The two men had a lot to catch up on.
Having met 12 years ago and lost touch until last year when they had an opportunity to reconnect, North Vancouver residents Jay Doherty, 44, and Ryan John Phillips, 40, had each been through a lot.
Doherty, owner and operator of Millenium Ink - Custom Tattoos Piercings, was involved in a life-changing accident in North Vancouver in 2007. He fell off a train and was run over by 13 cars. He lost his right leg and left foot, and spent five weeks in an induced coma before recovering.
After Phillips, an author and humanitarian, saw his hockey career cut short as a result of injuries and addiction, he became involved in the exportation of marijuana, leading to his incarceration in a federal penitentiary in Washington State beginning in 2000 for more than 500 days. Upon his release, he became dedicated to humanitarian efforts, and completed two separate cycling expeditions in 2012 and 2013 in Cambodia and Vietnam to raise funds and awareness to help eradicate human trafficking and sex slavery for children. He profiled his journeys in a documentary and has just released a book of the same name, Return To Happiness.
"I had an awakening that my purpose wasn't to take from the world, that I found the greatest joy came from giving," he says.
While the two friends' recent personal experiences are wildly different, they've found a common ground, the result of their personal experiences with mental health (both struggled generally and Phillips was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression in late 2014), as well, they've each lost numerous friends as a result of mental illness.
Most importantly, both Doherty and Phillips share an interest in dedicating their lives to helping others. To that end, in July, the duo plans to embark on OneMind Cycle: Return To Happiness, a three-month cycling journey from the HOpe Centre in North Vancouver all the way to Newfoundland, in an effort to raise funds and awareness for the Canadian Mental Health Association. Over the course of the ride they plan to stop in communities along the way to share their stories and hear those of local residents. They also plan to film the journey.
"This is about bringing communities together, being able to come out and talk. If Jay can go through his trials and tribulations, if I can go through my trials and tribulations, you know what? So can you. We can all make a stand and fight for this together," says Phillips.
Both men also hope to set a positive example for their children. "I want to show my children that anything is possible," says Doherty, a dad to 16-and 17-year-old boys. Phillips has a 16-year-old daughter.
In preparation for the ride the men cycle daily and work out at the gym.
"I'm just as fast as most people with two legs. (Ryan) has a hard time keeping up," laughs Doherty, an avid mountain biker. He uses a regular bike when street cycling, he just removes one pedal and has a shoe that locks onto the other.
Currently Doherty and Phillips are fundraising and seeking sponsors to make the journey a success and plan to donate all funds raised during the actual ride to the CMHA, with a goal of raising $3 million.
"Every day it's getting bigger and bigger," says Doherty, of his gratitude for the strong level of community support received thus far.
Doherty is hosting SemiColon Sundays weekly until they leave at his Lonsdale shop, offering those who've experienced mental health issues an opportunity to receive a semicolon tattoo, a symbol for "your story is not over yet," for a minimum donation of $50. Phillips is putting 10 per cent of sales from Return To Happiness (via returntohappiness.com) toward the ride. Lonsdale Quay's JOY Hair Studio is also showing support and plans to donate 10 per cent of all product sales through July 1 to the cause. The salon regularly donates partial proceeds from all hair services to those living with or affected by mental illness in addition to other community initiatives.
To raise awareness of their upcoming journey, the duo will be among the speakers at KarmaConnect Vancouver, an all-day event featuring speakers, resources and guided networking for those who are curious about deepening connections with the self and others, at The Pipe Shop at The Shipyards, Sunday, March 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For tickets ($45/$60), visit picatic.com/KarmaConnectMar13. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit OneMind Cycle.
Phillips is also set to appear at TedX Stanley Park on May 28.
Doherty hopes he and Phillips' journey marks a lifestyle shift that will see him continue to be involved in community building initiatives for years to come.
"This is going to start a whole new direction in my life, I know that. I've always felt like there's such a higher purpose for me to have lived through what I lived through," he says.
