My good friend Pete Bombaci and I have been friends for over 35 years and have had each other’s backs through life’s ups and downs. 

He’s one of my favourite people.

Our shared passion is helping others generate wellness through play (me) and human connection (him). 

Pete founded The GenWell Project, a registered Not For Profit working to educate, empower and catalyze human connection to 38 million Canadians and beyond!

Over the years, I’ve written about the power of social connections for health and happiness in my book and extensively about his vision of The GenWell Project in several “The Play of The Week” blogs. He has supported me and my work in his campaigns and corporate work. 

I reminisced about the support we’ve given each other this week when Facebook reminded me that in 2018, we shot this fun video to inspire people to get out and connect face-to-face for the (then) Generator Weekend.

Since then, and through a global pandemic, the world is starting to understand how powerful healthy preventative habits like play and social connection are.

Human connections influence health through three principal pathways:

• biologically – stress hormones, inflammation, gene expression
• psychologically- meaning/purpose, stress, safety, resilience, hopefulness
• behaviourally – physical activity, nutrition, sleep, smoking treatment.

The effect of loneliness is linked to increased heart attacks, depression, diabetes, crime and premature death, and it affects people no matter where they live or who they are.

And on Tuesday this week, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the Surgeon General of the US, released an advisory on loneliness and isolation, urging people and public officials to treat the matter with the same urgency as other severe health conditions such as drug abuse and obesity.*

The good news is that plans are in the works for Pete and me to collaborate on a powerful campaign to help Canadians – more on that soon!

As Helen Keller said, “Alone, we can do so little. Together, we can do so much.”

In the meantime, register your intention today to reach out and connect with someone – from your neighbour to your long-lost friend – this GenWell Weekend, May 5th, 6th, and 7th.

Here’s the link: https://genwellproject.org/programs/genwell-weekend

After all – those who play together stay together.  

Play on and connect, my friend,

xox Coach Jan


PS: Whenever you are ready, here are 3 more ways I can help you PLAY for life:

1. Click here to grab a copy of my best-selling book: The Play Book:  How To Get In The Habit Of Good Health
2. Join the FREE 7-Days of Healthy Habits Course that can help you starting today.
3. Want to work with me personally on your wellness goals? Click here to book a call.