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ℜ𝔬𝔤𝔢𝔯 𝔊 💎

@roger.the.human

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We don’t always “arrive” at self-love. But we can practice it.
Every single day.
💈 @ferns_barbershop_grimsby
🇨🇦 Educator for @actiiv

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Sometimes I feel like I’m standing on the outside looking in.

I can be in a room full of people I know, people I care about, people I’ve known for years… and still feel like I’m somehow not really part of it.

I’m there. I’m talking. I’m laughing. I’m involved.

But sometimes it feels like I’m watching everyone else connect in a way that I just can’t seem to.

Like everyone has their place, their people, their little circle… and I’m standing just outside of it.

It’s a weird feeling because I know I’m not actually alone.

I know I have people who love me. People who care about me. People who would show up for me.

I know how fortunate I am.

But knowing that doesn’t always change how it feels in the moment.

Sometimes I still feel like the outsider.

Like I’m close enough to see everything happening, but never quite close enough to feel like I belong.

And I think that’s the part that’s hardest to explain.

How can you feel lonely when you’re surrounded by people?

How can you feel disconnected when you have friends?

How can you feel like nobody really sees you when there are people who genuinely care about you?

I don’t have a good answer for that.

I just know that sometimes I wish I could stop feeling like I’m standing outside the room, looking in.

Sometimes I just want to feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Not trying to fit in.

Not wondering if I belong.
Just… belonging.

And maybe that’s the hardest kind of loneliness.

Not having no one.

Just feeling like you’re always the outsider, even when you’re surrounded by people. taken in Grimsby, Ontario by @roger.the.human

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11 days ago

-WE MADE IT-

When I look back at the last 12 years of barbering, there have definitely been some ups and downs. The highs, the lows, the wins, the setbacks, the pluses and the minuses… it’s all been part of the journey.

I came to barbering later in life, and making the decision to change careers and take that jump wasn’t exactly easy. There were plenty of moments where I wondered if I was making the right choice.

But looking back now, I can honestly say I’m so damn grateful that I did.

The people I’ve met, the friendships I’ve made, the experiences I’ve had, the lessons I’ve learned, and all the opportunities this career has brought me have made every high and low worth it.

There are definitely days when I struggle to get myself motivated to go to work. But it’s never because I don’t love what I do. And once I’m behind the chair, talking with a client, doing what I do, those feelings disappear.

Not once have I finished a day and thought, “I wish I had chosen a different path.”

Not one day do I regret making the jump.
Barbering has given me far more than just a career. It’s given me people, purpose, experiences, and a hell of a journey that I’m incredibly grateful for.

12 years in, and I’d make the same choice all over again.

Here’s to whatever the next 12 years bring. taken in Fern’s Barbershop by @roger.the.human

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a month ago

Some people might look at the gym and see an addiction.

Some see an outlet for stress.

Some see vanity.

I see something different.

For me, the gym is a place where I can just be for a while. A place where I can step away from the noise, clear the cobwebs first thing in the morning, and set my mind for the day.

It’s about becoming better — physically, mentally, and sometimes even spiritually.
It’s where I focus, breathe, push myself, and reconnect with my body, my mind, and my soul.

The physical changes are great, but honestly, that’s just a bonus.

For me, the gym isn’t about how I look.

It’s about how I feel when I walk out. taken in Grimsby, Ontario by @roger.the.human

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2 months ago

Stop Selling Haircuts. Start Creating Value.
Stop devaluing your service.
Stop making it about “the usual” or the price.
Your value is your skill, your attention to detail, and the experience you create.
Know your clients. Remember the details. Pay attention to what matters to them.
Build relationships, not transactions.
Be the barber they don’t want to replace.
When you create that kind of value, price stops being the conversation. taken in Fern’s Barbershop by @roger.the.human

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2 months ago

-COME TOGETHER- There was a time when life threw you an unexpected expense—a car repair, a broken appliance, a leaking roof—and while it was stressful, it didn’t feel impossible. You figured it out. You tightened your belt for a while, made a plan, and got through it.

Now it feels different.

The cost of simply existing has skyrocketed. Groceries. Gas. Rent or mortgages. Utilities. The basic necessities of life have become so expensive that the things we once considered normal—fixing the car, repairing the house, replacing worn-out clothes, taking care of ourselves—now feel like luxuries.

That’s a dangerous place for a society to be.
This is when communities matter more than ever. If you have a little extra, maybe it’s groceries for a family that’s struggling. Maybe it’s clothing your kids have outgrown. Maybe you work a trade and can help someone with an oil change instead of sending them to an expensive mechanic. Maybe you’re a barber and can give someone a haircut so they can walk into a job interview with confidence.

None of us can solve the affordability crisis alone. But every one of us can make someone else’s burden a little lighter.

The government isn’t going to rescue every family that’s struggling. That’s why we need to look after each other. Neighbours helping neighbours. Friends helping friends. Communities choosing compassion over indifference.

We’ve always been stronger together than we are apart. Now is the time to prove it. taken in Planet Earth by @roger.the.human

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2 months ago

-LOLLAPALOOZA- Some opportunities stay on your vision board for years before they become reality.

This weekend, I had the incredible privilege of working backstage as a barber and stylist at Lollapalooza. To stand behind the main stage, in the VIP artist area, surrounded by world-class talent, an amazing crew, and an energy that’s hard to put into words, was something I’ll never forget.

The atmosphere backstage was electric. From the artists and their teams to everyone working behind the scenes, there was a shared passion and professionalism that made the entire experience unforgettable.

This is an opportunity I’ve been waiting a long time for, and I don’t take a single moment of it for granted. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who trusted me to be part of it and to everyone who helped make it happen.

Experiences like this remind me why I fell in love with this craft in the first place. Here’s to continuing to chase big goals, staying ready for every opportunity, and appreciating every step of the journey.

Huge thank you to the partners who help make opportunities like this possible—@Actiiv, @GIBS Grooming, and @Barber Authority. Your support means more than you know.

Still taking it all in. On to the next. taken in Lollapalooza by @roger.the.human

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2 months ago

Thank you Justin for making Jesse’s 19th amazing and the experience of riding in this killer Z! taken in Grimsby, Ontario by @roger.the.human

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4 months ago

Jesse, today you turn 19.

You are one of the most genuine, caring, thoughtful, and loving people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. You have a wicked sense of humour, and your ability to make people laugh is a true gift. You bring lightness to a room, often when people need it most.

I’m so proud of you, my son. You’ve faced challenges that would have slowed many people down, yet you continue to move forward with resilience, strength, and a spirit that refuses to quit. Through it all, you still choose joy, kindness, and compassion.

One of my favourite things is our random Walmart adventures hunting for Hot Wheels, checking out what treasures we can find, and laughing way too hard at the ridiculous T-shirts that somehow always seem to get funnier the longer we look at them. Those moments might seem small, but they’re some of the memories I cherish most because they’re time spent with you, being ourselves and enjoying each other’s company.

Watching the young man you’ve become has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I can’t wait to see where this next year takes you.

Happy 19th birthday, Jesse. Love you! taken in Grimsby, Ontario by @roger.the.human

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4 months ago

-25 YEARS-

25 years of knowing you.
25 years of growing together.
25 years of laughter, joy, and being each other’s best friend.
25 years of finding the light in the difficult moments and celebrating the beautiful ones.
25 years of choosing each other, every single day.
25 years of loving you.

Leanne, I could never have imagined where our love would take us. Together, we’ve built a home, raised our children, welcomed Iris into the family, and created a life filled with memories I’ll cherish forever.

Through every high and every low, we’ve stood beside one another and fought for each other. And after all these years, there is still no one else I would rather walk through life with.

You are my partner, my best friend, and the love of my life. If I had the chance to do it all over again, I’d choose you every time, in this lifetime and in every one that follows. taken in Grimsby, Ontario by @roger.the.human

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4 months ago

-DEXTER- You’ve seen him in pictures. You’ve seen him pop up in my posts. So I figured it was finally time to properly introduce my main man, Dexter.
Now, funny enough, Dexter wasn’t originally my dog. We just bonded so quickly that somewhere along the way he forgot that little detail.
Back in November of 2020, Dexter belonged to my oldest daughter. Every morning when I drove her to work, this little guy would tag along. Before long, he became my co-pilot, my sidekick, and quite possibly my favorite passenger.
Then came January 2022. My daughter moved out and, naturally, took Dexter with her.
I’m not saying I was heartbroken... but I’m also not saying I didn’t stare dramatically out the window wondering where my little buddy had gone. My daughter moving out was tough enough, but losing my daily sidekick at the same time? That one stung.
Not long after, my daughter moved to Toronto and quickly realized that a busy lifestyle and a dog who thrives on companionship weren’t exactly the perfect match. So when the opportunity came for Dexter to move back in with me full-time, I didn’t hesitate for a second.
Best. Decision. Ever.
Some days I think I’m as much his emotional support human as he is my emotional support dog. He’s got the sweetest soul. He chirps more than he barks, loves being around people, and only really makes a fuss when he knows I’m home and he’s been left downstairs. Apparently, being separated by one floor is completely unacceptable.
He’s been there through a lot of life, and I honestly can’t imagine my days without him. He’s more than just a dog—he’s family, a constant companion, and a reminder that sometimes the best friendships happen when you least expect them.
Love you, buddy. ❤️🐾 📸: @m4llph0t0 taken in Grimsby, Ontario by @roger.the.human

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4 months ago

Confidence. Where does it come from?

If you had asked me that growing up, I wouldn’t have had an answer. Self-confidence was something I definitely lacked.

As a kid with ADHD at a time when teachers and support staff didn’t really understand it—or know what to do with it—life wasn’t always easy. Learning wasn’t easy. Making friends wasn’t easy. And day-to-day school life often felt like an uphill battle.

The person you see today is not the person I was growing up.

It wasn’t until my mid-20s that I started to realize something important: what I had always been told was a “learning disability” (a phrase I’ve never liked) was actually one of my greatest strengths. The more I learned how my brain worked, the more I saw that I could learn, retain information, and apply it in ways that served me well.

With every new skill, every lesson, and every bit of growth, my confidence started to build—not just in what I could do, but in who I was.

Don’t get me wrong, I still have days where
imposter syndrome creeps in. Days where I wonder if I belong in the room I’m standing in.
But when that voice shows up, I remind myself that I’m there for a reason. I’ve earned my seat at the table. I have something valuable to contribute.

I am capable. I am enough.

The confidence I carry today doesn’t come from ego. It comes from the journey of a young boy who never quite felt like he fit in, eventually learning that being different wasn’t a weakness—it was his superpower. taken in Grimsby, Ontario by @roger.the.human

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4 months ago

-ONE ZERO ZERO ZERO-
Somehow, despite all evidence to the contrary, F45 Grimsby has allowed me to show up 1,000 times.
What started as a fitness goal turned into a lifestyle built on early mornings, sore muscles, questionable decisions to attend after leg day, and the realization that the hardest part is usually just getting out of bed before the sun.
Over the years, I’ve learned that consistency beats motivation every time. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to keep showing up. One workout at a time eventually turns into 1,000.
And at 51 years old, I can honestly say I feel better than ever. Stronger, healthier, and far more capable than I was years ago. Apparently, all those burpees weren’t completely pointless.
A huge thank you to my family for supporting all the early alarms and gym talk. To the coaches for pushing me, encouraging me, and somehow convincing me that “just one more rep” is a reasonable request. And to the incredible F45 Grimsby community—you’ve made every class more enjoyable and every challenge easier to tackle.
The truth is, fitness is important, but the people are what kept me coming back. The friendships, encouragement, laughs, and occasional shared suffering have meant more than any milestone.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to chase class 1,001 and continue proving that getting older is mandatory, but acting old is optional.
#1000Classes #F45Grimsby #FitnessOver50 #StillNotSkippingLegDay #ConsistencyWins taken in F45 Training Grimsby by @roger.the.human

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5 months ago