Kevin Gagnon WA - Freelance Writer, Educator And Consultant – And Lyric Baritone (Germany).

Years In Industry:

I started to focus on wine in 2007, several years after I had moved to Europe to pursue my career in classical music. By 2009 I had really started to geek out on wine while singing at the Opera Festival at Aix-En-Provence.  By 2011 I was running tastings and courses on wine, and in 2015 started the Weinakademiker program at the Weinakademie in Rust, Austria, graduating with the WSET Diploma and becoming the first Canadian Weinakademiker in 2016.  

My Biggest Challenge To Wellness:

My own difficulties prioritizing the things that are most important for myself, instead of what is important for other people. I have a little boy, an active singing career and a busy schedule of wine travel and writing, all of which means very little sleep and too little time for exercise, free reading and getting away from work. Wellness triage is critical and time with my son is the most important part of my day.

How I Keep It Together To Stay Well:

I love to cook, and I cook every day when I am home. I make nearly everything from scratch, which I enjoy very much. Huge portions of fresh vegetables, whole grains and occasional, locally-sourced meat.

I try to exercise at least four times a week, and follow a rigorous strength-training program that uses resistance and your own body weight as its only equipment, which means I can do it while travelling, regardless of weather or hotel gyms.

When I am travelling, I get out and see where I am. I walk as much as possible, see the “old stones” of the historic places I am lucky enough to visit, and take wine to the countryside. It is a joy that I sometimes share with others, but most often, and more importantly, do alone. It charges my batteries when I am feeling the most run-down.

You can follow Kevin on Instagram, Facebook  or his website Snarkywine.com