John Brink

Born on November 1, 1940, in Nazi-occupied eastern Holland near the German border, John A. Brink's early childhood was marked by the horrors of World War II. From age three, he foraged for food and fuel with his siblings during the brutal 'Hunger Winter' of 1944-45, enduring starvation and extreme cold while his mother raised them alone after his father was drafted. The Canadian Army's liberation of their village on April 12, 1945, ignited a lifelong dream to emigrate to Canada, the land of his heroes. This wartime trauma left him with undiagnosed PTSD, compounded later by ADHD discovered at age 57, which he now views as a 'superpower' fueling his hyperfocus and innovation. At 15, apprenticed in a Dutch lumber firm, Brink honed skills that defined his career. In July 1965, at 24, he arrived in Prince George, British Columbia, with $25.47, no English, no contacts, and one suitcase. Starting as a cleanup man, he rose to supervisor within a year, managed a Yukon sawmill by 1967, and in 1975 launched Brink Forest Products Ltd. with a $25,000 loan and three employees. Pioneering finger-jointed lumber in Canada—without standards or markets—he built it into North America's largest secondary lumber manufacturer and top producer of finger-jointed studs, employing 400 across three northern B.C. sites, exporting 90% to the U.S. Brink challenged unfair grading rules in 1986, nearly bankrupting the firm but emerging stronger. A 35-year COFI director, founder of B.C. Council of Value Added Manufacturers, and Wood Works Initiative chair, he represented Canada in five U.S. softwood disputes and advanced forest stewardship. Philanthropy includes $500K+ annual charity support, athlete sponsorships, $500K for the John A. Brink Trades and Technology Centre (2005), a $1M College of New Caledonia pledge (2019), earning him an honorary Doctorate of Laws, Order of B.C. (2019), and B.C. Community Achievement Award. Author of 'Against All Odds' (2021 autobiography), 'ADHD Unlocked,' 'Finding Your Passion Living the Dream,' and upcoming 'Living Young Dying Old' on fitness. At 68, a health scare sparked bodybuilding; by 74, he competed, becoming North America's oldest nationally ranked bodybuilder at 83+, qualifying for Nationals and Arnold Classic while hosting 'On The Brink Podcast.' Fundamentals: attitude, passion, work ethic. [John A. Brink site](http://johnabrink.com/about/), [nino-guest-lookup.json](file:///home/user/workspace/nino-guest-lookup.json), [Brink Forest Products](http://www.brink.bc.ca/), [Prince George Citizen](https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/standout/autobiography-against-all-odds-carries-message-of-perseverance-and-self-belief-3744928), [BC Achievement](https://bcachievement.com/awardee/john-brink/).