It can be difficult to stay resilient and find courage through constantly difficult and changing times. Though it may seem like a lonely path, it is important to remember that you are not alone, and that there are things you can do to help.
Meet Mike Shaw – A Story of Resilience & Mental Toughness
Mike Shaw, the Keynote for the 2023 Volunteer BC & BCACG Conference has a decorated background in professional freestyle skiing as a former competitor and coach of the Canadian Development HalfPipe Ski Team. A severe accident in December 2013 forced him to give up the sport and career he loved.
However, Mike has been helping individuals, teams, and organizations with his experience since that fateful day. His strategies help people achieve their full potential and excel in the face of adversity.
In 2020, Mike published a book about his experience to share his story and help motivate people who had faced challenges. Never Part of the Plan chronicles Mike’s journey as he conquers a debilitating spinal cord injury, making the most out of life’s unexpected curveball. Dedicating his book to all readers, his experience is proof all of us can overcome and thrive when faced with adversity. Mike is also an entrepreneur, author, and keynote speaker. Mike’s story has been documented on Red Bull TV, CBC, NBC, CTV, Global and City TV, and YouTube. His TEDx talk continues to help those facing challenging times.
We met with Mike about his keynote – Never Part of the Plan – and what he hopes to achieve in helping nonprofit leaders with his story.
Nonprofits are dealing with a lot of changes since the pandemic, how can they make it through this?
Our world is constantly changing—and, when struggling with resilience and mental toughness, your mind is a huge determinant for personal and professional success. But let’s face it— to achieve prosperity in an ever-morphing society, you must overcome adversity, and the way you handle challenges and hardship can propel you from surviving to thriving.
The bottom line? It’s time to take control.
What is the focus of your keynote?
In my keynote presentation at the 2023 Volunteer BC & BCACG Conference, I will share my story about how a life-altering, critical accident transformed my perspective on courage, resilience, and gratitude. I learned to channel positivity, changing everything for my future. I had to tackle obstacles, conquer failures, and learn the power of a positive mind.
I will better prepare you to manage change, overcome adversity, and choose a mindset that will help you and your organization reach your full potential. I will teach you how to enhance individual mental health and well-being, grit, resilience, and gratitude. You will also learn to take different perspectives that have been shown to better manage change in the internal and external environment.
What do you hope conference attendees will take away from your session?
Hopefully attendees will be able to take away valuable and applicable skills and techniques to help guide themselves and their organizations to positively accept change and create a more positive mindset moving forward.
Will also teach you strategic techniques involving gratitude to motivate, appreciate, and retain individuals in your organization. It is important to have a gracious perspective that will motivate you and help guide you through these changes.
Don’t Miss Out – Meet Mike In-Person
Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to hear Mike speak in person at the 2023 Volunteer BC & BCACG Conference for nonprofits & charities – October 26 & 27 in Richmond, BC. Along with other experts and talented presenters, Mike will teach you to take advantage of your challenges and face them with resilience and gratitude.
Lorelynn Hart is the VolunteerBCACG Conference Chair.
