I’ve been using the phrase better than awesome a lot lately — and for good reason. The Trivia Night held on January 30 wasn’t just awesome. It was better than awesome in ways that matter deeply to me.
First, it was sold out.
Let that sink in for a moment. Every seat filled. Every table buzzing. Every question answered with laughter, friendly trash talk, and that unmistakable energy that comes from people choosing to show up. For me, the sold-out sign meant more than a full room — it was confirmation. Confirmation that people do want to help. That they care. That this mission resonates.
This was the fourth trivia night I’ve organized, but it was the first one with a dual purpose: raising funds and raising awareness for something much bigger that I’ll be launching later this year, right before bike season starts. The initiative is called “I am BrainSTRONG.”
Trivia Night was the perfect proving ground.
Between questions, prizes, and laughter, conversations started happening. Real ones. About brain injuries. About prevention. About how most brain injuries are invisible — until they aren’t. And about how small mindset shifts can lead to massive cultural change.
That’s exactly what I am BrainSTRONG is about.
At its core, the initiative aims to change the perspective of wearing a helmet when biking — from “I have to” to “I want to.” Not because someone is forcing it. Not because of a law. But because it’s smart. Because it’s normal. Because it’s what we do.
If that sounds ambitious, good. Because we’ve seen this kind of shift happen before.
In 1979, the NHL made wearing helmets mandatory. Players scoffed. They complained. They said it was uncomfortable. Unnecessary. That it would change the game. Some even thought it was ridiculous.
Fast-forward to today.
Not a single NHL player would step onto the ice without a helmet. Not one. The idea is unthinkable — not because it’s enforced, but because the mindset changed. Helmets became part of the identity of the game.
In the picture with me is Kerry Goulet, a retired professional hockey player. He’s fully mobile, speaks clearly, he’s coach for Melbourne Ice, and runs StopConcussions also a strong advocate for helmets, because he’s also an invisible Acquired Brain Injury recipient (can’t see it, but it’s there).
Cycling helmets don’t need more nagging. They need a mindset shift. They need pride. Ownership. Identity. I am BrainSTRONG.
January 30 showed me that this shift is possible.
The room was full. The support was real. The energy was contagious. And the belief — mine and everyone else’s — grew stronger with every question asked and every laugh shared.
So yes, Trivia Night was fun. Yes, it raised funds that will help bring I am BrainSTRONG to life. But more importantly, it reminded me why I’m doing this in the first place.
People care. People show up. And together, we can change the way we think — one helmet, one mindset, one better-than-awesome night at a time.
Stay tuned. Bike season is coming.
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