meet the crew
the people behind big red
Brandon
Meet Brandon, Adam’s oldest brother and one of our Co-Founders. Brandon and Adam grew up side by side with only a 2.5 year age difference. They had very similar interests including playing hockey, spending time outdoors and playing cards and video games. Brandon and Adam played on the same Men’s hockey team for the past 3 years and was the last thing they did together the night before Adam passed.
As someone who grew up closely beside his brother, watching him succeed in work, thrive in sports and being a part of a loving and caring family, this was something that Brandon did not anticipate.
It was clear that his brother’s passing was part of a larger issue. Over the past few years, mental health has been a major problem in not only our community, but throughout our province, country and worldwide.
As a proud Co-Founder of the Big Red Mental Health Society, Brandon aims to spread awareness for overall mental well-being, focusing on not only others’ mental health, but taking a step back and putting your own mental health first.
Julia
Meet Julia, Adam’s cousin and one of our Co-Founders.
Julia grew up one year older than Adam and shared the birthday month of March. Julia and Adam spent time together boating, rock climbing, kayaking and occasionally making up dance routines in her living room with the other 3 boys. Adam was always someone Julia felt she could be open with and would never have any judgement. She can’t imagine growing up without Adam, and will never forget the endless shared memories and laughs together from the last 22 years.
The world can be full of tragedy, but this was something Julia never expected anyone in her family to be suffering from, especially Adam. A realization was made that something needed to be done together, in hopes that others don’t have to face these things alone.
Julia has a background in physical and health education, so this topic is something she feels very passionately about. Physical and mental health is one of the most important things in our lives, and something that can be hard to prioritize without the proper resources and knowledge. Julia doesn’t take being a Co-Founder of this society lightly and plans to help create quality access to mental health education throughout Canada.
Jake
Meet Jake, Adam’s younger cousin and our Director of Finance. Jake and Adam were very close as they only had an age difference of 2 years. Jake spent many nights at the Hobbs house where Jake and Adam bonded through countless games of road hockey, basketball, video games, and watching movies together. Some of Jake’s most memorable nights were spent alongside Adam.
As someone who witnessed how selfless Adam was and how he could light a room, this tragedy has really opened Jake’s eyes that truly anyone can suffer from mental health problems. At the end of the day this tragedy made Jake aware to the fact that we all need support and need to support others in their struggles without judgement, only through love and compassion.
Although Jake has a background in finance and accounting, he doesn’t plan to only be involved in the society’s books. He plans to assist in organizing events and spearheading the mission that the Big Red Mental Health Society stands for throughout his community, family, and friends.
zach
Meet Zach, Adam’s youngest brother and our Advocacy Director. Zach and Adam shared many passions like hockey, lacrosse, off-roading and the outdoors. Adam tought Zach many life lessons, including teaching him how to off-road and how to drive manual. Adam got Zach to work alongside him at A1 Insulators one summer & he saw first-hand how hardworking and determined Adam was.
Zach wanted to help create the Big Red Mental Health Society because he, along with the rest of us, was quite in shock and amazed about how well Adam hid his struggles. Awareness is something Zach wants to focus on, in hopes to guide an open approach of communication around this desperate cause.
