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Chris Pady - Ian Lau

One word that best describes Chris Pady: versatile. His knowledge and expertise in many walks of life has seen his work published in music, travel, health, pop culture and soccer magazines. His passion for those subjects - in addition to languages, the outdoors and Eastern philosophy – have provided him with an insatiable curiosity to learn as much as possible about humanity, as well as planet Earth and all its wonders. The purpose of his writing, then, is to share with his readers his knowledge of the things which are closest to his heart.

Born into a “house of jazz”, he was constantly exposed to legends like Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie and countless others by his jazz-obsessed father. As he grew older, his musical tastes evolved into other genres. He would go on to put this valuable musical education to good use as host of community radio shows “What Is Hip?” on CIUT 89.5FM (Toronto) and “Below the Bassline” on Shining Radio (Taiwan). He has been fortunate enough to have interviewed class acts such as Roy Ayers, Michael Franti, Billy Martin, Kid Koala and the Jungle Brothers to name a select few.

He considers music another form of travel: a means of familiarizing himself with different cultures as well as different parts of his soul. As a dj that plays out regularly, he can be found spinning a variety of genres of music from jazz, rare groove, funk, hip hop, reggae, Brazilian, African and more in and around Vancouver.

He is also well- traveled in the literal sense. His first experience abroad led him to France on an exchange program where he studied French in Nice, while allowing him the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Europe. Later, when his burning desire to travel could no longer be denied, he decided to work abroad as an ESL teacher. He spent one year working and adventuring in Thailand and then another five years in the unique city of Tainan, Taiwan.

His travels do not stop there, either. He has also spent extended periods of time in both Kenya and Tibet, two areas of the world that he feels privileged to have seen and experienced, not only for their amazing landscapes, but because of the heartfelt warmth of the people he encountered there.

An avid soccer enthusiast who has played semi-professionally, he covered the 2007 U-20 World Cup as well as the 2007-2008 Vancouver Whitecaps seasons for local online magazine BC Sportsbeat. He also enjoys hiking and the great outdoors whenever he can find the time.

Finally, Chris is a student of the soul. His quest for spiritual growth has been ongoing since he was a teenager. He has been heavily influenced by such authors as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Krishnamurti, Gary Zukav, Eckhart Tolle, Peter Mathiessen and Pema Chodron to name a few.

Chris now resides in Vancouver, where he can be found enjoying life along with his wife, 1 year-old son and their rescued Taiwanese street dog, Flea.