The question is: How do we stay inspired and motivated serving our youth who face multiple challenges?

This keynote will address this question in 3 parts using personal storytelling, motivational anecdotes and empowering reminders. 

1. We connect. We connect ourselves to ourselves and to our WHY- why we do what we do. 

2. We collect. We remind ourselves that this work matters by collecting and sharing stories of growth, accomplishments and success of our clients- past and present. 

3. We cultivate. We cultivate a community where we can help each other because we’re not alone. We make connections and we collaborate. When we intentionally and consistently connect, collect and cultivate we create spaces that are healthier so that the important work that matters, can continue to be done. [Themes: building resilience, accessing joy, confidence booster, partnership, growth mindset, giving from an overflow.] 

What if negativity didn’t have to run the show? In this heart-opening workshop, we’ll explore why it often does and how we can gently and sustainably shift our stories back to joy. Through simple, powerful tools and meaningful conversation, attendees will discover how to meet their core needs and take ownership of their emotional experience. We’ll unpack what it means to feel safe enough to choose joy and why play isn’t a luxury- its a lifeline. 

During this session we will do just that- returning to joy through creativity, movement, play, and connection, so we can build a deeper level of resilience and remember what it means to be fully alive. [Themes: building resilience, accessing joy, intentional living, self-care, play, healthy relationships.] 

The number one rule of care-giving is to take care of yourself first. Human service work is a care-giving profession. It is essential that you make your own overall health a priority. The better that we’re able to take care of ourselves, the more we have to give from a place of overflow, not depletion. In this workshop we’ll discuss the why and how of self-care as well share practical and relevant tools to actually implement it into our every day lives. In this interactive workshop Maria uses stories, as well as research-backed techniques and tools to equip participants to build a strong foundation that allows them to recalibrate their nervous system and thrive in their decision making and lives. [Themes: building resilience, accessing joy, intentional living, burnout recovery, self-care, boundaries.] 

It is essential that we create and cultivate ‘balance’ so that we can continue to do the work we enjoy doing while maintaining the joy in our lives. In this talk we’ll uncover the truth around 'work-life balance', learn the tips to get the breathing space we so desperately want, the techniques to align with our priorities, and begin to develop the mental clarity (read: sanity, peace and joy) we need to move into our days, jobs and relationships without feeling guilty and/or stretched thin. This talk helps attendees create a more positive mindset shift that promotes growth and improves the quality of life. [Themes: building resilience, accessing joy, intentional living, boundaries, core values, priorities, healthy relationships.] 

The thing about life is that it will always be evolving, change is inevitable, and ‘storms’ will come. Shifts that happen outside of our control can feel overwhelming, and sometimes even devastating. Research indicates that resilience, along with emotional regulation, enhances our ability to adapt to change. Resilient individuals often maintain a positive outlook and can effectively manage their emotions, which helps them cope better during challenging transitions. 

In this powerful workshop Maria shares personal stories of pain and struggle and how the intentional and consistent practice of the 5 main components to building resilience and emotional regulation help her root into her power so that she can increase her peace, joy, and love, as life continues to offer its twists and turns. It is time to root in and nurture the human within first so that we can rise up collectively and cultivate thriving lives full of greater ease, fun, joy, love and abundance. [Themes: building resilience, accessing joy, intentional living, partnership, growth mindset, healthy relationships.] 

In this powerful talk Maria uses the story of her fall from a 5 story building and recovery journey to encourage and empower attendees to move into a positive attitude and perspective in order to create a life that they want and love regardless of set backs or obstacles. This talk gives participants the simple and applicable tools to GET UP from whatever is hindering them, again and again. 

Attendees will walk away remembering who they are and what they’re capable of, tapping into their own capacities and telling themselves a new story about their ability to impact on their lives, their relationships, and the world. [Themes: building resilience, positive attitude, intentional living, growth mindset, self-care, discipline.]