Speaking Topics
1. Dare to dream BIG
2. The Power Of Influence
3. Giv'er with Grit: How to overcome obstacles & Persevere through Hardship
4. Be Different: Turning Your Perceived Weakness into your SuperPower
5. Get Up, Get Involved . . . and GIV'ER
6. Heads up, Phones Down
1. dare to dream BIG
In this keynote presentation, Chris will tell stories of his humble beginnings in a very small rural town where he had the dream to one day wrestle in the same ring as his childhood heroes. He will teach them a lesson he learned as a youth aspiring to achieve this dream ... the saying "You Can Be Whatever You Want To Be" is a lie. Chris learned that the truth is "You can be whatever you want to be ... if you put in the work."
Chris tells the story of his grueling initiation into professional wrestling and the lessons of perseverance, grit, and overcoming obstacles that he learned along the way.
He goes on to explain that you don't have to be in the "big time" to make a "big difference." We can all make a difference in this world if we decide to set a positive example of those around us. He teaches learning many lessons about the power of a positive mindset when he finally realized his childhood dream and wrestled in the same ring as his childhood heroes.
Viewers take away the realization that the size of their dreams should not be limited to the size of their town or other people's expectations. Viewers learn that their circumstances don't have to dictate their actions. We all have the power to persevere if we put enough passion and drive into achieving our dreams.
Areas of Focus:
Chris tells the story of his grueling initiation into professional wrestling and the lessons of perseverance, grit, and overcoming obstacles that he learned along the way.
He goes on to explain that you don't have to be in the "big time" to make a "big difference." We can all make a difference in this world if we decide to set a positive example of those around us. He teaches learning many lessons about the power of a positive mindset when he finally realized his childhood dream and wrestled in the same ring as his childhood heroes.
Viewers take away the realization that the size of their dreams should not be limited to the size of their town or other people's expectations. Viewers learn that their circumstances don't have to dictate their actions. We all have the power to persevere if we put enough passion and drive into achieving our dreams.
Areas of Focus:
Ideal for:
- Organization events
- elementary, Junior High, and Secondary assemblies (all age groups)
- graduation
- welcome back assemblies
- orientation
- leadership conferences
Dare to Dream BIG Workshop
This workshop expands on lessons and take-aways from Chris' "Dare to Dream BIG" keynote and narrows in on a concept many people need help with... goal setting.
Areas of Focus:
Areas of Focus:
- Overcoming fear
- finding your passion
- accountability partners
Ideal for:
- Leadership groups
- student council / clubs
- at-risk students
- students lacking direction
- students about to graduate
2. The Power of Influence
In this keynote presentation, Chris talks about the cycle of influence. Whether we are influenced by positive or negative forces, we can choose to continue that cycle or change it.
Chris tells stories of the negative influences on his life at a very young age and a chance meeting in the 9th grade that changed the trajectory of his life forever.
He tells engaging tales from his wrestling career that have influenced his life as a father and a man. Chris tells personal stories of special connections he's made with his wrestling fans as he travelled the world performing as "Cody Deaner" and his decision to be a positive influence in his community through his charity campaign - "Giv'er for Charity."
Viewers take away the realization that they all have the power to influence those around them. It's up to them whether they want to be a positive or negative influence in the world. Chris encourages all youth to choose the power of positive influence.
Areas of Focus:
Chris tells stories of the negative influences on his life at a very young age and a chance meeting in the 9th grade that changed the trajectory of his life forever.
He tells engaging tales from his wrestling career that have influenced his life as a father and a man. Chris tells personal stories of special connections he's made with his wrestling fans as he travelled the world performing as "Cody Deaner" and his decision to be a positive influence in his community through his charity campaign - "Giv'er for Charity."
Viewers take away the realization that they all have the power to influence those around them. It's up to them whether they want to be a positive or negative influence in the world. Chris encourages all youth to choose the power of positive influence.
Areas of Focus:
Ideal for:
- elementary, Junior High, and Secondary assemblies (all age groups)
- leadership conferences
- Anti-Bullying
- Anti-drug / Anti-drinking / Anti-vaping
- orientation
Power of influence workshop
This workshop expands on lessons and take-aways from Chris' "Power of Influence" keynote and narrows in on finding your passion to help you choose positivity over negativity.
Areas of Focus:
Areas of Focus:
- You become who you surround yourself with
- avoiding the victim mentality
- the power of choice
Ideal for:
- at-risk youth
- youth in need of direction
- leadership groups / clubs
3. Giv'er with Grit: How to overcome obstacles & Persevere through Hardship
In this keynote presentation, Chris focuses on the power of persevering through hardship. He tells stories of his childhood, which was riddled with alcohol abuse and psychological disorders. Despite these hardships, Chris displayed grit and still dared to dream big.
Chris was told by his high school guidance counselor that he shouldn’t pursue his big dream of being a professional wrestler because he was too small and it would be too hard to achieve this goal. Chris quickly learned that it would be very hard work, and he would need to maintain a positive mindset in order to achieve his goals despite the negative forces working against him.
Chris teaches youth practical life lessons on how to move forward in their goals by creating a vision for their future. Chris teaches the simple yet valuable lesson he learned in following his vision... the power to JUST GIV'ER! We learn through our hardships that at each step in our journey we can either JUST GIVE UP... or we can JUST GIV'ER!
Viewers take away the realization that their circumstances don’t have to dictate their actions. We all have the power to persevere if we put enough passion, drive, and grit into achieving our dreams.
Areas of Focus:
Chris was told by his high school guidance counselor that he shouldn’t pursue his big dream of being a professional wrestler because he was too small and it would be too hard to achieve this goal. Chris quickly learned that it would be very hard work, and he would need to maintain a positive mindset in order to achieve his goals despite the negative forces working against him.
Chris teaches youth practical life lessons on how to move forward in their goals by creating a vision for their future. Chris teaches the simple yet valuable lesson he learned in following his vision... the power to JUST GIV'ER! We learn through our hardships that at each step in our journey we can either JUST GIVE UP... or we can JUST GIV'ER!
Viewers take away the realization that their circumstances don’t have to dictate their actions. We all have the power to persevere if we put enough passion, drive, and grit into achieving our dreams.
Areas of Focus:
Ideal for:
- Junior High & Secondary Assemblies
- At-risk students
- Mental Health Awareness
- Student Conferences
"Giv'er with Grit" Workshop
This workshop expands on lessons and take-aways from Chris' "Giv'er with Grit" keynote and narrows in on how to develop a positive mindset in order to achieve your vision through hardwork & perseverance.
Areas of Focus:
Areas of Focus:
- Developing a vision
- Goal-setting
- Accountability Partners
Ideal for:
- Leadership groups
- student council
- at-risk students
4. Be Different: Turning Your Perceived Weakness into your SuperPower
In this keynote presentation, Chris encourages youth to not only accept their unique differences, but to embrace them and use them for good.
Since a very young age, Chris knew he was different because of his unique goals and dreams. And since a young age, he was always encouraged to change his dreams and goals because he was too small, too skinny, and very different looking compared to the professional wrestlers Chris dreamed of being like. Despite his dreams of a career that required him to take center stage... later in life, Chris learned he was actually an introvert. With this knowledge, he learned how to become a true leader based on the unique skills he developed as an introvert in an entertainment world full of extroverts.
Chris focuses on teaching youth lessons about overcoming their fears, branching out, and getting involved. He teaches kids that the saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is true... and that he knows this because he almost died in the wrestling ring! He tells the intense and engaging tale of the day he almost died in the ring, and how that experience led to him learning how to overcome his fears, embrace his unique character traits (which he previously perceived as weaknesses), and be a positive force in his community through his charity work.
Viewers take away the realization that they are a special & unique person of value. We all have different gifts, so we all have different ways of telling the world who we are. Viewers will learn how to embrace these gifts and share them with the world to help make this world a better place.
Areas of Focus:
Since a very young age, Chris knew he was different because of his unique goals and dreams. And since a young age, he was always encouraged to change his dreams and goals because he was too small, too skinny, and very different looking compared to the professional wrestlers Chris dreamed of being like. Despite his dreams of a career that required him to take center stage... later in life, Chris learned he was actually an introvert. With this knowledge, he learned how to become a true leader based on the unique skills he developed as an introvert in an entertainment world full of extroverts.
Chris focuses on teaching youth lessons about overcoming their fears, branching out, and getting involved. He teaches kids that the saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is true... and that he knows this because he almost died in the wrestling ring! He tells the intense and engaging tale of the day he almost died in the ring, and how that experience led to him learning how to overcome his fears, embrace his unique character traits (which he previously perceived as weaknesses), and be a positive force in his community through his charity work.
Viewers take away the realization that they are a special & unique person of value. We all have different gifts, so we all have different ways of telling the world who we are. Viewers will learn how to embrace these gifts and share them with the world to help make this world a better place.
Areas of Focus:
Ideal for:
- Junior High & Secondary Assemblies
- At-risk students
- Anti-Bullying
- Mental Health Awareness
- Student Conferences
"Be Different" Workshop
This workshop expands on lessons and take-aways from Chris' "Be Different" keynote and narrows in on how to find our unique and special character traits to use as our superpower to help the world.
Areas of Focus:
Areas of Focus:
- Overcoming Fears
- Accountability Partners
- Self-Care
Ideal for:
- Leadership groups
- student council
- at-risk students
5. Get Up, Get Involved . . . and GIV'ER
In this keynote presentation, Chris encourages youth to overcome any fears and anxieties they might have around getting involved at school.
Chris tells the story of his first day of high school and the overwhelming fear he experienced. However, due to a unique circumstance and a teacher who saw more in him than he saw in himself, Chris got involved in high school athletics and it completely changed the trajectory of his high school career... and his life. With the lessons he learned from getting involved with various teams and clubs at school, Chris has been able to use those lessons in his life and his many unique careers and charity endeavours.
Chris focuses on teaching youth lessons about overcoming their fears, going outside their comfort zone, and getting involved in their school community. To "GIV'ER" means to try your hardest and put in maximum effort in whatever it is you're trying to accomplish. Chris uses this concept to encourage students to put in maximum effort in school engagement.
This program is perfect for any high school orientation program, a graduation program where students are moving onto new experiences, or any elementary, middle or high school that might be struggling with student engagement at their school.
Viewers take away the realization that despite their interests or talents... they can get involved at their school. And, if they do, numerous positive experiences await them.
Areas of Focus:
Chris tells the story of his first day of high school and the overwhelming fear he experienced. However, due to a unique circumstance and a teacher who saw more in him than he saw in himself, Chris got involved in high school athletics and it completely changed the trajectory of his high school career... and his life. With the lessons he learned from getting involved with various teams and clubs at school, Chris has been able to use those lessons in his life and his many unique careers and charity endeavours.
Chris focuses on teaching youth lessons about overcoming their fears, going outside their comfort zone, and getting involved in their school community. To "GIV'ER" means to try your hardest and put in maximum effort in whatever it is you're trying to accomplish. Chris uses this concept to encourage students to put in maximum effort in school engagement.
This program is perfect for any high school orientation program, a graduation program where students are moving onto new experiences, or any elementary, middle or high school that might be struggling with student engagement at their school.
Viewers take away the realization that despite their interests or talents... they can get involved at their school. And, if they do, numerous positive experiences await them.
Areas of Focus:
- school involvement
- overcoming fear & anxiety
- Positive Community Engagement
Ideal For:
- orientation Programs (Grade 9 orientation week / incoming Grade 8 programs)
- Schools struggling with student engagement
- junior high & High school age groups / Assemblies
6. heads up, phones down
Recent studies show that young people spend up to 9 hours a day on their cell phones. That's 63 hours a week! That's well over the hours of a full-time job. Studies also show that not only are students distracted by their devices, but that young people are reporting the highest rates of poor mental health in human history.
Many schools are fighting the "cell phone vs. no cell phone" fight in school. Many are losing. Others are starting to implement strict policies against cell phone use in school.
In this keynote presentation, Chris encourages students to keep their heads up and put their phones down. He will discuss what it means to be a TRUE influencer. All youth have the power to be a positive influence in their communities if they keep their heads up and focus on the quality of their one-on-one human interactions rather than keeping their heads down and focusing on the quantity of their digital interactions. Chris will share stories of how he has been able to make a positive impact in his community through keeping his head up and his eyes on those in need in the community around him.
Viewers take away the realization that their quality of life increases when less time is spent on their phone and more time is spent being conscious of the world around them. Viewers will learn simple strategies on how to keep their phones down, their heads up, and how this leads to being a true influencer in their school & their community.
Many schools are fighting the "cell phone vs. no cell phone" fight in school. Many are losing. Others are starting to implement strict policies against cell phone use in school.
In this keynote presentation, Chris encourages students to keep their heads up and put their phones down. He will discuss what it means to be a TRUE influencer. All youth have the power to be a positive influence in their communities if they keep their heads up and focus on the quality of their one-on-one human interactions rather than keeping their heads down and focusing on the quantity of their digital interactions. Chris will share stories of how he has been able to make a positive impact in his community through keeping his head up and his eyes on those in need in the community around him.
Viewers take away the realization that their quality of life increases when less time is spent on their phone and more time is spent being conscious of the world around them. Viewers will learn simple strategies on how to keep their phones down, their heads up, and how this leads to being a true influencer in their school & their community.
Areas of Focus:
Ideal for: