With Maple, life doesn’t have to stop when you get sick

Life in Toronto rarely slows down. Parents sign up for sleepless nights and the carousel of colds, flus and fevers. Many in what’s known as the sandwich generation sign up for the double duty of raising children while caring for their aging parents. Others sign up for years of building their careers or keeping family traditions alive at home. Some sign up for the pace of city living, while others find balance on weekends away.

These are the chapters we choose: the goals, the responsibilities and the moments that define us. What no one chooses are the interruptions that illness brings—the stress, the waiting or the sudden halt to everything else. In Toronto, more than 510,000 residents are already without a family doctor, and that number could reach one million by 2026.

That’s where Maple comes in. The virtual care membership connects people with Canadian-licensed doctors, nurse practitioners, specialists and mental health professionals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s healthcare that fits into real life, designed to keep people covered so they can stay focused on what matters most.

In the fast lane

For online strength and endurance creator Trey Étseyatsé, staying fit and running marathons have become as much about self-improvement as inspiring others to follow in his footsteps. “My first run was a 5K, and it took me 40 minutes from start to finish,” he says. “I was stopping every few hundred metres and felt like my heart was about to pump out of my chest. It completely humbled me. So I set a goal to run 10K, which I eventually did.”

That perseverance paid off, leading to one marathon after another and a social following that looks to Étseyatsé for limits, inspiring others to move their bodies and showing that you can always reinvent yourself,” he says. “I get messages all the time from people saying I motivated them to start running, buy their first pair of running shoes or make healthier choices.”

When he moved from Ireland to Toronto six years ago, he struggled to find a family doctor. “Maple filled that role for me,” he says. “If I ever fall sick or need a prescription, it’s sent straight to my pharmacy or delivered to my door. I can connect with a doctor whenever I need, whether I’m at home, travelling or short on time. It saves me from waiting hours at a clinic.”

For Étseyatsé, staying on top of his health is part of the same discipline that keeps him training. Virtual care gives him the speed and consistency to match his pace.

A recipe for balance

Matthew Ravenscroft, former culinary director at the Michelin-recognized Gia restaurant and currently business developer at New / School Foods, is known for his plant-forward cooking and enthusiasm for vegetables. “I genuinely just want people to see the potential in eating vegetables,” he says. “If people learn to enjoy cooking more vegetables, they’ll enjoy eating more vegetables.”

Between running a busy restaurant, travelling for culinary collaborations and raising two energetic kids, Ravenscroft’s schedule rarely leaves time for downtime. “One of my favourite things about this work is connecting with people,” he says. “In what world would I regularly talk with chefs I admire in the UK, Amsterdam or Australia and just chat about food? It’s amazing to share that passion.”

Since he can’t cook if he’s sick, staying healthy is non-negotiable. “Maple gives us an opportunity to be more preventive by having immediate access to assistance rather than guessing or waiting until it gets worse,” he says. “If I’m travelling, I can still connect with a doctor, get a prescription and keep things moving.”

For Ravenscroft, subscribing to the membership ensures he can take care of himself and his family without missing a beat. “It means we can live our lives, stay healthy and keep doing what we love,” he says.

Finding the perfect fit

When marketing strategist and digital creator Victoria Hui first launched the Lust Listt, she was 12 years old. “I needed a creative outlet outside of my academic studies and found blogging to be my little corner of sanctuary on the internet,” she says.

More than two decades later, the Lust Listt has evolved into a lifestyle platform that spans fashion, beauty, food, decor and travel. With robust followings on Instagram and YouTube, Hui’s work now reflects both creative independence and family life. “I love being able to be in control of my schedule, and to never know what each day will bring,” she says. “I also love the flexibility that it has provided my family. I get to spend so much more time with my husband, son and dog.”

That flexibility extends to how she manages her health. A world traveller with an unpredictable schedule, Hui can’t afford to be grounded by illness, at home or abroad. “It’s been a personal mission of mine to secure top-of-the-line access to healthcare for my entire family,” she says. “Maple is a phenomenal add-on to our existing family health team. It means we have coverage and access when typical clinics and offices aren’t open.”

Having specialists available on short notice is another reason Hui depends on Maple. “It can be hard to commit to specialist appointments when last-minute projects pop up,” she says. “I love knowing that I can get in contact with someone on my own schedule and have issues resolved quickly.”

Hui also uses Maple’s mental health services. Caregivers and parents report higher rates of anxiety and burnout across Canada, so she values knowing that support is there when she needs it. “It’s peace of mind, really,” she says. “It helps us keep our balance.”

Keeping life on track

From entrepreneurs and parents to caregivers and creators, everyone faces moments when life stops unexpectedly. Maple helps Canadians bridge those moments, offering care when and where it’s needed most. Although we all sign up for the things that give life meaning, we shouldn’t have to sign up for the wait.

Visit getmaple.ca for healthcare that fits the life you’re already living.