Talks
Words to Inspire
and Motivate
“A powerful speech does not just change what people know; it changes what they do.”
In writing Hope by Terry Fox, the lessons I learned and the experiences shared by so many of how they now live by Terry Fox’s mantra “Anything is possible if you try.” I know that in our most troubling times, when we feel stuck, unsure, lost, or don’t know what direction to take, stories of how others have found their way, strived for their goals and made their dreams come true, can inspire us to believe and do the same.
As an author, journalist, and storyteller, I bring real people and their experiences to the stage — stories of courage, struggle, hope, identity and the choices that shape a life. Whether speaking to a literary audience, a community organization, students or professionals, I want the experience to feel less like a lecture and more like a conversation: one that stays with you and changes what you believe you can do.
Author Talks & Readings
Keynotes & Featured Presentations
Interactive Q&A Conversations
Book Clubs & Literary Events
Tailored Talks for Your Audience
Speaking to: Libraries • Schools & Universities • Literary Festivals • Community Organizations • Professional & Corporate Audiences
Achieving the Impossible
Workshop: Turning your passion into purpose and action
When Terry Fox shared he wanted to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research, people didn’t take him seriously. Terry ran a marathon a day, every day, for 143 days, on one leg. He called it the Marathon of Hope, because he understood the power of Hope over the thought of impossibility.
In this workshop, we break down each element that helped Terry achieve the ‘impossible’, find the same within your sphere and create a roadmap so you too can take your first step to achieve what you may have once thought impossible.
Come ready with the goal you wish to achieve
Understanding how to apply each element into your life
Recognizing where to begin and how to take the first step
The Power of Hope
Hope is not passive, it is adversarial
Hope is at the foundation of everything we do. It is what fuels the fight within us to get us to the next day, the next stage, the next level.
When we look at its opposite, hopelessness, then it becomes quite clear. Hopelessness is when we feel we should give up, that there is no possibility. It is Hope that allows us to dream, to see possibility, to know there is a forward, a future, a chance.
We must look at Hope as the sword we wield every day. An how you can overcome by finding your own laser focus through the light of Hope.
Finding the Hope in your foundation
Knowing your touchstones to reignite Hope
Understanding the power of positivity and possibility
From Breakdown to Breakthrough
Hope to Resilience for Mental Health
When facing a life changing or ending situation in our lives, how do we not let the breakdown keep us down?
Breakdowns are inevitable. Breakthroughs need support, resilience, and creativity to take care of our mental health, and find our stability to hold strong during the turbulance.
By sharing my own mental health challenges and the stories of so many who found themselves broken by life, we can learn how to rebuild through inspiration and compassion, create our own safety nets and know we too will get through.
Turning hoplessness into Hope
Creating your safe places, and comfort groups
Learning acceptance of the lows; reaching stability through resilience
Speaking Engagements
Wordstock Sudbury Literary Festival Author talk on Hope by Terry Fox
Halton Hills Lecture Series
“The Power of Hope”
Talking Saves Lives (Bros Before Lows)
“From Breakdown to Breakthrough”
Community Mental Health Forum; Share to Care Keynote Speaker
“Achieving the Impossible”
Media Appearances
The Richard Crouse Show
CBC’s The 306
CHCH’s Morning Live
CBC’s Here & Now
Connecting the Community podcast
The Trillium Running Podcast
980 CKNW’s Weekends with Scott Shantz
CBC Morning North
CTV Northern Ontario
Sirius XM’s Canada Now
Toronto Legends podcast
Sportsnet 590 The Fan