These are the elementary kids at LaGrange Highlands. I did a day long event with them and I have to say it was a blast! We focused on creating good character and making healthy choices. This scene is the final round of our team-building competition! The kids are judged based on enthusiasm, teamwork and creativity. They did an awesome job! I believe the younger we instill these very positive messages in our students, the better the percentage we can affect them in an empowering way for years to come.
I had the honor of being the opening keynote presenter at the largest state conference in the history of Minnesota DECA! We had close to 1700 participants and it was amazing! I am so impressed with this student organization. DECA focuses on marketing and they do a phenomenal job of exposing these students to the myriad ways marketing is used in the business world today. Through the help of business professionals in the field of marketing the students compete and learn how to use marketing to enhance practically every field of business.
In my own life, I have utilized marketing to help me succeed at two business endeavors I've created. First, through my speaking business, which began 18 years ago, and then 11 years ago when I started a non-profit company called LifeRide which has focused on teaching students and adults various empowerment strategies and life skills. Both companies are still going strong today and marketing is one of the main reasons why. In my keynote I focused on understanding who you are and staying true to that authentic you along the journey through life. when you fully understand who you are and what you are passionate about, you are then better equipped to plug into the right kind of career. What's so interesting is that many of the principles in effective marketing can help oneself create an identity in the business world!
Today I had the honor to speak for the Downers grove combined North & South Snowball retreat. I have been doing this group twice a year for the past decade and each time it is unique and amazing! We focused on Teamwork and living an authentic life! The theme, "LIVING OUT LOUD" really inspired me to want to talk about those I feel have lived their lives out loud. First and foremost on that list is one of my biggest hero's: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. ing spent his life seeking justice and equality through the power of love and inspiration. To this day he touches our lives in a way that inspires us to live in service of others and that is what snowball is all about! I applaud these students at snowball! You are making a difference in the lives of so many! Remember, this is your time to be alive! Never be afraid to LIVE OUT LOUD!
This is the KANSAS STATE BPA CONFERENCE held in Wichita. My presentation was, "Success in under 4 minutes!" The title of this presentation may leave you scratching your head. Well, when I was a professional athlete, I ran a mile in 3:58.62 seconds. This presentation focuses on what i needed to do to accomplish that goal and how those same tactics and strategy can be used to create a successful career in business!
The following clip comes from the Georgia State Student Council Conference. I had the honor of presenting workshops to both the adult advisors and the students as well as being the closing Keynote speaker. This was an incredible experience! Working with the adults we talked about how The 4 quadrants to the personality. This workshop is designed to better understand who we are and how we communicate. It is a great inservice workshop because it gives us insight on how to better communicate with our coworkers and students.
The workshop I did with the students centered around team-building. we played a game that required the teams to work well together in order to win. The game is fast paced filled with music, dancing, singing and racing. If you are ever looking for a great workshop of developing strong teams then ask for the "NAME THAT TUNE" workshop.
Finally, I got to do my presentation: "MAKE YOUR MOVE!" This keynote is geared to teach the audience various empowerment strategies that help move them to action in their lives. This is the latest presentation I have added to my repertoire. Remember, miracles happen everyday! In fact, we can help make them happen! Thanks GASC for a wonderful day!
This group, Downers Grove Snowball is one of my absolute favorite groups to work with. They are amazing young role-models striving to make a difference in this world. It is my honor to be a part of what you guys do each year!
This is the snowball event at its finest! During the teambuilding portion of the presentation I put together this game to see how well the team can come together to let loose and win the competition. If you watch closely you will see its hard to tell which team did the best! Way to 'Live out Loud' snowball. If anybody out there seeing this is interested in the best team-building, ice breaker workshop around - then look no further! If you want results like this then ask for my program - The Pillars of Teamwork.
I had a chance to visit Elmwood Park, where a group of students held an overnight lock-in to discuss positive ways to create a drug-free school community. I spent about 2 hours with these exceptional students and my presentation focused on getting the students to imagine, "What - if anything - is possible?" By believing that anything is possible we begin to open up parts of the brain that bring us toward solutions and answers to the problems that we face. Our life is NOW and what we do NOW leads us to our future. If we believe that tomorrow can be amazing, then it changes what we do today!
"LIFE IS DIFFICULT." This is the first line in a great book entitled, "The Road Less Traveled." No truer words were ever spoken. We are on this crazy ride called 'life' together and when we experience pain and suffering we begin to ask , "Why?" I believe that pain creates compassion and sharpens our empathy and when this happens we become closer as human beings. The things that divide us cannot compare with the beauty from within that unites us. Sometimes its our pain that can become our greatest teacher. This is easy to acknowledge when we are not in pain, but when we are suffering it feels as though it may never end. This is when we look to others for guidance and understanding, for support and comfort, for someone to simply embrace us. The following clip from the great TV show FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS sums it up well...Peace.
Here is a quick clip of the Middle school kids in Union, Missouri. You guys were great, I had a blast that day! Keep believing in the Greatness within You!
MAKE YOUR MOVE. Those three words are the new mission statement here at Eddiespeak.com. And the easiest way to move, as you've seen in my programs, is to dance. With that in mind, I've put together a new dance that incorporates all of you. Join the movement -- make your move!
First up, it's the 2009 YAB Conference. As you can see, they did a great job.
Next up, the students at Arrowhead really brought it:
Be on the lookout for Eddie at your next presentation. Are you ready to make the move?
