Doug Smith

Keynote Speaker | Ottawa, Ontario

Mental Wellness
Trauma | Recovery and Overcoming Adversity Expert

Doug Smith Expertise PTSD & Trauma, Resilience & Adversity, Mental Health, Transformation, Mindset & Attitude, Resilience & Change, Stress Management, Adaptability & Agility and Athletes & Sports.

Doug Smith

About Doug Smith

Doug Smith is a father, husband, NHL hockey player, and bestselling author from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. After a career-ending broken neck, Doug has dedicated his life to helping others overcome adversity and achieve their goals. His books, meditations, and courses offer insights into recovery and high performance, drawing from his personal experiences. At just 18, Doug was drafted 2nd overall into the NHL by the Los Angeles Kings. Doug understands because he has done it, how to build and maintain mental performance through transformation. It is this experience and learning that Doug brings to his clients. His story and work continue to inspire many in their journey towards mental and physical transformation.

Doug Smith Videos

How to Improve Mental Performance – System 438 | Doug Smith | TEDxKa

Impact of Workplace Culture: Doug Smith

Doug Smith Story About High Performance

Doug Smith 25 Second Promo: It Changed Me

Doug Smith Interviews & Podcasts

Doug Smith Uses Life as Teaching Aid

John Chabot’s Mission: How ‘first Assist’ is Transforming First

DOUG SMITH BIOGRAPHY

Doug Smith is a retired NHL player whose career spanned over a decade. Picked 2nd choice overall in the NHL, Doug played for the Los Angeles Kings, Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Pittsburgh Penguins. When his two daughters were both under two years old, Doug’s professional sports career tragically ended in a headfirst collision resulting in a broken neck and spinal cord injury.

He played 607 professional games before the injury ended his career. Doug’s story of recovery and healing is unforgettable, and inspiring and helps people to better understand change.

Author of “The Trauma Code” & “Thriving in Transition”, Doug Smith is a thought leader on the subject of change and trauma. In his latest book, “The Trauma Code, unlocking your Mental Performance” Doug delves into his personal story of success and provides concrete actions leaders and employees can use immediately to effect positive change in the workplace.

An accomplished keynote speaker and communicator, Doug Smith presents an innovative solution through his teenage NHL story. The solution helps leaders to become more aware of trauma in their workplace in order to maximize human performance around them. Doug’s clients are able to use this new understanding and messaging to the benefit of their employees and the performance of their organization today.

Doug understands the impact of change, the process of recovery, and the rebuilding of personal performance because he has been there.

Award-winning author of ‘Thriving in Transition, How to Turn Adversity into the Opportunity of a Lifetime and ‘The Trauma Code, Unlocking Your Performance’, Doug Smith is a thought leader on the subjects of change, trauma, and human performance. As he tells his incredible life story of perseverance and resilience, Doug leaves the audience with a memorable system for better mental health and many fun simple hacks they can use to maximize their personal and professional performance.

Doug’s corporate clients are able to use this understanding and messaging for the benefit of their employees, the performance of their organizations, and their own personal well-being.

Confined in leg braces and diagnosed with rickets as a child, Doug Smith became an elite athlete and avid learner by just age 16. That year Doug played in the Ontario Hockey League as an “underage” and was the Winner of The OHL’s Bobby Smith Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. At 18 years old, Doug was the NHL’s 1st round draft choice of the Los Angeles Kings franchise.

Chosen 2nd overall, he was the youngest player to have ever played for the LA Kings at that time.

 

Doug Smith Topic Presentations

Doug Smith Ottawa, Ontario, Canada delivers keynote presentations, workshops, fireside chats, moderated Q&A, and other presentation formats on a wide variety of topics. Each presentation is unique, customized and tailored for audiences, industries, conferences and event formats.

An Expert on Workplace Resilience & the Impact of Emotional Trauma : An Nhl Story

Mastering Mental Wellness in the Workplace: a Simple, Rational Approach to Managing Trauma, Wellness, and Performance

The Power of Accepting Feedback

Unlocking Your Performance

How to Cultivate Emotional Control and Stop Hurting Others

Internalizing the Eight Principles

Building High Performance Organizations

Doug Smith's Customized Presentations

Doug Smith Books & Articles

The Trauma Code: Unlock Your Mental Performance
The Trauma Code: Unlock Your Mental

***”The Trauma Code” is now in Canada’s National Parliamentary Library*** “The Trauma Code” Unlocking your Performance, presents...

Thriving in Transition
Thriving in

Doug Smith’s first book tells the story of an unlikely kid going from ankle to hip leg braces as a child to getting drafted to the NHL,...

Doug Smith Speaking Testimonials

"My staff and personnel, a combination of military and civilian, benefited tremendously from your expression of your personal experience, in addition to the life lessons and tactics you have acquired throughout your journey.  "

Lieutenant-Colonel, Angie Lapointe

COMMANDING OFFICER - TRANSITION UNIT
CANADIAN ARMED FORCES

"Doug’s keynote presentation was in perfect alignment with our leadership workshop. He delivered the inspiring messages that we hoped for and our entire team got so much more.  "

James S. Paul

President & CEO
Defence Construction Canada

"Doug Smith has captured the interest of people around the world because of the important issues he has been addressing in his books, presentations, and with his system. This work is relevant to everyone, and even more so today. We are pleased to have Doug as our Vice-President of Communications and Outreach, as Doug is an experienced professional that can effectively communicate a message to businesses and their employees that we believe is important to hear.  "

Craig Campbell,

PRESIDENT
JPOM CANADA

"Bringing out the best is the goal; dignity, respect, empathy, humility, confidence, is the approach. Subconsciously, I was always there, now I understand it better and have made that link with my conscious self. Thank you for helping me understand that this philosophy on life is not merely an idea or thought, but a fundamental truth to what it is to be a human being.  "

Mark

Manager
Hydro Ottawa Keynote Presentation

"I am a young man in South Ottawa and I just had to let you know how much your book has done for me. Almost a year ago, I suffered a severe stroke that should have killed me. I was alone for 25 hours before paramedics broke into the house to save my life. I was in intensive care at the Ottawa civic hospital for 12 days, while doctors contemplated surgery to release the pressure in my head. My good friend Jason Daley went to hear you speak and bought me a copy of The Trauma Code. My Neurologist didn’t think I’d ever walk again and I’ve been skating for 5 months now. I’d love to shake your hand someday  "

Danny

"After hearing Doug Smith speak I went full force into working towards my own dreams. People told me that I would never own my own gym… on the 15th of October, I move in as the owner of the Phaze1 Fitness Centre. I am going to take on some medically releasing soldiers and pass on the same encouragement I got from seeing and hearing Doug at Algonquin College. Thank you so very much.  "

Erica Murphy

Former Officer
Canadian Armed Forces

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Doug Smith known for and what is their expertise as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Doug Smith is known for defined subject matter expertise based on professional experience and industry background. As a keynote speaker in Canada for conferences and conventions, their presentations align with organizational objectives and audience outcomes. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada are selected based on credibility, relevance, and practical application. Expertise alignment supports informed booking decisions. Read More

What topics does Doug Smith speak on for conferences, conventions, corporate events, and annual general meetings in Canada?

Doug Smith delivers keynote presentations on defined topic areas confirmed during booking. Canadian business speakers for corporate meetings in Canada align topic selection with event objectives and audience priorities. Conference speakers in Canada adapt messaging for conventions, trade shows, and summits. Topics are finalized prior to written confirmation. Read More

How do I know if Doug Smith is the right fit for my audience, conference, convention, or AGM?

Doug Smith is evaluated based on audience alignment, event objectives, and subject matter relevance. Event planners booking keynote speakers in Canada for corporate conferences review experience, delivery style, and industry context. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings must align with program goals and audience expectations. Fit is clarified during the pre decision call. Read More

Where is Doug Smith from and where do they speak across Canada?

Doug Smith is from Ottawa, Ontario and is available for events across Canada. Conference speakers in Canada frequently travel nationally with defined travel terms. Corporate keynote speakers coordinate scheduling through structured agreements. Availability is confirmed through formal inquiry. Read More

Is Doug Smith available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, webinars, or hybrid events in Canada?

Doug Smith is available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, corporate webinars, and hybrid events in Canada. Virtual keynote speakers in Canada deliver structured presentations adapted for remote audiences. Format, platform coordination, and timing are confirmed during booking. Virtual availability is documented through written agreement in Canada. Read More

Does Doug Smith deliver keynote presentations, workshops, training sessions, breakout sessions, fireside chats, or panel discussions?

Doug Smith may deliver keynote presentations as well as workshops and breakout sessions. Canadian business speakers for corporate training in Canada define session length and format during booking. Conference speakers may also participate in fireside chats or panel discussions depending on program design. Session formats are confirmed in writing. Read More

How do I contact Doug Smith to check availability and begin the booking process in Canada?

Doug Smith is contacted through Speakers Bureau of Canada to confirm availability and event details. Event planners and meeting planners typically schedule a pre decision call to clarify format, objectives, and scope. Booking begins once event requirements are defined. Written confirmation follows agreement execution. Read More

How do I book Doug Smith for a conference, convention, trade show, summit, or corporate meeting in Canada?

Doug Smith is booked through a structured agreement process confirming availability, fee structure, and logistics. Booking keynote speakers in Canada for conventions and trade shows includes written contracts and defined payment terms. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings require scope confirmation before date holds convert to confirmed status. Booking is finalized upon agreement execution. Read More

How much does it cost to book Doug Smith as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Doug Smith keynote speaker fees depend on event type, audience size, format, and location. The cost to book a keynote speaker in Canada varies based on preparation scope and delivery structure. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada confirm fees through a booking agent and written agreement. Final pricing reflects defined scope and contract terms. Read More

Are there additional costs to hire Doug Smith for a corporate event, convention, or trade show in Canada?

Additional costs to hire Doug Smith may include travel expenses, extended sessions, workshops, meet and greets, emcee duties, or event host roles. Keynote speakers in Canada for business conventions often separate honorarium from travel and related logistics. Canadian business speakers confirm these components in writing before agreement execution. All additional costs are outlined contractually. Read More

How far in advance should I book Doug Smith for a conference, convention, or business meeting in Canada?

Doug Smith should be booked once event dates, location, and format are confirmed. Conference speakers in Canada often secure dates several months in advance. Corporate keynote speakers for annual general meetings may have limited availability during peak seasons. Early inquiry improves confirmation certainty. Read More

Is Doug Smith represented by an agent in Canada and how is the agreement handled?

Doug Smith is represented by Speakers Bureau of Canada for booking coordination and agreement management. Keynote speakers in Canada often work through an agency to formalize contracts and payment handling. Agent representation ensures structured communication between organizers and the speaker. Representation clarifies agreement terms before confirmation. Read More