Andrew's journey to helping to create The Rooted Way began with a lifetime driven by intensity and achievement. As an Engineering Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, he pursued excellence relentlessly, gaining promotions, participating in international forums, and leading deployments worldwide. However, beneath the surface of professional success, Andrew ignored the accumulating signs of burnout and stress.
For years, I kept the rising waters at bay using strategies I thought were healthy, alongside others I knew weren't but justified as ‘pressure relief,'
"For years, I kept the rising waters at bay using strategies I thought were healthy, alongside others I knew weren't but justified as ‘pressure relief,’" Andrew reflects. His approach to physical fitness, nutrition, and overall health was intense but misguided, eventually creating more harm than good. Exercise became about perception and exhaustion rather than genuine health, and alcohol shifted from social relaxation to a daily dependency, pushing Andrew toward isolation and cynicism.
The turning point arrived during a seemingly routine period onboard ship. Writing performance reviews, normally straightforward administrative work felt overwhelming, and a minor conflict escalated quickly. “My tolerance was so thin that even simple tasks seemed unbearable,” Andrew shares. "After a heated exchange, I shut the door to my cabin and broke down completely. That moment forced me to acknowledge there was no going back."
Recovery started not with more discipline, but with surrender and accepting help and opening the door to vulnerability. Andrew found sobriety and began rebuilding his life, starting with movement and training. "The journey to self-mastery begins in the physical province because that's the easiest place to impart the essential lessons of success and to absorb them," is a quote that was so profound and that sometimes there is a workout within the workout. A medium for growth. Through balanced training and rest, Andrew discovered the profound value of listening to his body, restoring his health, energy, and clarity.
I began to understand how my breath influenced my mental clarity and physical state,
Over time, he layered more practices into his routine; breathwork, mindful journaling, structured mornings, and intentional gratitude. "I began to understand how my breath influenced my mental clarity and physical state," he says. "Simple shifts like deeper breathing and gratitude journaling dramatically improved how I faced daily stresses."
I know firsthand how lonely and overwhelming burnout can be, we built The Rooted Way to offer community, practical tools, and guidance from people who've been through it and understand the path.
Andrew's personal transformation inspired him to create The Rooted Way. “I know firsthand how lonely and overwhelming burnout can be," Andrew shares. "We built The Rooted Way to offer community, practical tools, and guidance from people who've been through it and understand the path."
Andrew views his role as a guide and companion on others' journeys toward balance and resilience. "I'm here to support and walk alongside those who seek a healthier, more balanced life," he emphasizes. "If any part of my experience resonates with you, reach out. Let's talk about your path forward, together."