Slow down and go within
Finding My Voice
One of the most common questions I am asked is about the tattoo on my throat. When we lost my best friend, Justin Andres, to suicide, he left me a note. I traced over his initials, surrounded them with the phoenix, and met with a tattoo artist. You see, Justin...
Kindness Matters
As I was getting settled into my seat I began reflecting on some wise words I once heard. On every flight there is a good chance that someone is on their way to a funeral or perhaps saying goodbye to a loved one. You never know what people are going through, and for...
The Sun Will Rise
The sunrise has always played a pivotal role in my life. On too many nights, I wondered whether or not I would make it to the morning. I used to always say, "One day I am not going to have to fight so hard." Today, I stopped, and took the time to recognize that my...
We All Need Support
We all have those moments when we need someone to believe in us more than we believe in ourselves. For me, that was Tanya, and last night her halo was on full display. Tanya and her two boys opened their doors for me when I was three months sober. My resume was not...
A TEDx Moment
This was the highlight of my day. Due to a hotel room being unavailable, a mother asked the event coordinator if her children could attend the keynote. Her children didn’t know who the speaker was, but as soon as I started sharing my story about mental health, one of...
Suicide – Let’s Talk
On July 30, 2017, Cory lost his son, Hunter, to suicide. Hunter was 16. Following this loss, Cory made a conscious decision that he would not shy away from the fact that this was a death by suicide. His reasoning? Cory understood that silence was not the answer, and...
Men DO Talk About Mental Health
Following my events, it used to always be women who approached me. The men, meanwhile, would typically be standing off in the distance observing these conversations from a safe distance away. For many of those men who did approach me, more often than not, they would...
Shoveling with Gratitude
Today, we received another healthy dose of snow on the prairies. Over the past few days, I have heard numerous people complain that they have to shovel their driveway. Here's some perspective... They have a driveway to shovel. Homelessness is a reality for many. I...
Vulnerability Equals Strength
Before introducing me for this morning's keynote, the director of Saskatoon Light and Power, Trevor Bell, shared that he struggled with anxiety. Never before had he spoken those words out loud to his colleagues. Why did Trevor choose to share? Because he has embraced...
5 Life Lessons From Sobriety
It has been said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. My journey towards sobriety began 13 years ago, and in that time I have discovered the following truths: Sometimes we need people to believe in us more than we believe in ourselves Once you...
“What’s stronger than a broken man who has the courage to rebuild himself? It’s time to redefine what it means to be strong.”
– Allan Kehler
