In the name of mental wellness, realtors from the Greater Vancouver area recently got together for a sunrise hike to the top of Mount Seymour. Organized by Phil Moore and Matt Henry, the hike aimed to spark an open conversation about mental well-being, raise awareness and encourage discussions around mental health in the real estate community.
Reminder to take a step back and reconnect with themselves and their community
For many realtors, the stresses of the job can take a toll not only physically but mentally. Long hours, high client expectations and the pressure to close deals can leave little time to focus on personal well-being.
Events like this hike, which commenced at 3:15 AM and ended with the sunrise at 6:39 AM, serve as a reminder for realtors to take a step back and reconnect with themselves and their community.
‘A way to start the conversation and remind us that mental wellness deserves as much attention as our business’
“I felt it was important to organize this hike to bring awareness to mental wellness, especially within our realtor community,” says Phil Moore. “Personally, I’ve lost three colleagues in the last 10 years to mental health struggles, and it always leaves me wondering — are we doing enough? This hike was a way to start the conversation and remind us that mental wellness deserves as much attention as our business.”
Denise Salmon, a real estate professional with over 27 years of experience, echoes these sentiments: “Hiking has been part of my life since growing up on the North Shore, and it continues to provide that essential connection with nature, offering a chance to reset.
Joining Phil’s sunrise hikes is a unique and priceless experience — stepping out of our comfort zones to witness the sunrise over the mountains is a reminder of the importance of mental wellness in our profession.”
‘I experienced burnout; it was anything but fun. I’m so grateful (for) a sense of balance and peace in this industry’
For Matt Henry, the event was personal, reflecting his own journey toward finding balance in a demanding career: “My journey, like many others in the real estate industry, was focused on pushing hard to achieve success. What I didn’t realize at the time was the importance of taking breaks, spending time in nature, practicing meditation and yoga and building meaningful relationships and community.
Gradually, I experienced burnout, and it was anything but fun. I’m so grateful to have found a sense of balance and peace in this industry, and I hope that events like this can help others. It’s okay to take days off, enjoy time with your family and prioritize your well-being — actually, it’s a must.”
Hiker Richard Laurendeau, managing broker at Re/Max Westcoast, shares that for him, the hike was a powerful reminder of the importance of mental wellness. “A small act of kindness at the right moment can truly make a difference for those who are struggling. As professionals, it’s something we should all be more mindful of,” he says.
Mental wellness: Just as important as closing any transaction
Salmon has always believed that a healthy attitude towards both work and life is key to success, and that mental wellness is just as important as any transaction she closes.
Likewise, Moore points out that success is not just about what we achieve in business, but how we care for ourselves and each other. “This hike was a reminder that we are a community, and that community extends to supporting our mental well-being.”
Photo credit: Matt Henry
