Rise The Podcast

Unlock surprising lessons in mental strength with insights from Kwesi Millington's days as a police officer. In this motivational video, Kwesi shares powerful lessons that shaped his resilience and can help you too. Discover how overcoming challenges can lead to greater happiness and why asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Kwesi emphasizes the importance of removing toxic influences and staying true to oneself, while also embracing change as a path to personal growth. - Discover Kwesi Millington's approach to mental strength and resilience. - Learn why facing difficulties is key to personal growth. - Understand the importance of asking for help to maintain strength. - Recognize the value of surrounding yourself with positive influences. - Embrace the journey of self-discovery and adapting to change. Be sure not to miss a single video from Kwesi by subscribing. Connect with him on Instagram: @Kwesispeaks. #HowToOvercomeChallenges #NeverGiveUp #Inspiration #LawEnforcement #MentalHealthTips #PersonalGrowth #PoliceAcademy #NeverGiveUp #Inspiration #HowToOvercomeChallenges

Kwesi Millington welcomes Mark Bouchard to the program. They discuss policing mental health and the psychology of the use of force. Policing Mental Health & the Psychology of Use of Force with Mark Bouchard Mark Bouchard is a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who is assigned to the Williams Lake detachment in British Columbia. He also has a position on the Emergency Response Team, which is the SWAT team in Canada. Mark also has a specialty profile as a medic on the team. Prior to joining the RCMP, Mark worked for the Delta Police Department for 14 years, which is a suburb of Vancouver. Mark has a passion for mental health in policing, which is based on his experience as a cop and his education. He was diagnosed with PTSD in 2015 and was unable to work due to a psychological injury. Mark was able to heal from that injury and then began helping other officers as a peer support member and Road to Mental Readiness instructor. This year Mark has completed a Master's Degree in leadership from Royal Roads University, with a focus on police culture and police officer mental health. He has also spent the past 3 years writing a book about policing and mental health based on his experiences. Stay in touch with Mark at http://www.markbouchard.ca

Thể Oanh - The Path to Inner Knowing & Personal Peace Thể Oanh, pronounced like Tey'One (Oanh 'ONE' for short), is a Multidimensional Transformation Coach & Oracle, guided by her Fierce Guardian Angel, she serves as a Spiritual Guide & Tarot Reader for her querents. She is a certified Life Coach, NLP Practitioner & Image Consultant with over a decade of experience as a highly skilled makeup artist & hair stylist, who specializes in inner & outer beauty. Oanh is deeply passionate about holding sacred space & helping as many souls as possible, realize & embody their limitless potential. She wants everyone she connects with, to embrace their Divinity, to gain unwavering confidence, look sophisticated & to reclaim their sovereignty. Oanh lovingly co-created with Source & her Angel, The 6 Petals Of Life™ & the Thrive Evolution Method™, which uses Sacred Geometry as a blueprint & compass, to guide us on how to consciously create a balanced life we love & deserve whilst feeling sexy. She believes that love will deliver us peace, and such love must start with self-love, the unconditional self-love that we were all born with & have the ability to realign with as adults. Oanh would love to live in a world where everyone is in love, in love with themselves, in love with their life, in love with our planet & all Earthlings, thus attracting love, so we can all love & be loved. Love will always prevail. Oanh is an eternal student, animal lover, humanitarian, environmentalist & a multifaceted artist with an insatiable appetite to create beauty in many forms. She cherishes spending time with loved ones, her pup, kitten & gecko. Connect with Thể Oanh to see how she can support you on your journey of self-mastery, please visit her website www.TheOneCoach.Solutions IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.one.coach.143 FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/143.CrystalClearSolutions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/th%E1%BB%83-oanh-coach-4b650a17b/ Oanh is also Vancouver's Branch Director for Happy Healthy Women. https://hhwglobal.com/collections/branch-directors-1/products/oanh-nguyen-br-vancouver-bc-br

Scott Medlin helps police officers and other first responders achieve wellness and security by providing practical and inspirational training, so they can be fulfilled and excel. WHO I WORK WITH: I partner with law enforcement and also: 

Sri Mahabir refused to let her camera shyness get in the way of being able to share the stories of other entrepreneurs and her own story. In April of 2020, Sri created the IG live series Journey of an Entrepreneur” After interviewing 100 entrepreneurs, she realized her passion. Sri helps solo entrepreneurs be able to face their camera shyness and help build visibility to their brand and business. Sri has another show on Linked In which is called Sip N Chat with Sri and Charlene. If you would like to connect with Sri, please connect with her on IG: nexlevconsulting, Linked In: Sri Mahabir or tik tok: srimahabir

Kwesi Millington welcomes Norm DeVarennes to Rise The Podcast. Norm DeVarennes was a police officer with the RCMP for 28 years. In both this podcast and his book, he dives deep into his emotion as he reflects on the effect a career in policing on his mental health. His goal is to have other first responders see themselves through the eyes of the author while it will help people from the general public on what generally happens to police officers during a career on the streets. Listen to and read his book to understand how the mind of a shy, non-confrontational person, transformed into a person that was ready for battle at the drop of a dime. Stay connected: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/norm-devarennes-15096567/ Get Norm's book, Invisible Wounds: https://www.amazon.ca/Invisible-Wounds-emotional-journey-officers-ebook/dp/B08F5K14G4

Kwesi Millington welcomes Deon Joseph who discusses shifting perspectives and saving skid row. Deon Joseph is an LEO (Law Enforcement Officer), as well as a Law Enforcement Consultant and Trainer on Homelessness and Community Policing. From patrolling the streets to meeting with public figures and advocating for change, Deon is driven to influence an environment for the homeless that helps them to reclaim their lives from the grips of their complex issues. Deon has created The Housing Program and The Open Door Project in an effort to creatively dispel the fear that many homeless people have of law enforcement. His programs are designed to empower the residents of Skid Row and create real change and impact. Stay connected with Deon: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/deon-joseph-898549124/ Website - www.deonjoseph.org Email - info@deonjoseph.org

Shelly Elsliger is a ball of positivity....we talk about so much in this podcast, but here's a bit about her: WHO AM I? Not your typical LinkedIn Trainer that is for sure! I focus on Social Reciprocity as a way for you to WIN ON LINKEDIN! It is very important to have an optimized LinkedIn Story but it will be your belief in your story, how you pay it forward, and how you tap into a market who will want to read it – so much so that they will keep returning for more and more…I did not inherit the title LinkedIn CKO (Chief Kindness Officer) for nothing. My goal is to help you build a globally supportive community on LinkedIn where your LinkedIn relationship building skills shine and your kindness builds trust. The time is NOW to blaze your unique trail, create LinkedIn “AHA” moments, and revolutionize how you and your team own your space, tell your unique and individualized stories, approach LinkedIn as a unified and supportive team, do what you need to do to become thought leaders, and approach LinkedIn like a BOSS and be ready to say, I am ready for a mindset “SHIFT” to happen! I have spread LinkedIn Goodness in well over 400 (workshops, talks, keynotes) for executive teams, associations, departments, entrepreneurs, job seekers, special groups, and for amazing women leaders! I have two signature workshops: LinkedIn in High Heels: Rise Up and Lead Online. It is all about kicking imposter to the curb and creating a transition for women leaders to Lead-IN, Listen-IN, Link-IN, and become IN-fluential leaders online. The POWER of your LinkedIn Story and Social Reciprocity takes you on a journey of finding out what success looks like on LinkedIn and how you are going to get yourself there. I am a certified Coach, member of the International Coach Federation (ICF), A women of Inspiration Winner, a Forbes Writer, and on the list of globally recognized LinkedIn experts. My diverse experience as a professional LinkedIn Trainer and Coach allows me to bring a unique breadth of knowledge, as well as an aspect of fun and passion, to all my workshops and talks. This is very important because you should be enjoying your LinkedIn journey. “LinkedIn is no longer and option, it is a must stop shop for professionals who want an amazing tool that will support their transition into professional greatness” Connect with Shelly - https://linkedexpress.ca/about-me/ Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/selsliger/

Treena Reilkoff is a certified Resiliency trainer with experience in trauma informed practice and promoting strategies and optimizing resiliency. Her professional background is diverse and includes working in the fields of mental health, behavioural analysis, corrections, ADR and social work. She brings more than 25 years of experience providing service to persons and groups who have experienced trauma, in diverse, complex and high-risk environments. Having served organizations across Canada (government, correctional facilities, schools, hospitals, sporting organizations, indigenous communities) by providing critical incident stress management, employee assistance, occupational health and safety consulting, and union leadership, Treena possesses deep insight into the nature of resiliency. Stay connected with Trina: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/treena-re... Website - www.tlrsolutions4conflict.ca Email - treenareilkoff@tlr-mediation-wfa.com

Kwesi sits down with Toronto Police Officer Dale Swift, to discuss policing communities and bridging the gap. It is no secret that policing isn't the most popular career choice these days. From being unfairly and broadly painted as bad apples, to being attacked and insulted, to officers opting for early retirement due to stress and mental health issues all over North America, it is no wonder that fewer people are choosing this as a job. However, being a former police officer myself, I know the rewards of doing the job. It is not just about saving lives. Police officers help communities, heal families, and give people hope. That is exactly what my guest on the RISE podcast, Toronto Police Officer Dale Swift, is doing. From his empowering and vulnerable posts on his popular Instagram page (tpswiftd), to his work with not only his city, but the black community, he is an officer that is not only doing the badge proud, but truly making a difference in his city. #cop4unity #cop4community Stay connected with Dale, an officer whose mantra is BE THE DIFFERENCE, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tpswiftd/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/tpswiftd?lang=en Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-swift-16645292/?originalSubdomain=ca

Kwesi Millington welcomes widow support coach Petra Gordon who is on a mission to transform the expectations surrounding widowhood. You can move through times of adversity and find new purpose for living. I met Petra a few years ago, and invited her to speak on my StoryShare stage. Her passion and power immediately blew me away and I knew we would always stay connected. What brought her onto the RISE podcast however, was her personal story of love, loss and resilience… About Petra... After my husband died, I didn't want to be called a widow. He passed unexpectedly at the young age of 42, and my entire world turned upside down. I never saw it coming. Every woman experiences widowhood differently. I was 38 when I lost my husband, and it felt impossible to imagine life without him. But over time I discovered a strength within me I never knew I had. Within the first year after my husband died, I was able to: Pay off all our debt Settle his estate Purchase a new home Self-publish my first book Launch my coaching practice I realized I can move forward with my life, even while I'm still knee-deep in my grief. I can experience happiness again. And you can, too. Follow Petra at - https://petraegordon.com/

I'm pleased to welcome Eric Muldrow of @coderedconversations on the RISE podcast to discuss race and policing. He laid it out unapologetically and the full interview has truths that are unpopular and uncomfortable, but need to be said. About Eric: "Eric began his career in Law Enforcement after serving in the U.S. Army as a Combat Medic. After being honorably discharged, he began working as an Officer at Westville Correctional Center, being assigned to the Maximum Security Housing Unit (GSC) In December 0f 1996, he was hired on by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department as a Corrections Officer in The CLark County Detention Center. In 2006, Eric attended LVMPD's Police Officer Academy where he graduated with honors. In 2014, He retired after an over 20-year career. In 2016, Eric began speaking out publicly in response to the growing anti-police movement & many of the sometimes questionable police/civilian confrontations. In 2018, he founded Code Red Conversation. Using the knowledge gained from years of working in many challenging environments. He seeks to spread light on the realities of a Police Use of Force, as well as the issues and challenges that truly exist within the Law Enforcement field. His mission is to do his part to improve the tactics of officers and strengthen the publics' knowledge & trust in Law Enforcement." About Code Red Conversations: "At Code Red Conversations, our passion is for the everyday citizen, and law enforcement. Our primary goals are: 1. To bridge the cultural gap between the public and those who have pledged "Protect and Serve". Through thought-provoking presentations along side healthy & balanced discussions, We move past the barriers for the betterment of all involved! 2. In a world that seems to grow increasingly unpredictable and dangerous, how does one keep themselves and their loved ones safe. At Code Red Conversations, we use our over 25 years of uniformed service (Military, Police, and Corrections), to help the average citizen improve their personal safety & situational awareness skills." https://www.coderedconversations.com/

Special Guest: Singer, Author, Speaker & Coach Alana Dela Cruz Alana does it all. She is a speaker, author and survivor. I'll let her describe her journey in words before you listen to the podcast... "I'm pretty much an open book about my life mess being turned into a message for the masses. I didn't go through these life experiences and long healing journeys for nothing! ha! I've been married and divorced 3 times- engaged 5 times (I'm currently engaged) The first two husbands were abusive in different forms -- husband #1- sexually exploited me and attempted to prostitute me to rich men, husband #2-- verbally, emotionally, physically and spiritually abused me, husband #3-- sadly ended due to his changing his mind about wanting children. Resilience came from having to literally press "the RESTART button" each time I encountered these extremely difficult relationship trials. Then also overcame the physical illness that usually followed due enduring the stress of it all. I honestly feel like I've received "The PURPLE HEART of Toxic Relationships" award similar to that of brave soldiers that were wounded yet survived the most treacherous battlefields. However, my hope is that Diamonds will not see themselves as "one in the line of duty" sacrificing themselves and paying an ultimate price for the sake of keeping a ring on their finger or not letting go of a " futile hope" way of thinking towards their abusers. My mission is to help women discover WHO they REALLY are BEFORE they even step foot inside an abusive relationship. They are a DIAMOND at the time of birth-- born with a mission, duty and calling in life to use their God-given talents and gifts to help bring this dark world into a BRIGHT LIGHT! " Follow her at https://alanadelacruz.com/ #buildingresilience #risepodcast Book me to Speak: First Responders & Corporate: http://www.kwesimillington.com Middle, High School, Post-Secondary: http://www.kwesispeaks.com

Pauly Plewa and I first met when I coached him on his first TED talk. You can watch his TED talk at the link below, but here's what the CBC wrote about him for a feature interview... "Soon after his motocross accident, Pauly Plewa was given a brochure and asked to pick the colour of the wheelchair that he would soon get. With a devastating back injury that required his vertebrae to be fused together with metal rods, he was told that his chance of regaining any sensation below his chest was less than two per cent. Three years later, not only is he able to walk on his own feet, he is also getting ready for a 10-kilometre run." Pauly is an inspiration in resilience, and I am happy to be able to interview him about his story, and continuing courage. WATCH Pauly Plewa's TED Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8AzABQ_2_0 CBC News Report - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/headlines/motocross-star-pauly-plewa-to-run-for-1st-time-since-spinal-cord-injury-1.3021940 Connect with Pauly online: https://www.enterprisestressmanagement.com/ #buildingresilience #risepodcast Book me to Speak: First Responders & Corporate: http://www.kwesimillington.com Middle, High School, Post-Secondary: http://www.kwesispeaks.com

Kwesi Millington welcomes licensed psychologist with over 30 years of experience Dr. Jay McGrory. Jay works extensively with first responders and in particular with police. He is the consulting psychologist to the Windsor Police Service and Lasalle Police Service Peer Support Teams. Dr. McGrory also has an interest in working with athletes and has worked with the NHL/NHLPA and OHL Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club. Jay has some key insights into policing and what it takes to build first responder resilience.

Kwesi Millington welcomes Founder / President Camp My Way Society Mental Health / Social Justice Advocate Terrance Kosikar. Terrance Kosikar, was a First Responder to a fatal accident during an event on opening day of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Although well trained in a myriad of life saving techniques, he was not prepared to deal with the emotional impact sustained when those techniques were not enough. As a result of the fatality, Kosikar developed PTSD that launched him into a very costly downward spiral. During several years of severe depression, attempted suicide, and substance abuse, Kosikar lost his family, career, and nearly his life. Pushed to his breaking point, Kosikar found salvation within. Escaping to the backcountry, he had found peace and purpose in mother nature's beauty and simplicity. Kosikar now runs a Wilderness Therapy program for combat veterans, first responders and their families who have been affected by Post Traumatic Stress ( PTSD ) ( OSI ) Kosikar is also a motivational speaker and travels the world to bring more education, knowledge and a better understanding around Post Traumatic Stress and most importantly shares the natural tools we can all use to help manage our mental, emotional, behavioural health challenges. www.campmyway.com

Kwesi Millington welcomes producer, speaker, coach MS Society of Canada Ambassador ♿ Diversity & Inclusion Advocate Gaby Mammone. About Gaby...I'm on a mission to change the world. What? Huh? (Is that what you are thinking?) We all have a story. Being vulnerable helps to heal others. As a keynote speaker, I focus on the importance of building resilience through kindness. I believe in diversity, inclusion and acceptance. I am passionate about human to human connection. Living with multiple sclerosis and being an Ambassador with the MS Society of Canada allows me to use my voice and make government advocacy changes. ACCESSIBILITY MATTERS. Founder of a global kindness movement, I ask for you to make a conscious act of kindness and share it on social media with the hashtag, #BeAwareBeKind. If you would like to be in a future kindness video, visit: https://www.gabymammone.ca/beawarebekind/ . KINDNESS MATTERS. I am a mom of two inspiring children, enjoy playing the piano and love a cup of hot apple cider. My business supports charities, not-for-profit groups, and heart-centered organizations with solutions to increase funding and awareness. I believe in the power of community. YOU MATTER. We all have the ability to change the world. The question is…will you?

Thank you RENA ROMANO... Author | Activist | Speaker | Coach Veteran of the TEDx Stage and Guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” surTHRIVER® and Advocate for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault About: As a sur-THRIVER® of child sexual abuse and sexual assault, I have a unique approach to life, I say our past does define us. Yes, it does! We are looking at it all wrong!!! The problem: Most people, as I did, look at their past trauma and only focus on the negative, the crime, and that keeps us stuck in the shame of what was forced upon us. I was stuck for years because of the shame of my perpetrator's crimes until one day I screamed the words; “I am tired of being ashamed of crimes I did not commit!” I know that the years of child abuse played a massive role in my lack of self-esteem and self-worth. However, I was determined to heal those hidden scars because I knew my story and my journey would help other survivors release the shame that they carry. We did not commit the crime; we must stop doing the time! http://www.renaromano.com MORE ABOUT KWESI MILLINGTON: To get an autographed copy of my book RISE: https://gumroad.com/l/JAhlb Book me to Speak: First Responders & Corporate: http://www.kwesimillington.com Middle, High School, Post-Secondary: http://www.kwesispeaks.com

As much as I teach resilience, I'm more of a student than anything. I can't recommend Dr. Stephanie Conn's book Increasing Resilience in Police & Emergency Personnel enough. That being said, her skills in helping others build resilience extends to tools that anyone can use. As a Youth speaker, I owe it to the students I motivate to ensure that I am always learning about resilience to bring the best tools that I can to them. Dr. Stephanie Conn is a former police officer, as well as the daughter and wife of police officers, and is a Licensed Psychologist at her practice, First Responder Psychology, in Portland, Oregon, specializing in first responder stress, trauma, work identity, coping, and resilience. She supports first responder agencies with CISM, peer support, and mental health training. She is the Clinical Director of Public Safety Assistance Network, a group of culturally competent clinicians who provide services to public safety agencies and assist in vetting clinicians for agencies in need. She has presented widely to first responders, sharing wisdom gained from her police experience, her research, and her therapy practice. She is the author of Increasing Resilience in Police and Emergency Personnel. Follow her at http://www.firstresponderpsychology.com MORE ABOUT KWESI MILLINGTON: To get an autographed copy of my book RISE: https://gumroad.com/l/JAhlb Book me to Speak: First Responders & Corporate: http://www.kwesimillington.com Middle, High School, Post-Secondary: http://www.kwesispeaks.com RISE Training Program: http://www.kwesimillington.com/rise Rise The Podcast is Powered By Blue Microphones. From live streams and YouTube videos to podcasts and music recordings, Blue can help you achieve your ultimate goal—to be heard. Trusted by content creators around the world, Blue microphones are an essential piece of any streaming setup. Blue microphones capture broadcast-quality audio, helping you connect with your audience and build a successful stream. With user friendly start up and set up say goodbye to bad audio with professional sounding content powered by Blue.

Based in Toronto, Canada, Jessica Santonato is an inspirational speaker who shares the message of forgiveness and finding the gift in painful experiences. In her latest memoir “Flip The Script”, she shares her journey of living a criminal lifestyle, assault, attempted suicide and domestic violence before the age of 30, to her rise in conscious leadership and humanitarian work by the age of 35. Recognized for her leadership abilities, she was one of three people chosen by an American personal development company to help more than a thousand entrepreneurs from across all continents achieve success through the power of vivid story sharing and communication. Flip The Script, an organization Jessica founded, is a raw and unfiltered story sharing community that gives men with criminal histories a platform to share their stories from a new perspective. She has been featured in media such as CBC Radio, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Rogers TV, various podcasts, and has given talks at TEDx, Humber College, Mississauga City Hall, inner-city schools and at an event for international peace activist/conscious hip-hop artist, Emmanuel Jal. Connect with her at www.jessicasantonato.com

This guy has done it all...including a marathon with a TREE! A prime example of someone who exemplifies not only physical strength, but mental strength and resilience too. About Brandon... “I am a full time fitness and performance coach and speaker as well as a Strength and Endurance athlete who attempts record first projects that combine both disciplines. Most notably, I became the first Canadian to complete a tree-athlon in 2019 (Olympic distance triathlon carrying an 80 lb tree throughout), and most recently completed "North America's Strongest Ultra Endurance Project", consisting of a 5 hr marathon swim pulling an 80 lb tree, 200 km bike, a 100 km run continuously over a 30 hr time period, followed up with a 100,000 lb total lift using 1.5 times my bodyweight in all 3 powerlifting disciplines (bench press, deadlift and squat). I am also the host of the "Fear Being Average" Podcast. My mission is to help people become stronger, both mentally and physically." Follow him at http://www.brandonrynka365.com MORE ABOUT KWESI MILLINGTON: To get an autographed copy of my book RISE: https://gumroad.com/l/JAhlb Book me to Speak: First Responders & Corporate: http://www.kwesimillington.com Middle, High School, Post-Secondary: http://www.kwesispeaks.com

Physical & Mental Resilience with Fraser Bayley So much gold in this conversation with my friend Fraser from @veguplife! Listen and uplevel your health and life! Fraser Bayley has an unusual story – having gone from being a butcher with multiple mental health challenges to a passionate vegan advocate, bodybuilder, and online strength & nutrition coach. In a struggle to overcome serious mental illness including bi-polar disorder, ADHD, and severe social anxiety, Fraser chose to walk away from the butchery industry for good. He never realized how health, fitness, and veganism would then come together to transform his life in many amazing ways. Today Fraser operates an online vegan health and fitness brand called VegUp with his wife Lauren, which helps other vegans, curious non-vegans & high-performing entrepreneurs get healthy, strong & achieve a higher state of peak performance through a vegan diet & lifestyle. MORE ABOUT KWESI MILLINGTON: To get an autographed copy of my book RISE: https://gumroad.com/l/JAhlb Book me to Speak: First Responders & Corporate: http://www.kwesimillington.com Middle, High School, Post-Secondary: http://www.kwesispeaks.com

MORE ABOUT KWESI MILLINGTON:To get an autographed copy of my book RISE: https://gumroad.com/l/JAhlbBook me to Speak:First Responders & Corporate: http://www.kwesimillington.comMiddle, High School, Post-Secondary: http://www.kwesispeaks.com 

Kimberley Black is amazing the definition of resilience....College Professor. Graduate Student. Entrepreneur. Salsa Dancer. These were the things I became known for in my community. Until the day I became known for being the woman who was brutally beaten, sexually assaulted, and left for dead overnight in a wooded area just ten minutes from home. This random, savage attack would forever change the trajectory of my life. Drawing on my skillset as an educator, public speaker, and researcher, I will now focus on helping women build resilience to confront life's adversities with courage. Using my skills in videography and marketing, I will share my research findings through video messages, blogs, and online and in-person events with the goal of growing a supportive B Positive community of women. Learn more about her at http://www.kimberleyblack.com Follow her on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEOWMPNJ3R85KbvytDuafNQ MORE ABOUT KWESI MILLINGTON To get an autographed copy of my book RISE: https://gumroad.com/l/JAhlb Book me to Speak: First Responders & Corporate: http://www.kwesimillington.com Middle, High School, Post-Secondary: http://www.kwesispeaks.com

On the 4th episode of Rise with Kwesi Millington, Kwesi welcomes in long time friend Ashley Ann to discuss body imagine, book writing and being your best self. Need some positivity in your life today, look no further than the Rise Podcast. Ashley-Ann Pereira is a Book Coach who works with thought leaders to write impactful memoirs and self-help books. Ashley-Ann is the co-founder of The Studio Press and together with her team, they know what goes into creating a book that sells and transforms lives. It's about writing a book that your readers want and bringing them along for the journey the moment you decide to write a book. Ashley-Ann is an award-winning speaking and has been featured on Power of Positivity, CHIN Radio, What She Said, and Toronto.com. In addition to helping her clients launch books, Ashley-Ann is an author herself and leads the branding and marketing strategies. CONNECT WITH HER AT - https://www.thestudiopress.co/ To get an autographed copy of my book RISE: https://gumroad.com/l/JAhlb Book me to Speak: First Responders & Corporate: http://www.kwesimillington.com Middle, High School, Post-Secondary: http://www.kwesispeaks.com

Turning a Negative to a Positive with Alejandro Vivar. Special Guest: Jose Alejandro Vivar is a Champion Public Speaker, Endurance Athlete and founder of Non-Profit Fitness Initiative 25/7 Fitness. Alejandro grew up in the Christie and Bloor St Neighbourhood of Toronto and from an early age was involved in a criminal subculture which eventually landed him a 16 year Penetentiary sentence. Alejandro used that experience to develop his mantra “turning a negative into a positive” and in prison began to see different possibilities for his life and got a university degree and became a certified personal trainer. Upon release however, his old life got up to him. He was shot five times in front of his entire family and almost killed. Yet he survived. Listen to Alejandro's powerful story... To get an autographed copy of my book RISE: https://gumroad.com/l/JAhlb Book me to Speak: First Responders & Corporate: http://www.kwesimillington.com Middle, High School, Post-Secondary: http://www.kwesispeaks.com

On the 3rd episode of the Rise with Kwesi Millington. Kwesi welcomes Jeff Martin onto the program. Parenting advice - “Don't give your children what you didn't HAVE; give them what you didn't KNOW.” Jeff Martin is an award-winning professional speaker, a certified coach, University of Guelph certified leadership professional, Harvard University certificate recipient for public speaking and the curator of Inspire Legacy Company. His goal is to share his gift of purpose in efforts to help others find their true potential. Follow Jeff Online @jeffadmartin Website: http://www.jeffadmartin.com To get an autographed copy of my book RISE: https://gumroad.com/l/JAhlb Book me to Speak: First Responders & Corporate: http://www.kwesimillington.com Middle, High School, Post-Secondary: http://www.kwesispeaks.com

Very grateful to have my wise friend Roger Caesar on for a discussion on resilience, COVID, race, taking risks and more. Roger Caesar is a 4 time Speech Champion for District 86 in Toronto, Canada. A 3 time international award winning speaker and a 3 time semi finalist at the World Championships of Public Speaking (#toastmasters). He has spoken at TEDx, MoMondays, Speaker Slam, Fearless Voices, Flip the Script, and Brampton Mastermind. He is the proud owner of Caesar Transport Inc, a family owned business in its 37th year. He is a motivational speaker who helps others to develop their speaking skills and maximize their greatness. Follow him online at http://www.rogercaesar.com Learn more about Roger at http://www.rogercaesar.com To get an autographed copy of my book RISE: https://gumroad.com/l/JAhlb Book me to Speak: First Responders & Corporate: http://www.kwesimillington.com Middle, High School, Post-Secondary: http://www.kwesispeaks.com RISE Training Program: http://www.kwesimillington.com/rise

Martin is a movement specialist and business owner. You can find him here on IG or follow his podcast at The Core Conversational Podcast. Of course we talk about resilience, but we also talk about the failure, fatherhood, and marriage( we've both been divorced and re-married) Martin inspires me to stay healthy in body and mind, not to let failure stop me and he gave me tips on how to raise a resilient son with grit and poise. He gives some amazing advice! To get an autographed copy of my book RISE: https://gumroad.com/l/JAhlb Book me to Speak: First Responders & Corporate: http://www.kwesimillington.com Middle, High School, Post-Secondary: http://www.kwesispeaks.com RISE Training Program: http://www.kwesimillington.com/rise