A TEAM OF TWO BRET(T)S // COVER
DESPITE SO MANY LAUDABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BOTH MEN HAVE NO TROUBLE IDENTIFYING WHAT THEY HOPE FOR THEIR LEGACIES. going to deal with and lay it out for me in layman’s terms.” Wilson was honoured. “I had the privilege of Bret opening up to me and I did the same in terms of my journey – because he had some very personal concerns and questions.” Initially reluctant to go public with his experience, Hart eventually did so. Wilson is full of praise. “For Bret to open up I think was a big thing,” Wilson says. “[He] went from having a very private journey to being one of Canada’s leading spokesman in terms of celebrating the testing and awareness that’s required around this disease.” PSA testing is something both men advocate strongly. Wilson believes it saved his life. “I was diagnosed at 43 and at the time the Canadian Cancer Society said they didn’t recommend testing until age 50. As I point out, they would have had to dig up the body to do the tests if I had relied on that data.” He laments the misinformation coming from the medical community. “Knowledge won’t kill you. In other words, get the test. Ignorance might kill you.” Hart’s surgery was a success, and his PSA levels are currently zero. “I had a lot of fears and doubts about what my life would be like afterwards, but everything’s been pretty positive,” he says. “I wish I could say the same about my hand surgery.” Last November, Hart underwent surgery on his right hand related to an old wrestling injury. He believes it severed a nerve. “I’ve lost the feeling in my finger and my thumb, and it’s driving me crazy because I can’t write or draw,” he says, referring to his passion for writing and his talent as a cartoonist. Beyond their names, prostate cancer, the fact they’re both authors and two of Calgary’s most successful and famous men, the Bret(t)s share a few other commonalities. They were born a day apart – Wilson on July 1 and Hart on July 2, 1957 – and are approaching their 60th birthdays. “I measure my life as two-thirds done, which means I’ve got another great 30 years,” says Wilson. “I’m emotionally ready and I think I’m physically ready.” He plans to continue to use
his platform to raise the profile of cancer, the library and many other causes. “There are a lot of overlapping things that look pretty interesting.” Hart too is looking forward. “I feel like tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. I don’t have any obstacles, I have lots of goals. I don’t rule anything out. I’d like to write another book. I’d like to win the world title two more times,” he chuckles. He describes a duty he feels to live his life for the many wrestlers – little brother Owen Hart among them – who didn’t survive the industry. “I want to be remembered more for doing positive things here in the community. I want to try to make the best of everything I’ve got and never waste a day.” Despite so many laudable accomplishments, both men have no trouble identifying what they hope for their legacies. “Three kids,” Wilson says with emotion. “How they interact with society is a pure reflection of the values that their mother and I put into them. I really don’t have much else that I care about.” “I’d like a legacy of being a great Calgarian,” Hart says. “To be remembered as a great Canadian. I want to carry the Hart name. I’m very proud of what my dad built, and what I carried forward.” Unapologetically proud of his talent and skill, he notes he never injured another wrestler in roughly 6,900 matches (approximately 300 matches per year). “I stand by my work as a professional wrestler,” he says. “Sometimes it’s misunderstood – my ego about pro-wrestling – but I really think that I was the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be.” A dynamic duo if ever one existed, any cause would be lucky to have one of them in their corner, let alone both Hart and Wilson. Today, the library is that fortunate cause. No doubt there will be more to come. For more information on the Add In campaign visit addin.ca.
BUSINESSINCALGARY.COM // BUSINESS IN CALGARY // NOVEMBER 2016
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