MAAR Stephen Timothy

General
MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES
In January 2019 he revealed via social media that he has struggled with depression, and encouraged others to talk about their mental health. "Even living out your dreams doesn't equal constant happiness. When you see everything you have always wanted coming together, there can still be emptiness. It's OK. While we all differ on our paths through life, let's stay constant on bringing to light the darkness in the back of your mind. If like me you are someone who struggles, be active in your search for daily joys. Depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts thrive as we seek to hide them. Bring them to the light." (Instagram profile, 30 Jan 2019)

FURTHER STUDIES
He used the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, which resulted in his first prolonged break from volleyball since graduating from university in 2016, to began studying a certificate in business at the Smith School of Business at Queen's University in Kingston, ON, Canada. "I used this time to dive into financial markets with the same enthusiasm and diligence that has served me in my pursuit to achieve Olympic success." (LinkedIn profile, 01 Jan 2021)

CLUB CAREER
After leaving McMaster University in Canada in 2016, he played in Italy for Pallavolo Padova in 2016/17, Verona in 2017/18 and Powervolley Milano in 2018/19. He then played for Dynamo Moscow in Russian Federation in 2019/20 before returning to Milano in 2020/21. (powervolleymilano.it, 28 Jan 2021; LinkedIn profile, 01 Jan 2021)

In 2017 he was part of the Canadian team that won bronze in the World League, which was Canada's first-ever World League medal. (SportsDeskOnline, 01 Jan 2021; olympic.ca, 09 July 2017)

In December 2020 while playing for Powervolley Milano he became the first Canadian player to reach 1000 career points in Italy's SuperLega. (volleyballsource.ca, 05 Dec 2020)