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Having a Happy, Healthy Family in a Winter City Dr. Randy Gregg, Sports Medicine Doc and former Edmonton Oiler, shares how! WORDS BY LINDSAY BROMMELAND PHOTOGRAPHY BY TATYANA SEMENOVA
I spoke with Dr. Randy Gregg early on a brisk
someone’s athletic prowess, all skill levels are
Saturday morning, as he was just getting in from
worthy of support. Gregg points to Speed Skating
walking all 4 of his family’s dogs. An energetic start to
as a good example. Skaters are measured against
his weekend is perfectly in keeping with the healthy
their personal best, rather than focusing only on
lifestyle Gregg grew up with and encouraged in his
scoring and winning.
own children. The youngest of 6, Gregg grew up with a hockey rink in the backyard, an early start to
Having a healthy family means leading by
an active lifestyle that would eventually lead to a
example. Healthy parents tend to raise healthy,
professional sports career, including as an Edmonton
active kids. Gregg says showing his children their
Oiler during the team’s 1980’s heyday. Incredibly,
parents’ willingness to get a red nose from being
Gregg earned a medical degree amongst his athletic
out in the cold meant their kids saw it as no big
achievements, while exhibiting a healthy balance
deal. Winter is our reality; even if you don’t like
between athleticism and thoughtfulness that is
being on skates (me-I spend enough of my life
apparent when speaking with him about his
being cold and wearing uncomfortable shoes,
family. When Gregg and his wife, Olympic Speed
thank you!). There are lots of ways to get active
Skater Kathleen Vogt were raising their 4 children,
during the winter months, from cross country
they continued the backyard rink tradition. As a
skiing to making a snowman. Of course, limiting
result, their children led an active lifestyle from
screen time and eating healthy, reasonable
an early age, two of whom went on to become
portions should be standard practice, but having
Olympians themselves.
an active family life from an early age is the key to lifelong health and wellness.
To raise a healthy family, Gregg emphasises it’s not important for children to have the most expensive
Gregg has some Pandemic specific health advice
equipment, attend the best sports schools, or even
as well. More in-home workouts have led to what
have an appetite for competitive athletics. Placing
he jokingly calls “Covid Knee” - a higher incidence
too much emphasis on scoring goals and winning
of patients coming in with sore knees caused by
means we miss the opportunity for our children
barefoot home workouts on hard surfaces. So
to learn what sports are supposed to teach: self
make sure you wear your running shoes when
confidence, camaraderie, strategy, and the chance
working out at home - or better yet, bundle up
to develop their skills at their level. Regardless of
your family and get outside. - 34 -
