Our Secrets Keep Us Sick

Inspirational Speaker and Trainer Brendon Burchard believes that at the end of our lives, we will ask ourselves three questions:

“Did I live?” “Did I love?” and “Did I matter?”

Oprah talks about the need to be seen…really seen. As in “do you see me?” Do you hear me?” “Does what I am saying matter to you?”

I think we can all relate to that question. Wondering whether or not we truly matter.

During my conversation with Derick Fage, he talks about relentlessly going after his dreams in order to make sure he mattered. That struck me right in the heart.

Born and raised in Ottawa, Derick Fage has spent his career pushing boundaries and raising limits. Always the entertainer, Derick is an actor (starring in several independent films and also working in live theatre), and is the Host and Producer of Daytime Ottawa on Rogers.

I had the privilege of sitting down with Derick on set at the Rogers studio. This time, I was on the other side of the big red couch.

In February of this year, Derick publicly shared his very private story of a medical condition that he was born with. I, along with hundreds of others, applauded Derick and sent him messages of support and love. As I read and re-read his story, I wondered what would happen if I shared my own story. By him sharing something so personal, and even shameful, I considered the courage it required; but I imagined the relief it must have brought to him as well.

I wondered if I could so the same.

Derick sharing his story was an impetus for me to share my own. I am deeply grateful for him and I wanted to delve deeper into his life. I felt a connection, and I wanted to explore it. I was humbled when he agreed to the interview.

Derick is a winner, and I think we can all learn something from this man who lives his life with relentless determination, tremendous courage, a sense of humour, and an attitude of gratitude.

If you’ve been following along with me, you’ll know that I hold a core belief… that we are not alone.

We are all the same.

We are all one.

We are not alone.

Yet if we have gone through something, or if we are currently dealing with a situation, we can feel isolated. We can begin to believe that we are alone.

By Derick sharing his story, it was also a reminder of another belief I hold true: that our secrets keep us sick.

If you have ever felt alone or if you are living with shame, then I encourage you to watch this interview with Derick Fage. And then go and tell one person. By sharing your secret with someone else, someone who will love you no matter what, then the healing can begin.

Be the change. Share your story. Free yourself. And make this world a more connected and gentle place.

Because I want you to love your life one bite at a time.

P.S. Let’s be friends! Connect with me on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram. 🙂

 

8 Comments

  • Jeanne

    Reply Reply July 7, 2015

    Oh my gosh. What an amazing person. Having gluten issue there is never a day I go out without knowing where all the washrooms are on my route and I don’t have even close to the issue he has.
    Having to live with his medical problem on a daily basis – he is truly inspirational. Thank you for helping share his story. It is important to understand that just because anyone looks NORMAL- you have no idea what is happening in their lives.

    • Sarah Roberts

      Reply Reply July 7, 2015

      Thank you so much for your comments, Jeanne. Isn’t it just amazing to think that we all have something we are dealing with, and if we can have more compassion for one another, the world just becomes a gentler, kinder place to live.

  • Anna

    Reply Reply July 7, 2015

    Hi Sarah, I didn’t have a dry eye throughout the interview. Derick, his mom and dad, his long time friend, and the girls who came to his rescue are all so inspirational. Derick is truly a winner!!!!
    I am a mother of a son with type 1 diabetes since the age of 2. He is 30 now. It’s nowhere near what Derick went through because most people have heard of diabetes and of known support groups. Listening to this interview brought me back to the very challenging times a diabetic goes through. My son also was and still is very physically active. He is now riding his bike alone from Seattle Washington to San Diego. A very daunting challenge. My biggest fear is that he goes into insulin shock. He keeps in touch with me often.
    You did an amazing jod interviewing Derick. Your empathy and compassion came through.

    Anna

    • Sarah Roberts

      Reply Reply July 7, 2015

      Anna,
      Thank you so much for your comments.

      I have a young family member with Type 1 diabetes, and I am always amazed at how she continues to be active and social despite the constant concern of blood sugar levels, “finger pokes” and food/exercise choices. It’s such a challenge and I can only imagine how hard it must have been 28 years ago when there was far less access to information and support. I pray for a cure and I hope it happens in your son’s lifetime. He is obviously a remarkable man, considering his lifestyle choices. You raised a good one. 🙂

      I, too find myself choking up watching this interview, even after being there and then watching it several times. I just can’t get over the humanity of it. I respect Derick so much for what he has done to share a deeply personal secret, and I love that he says that in doing so, he feels a weight has been lifted. It is my hope that his story inspires others to “take some weight off” by sharing a secret with someone they trust. Our secrets truly do keep us sick.

      Thank you again for being on this journey with me. I am so grateful for you!

  • Gerry Gunn

    Reply Reply July 7, 2015

    Really impressed with you .you are great and your parents are very proud of you Gerry gunn

    • Sarah Roberts

      Reply Reply July 8, 2015

      Thank you very much, Gerry. I appreciate your words. What a kind thing to say. 🙂

  • Jacques

    Reply Reply October 28, 2015

    Wonderful interview! Inspirational man to have consistently overcome such an “inconvenient” medical obstacle to attain such incredible goals and a full life to date.

    Derick MCd an event I was part of last Christmas, did a spectacular job, hope he is coming back this year. Will be an honour to meet him.

    Gr8 interviewing skills Sarah! Rogers might come calling… 🙂

    Peace ~ Love ~ Happiness & Health.

    j

    • Sarah Roberts

      Reply Reply October 28, 2015

      I agree, Jacques! Derick is such an incredibly generous and compassionate man. He brings a smile to everyone’s face, and I couldn’t be more proud to know him. I hope you get the chance to meet him as well. Thank you for watching and for your kind words. It was a highlight to be able to interview him! 🙂

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