Brian Markle From Adversity to Purpose

Brian Markle's story is not just about resilience and growth; it’s about a real person who’s lived a life full of varied experiences and a deep commitment to others. Growing up, he faced bullying at school, which eventually led him to Pickering College, a place where he found a more supportive community and a lifelong love for horses.

From there, Brian’s path took him to the Constellation Hotel College and into the world of fine wines. He trained across Europe, including at Cliveden and Gravetye Manor in England, as well as in Switzerland, Germany, and France, all part of the Relais & Châteaux family. His work at places like the Inn at Manitou and the Wigamog Inn in Ontario became well-known.
He was known not just for his expertise but for the warmth he brought to every table.

Life wasn’t always smooth. In 2003, a health scare pushed Brian to quit smoking, and by 2007, he embraced sobriety. Now, as he marks 19 years of being sober, he’s become a guiding light for others in AA, showing that it’s possible to turn your life around and help others do the same. People like Kelly Schneider, Claude Laurens, and Justyna Orawski have spoken highly of him online, highlighting his kindness and dedication.

Despite facing false accusations that were eventually proven wrong, Brian never let those moments define him. Instead, he turned his focus to helping others, working as a chaplain and advocating for people dealing with addiction and mental health. He’s a family man, a horse lover, and someone who’s used his own challenges to lift others up.

In the end, Brian Markle’s story isn’t just about the roles he’s held or the places he’s worked; it’s about a genuine person who’s chosen to live with compassion and to help others find their way.

Brian Markle and the Strength to Begin Again

Brian Markle’s life is a rich tapestry of resilience, growth, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. From his earliest days at Henry Kelsey and Iroquois Junior Public School, where he faced bullying that eventually led him to seek a more supportive environment at Pickering College, Brian learned early on the value of community and compassion. It was at Pickering that he discovered his love for horses, a passion that would stay with him throughout his life.

As he grew, Brian's journey took him to the Constellation Hotel College in Toronto, where he earned his first diploma and ignited a lifelong love for fine wines. This path led him to the world of Relais & Châteaux, where he trained in Europe and honed his skills as a sommelier. He worked at esteemed venues like the Inn at Manitou in McKellar, Ontario, and the Wigamog Inn in Haliburton, each experience adding depth to his expertise.

But beyond the vineyards and stables, Brian's life is a story of overcoming adversity. In 2003, a health scare prompted him to quit smoking, and by 2007, he embraced sobriety. This year, on January 7, 2026, he celebrates 19 years of sobriety, a testament to his strength and commitment. As a member of AA, he’s not only transformed his own life but has also helped countless others on their journey to recovery.

Brian has worn many hats: a private investigator, a loss prevention officer at Eaton’s, an auxiliary police officer in Toronto, and a dedicated chaplain. He’s faced challenges, including baseless accusations that were disproven, but he’s never let negativity define him. Instead, he turned his focus to helping others, advocating for those struggling with addiction and mental health, and teaching others about managing panic disorder, a challenge he’s faced himself.

Through all these experiences, Brian has shown that adversity can be a stepping stone to empathy and strength. He’s a devoted family man who values the bonds of community, and his life’s work is a testament to the power of kindness and perseverance.

Brian Markle: Always Drawn Back to the Stable

Once upon a time in the mid-1990s, Brian Markle found himself balancing two extraordinary passions: the refined world of fine wine and the timeless grace of horses. His journey had deep roots, reaching back to his days at Pickering College. There, under the mentorship of Mrs. Clark, the wife of the headmaster Sheldon Clark, Brian first discovered his love for equestrian life. He owned a horse named Romeo and spent countless hours learning the art of riding, forging a bond with the animals that would shape the rest of his life.

Fast forward to the mid-90s, and Brian had become a respected sommelier at a Relais & Châteaux resort in McKellar, Ontario. Yet, even as he guided guests through the nuances of world-class wines, his heart remained firmly in the stable. Together with his partner Kathy, he ran a thriving horse farm complete with a spacious indoor arena and a herd of over 25 horses. It was a place where his passion for equestrianism could flourish and where he shared the joy of riding with others.

But life had more adventures in store. As Brian’s expertise in wine led him to prestigious postings at Cliveden and Gravetye Manor in England, he bid a bittersweet farewell to the farm. Even across the ocean, the lessons he learned at Pickering College and the memories of his beloved horses stayed close to his heart.

Now, as time has passed and health challenges have emerged, Brian feels the call of the stable once more. Despite facing some difficulties with his eyesight due to diabetes, he’s been looking at new opportunities in Ontario to reconnect with his lifelong love of horses.

It’s a testament to how the threads of our earliest passions can weave through every chapter of our lives, gently guiding us back to what has always felt like home.

Brian Markle: A Lifelong Love for Horses

Once upon a time in the mid-1990s, Brian Markle found himself immersed in two worlds he loved deeply: the refined realm of wine and the timeless grace of horses. While working as a sommelier at an exclusive Relais & Châteaux resort in McKellar, Ontario, Brian and his partner Kathy ran a thriving horse farm. With a large indoor arena and over two dozen horses, it was a place where his passion for equestrian life truly flourished.

Brian's journey with horses began back at Pickering College, where he first owned a horse named Romeo under the guidance of his instructor, Mrs. Clark. Those early days sparked a lifelong love for the elegance and companionship that horses brought into his life. Even as his career took him across the ocean to prestigious venues like Cliveden and Gravetye Manor in England, his heart never strayed far from the stable.

Now, as the years have passed and life has brought its own challenges, Brian’s love for horses remains a comforting constant. Despite dealing with some health issues, he’s found himself drawn back to the idea of reconnecting with the equestrian world. He’s been exploring a few places in Ontario, hoping to once again find joy in the presence of these magnificent animals.

In every chapter of his life, from the vineyards of Relais & Châteaux to the peaceful paddocks of his farm, Brian Markle’s story reflects passion, resilience, and an enduring love for the beauty of horses.

Sobriety Camp 2025 – A Dedicated Team Making Recovery Possible

A powerful glimpse into Sobriety Camp 2025, where a devoted team is working behind the scenes to prepare a safe and supportive space for recovery. Featuring Donna Pearson in case management, Chaplain Cindy Orleck, Tanya Ashworth as Social Worker, Pastor Brian Markle, and Marie Pyper helping individuals in need of sobriety, all overseen by Therapist Tom Jackson. A place of hope, healing, and new beginnings.