
Mike Shaw
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Kelowna, British Columbia
Mental Health Counsellor | Former Pro Skier | Spinal Cord Injury Survivor | Author
- Videos
- Expertise
- Leadership
- Mental Health
- Leadership and Change
- Business Leadership
- Global Business Solutions
- Peak Performance
- Mindset & Goal Accomplishment
- Personal Growth
- Workplace Safety
MIKE SHAW BIOGRAPHY
Mike Shaw is a mental health counsellor, professional speaker, and former high-performance ski coach who knows what it means to face the unimaginable and come back stronger. In 2013, while coaching Canada’s Olympic Development Halfpipe Team, Mike suffered a catastrophic skiing crash that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Doctors told him he would never walk again.
But Mike defied the odds. Through grit, resilience, and a profound sense of gratitude, he not only learned to walk again he became one of the very few incomplete quadriplegics in the world to run full marathons. Today, Mike channels that same determination into helping others overcome their own adversity. As the founder, a mental health practice based in Victoria, BC, he helps individuals navigate life’s toughest challenges—blending lived experience with clinical insight to guide healing, growth, and resilience.
Mike’s powerful story has been featured by Red Bull TV, TEDx, CBC, NBC, CTV, Global, and USA Today. His acclaimed documentary The Healing Agent, TEDx Talk Grief Happens, and book Never Part of the Plan have inspired thousands globally, offering hope, strength, and a practical path forward through life’s hardest moments.
Whether he’s speaking to students, executives, or frontline professionals, Mike’s message lands with authenticity and impact. He doesn’t just talk about resilience he lives it. Mike’s mission is clear: to inspire and empower individuals and organizations to transition from merely surviving to thriving, despite life’s toughest challenges.
Still an adventurer at heart, Mike thrives today as a para-athlete, entrepreneur, and backcountry skier. He is a passionate advocate for spinal cord injury research and a living example of what’s possible when courage meets compassion and science meets spirit.
Mike Shaw Related Media
Mike Shaw Related Content
Articles & Magazine Feature
From paralysis to power: The inspirational journey of Mike Shaw
Red Bull
Book

Articles & Magazine Feature
From paralysis to power: The inspirational journey of Mike Shaw
Red Bull
Book

Articles & Magazine Feature
From paralysis to power: The inspirational journey of Mike Shaw
Red Bull
Mike Shaw Topic Presentations
Mike Shaw Kelowna, British Columbia, 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.
Never Part of the Plan : A Story of Courage, Resilience, and Gratitude
- Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
We all face moments that derail our plans setbacks that challenge our identity, purpose, and strength. In this inspiring and practical keynote, Mike Shaw shares his extraordinary journey from being paralyzed from the neck down in a skiing accident to becoming one of the only incomplete quadriplegics in the world to run full marathons and return to backcountry skiing and mountaineering.
But this keynote isn’t just about his comeback. It’s about yours.
Drawing from his lived experience and clinical expertise as a mental health counsellor, Mike shares actionable strategies to build resilience, manage stress, and reclaim purpose whether you’re facing burnout, leading others, or navigating a personal storm. His story, featured on major platforms like Red Bull TV, TEDx, and CBC, reminds us that even life’s greatest detours can become a source of growth.
From paralysis to purpose : Journey through mental health and resilience
- Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
Discover how a life altering ski accident became the catalyst for transformation in this compelling keynote by Mike Shaw former professional skier, Olympic development coach, and founder.
After being told he would never walk again, Mike defied the odds through a mindset rooted in gratitude and resilience. Now a clinical counsellor and mental health advocate, Mike shares evidence-based strategies for navigating adversity, managing stress, and cultivating emotional well-being. His story is a powerful reminder that mental strength can be developed, and that healing is possible, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.
The Fear of Falling
- Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
Falling is part of everyone’s life journey, but the fear of falling whether physical, mental, or emotional can block progress, stifle potential, and erode passion. When you view failure through a negative lens, it often snowballs into self-doubt, limiting your growth.
This session equips audiences with the tools to shift their mindset around adversity. By reframing setbacks as opportunities, you foster resilience, cultivate authentic positivity, and empower yourself to embrace challenges. After all, it’s not falling that defines you—it’s how you rise when you’ve been knocked down.
Optional:
- In this presentation, participants will learn:
- How to break free from negative thought patterns.
- Strategies to reframe failure as a building block for resilience.
- Practical ways to cultivate limitless beliefs.
Thriving in Uncertainty: Building Confidence Amidst Change
- Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
In today’s fast-paced world, navigating uncertainty is a critical skill. This talk equips audiences with the mindset and tools to build confidence amidst change, turning challenges into opportunities. Drawing from his own life-altering experiences, Mike Shaw offers actionable strategies that empower individuals and teams to embrace the unknown with resilience and adaptability.
Enhancing Workplace Well-being: : Optimizing Mental Health for Peak Performance
- Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
A thriving organization starts with the well-being of its people. This presentation focuses on integrating mental health practices into the workplace, fostering a culture of support, and enhancing overall performance. Leveraging his expertise in counseling psychology, Mike Shaw provides insights and practical solutions that leaders can implement to promote mental health, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish.
How to Build Impressive Organizations With Impressive People
- Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
Impressive organizations are built by impressive people. This talk delves into the importance of cultivating individual excellence to achieve collective success. Mike Shaw shares his experiences in performance coaching and leadership, offering strategies to unlock the full potential of each team member. Attendees will learn how to foster a culture of growth, collaboration, and high achievement, resulting in an organization that stands out in its field.
Mike Shaw Speaking Testimonials
We have received such positive feedback and praise for your exceptional conference presentation. Your captivating insights, professionalism, and enthusiasm to share your experience was noted by many. We appreciated your preparedness and ease with which we worked to coordinate your session. Thank you for contributing your insights to positively shaping our conference delegates’ experience.
SHANNON HALL
Mike, thanks for a fantastic presentation that set the tone for a tremendous week. Yours is an amazing story, and you presented it beautifully. Our members were inspired and fired up, and we cannot thank you enough.
DAVID GOLDSTEIN BSJ/LLB
I was, and remain, incredibly moved by Mike’s story, and I know that our guests were too. Mike, thank you for being so open and for sharing something so deeply personal with us.
STEPHANIE MALLALIEU
I appreciated your candour and honesty, and the humour you incorporated to lighten up what was a touching and sobering story. Also, you were able to tie in your lessons learned with great practical ways that we can integrate better practices into our operations at Tolko. I think many of our employees were impacted by your presentation, and thanks again for sharing your story.
STEVE WHITE
We have received such positive feedback and praise for your exceptional conference presentation. Your captivating insights, professionalism, and enthusiasm to share your experience was noted by many. We appreciated your preparedness and ease with which we worked to coordinate your session. Thank you for contributing your insights to positively shaping our conference delegates’ experience.
SHANNON HALL
Mike, thanks for a fantastic presentation that set the tone for a tremendous week. Yours is an amazing story, and you presented it beautifully. Our members were inspired and fired up, and we cannot thank you enough.
DAVID GOLDSTEIN BSJ/LLB
I was, and remain, incredibly moved by Mike’s story, and I know that our guests were too. Mike, thank you for being so open and for sharing something so deeply personal with us.
STEPHANIE MALLALIEU
I appreciated your candour and honesty, and the humour you incorporated to lighten up what was a touching and sobering story. Also, you were able to tie in your lessons learned with great practical ways that we can integrate better practices into our operations at Tolko. I think many of our employees were impacted by your presentation, and thanks again for sharing your story.
STEVE WHITE
We have received such positive feedback and praise for your exceptional conference presentation. Your captivating insights, professionalism, and enthusiasm to share your experience was noted by many. We appreciated your preparedness and ease with which we worked to coordinate your session. Thank you for contributing your insights to positively shaping our conference delegates’ experience.
SHANNON HALL
Mike Shaw Speaker Topic Ideas
- Change Management
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Peak Performance
- Personal Growth
- Resilience & Adversity
- Teamwork
- Adventurers
- All Staff Meeting
- Annual General Meetings
- Athletes & Sports
- Board Meetings & Strategic Advisory
- Campus & University Speakers
- Celebrity
- Certified Speaking Professionals (CSP)
- Community Engagement Events
- Conference
- Conferences & Summits
- Corporate Audience
- Department Meeting
- Change Management
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Peak Performance
- Personal Growth
- Resilience & Adversity
- Teamwork
- Adventurers
- All Staff Meeting
- Annual General Meetings
- Athletes & Sports
- Board Meetings & Strategic Advisory
- Campus & University Speakers
- Celebrity
- Certified Speaking Professionals (CSP)
- Community Engagement Events
- Conference
- Conferences & Summits
- Corporate Audience
- Department Meeting
You May Also Like
Related Speakers
Lavender Morantz
TEDx Speaker | Author & Illustrator | Certified Nutrition & Wellness Expert
Speaker Topics
- Business Growth
- Innovation & Creativity
- Strategic Thinking
- Process & Systems
- Marketing & Branding
- Change Management
- Leadership and Change
- Resilience & Change
- Adaptability & Agility
Rick Denley
Leadership and Change | Personal & Business Growth | Leadership Performance | Author
Speaker Topics
- Leadership and Change
- Leadership Development
- Personal Growth
- Personal Leadership
- Communication
- Peak Performance
- Health & Human Performance
Isaac Murdoch
First Nation Advocate | Indigenous Storyteller Knowledge Keeper | Artist | Author
Speaker Topics
- Adaptability & Agility
- Change Management
- Communication
- Cultural Diversity
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Emotional Intelligence
- Happiness & Positivity
- Health & Wellness

Speaker Topics
- Business & Corporate
- Leadership
- Motivation
- Personal Growth
- Mental Health
- Communication
- Psychological Safety
- Health & Wellness
- Health & Human Performance
Tyler Smith
Humboldt Broncos Crash Survivor | Amazing Race Canada Winner | Mental Health Advocate
Speaker Topics
- Leadership and Change
- Resilience & Adversity
- Mental Health
- Leadership
- Resilience & Change
- Health & Wellness
- PTSD & Trauma
- Mindset & Goal Accomplishment
- Peak Performance
- Celebrity
- Most Requested
Doug Smith
Mental Wellness| Trauma | Recovery and Overcoming Adversity Expert
Speaker Topics
- PTSD & Trauma
- Resilience & Adversity
- Mental Health
- Transformation
- Mindset & Attitude
- Resilience & Change
- Stress Management
- Positive Psychology
- Motivation
Nicole Rakowski
Adversity Survivor | Overcoming Trauma | Resilience | Well Being & Transformation Expert
Speaker Topics
- PTSD & Trauma
- Mindset & Goal Accomplishment
- Resilience & Adversity
- Health & Wellness
- Health & Human Performance
- Mental Health
- Nutrition & Fitness
- Positive Psychology
- Emotional Intelligence
Jim Brayshaw
Mental & Emotional Health | Confidence | Workplace Culture & Psychological Safety
Speaker Topics
- Mental Health
- Workplace Culture
- Psychological Safety
- Burnout Prevention
- Stress Management
- Change Management
- Happiness & Positivity
- Mindset & Attitude
- Suicide Prevention
Dr. Shahana Alibhai
Women's Health & Emotional Resilience | Mental Health, Menopause & Burnout Recovery
Speaker Topics
- Mental Health
- Health & Wellness
- Health & Human Performance
- Resilience & Adversity
- Emotional Intelligence
- Change Management
- Burnout Prevention
- Medical & Healthcare
- Healthcare
Leisse Wilcox
Future Proof Leadership | Award Winning Speaker | 2x Bestselling Author | Cancer Survivor
Speaker Topics
- Leadership
- Leadership Development
- Leadership and Change
- Communication
- Emotional Intelligence
- Work Life Balance
- Stress Management
- Future proof leadership
- Employee mental health and well-being
Lisa Lounsbury
Mental Health & Wellness Coach | TV & Podcast Host | Award Winning Entrepreneur
Speaker Topics
- Business Management
- Business Leadership
- Change Management
- Adaptability & Agility
- Leadership
- Personal Leadership
- Health & Wellness
- Employee Engagement
- Peak Performance
Craig Ramsay
The Amazing Race Canada Winner | Broadway Performer | Peak Performance & Health Expert
Speaker Topics
- HR & Corporate Culture
- Change Management
- Organizational Change
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Disability
- LGBTQ2S+
- Employee Engagement
- Employee Management
- Leadership
Lavender Morantz
TEDx Speaker | Author & Illustrator | Certified Nutrition & Wellness Expert
Speaker Topics
- Business Growth
- Innovation & Creativity
- Strategic Thinking
- Process & Systems
- Marketing & Branding
- Change Management
- Leadership and Change
- Resilience & Change
- Adaptability & Agility
Rick Denley
Leadership and Change | Personal & Business Growth | Leadership Performance | Author
Speaker Topics
- Leadership and Change
- Leadership Development
- Personal Growth
- Personal Leadership
- Communication
- Peak Performance
- Health & Human Performance
Isaac Murdoch
First Nation Advocate | Indigenous Storyteller Knowledge Keeper | Artist | Author
Speaker Topics
- Adaptability & Agility
- Change Management
- Communication
- Cultural Diversity
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Emotional Intelligence
- Happiness & Positivity
- Health & Wellness

Speaker Topics
- Business & Corporate
- Leadership
- Motivation
- Personal Growth
- Mental Health
- Communication
- Psychological Safety
- Health & Wellness
- Health & Human Performance
Tyler Smith
Humboldt Broncos Crash Survivor | Amazing Race Canada Winner | Mental Health Advocate
Speaker Topics
- Leadership and Change
- Resilience & Adversity
- Mental Health
- Leadership
- Resilience & Change
- Health & Wellness
- PTSD & Trauma
- Mindset & Goal Accomplishment
- Peak Performance
- Celebrity
- Most Requested
Doug Smith
Mental Wellness| Trauma | Recovery and Overcoming Adversity Expert
Speaker Topics
- PTSD & Trauma
- Resilience & Adversity
- Mental Health
- Transformation
- Mindset & Attitude
- Resilience & Change
- Stress Management
- Positive Psychology
- Motivation
Nicole Rakowski
Adversity Survivor | Overcoming Trauma | Resilience | Well Being & Transformation Expert
Speaker Topics
- PTSD & Trauma
- Mindset & Goal Accomplishment
- Resilience & Adversity
- Health & Wellness
- Health & Human Performance
- Mental Health
- Nutrition & Fitness
- Positive Psychology
- Emotional Intelligence
Jim Brayshaw
Mental & Emotional Health | Confidence | Workplace Culture & Psychological Safety
Speaker Topics
- Mental Health
- Workplace Culture
- Psychological Safety
- Burnout Prevention
- Stress Management
- Change Management
- Happiness & Positivity
- Mindset & Attitude
- Suicide Prevention
Dr. Shahana Alibhai
Women's Health & Emotional Resilience | Mental Health, Menopause & Burnout Recovery
Speaker Topics
- Mental Health
- Health & Wellness
- Health & Human Performance
- Resilience & Adversity
- Emotional Intelligence
- Change Management
- Burnout Prevention
- Medical & Healthcare
- Healthcare
Leisse Wilcox
Future Proof Leadership | Award Winning Speaker | 2x Bestselling Author | Cancer Survivor
Speaker Topics
- Leadership
- Leadership Development
- Leadership and Change
- Communication
- Emotional Intelligence
- Work Life Balance
- Stress Management
- Future proof leadership
- Employee mental health and well-being
Lisa Lounsbury
Mental Health & Wellness Coach | TV & Podcast Host | Award Winning Entrepreneur
Speaker Topics
- Business Management
- Business Leadership
- Change Management
- Adaptability & Agility
- Leadership
- Personal Leadership
- Health & Wellness
- Employee Engagement
- Peak Performance
Craig Ramsay
The Amazing Race Canada Winner | Broadway Performer | Peak Performance & Health Expert
Speaker Topics
- HR & Corporate Culture
- Change Management
- Organizational Change
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Disability
- LGBTQ2S+
- Employee Engagement
- Employee Management
- Leadership
Lavender Morantz
TEDx Speaker | Author & Illustrator | Certified Nutrition & Wellness Expert
Speaker Topics
- Business Growth
- Innovation & Creativity
- Strategic Thinking
- Process & Systems
- Marketing & Branding
- Change Management
- Leadership and Change
- Resilience & Change
- Adaptability & Agility
Rick Denley
Leadership and Change | Personal & Business Growth | Leadership Performance | Author
Speaker Topics
- Leadership and Change
- Leadership Development
- Personal Growth
- Personal Leadership
- Communication
- Peak Performance
- Health & Human Performance
Isaac Murdoch
First Nation Advocate | Indigenous Storyteller Knowledge Keeper | Artist | Author
Speaker Topics
- Adaptability & Agility
- Change Management
- Communication
- Cultural Diversity
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Emotional Intelligence
- Happiness & Positivity
- Health & Wellness

Speaker Topics
- Business & Corporate
- Leadership
- Motivation
- Personal Growth
- Mental Health
- Communication
- Psychological Safety
- Health & Wellness
- Health & Human Performance
FAQ
How to book Mike Shaw for an event?
Mike Shaw keynote speaker is an expert presenter and has a wide range of experience speaking to a wide variety of audiences and organizations. Mike Shaw delivers keynotes, workshops & training sessions. They may also host or emcee events. Hire Mike Shaw from Kelowna, British Columbia for your event to inspire the audience to take action and make change in their work and their lives. Your workplace will benefit from our keynote speaker and their keynote talks and speeches will shift the mindsets or behaviours for the audience members in Canada.
Interested in booking Mike Shaw for an event?
Are you looking to hire Mike Shaw for your event? Mike Shaw Kelowna, British Columbia is a dynamic and engaging speaker that offers audiences researched content paired with expertise and a dynamic speaking ability. Mike Shaw is also a Canadian corporate consultant and coach and facilitates workshops and training sessions for a corporate audience. Mike Shaw is an expert keynote presenter and speaks on wide variety of topics. Hiring a great speaker for your event is important and working with a thought leader like Mike Shaw from Speakers Canada's roster will engage audiences into the content of the presentation to bring awareness and a fresh perspective for their approach to their work and their lives. Book Mike Shaw to educate, motivate and activate the audience through an interactive and entertaining presentation at corporate meetings and gatherings.
Known as a popular key note speaker in Canada, Mike Shaw creates life changing experiences for the participants with practical insights and strategic advice they can implement right after the session. Working with one of our leading expert speaker like Mike Shaw from Kelowna, British Columbia offers organizations a fresh perspective to assist the people of the organization. No matter if it is a government, association, or business crowd, Mike Shaw is a perfect speaker for your event. Through unique practical insights for trending topics and years experience speaking to different organizations, Mike Shaw focuses on changing individuals to make better decisions at work and their lives. No matter if you are holding an in person or virtual event, having an influential speaker such as Mike Shaw will engage, motivate, and activate the audience to make a change in their lives and inspire action for results to meet organizational goals. Your workforce will benefit from Mike Shaw's presentations and speeches, with measurable results set to shift the people of the organization and core direction of the company. Book Mike Shaw speaker for your annual general meeting, conference, summit, or convention in Canada.
How much does it cost to hire Mike Shaw for a keynote presentation or virtual event?
Mike Shaw is an expert professional key note speaker with a lot of experience speaking and delivering engaging talks to organizations and audiences in Canada. Each of Speaker Bureau Canada's talent have different ways to assess their fees, and Mike Shaw speaker fee ranges depending on the size of the audience, event format (in person or virtual), event location, and if the organization booking them is a non profit, association, government department/government agency or business/corporation. The speakers we work with are flexible with their fees, and it is important for us to learn more about your event before we approach them, as it is our role to work for you, and to help you find a speaker within budget.
Please contact Speakers Bureau of Canada and provide us with your event details so that we can contact Mike Shaw to check availability or confirm the pricing and associated costs to hire a great speaker like Mike Shaw for your event. As Mike Shaw's agent and as a Canadian top speaker bureau and talent agency for speakers, we are able to propose each event opportunity from each host organization's behalf to try to help you get in touch with Mike Shaw and confirm them for your in person or online meeting/event. We can also provide and advise on the booking process and potentially negotiate their fee. Speakers Canada is a client focused speaker agency, and we work for you in finding good speakers for your team meetings and booking processes.
Mike Shaw Disclaimer
Speakers Bureau Canada assists companies and event planning teams seeking to hire talent like Mike Shaw for speaking engagements, virtual meetings, conference appearances, training sessions and workshops facilitations. Our Canadian speakers bureau does not claim to exclusively represent Mike Shaw, however they are represented by Speakers Canada, and we work with them closely for their Canadian speaking opportunities and bookings. As Canada's top speaker bureau, we represent Canadian motivational keynote speakers and professional guest speakers that will be available on your upcoming events date and location that are withing the budget. Our talented bureau speaker booking agency can help find business speakers or celebrity speakers that aligns with each organization, audience, event theme and the topic themes you hope for the speaker to address in their presentation.
When SBC receives a request to book Mike Shaw we provide you with their speaker fees, travel costs and check their schedules. We work closely with the host organization's event planning team and the speaker to handle the logistics and to relay or negotiate associated costs. Our talented team members then will work with our talent directly or their agent/manager/assistant to confirm the Canadian speaker fee and travel expenses, so that event planning teams can receive an official quote for the speaker appearing at the event. Speaker fees and travel costs vary per speaker and our role is to contact Mike Shaw about your event, after we have connected with the event organizers to learn all the event details and/or conference program. Each booking request is unique since session durations and audience sizes can vary which may affect the speaker's fees. If you are looking to hire Mike Shaw, we recommend filling out the booking request form so a booking agent from Speakers Bureau Canada can get in touch with our talent to help you coordinate with your team to engage the speaker for a successful event.