This summer, some fortunate Canadian Shedders had the rare opportunity to hear from Bob Rees, an Australian motorcyclist, musician, and motivational speaker whose life story is as moving as it is inspiring.
Bob’s journey took a dramatic turn in 2019 when a motorbike accident in Malawi left him paralyzed and took the life of his wife, Chris. Since then, Bob has rebuilt his life with courage, music, advocacy, and—true to his motorcycling roots—a sidecar adapted to keep him on the open road. His message is simple but powerful: even when life changes in an instant, it’s possible to find purpose, resilience, and joy again.
This summer, Bob criss-crossed North America on his latest adventure, making time to visit and speak at two Canadian Men’s Sheds:
- Lac Brome Men’s Shed (Quebec) – Shedders there welcomed Bob with warmth and curiosity, eager to hear about his life on the road and his determination to live fully in the face of hardship.
- Port Moody Men’s Shed (British Columbia) – In front of a packed room at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 119, Bob spoke about the power of connection, adapting to life’s challenges, and the importance of community for men’s health and wellbeing.
As Bob often tells audiences, resilience isn’t about pretending nothing has changed — it’s about finding new ways forward even when everything has.
The Shedder audiences were visibly moved—listening intently, and afterwards crowding around to thank Bob for his honesty and inspiration. As Port Moody Shedder and Men’s Sheds Canada Board member Jim Millar put it, “Bob’s story was moving, humbling and inspiring. I had a lot of comments that confirmed it.”
Bob’s distinctive motorcycle and sidecar, adapted so he can keep riding, also drew plenty of admiration. For many Shedders, it was a reminder that resilience doesn’t mean giving up what you love—it means finding new ways to keep doing it.
Bob’s visit is a powerful example of what Men’s Sheds are all about: men supporting men through shared experience, community, and the belief that we are stronger together.
