommike) / X  LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/mikecameronWebsite - https://mikecameron.ca/TedX Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/mike_cameron_redefining_badass_the_way_we_think_about_strong_is_wrong Support Men & Their Familes: https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. David Kuhl, physician and UBC professor known for palliative care and men’s health, reframes resilience as relational and body-based. He talks about numbness as a signal, the harm of confusing endurance with strength, how shame isolates, the power of naming one person who’s got your back, and practicing vulnerability and emotional literacy to rebuild connection.

For a lot of men, staying silent feels like strength. But what if it’s the opposite? In this episode of the Don’t Change Much Podcast, Paralympic gold medalist Greg Stewart challenges that belief head-on. In a raw, honest conversation with Mike Cameron and Trevor Botkin, Greg explores why silence has become the default for so many men and why talking might be the most courageous act there is. Greg shares his journey from elite sport to emotional burnout, and how learning to talk, ask for help, and sit with discomfort reshaped his sense of identity, resilience, and self-care. The conversation moves through fatherhood fears, intrusive thoughts, masculinity, and the unspoken rules that keep men isolated, even when they’re surrounded by people. You’ll hear: Why silence often masks fear, shame, or loneliness How “toughing it out” quietly leads to disconnection Why vulnerability builds trust, leadership, and real resilience Simple practices to pause, breathe, and stay present in hard moments If you’re looking for a real-world conversation about men’s health, mental health, and showing up more fully in your life, this episode meets you exactly where you are. Follow Greg Stewart Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/greg_r_stewart/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-stewart-ply-bba-7ab19161/ Website - https://themindfulete.ca/   Follow Mike Cameron Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikecameron.ca/ Youtube - https://youtube.com/mikecameronspeaks  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mikedavidcameron/ X - Mike Cameron (@axiommike) / X  LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/mikecameronWebsite - https://mikecameron.ca/TedX Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/mike_cameron_redefining_badass_the_way_we_think_about_strong_is_wrong Follow Trevor Botkin LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-botkin-869ab5143/ Follow Canadian Men’s Health Foundation Website - https://menshealthfoundation.ca/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/menshealthfdn/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/menshealthfoundation Chapters 00:00 The Toughness Debate 00:36 Meet Greg Stewart: A Champion's Journey 02:35 Greg's Early Life and Challenges 04:47 The Turning Point: Seeking Help 05:44 Mindful Athlete: Embracing Vulnerability 08:49 The Power of Ownership and Responsibility 15:30 The Role of Vulnerability in Personal Growth 18:13 Self-Love and Healthy Relationships 19:51 Navigating Fatherhood: The Emotional Journey 20:10 Struggles and Realities of Expecting Fathers 21:26 The Importance of Acknowledging Emotions 22:30 Helplessness and Support During Childbirth 24:43 Intrusive Thoughts and Mental Health 28:25 Breaking the Patriarchy 31:15 The Role of Toughness and Resilience 34:24 Practical Takeaways for Mental Well-beingSupport Men & Their Familes: https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of men aren’t “angry guys.” They’re overwhelmed, disconnected, and running out of space to breathe, and it’s catching up with them. In this episode of the Don’t Change Much Podcast, Gene Bernier, CTO & Don’t Change Much Producer at CMHF, joins hosts Trevor Botkin and Mike Cameron on camera for an honest conversation about anger, men’s mental health, and why reacting isn’t the same thing as responding. Together, they break down how anger shows up in the body, why it’s often the only emotion men were taught to recognize, and how today’s social pressure is amplifying everyday frustration. The conversation moves from the pressures young men are facing today to how anger often masks sadness, fear, or feeling left behind. The turning point isn’t about “controlling” anger. It’s about learning how to pause before it explodes. Not therapy-speak. Not perfection. Just a small, practiced moment that can change the outcome. You’ll hear practical, real-world tools men can use immediately, including: How to use anger as a cue to slow down instead of reacting Why naming what you’re feeling changes everything How to pause long enough to choose a better response Why emotions are temporary, but consequences can be permanent How connection and listening can de-escalate even the hardest moments This episode is about resilience, self-care, and connection. Not fixing yourself and not getting it perfect, just learning how to show up with a little more awareness and a lot less damage.   Follow Gene Bernier Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/genebernier/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/genebernier/   Follow Mike Cameron Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikecameron.ca/ Youtube - https://youtube.com/mikecameronspeaks  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mikedavidcameron/ X - Mike Cameron (@axiommike) / X  LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/mikecameronWebsite - https://mikecameron.ca/TedX Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/mike_cameron_redefining_badass_the_way_we_think_about_strong_is_wrong   Follow Trevor Botkin LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-botkin-869ab5143/   Follow Canadian Men’s Health Foundation Website - https://menshealthfoundation.ca/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/menshealthfdn/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/menshealthfoundation Support Men & Their Familes: https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when two men sit down, drop the armour, and tell the truth about who they really are? On this episode of the Don’t Change Much Podcast, we introduce our new co-hosts, Mike Cameron and Trevor Botkin—two guys who have lived through rock bottom, rebuilt their lives, and are still doing the work every day. They share the same mission: help men close the gap between who they are and who they want to be. In this raw and hopeful conversation, Mike and Trevor unpack what healing actually looks like for men—navigating shame, asking for help, getting blindsided by grief, and learning to show up as the man you want to be, not the one you’re pretending to be. They share their stories of addiction, trauma, devastating loss, and the life-saving power of connection. What emerges is a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t only about being strong… it’s also about learning to feel again. This isn’t self-help fluff. It’s the hard, uncomfortable, life-changing work of becoming emotionally honest. You’ll hear: • Why men avoid asking for help and how to break that pattern• How shame fuels isolation and what stops it from running your life• The simple question Mike uses to course-correct when he’s slipping• Why Trevor believes self-forgiveness is the most unselfish thing a man can do If you’ve ever felt stuck, alone, or like you’re not the man you want to be, this conversation is your reminder: healing is possible… and you don’t have to do it on your own.   Follow Mike Cameron Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikecameron.ca/ Youtube - https://youtube.com/mikecameronspeaks  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mikedavidcameron/ X - Mike Cameron (@axiommike) / X  LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/mikecameron Website - https://mikecameron.ca/ TedX Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/mike_cameron_redefining_badass_the_way_we_think_about_strong_is_wrong   Follow Trevor Botkin LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-botkin-869ab5143/   Follow Canadian Men’s Health Foundation Website - https://menshealthfoundation.ca/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/menshealthfdn/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/menshealthfoundation Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Struggle with Humility 00:50 Meet the Hosts: Mike and Trevor 01:21 The Importance of Human Connection 02:55 Personal Journeys: Overcoming Challenges 06:21 The Power of Vulnerability and Asking for Help 09:27 A Heartbreaking Loss: Mike's Story 14:09 Honoring Colleen: Making Beautiful Shit Happen 18:22 Finding Beauty in Grief: Trevor's Story 19:20 Coping with Loss and Family Support 21:02 Finding Strength in Vulnerability 21:38 Redefining Masculinity 22:28 The Power of Emotional Connection 23:28 Overcoming Addiction and Self-Discovery 26:10 The Importance of Sharing Stories 29:37 Navigating Shame and Forgiveness 33:49 Building a Hopeful FutureSupport Men & Their Familes: https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've been taught that supporting men's health somehow takes away from supporting women's health. This episode shatters that zero-sum myth, arguing that raising one boat raises all. Host Buzz Bishop is joined by Nicky Dhaliwal (Canadian Men's Health Foundation), Mike Cameron (Connected Men), and Clair Davis (Midlife Mentors) to discuss why men's health is family health.  The group gets honest about what they’re seeing in homes, workplaces, and communities: women feeling judged for supporting men; men afraid of mentoring after #MeToo; and young men experiencing anger at nearly double the national rate.  They dive into startling CMHF research showing 50% of young men (19–29) are at risk of problem anger and violent impulses. The key to breaking this cycle and building resilience? Deep Connection This episode offers tangible self-care and connection steps to support men's mental health: The Power of Exclusive Spaces: Why men-only workshops create a unique, safe dynamic where men feel permission to open up and be vulnerable. Be Curious, Not Assuming: Claire shares the need to be curious about the men in your life and avoid the shame-based assumptions that keep the shadow bag closed. Use Silence as a Tool: When you ask, "How are you?" allow the silence to breathe; that’s where the truth shows up. Emotions Drive Behavior: Mike explains the sequence: emotion → decisions → behaviors → results. Hug Until They Let Go: A beautifully simple piece of advice from CMHF/Blueprint for building stronger relationships with your kids. A healthy man is not a perfect man. He just needs a thousand small acts of connection to move the needle. Tune in to find out how to create the space for those acts. Follow Claire Davis Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/midlifementors/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/themidlifementors Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/themidlifementorscommunity Website - https://themidlifementors.com/ Follow Mike Cameron Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikecameron.ca/ Youtube - https://youtube.com/mikecameronspeaks  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mikedavidcameron/ X - Mike Cameron (@axiommike) / X  LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/mikecameronWebsite - https://mikecameron.ca/TedX Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/mike_cameron_redefining_badass_the_way_we_think_about_strong_is_wrong Follow Canadian Men’s Health Foundation Website - https://menshealthfoundation.ca/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/menshealthfdn/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/menshealthfoundation Support Men & Their Familes: https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if your anger isn't really anger at all? What if it's grief? Or fear? Or shame? Or something else entirely? On this episode of Don't Change Much, host Buzz Bishop speaks with Dr. David Kuhl, a UBC professor and physician who believes that learning to be emotionally honest is the key to being a better man, partner, and father. Get ready to look under the anger and find out what's really going on. Follow Canadian Men’s Health Foundation Website - https://menshealthfoundation.ca/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/menshealthfdn/ Facebook - https://facebook.com/menshealthfoundation Support Men & Their Familes: https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.