John Robertson, PhD is a scientist, writer, teacher, curler, and massive fan of em-dashes. He graduated with his doctorate in Medical Biophysics from the University of Western Ontario in 2011, and spends his days as a science writer & editor for the University Health Network in Toronto. He spends his nights October–April at the Unionville Curling Club, and the rest wishing there was curling while writing nonsense on the internet.

He specializes in explaining complex topics for regular people, in science, personal finance, and apparently now curling. He is the author of The Value of Simple: A Practical Guide to Taking the Complexity Out of Investing and teaches investing for Canadians online at course.valueofsimple.ca. He has been an invited speaker in investing, post-PhD careers, and scientific grant development at a number of venues including the University of Toronto, York University, and the Toronto Public Library.

He writes under the pen name of Potato at holypotato.net, his long-standing personal blog with a large focus on personal finance.

He is an avid club curler, playing mixed doubles, four-person curling, and sparing whenever called upon. Despite starting in Little Rocks and having over two decades of experience as a curler, he still does not know what draw weight is tonight. He is an NCCP certified Club Coach (which for those unfamiliar with the system, is like, the lowest level of certification, but something). He is a volunteer with the Little Rocks program at Unionville Curling Club, and also runs the Open Tag league there. Feel free to send him an email, john@curlingbeginners.ca.

The Photographer

Alexis Lindley is a dynamic and passionate photographer from Canada. Raised in Markham, Ontario, Alexis was exposed to photography at a very young age and greatly influenced by her family. She is dedicated to her craft, specializing in capturing the profound emotions of athletes during sports events, the natural beauty of animals in their habitats, and the mood of stunning landscapes. Alexis’s commitment to her art often drives her to explore new locations, seeking inspiration from the ever-changing landscapes that tell a unique story through each photograph.

Alexis started curing at a young age, and even as a junior (U18) curler was known around the Unionville Curling Club as a “super spare.” She has played at the competitive level, including at the Ontario Mixed Doubles Provincial Qualifiers. She has helped tremendously with the club’s operations, including photographing key events and helping to manage its social media presence.

For a deeper dive into Alexis’ work, visit her Instagram page @angual.photography. There, you can explore more of her stunning photographs, which beautifully capture the essence of her passion for photography.