Accolades
What others are saying:
"Michael has a unique ability to captivate his audience with his impassioned stories based on his personal experiences. You will be left with a sense of empowerment and motivation."
Paul Phillips RPF
Safety Leader
Weyerhaeuser
Alberta Forestlands
"Michael did a great job of adapting his personal message and life experiences to our particular needs and messaging around on the job safety"
Tom Holmes
Weyerhaeuser
"Michael's presentation is filled with emotion, challenge and humour. Michael's 'positive rebel' message inspires one to face challenges head on and to turn one's weakness into an asset. His message can be applied to all areas of business and personal life. I believe that anyone and everyone can benefit from Michael's story and his will to overcome."
Dwane FordBranch Manager
Abbotsford RBC Investments
"You will laugh, you may cry but you will be a stronger person after listening to Michael."
Abby SmolicAGF Funds Inc
Vancouver
"The evaluations of the day were overwhelmingly positive about your presentation and that for them, this was indeed a highlight. The evaluations also requested a repeat performance next year!"
Linda Byrnes, RN, BScN,MALT: Instructor
Malaspina University College
"Michael is a superb asset as a speaker for any organization that values leadership, competencies, integrity and honesty. Michael is a fine example of the highest level of commitment and initiative that is required to overcome barriers to progress. In fact Michael accepts barriers or opposition with grace and somehow turns them miraculously into positive challenges."
Jeff OatesDeputy Chief
West Vancouver Fire and Rescue
"Many people need to hear your message Michael and there is no better time than now when so much seems to be shifting and changing and hopefully moving towards a world of a deeper understanding of the challenges people face and a willingness to make society a place where all can participate and feel at home."
Brett Christensen
"I liked the personability of Michael, I have seen a few other presenters who take their passion to the militant level. For me, a militant approach tends to distance me. Michael's passion is presented in a way that allows the audience in, never distancing or alienating.
At one moment during his presentation, Michael's eyes locked with mine (or so it felt) and his message was clear. The whole of his passion was transmitted in those few brief seconds, I have removed "can't" from my vocabulary."
Derek Davidson
"Inspirational, challenging and entertaining. Michael blows away preconception. His simplified tools and principles are immediately useful to all. His stories and presentation touches young and old and challenges us all, to take charge of ourselves to influence the world in which we live, at all levels."
Daniel Shadbolt
What students are saying:
"I am very motivated by mike's speech that he had done at my school. I had recorded his entire speech on my recording device so I can share it with a lot of my friends who don’t understand the meaning behind what bullying is really doing to the youth of today. approximately when i was around 6 til I was around 12 i was bullied beyond what I could handle. at times I got close to basically committing suicide and just hating my life. but anyway enough of my life. all I know that is mike inspired me to go the extra mile and to realize that hurting someone is the lowest form of fun anyone can have."
Jeff Roberts
"Dear Michael,
Today, you came to my school (Hammond Bay elementary) and talked to us about bullying. You told us how people would always bully you in school because you were different and they thought you looked funny. You gave my class 3 balls and told us to include everyone in the game. After it got me thinking about everything I've ever done good or bad and thinking of things I could have done to avoid the bad things and how proud I am of good things. So at the end of the day, when you were leaving you tossed my mom one of your footballs. I'll keep true to your word and I'll let anybody that wants to play no matter if there a different skin colour, hadicapped, ect. and every so often I'll tell you what has happend or how that ball... has made a difference. I will keep in touch. Thank you!
Yours truly, "
Bengrade 5
Hammond Bay School
"To help prevent bullying in my school I am going to try to prevent bullying in my school by trying to help people get through fights. I am also going to watch out for people that are getting bullied or that are bullying other people. I love to be nice to people i am not a bully like some people are but I like to help the people that are bully other peole or if they are getting into a fist fight or something like that.
Well thank- you for coming to my school and teaching us all."
Alysha
"Dear Michael,
What I would do to stop bullying is, one tell the person that is bullying to stop bullying or you can walk away
and play with somebody else. If he/she does not stop a parent or teacher should be told.
Do not be a bully your self and if you see someone else being bullied either help them or report
it to a adult or teacher."
Matthew
Cinnibar Valley Elementary School
Hi My name is Turner.
You came to my school (Hammond Bay Elementary) and I thought that your lecture was very good and it spoke to me. I really liked the story of the football game and how you practiced until you were able to catch the ball and I made a PowerPoint presentation about it (one of my hobbies). Enjoy! :). It's called overcomming disabilities (excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes) Thank you!
Hi my name is Roxy.
I attend Ecole Phoenix Middle school. You came and did a presentation on January 25th in A block. I was very touched by your story. You made me cry when you told us that you were envious of us, In your eyes we were perfect. many of us are indeed physically perfect in means of mobility but deep down inside none of us are perfect. We are all the same no matter what challenges each of us are faced with day to day. It also brought a tear to my eye when you caught the football. You made me realise just how lucky I am to be able to do the littlest things, but not only the small things but the fact that I can play on a Rep. Soccer team and be in the school band Playing the Saxophone. If I ever come to meet another person with Cerebral palsy i most certaintly will treat them with as much respect as anyone else because they most definatly deserve it. Thank you for Coming to Ecole Phoenix Middle School
Roxy. BMy name is Jordan and I was able to watch your speech today (jan 26) it was great. You are a HUGE inspiration! And I wish I could see it again! your story about you getting illegily towed and raming the fence was very funny! Your speech really did touch me especial because I am also bullied I am teased mercilisly but today your speech helped alot after your speech it stopped! You are an extremily brave person I read that you have done over 1100 speeches wich is really cool I hope you keep doing this YOU are my hero! please return this message.
Your fan: Jordan