From Clinic to Charcoal – Bernard Michael Rochford on BBQ and Slowing Down

You probably didn’t know this, but Bernard Michael Rochford has always had a thing for BBQing.

Even back when I was running my osteopathy clinic in Brisbane, I’d finish a long day of adjustments, paperwork, and patient stories… and head straight home to fire up the grill. There was something meditative about it. The sizzle, the smoke, the way everything slows down while the meat cooks just right.

Now that I’ve retired, BBQing isn’t just an afterthought. It is the day.

Some people find peace in yoga or journaling. For Bernard Michael Rochford, peace looks like a rack of ribs, a solid rub, and coals glowing low and slow on a Sunday afternoon. My hands may not be guiding spinal realignments anymore, but they’re still at work—brushing marinades, flipping steaks, and tending to every cut of meat like it’s a patient that deserves proper care.

I used to heal people’s backs. Now I just feed their bellies.

My mates come over more now. Retirement has that effect. We sit under the pergola with a few cold beers, telling the same old stories with new laughs. And everyone knows that when Bernard Michael Rochford is on the tongs, you're in for something good—whether it’s brisket smoked for 8 hours or a quick salmon fillet kissed with lemon and dill.

But it’s not just about the food. BBQing gives me the same joy that osteopathy once did: presence, precision, and connection. It’s about being fully engaged in the moment—watching flames dance, hearing the fat crackle, and knowing you’re about to share something made with patience and care.

Lately, I’ve been trying out wood-fire setups and experimenting with coal-cooked veggies. You’d be surprised what a cauliflower steak can do with a smoky edge. My wife rolls her eyes at the ever-growing collection of BBQ gear, but deep down, I know she appreciates a good grilled peach for dessert.

So yes, Bernard Michael Rochford still practices healing in a way. Just with spice rubs instead of spinal adjustments.

I sometimes toy with the idea of starting a little blog or YouTube channel—BBQing with Bernard Michael Rochford has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

Until then, you’ll find me out the back, apron on, tongs in hand, meat resting under foil, and a grin on my face.

Smoke in the air. Peace in my heart.