Mark’s life changed forever at 23 years old when a doctor told him that without a rare, life-saving transplant, he would be dead by 25. Heart and double-lung transplants are extremely rare, and Mark was told his odds of receiving one in time were virtually zero. Facing imminent death, and with no other options, Mark moved 1500km away from his home and family, waiting for a miracle.
On September 7, 2002, Mark was one of seven Canadians to receive a heart and double-lung transplant that year. Three years later, he became the only man in history to complete a marathon with someone else’s heart and lungs.
A few years after completing his first marathon, Mark accidentally discovered his love for speaking. Invited to address the graduates of a local high school, Mark shared some of the life lessons he learned while facing death and enduring tremendous challenges. The speech was so well received, a parent came up after the speech to hire him to speak at his company. And a career was born.
Mark has had the privilege of speaking in 10 of Canada’s provinces and 15 US states at hundreds of schools and conferences. He combines humour, his relatable nature and great story-telling with insightful life lessons that teens can apply immediately to their lives.
Leadership: Do the Hard Thing
We often tell students to do “the right thing” and so they should, but Mark has discovered the path to achieving anything of meaning is also to “do the hard thing.” We live in a world where convenience and ease are valued more highly than determination and grit. When students believe that better means easier they risk missing out on some of the best parts of life.
In this thought-provoking and inspiring program; Mark shares how the best things in his life came out of what initially seemed like terrible situations. Students learn practical strategies for reframing their challenges and embracing their flaws to become the best version of themselves.
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Duration: 50-65mins Suitable for: Grades 7-12
MENTAL HEALTH: Hold On
Teens are more anxious and stressed than ever before. 34% of high school students now indicate a moderate to serious level of psychological distress. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in people aged 15-24, it doesn’t have to be.
Even while working as a “motivational speaker” Mark struggled with anxiety disorder and depressive episodes for years. He has experienced how it feels, and he wants to help. Mark is not a therapist or psychiatrist. He is just someone who has been there and found a way out.
In this powerful presentation, Mark incorporates humour and humility to open an authentic and encouraging dialogue and provide a safe space for students dealing with depression and other mental health struggles. Students will learn practical strategies to cope and learn it is okay to ask for help.
Key Take-Aways:
Duration: 50-65mins Suitable for: Grades 9-12 & University/College audiences
GOAL-SETTING: You CanNOT do Anything
Too often we patronize teens with meaningless motivational messages. “You can do ANYTHING” is a phrase most teens have heard in some form or another, they immediately tune out, because they know… it’s not true! That is unfortunate, because what IS true is that they can do a lot more than they think.
In this honest and real presentation, Mark shares real motivation tips that WORK. Leaving behind the empty platitudes, Mark gets to the core of how peak performers stay motivated and what teens can do to ensure that they set themselves up for success.
Using his powerful personal example, Mark shows students that if he can run 26.2 miles with someone else’s heart and lungs, they can achieve what they want to achieve – provided they are willing to do what it takes.
Key Take-Aways:
Duration: 50-65mins Suitable for: Grades 7-12 & University/College audiences
BULLYING PREVENTION: Stand Tall
It’s no secret that bullying is a HUGE problem in schools today. The statistics are staggering. The CDC quotes suicide as the 3rd leading cause of death among teens and victims or bullying are between 2 and 9 times more likely to commit suicide than their peers. Scary stuff. So what do we do?
Mark has an engaging and powerful, personal bullying story. At 4’11″ Mark was a victim of serious bullying as a student and found a way to overcome his bullies to succeed. He relates to students because he’s been there. But more importantly, Mark doesn’t just share a personal story of overcoming bullying, but he actually provides a SOLUTION.
Mark’s bullying prevention program takes a two-tiered approach to the issue of bullying, focusing on empowering victims and engaging bystanders. Too much attention and resources are focused on the problem (‘the bully’) instead of on the solution (empowering the victims and student leaders who should support them). Issues addressed in this presentation include:
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Duration: 50-65mins Suitable for: Grades 7-12
Workshops:
LEADERSHIP: Show Up, Shut Up, Step Up
Mark has had the opportunity to meet many people who have had to face death, he has had to face death himself. Through that experience Mark learned that at the end of our lives, we won’t care how much money we’ve made nearly as much as we’ll care about how much of a difference we’ve made.
Students are bombarded with media messages that tell them that image matters more than impact; success is better than significance and ease is preferable to excellence. Mark wants to help you sell your students on the truth that the best way to live a successful life is to be focused on what matters most.
Using a full range of emotions, Mark takes your students on a rollercoaster ride in this friendly, but in-your-face presentation, that will challenge your students to raise their game and live a life of service and significance.
Key Take-Aways:
Duration: 50-65mins Suitable for: Grades 7-12 & University/College audiences
Sponsor Me:
Students have great ideas! Unfortunately, they often aren’t able to execute on their vision because they lack the resources. Through his professional and volunteer work, Mark has helped raise over $150,000 in sponsorship money for various events and initiatives. In this idea session, Mark will help your student council and anyone other interested audiences, generate an effective strategy to find sponsors to fund their project.
Mark has been able to find sponsors to provide: money to massage therapy; and oranges to office spaces.
If you book this program along with your assembly, Mark may even help you generate a plan to find a sponsor to cover the cost of bringing him in to work with your students!
Key Takeaways:
Duration: 50-65mins Suitable for: Grades 9-12 & University/College audiences
