2024 Award of Excellence Recipient: Nick Petrella

Award of Excellence_Nick Petrella

In 2009, Nick Petrella received a call asking him to help develop a new health and fitness program at Mohawk College. Having a Masters in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Brock University, it was a call Nick was happy to take. It was a call that changed his life.   

At Mohawk, Nick worked part-time with four colleagues to shape what became the Health, Wellness, and Fitness program. The program took off with strong enrollment numbers in its first year, leading to a full-time position for Nick.  

Growing up, Nick was a dedicated athlete, playing elite hockey and football until his early 20s. Throughout that time, he experienced a lot of injuries, including many concussions. “More concussions than I was aware of at the time,” he says. These injuries contributed to Nick developing severe anxiety and depression.  

“I didn’t know what anxiety and depression meant. I didn’t know that what I was feeling wasn’t ‘normal,’” he says. “I learned that my emotions could switch pretty fast. Some days were good and some days were bad.  Some people used the word ‘moody’ to describe me at the time.”  

After a boss mentioned to Nick that he was easily frustrated and angry, Nick knew he needed to get a handle on his emotions. A colleague (who eventually became his wife) mentioned therapy. 

It was through therapy that Nick was officially diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Over the next five years, he went to therapy regularly while continuing to struggle with his mental health.  

Around this time, Nick was invited to attend a colleague’s class to hear from a visitor from the Canadian Mental Health Association. Without any pre-planning, it was in that class that Nick shared his story.  

It was a turning point for Nick.  

“I realized that by helping people and possibly saving people’s lives, I was feeling better,” he says. This led to more speaking engagements. “The more I talk and the more I share, the more vulnerable I am, the better I feel.”  

Nick found his purpose. 

“I used to be a very physical and fitness-based person. Everything was about improving physical health, and I thought that was my purpose for a number of years,” he says. “I have learned the mental health coaching, mindset coaching and using my journey of mental health to get through the darkest times and sharing my story of recovery, I believe is my purpose.”  

Since his early days at Mohawk, Nick has contributed to the college’s athletic program, including providing strength and conditioning coaching as well as assistant coaching the varsity women’s volleyball team.  

In these roles, Nick sees the pressures and challenges many student-athletes face. “We often think that athletes are indestructible. That they can handle more than the average person, but the reality is they are no different than other people,” says Nick.  

Coaches and Athletics Department staff considered how to provide holistic supports to student-athletes. It was agreed that a mindset and mental performance coach was needed. Nick sought and was selected for the role. 

Now in its second year, the program is helping Mohawk student-athletes both physically and emotionally, resulting in the increased performance of our varsity teams and the increased success of athletes in their academics.  

Things have certainly changed from when Nick was a post-secondary student. 

Twenty-five years ago, it was not common for mental health to be discussed in university and college classrooms. Nick can recall the sentiment during his athlete days. “From a male perspective, [we were] not allowed to show our feelings because they didn’t matter,” he says. “It’s changed significantly in a positive way.” 

Although generational stereotypes about men not showing emotions still exist, conversations about topics like suicide, mental health and therapy are starting to become more common. Nick sees this as a positive sign for the future. 

In August 2024, Nick was recognized for his mental health work and contributions to the college with a Mohawk College Award of Excellence.  

Surprised and humbled by the award, Nick appreciates that his work is being noticed but continues to strive to do more. “The recognition just makes me want to continue to find new ways and different ways to reach more people at all levels,” he says.