Another trip down to Sydney to speak at primary schools and high schools.

Before I get going, the 4 days in Sydney looked like….

 

Monday -

Motivational speakers for primary schools at Hilltop Rd Public Yrs 4-6

 

Tuesday - 

Anti bullying speakers at Sydney Adventist  in Auburn for Yrs 4-6

 

Wednesday - 

Resilience speakers for high school students at St John’s Bosco Engadine 

 

Thursday - 

Motivational speakers at The John Berne School in Lewisham

 

Ieva (my wife) was scheduled to come down with me which is always a treat, but just before I left she was feeling a bit sick so it was the 9 hours drive south on my own. I’m all good driving that distance, it’s something I’m used to and it gives me the chance to chill out and listen to some audiobooks. 

 

I stayed at my regular Airbnb in Cronulla. I enjoy staying there, it’s a relaxed and quiet spot so it’s perfect to retreat to after speaking all day and connecting with people. I love what I do but it definitely takes a heap of energy. Not only as a motivational speaker but then connecting with people after the talk, answering questions, and hearing perspectives.  So like I said, it’s great to have a relaxing spot to go back to.

 

Day 1 was set for a pearler! And I wasn’t wrong. 

A good friend of mine & a superstar in the Oz hip hop scene, Ms Maxine Johns (Ms Hennessy) , has been in regular contact trying to get me to come and speak at the school she works at, Hilltop Rd Public school.

Going by her awesome enthusiasm about the students at her school, I was pumped for a great presentation & connection. 

 

I arrived to a big hug by Maxine & we chatted all things before getting into the hall to set up.

 

The kids came rushing in and gave me a few high fives and fist bumps. They sat down super excited we were good to go!

 

What a session!!!!!!! The students sat glued for the 60 mins and before I even asked, most of them had their hands up with questions! How good :-)

 

A couple of the students personally came up to me and spoke openly about what they got out of the talk and one of them, with tears in her eyes, informed me of the changes she was going to make to her attitude and beliefs. Yes!!!!

 

Leaving to another big hug from Ms Hennessy, I went for a burger before getting back to Nulla. 

 

Day 2… let’s goooo!

 

It was about an hour drive out to Auburn & before heading into the school I scoffed down some late brekky.

 

I walked into the school and was taken to the classroom to wait for the students. I got the chance to check out some of their awesome artwork and some posters done by the teachers 

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Being a motivational speaker for schools Sydney, the moment the kids walk into the door, it’s game on!

The students again came in excited and sat down so attentively and well behaved. A couple asked who I was haha… I usually answer with “you’re about to find out”. 

And that they do! We got into some big topics with them and seeing their little faces smiling and nodding their heads told me that they were understanding and some messages were really getting in there. The teachers told me how much they loved it afterwards and were impressed by the questions asked by the students. Love the questions!!!

 

Another big talk with a great bunch of young people.

 

Leaving the talk, it was back to Cronulla :-)

 

Day 3… shall we?

 

I speak at St John’s Bosco, Engadine, every year & it’s a spot I always enjoy returning to. The teacher there, a man I know personally, Terence McGrath has an obvious passion in what he does, and it’s good to have a chat and a laugh with him.

 

The talk is with Yr 10’s which is a cool team to speak with. It’s that year where the choices they’re making have some big outcomes.

And that’s the message I like to get in there with. And it’s working! Some messages I get on Insta after speaking to the Year 10’s are pretty profound. I know I’ve said it a heap that one of my favourite things with being a motivational speaker is receiving questions. Another one that is my favourite is having my inbox full with more questions but also them getting deep with some of their own issues and successes. This is what I’m there for.

 

Another feed afterwards before getting back to Nulla.

 

Day 4… last talk before driving home. I caught up with an old & great friend of mine before the talk and it was so awesome to catch up and see what’s new in his life. We chatted about family, business, life, and then I had the idea of bringing him along to my talk. He hasn’t seen me on stage presenting before so he was keen on the idea. Out of respect, I sent an email to the organiser of the talk, Phoebe, to ask if he could come along. She got back to me quickly and said it was all good. 

 

We arrived shortly after our catch up at John Berne, which is a spot for those that haven’t connected well with mainstream schools. I remember back in the day a few of the boys I knew went to that school. I also went to one that was pretty similar in Hurstville called The Av.

These type of schools are filled with my type of young people. They’ve been through some stuff but they’re still showing up and looking to make changes. With a little help and direction, these young people are going to reach unbelievable heights!

 

I met Phoebe and a few of the other teachers & they were my type of people too. Straight from the heart and no BS.

 

They gave me a run down on a few things, my old friend sat up the back, and then came the students.

 

From the second I started, there was some of the deepest connections I’ve felt and watched a few nod their heads intently. It was a cracker of a talk with some of the best young people I’ve had the privilege to meet. After the talk, without giving too many personal details away, I had some tears in my eyes as a heap of them came up and told me what they’ve been through and what they want to do going forward.  I could’ve been there all day with them!

My old friend, who was also obviously impacted by how incredible these young people were, offered to buy all the books I had to give to the students as a gift. They were so grateful with that :-)

 

After the talk I went outside and kicked the footy with them for a bit and had some more big conversations.

 

I left there super grateful myself and filled with some heartfelt memories from the young people at John Berne. The best!