Who is Michael Morrison

Who Am I:

Hi, my name is Michael Morrison, a 20-year-old student currently studying at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay Ontario. I am currently in second year and I am studying outdoor recreation, parks and tourism, as well as concurrent education, with history as my second teachable. In the future I would like to be a part of the tourism industry and travel the world. After this, I would like to become a high school teacher and implement an outdoor learning program if one does not already exist, with the help of my current and future experiences.

A recognizable feature on myself is my red dreadlocks. I have had dreadlocks for over 2 years, and these have definitely helped form that I am as a person. Since having them I have become much more confidant and social.  I love that I am breaking stereotypes and proving people wrong through my strong work ethics. When I first got them, I did not think they would change my life as much as they have but I love all of the people I have met through my dreadlocks.

I am a very athletic person. I have played hockey for most of my life, a majority of the time playing for the Ajax Knights AE rep team as a goalie. I also play other various sports such as volleyball, golf, snowboarding, skateboarding, running and working out at the gym. I believe in living a healthy lifestyle and hope to promote that as a teacher one day.

Love for the Outdoors:

I am an outdoors person. I love to spend much of my time outdoors as demonstrated through my past jobs, hobbies and interests. Three of my past jobs have included the outdoors. I was a snowboard instructor in Uxbridge Ontario, I was a produce supervisor on a farm in Markham Ontario and most recently I have worked as a tree planter throughout Manitoba and Northern Ontario. I have worked through all weather, from rain to snow, and extreme heat to extreme cold. No matter the condition, being outdoors it makes it worth it. I am very into snowboarding, as this sport influenced me to live in Whistler during my gap year between high school and university.

Influences in my Life:

            I have been lucky enough in my life to have very supportive family and friends, all of which have influenced my life. Both my parents really influenced my love for the outdoors. My Dad got me into hockey and camping that I still love to do to this day. My Mom got me into swimming lessons and put me into the Cubs program (younger age group than boy scouts). This combination of sports and outdoors really shaped who I am today. Both of my parents have been very supportive in decisions I make, which makes my life much easier. When we began talking about what school I would like to do, they never pushed me in a certain direction. They did however say that they could not see me working an office job and this was one important step that helped me choose Outdoor Recreation at Lakehead.

            One major influence in my life has been one of my best friends, TJ Boucher. TJ and I worked together at Lakeridge as snowboard instructors. We got along well and always joked around and neither of us knew what we wanted to do in the future. During my gap year he mentioned where he was going to go to school, which was Lakehead. As soon as he explained the program to me, that’s when I knew I would be come an outdoor rec student. Also with our history of teaching snowboarding, getting the teaching degree was a given.

            Many places have influenced my life. I was born and raised in Ajax Ontario, a town of 120,000 people. I love where I lived, however it is all suburbs and not many escapes to nature. Once I began exploring other places through my travels, including visits to the east and west coast and my time living in whistler, I knew there was more than just Ajax. This is when I knew I did not want to live in the suburbs of Toronto and I knew I would be living far from home. My travels have helped to form who I am today and I look forward to my next adventures.