FALL 2021-PRESENT: UW VARSITY RUGBY

From the age of 8 until 18 - my formative decade - I was a swimmer. A national qualifying, provincial record holding, competitive swimmer. Before most other identities I was a swimmer, right until I tore my rotator cuff apart right before I would start my varsity career swimming at UW. Thank god I did.

A friend introduced me to rugby; within a year I was a starter, within 2 I was an OUA all-star, and within 3 I had played an international test matches against Ireland representing Ontario. My team also voted me Most Improved Player… twice.

Rugby, above all else, is a team game. I’d do anything for my team - “for he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother” is what is painted inside our locker room.

What I’m trying to get at is I know how to fit into a system - I see the big picture - I make sacrifices - I support my team - I’m fiercely competitive - and I know how to have fun doing all that.

A rugby player in black and gold uniform running with a rugby ball on a grassy field covered in fallen leaves.

A sports poster featuring Michael DeGasso, a rugby and mechanical engineering student, celebrating with a loud cheer. The poster highlights his role as a second team player for the Waterloo Warriors rugby team, with prominent yellow and black text and team logos.

Rugby players engaging in a scrum on a grass field, wearing black and yellow uniforms with some players in black and red uniforms, with trees in the background.

Young rugby players standing in a huddle with arms around each other on a field.

Winter 2022-PRESENT: Standup Comedy

I’ve told stories my whole life. I like when I can get people to listen, I love when I can get people to laugh, but instilling an idea? Nothing feels as good as being understood.

Standup comedy is humbling. When I first walked on stage I thought I could communicate ideas really well - my god it was a painful revelation to realize I might as well have been speaking a different language into that mic.

I know it’s a stretch to convince you standup has taught me anything applicable to a workplace, but… it has. Constructing a tight 5 minute set taught me how to cut the fat off ideas, bombing/dying on stage has taught me resilience, and writing/scripting/rehearsing has taught me effective preparation skills.

Two young men in Vancouver Grizzlies basketball jerseys standing in front of red lockers, each holding a microphone, performing stand-up comedy in a colorful indoor setting.

A goose with a human-like head and an open beak against a red and black concentric circle background.

A man performing stand-up comedy on stage, holding a microphone in his left hand and using his right hand to point or gesture, with a brick wall background and illuminated sign.