Carly Baxter
I attended Motov8 Gippsland with my reluctant son and I’ll begin with his honest and ground-breaking review…. “It wasn’t as boring as I thought it would be” (with a smirk on his face).
The reality was that he was just as inspired and engaged as I was.Rev, you have this ability to draw the boys in effortlessly with your air of “cool confidence” that is backed up with a solid capacity to deliver a genuine and lived account of experience that is relatable, honest and thought provoking. The emphasis on problem-focussed strategies, rather than emotion-focussed strategies, is the pro-active approach to life that teenage boys, girls, adults need to hear.
Rev’s presentation is not hinged on clichés or’ kitchen wall mottos’, but on the harsh realities that life throws at us all; he provides practical ways to build resilience and grit. Rev advocates attacking life with tenacity, purpose and accountability…..thanks for a great evening….value added
Renata Wells
Absolutely brilliant, loved your talk and my son was engaged throughout, which is unheard of. Thank you for sharing your gift ofmotivating, inspiring boys.
Jay Vella
"Brilliant...John's direct, no holds barred approach is awesome. Speaking from experience about his tough journey through adolescence, the choices he made from the hand he was dealt and the magic of clawing back. Honest and confronting at times, John has a gift at being relatable to kids... it was great to see them so engaged! With parents and kids with varying degrees of needs in the room l'm sure his presentation prompted some great conversations on the way home".
Mandy Ostergren
"All four of us (Mum, Dad and two boys 12 and 10) really enjoyed listening to you speak.
I had no idea how the boys would go, sitting for 2 hours and listening, but what you spoke about definitely hit a chord with them, because they didn’t budge, and took it all in.
Our youngest, said ‘that was really cool!’. Both our boys are dyslexic and school is a hard place to be for our eldest. It really helped him to listen to your story and hear that he isn’t alone in his struggles.Thanks for spreading your inspiring message and motivating our kids to be a person of purpose, and helping us to have the tools to support them to do this"
Allison Daughtrey
We went along to Motov8 Nelson with our 11 year old son in hopes it might inspire some positive changes that are much needed in his(our)/ life. We enjoyed your straight talking, no nonsense approach which really engaged the boys in the room(and the parents) . You talked with real authenticy which is a rare thing these days. We learned a lot and although our boy didn't talk too much on the way home he did say he identified with some of the stories you told. Fingers crossed some of the advice gets taken on board. I love your vision and good luck with your UK tour.
Danielle Hade
Cannot recommend these events highly enough! Do whatever you need to, get your kids in the car and at these events! My son was "not a willing participant" initially but at the end is the night he wanted to meet Rev and ask him questions.
Your style, your approach and your messaging for teens and parents is brilliant! You have a special gift of being able to connect to both generations and say it like it is and offer real solutions that we just can’t get anywhere else out there. You are so very much appreciated!
Sarah Blackfield
Just wanted to say thank you for Wed night. It was a great session and I really think my boys have got a lot out of it and we haven't even implemented your stuff yet. Thank you for talking to Blake. You sharing your bullying experience has helped him realise it is not only him that this happens too.
You must have made a real impression as his teacher rang me today to tell me that he openly spoke about last night and how cool you were. We have referred you to other family members who are struggling with teenagers.
Thank you again.
Rachel Ragusa
I took my three boys. Two didn't want to go, after going said they thought it was really good. The third shut down after and when we got home broke down and told me so many tough things he'd been holding onto. Then a few days later said I should tell one of his friends mums to take his friend. Well worth it.
Chloe
We attended the event as a family of 4. 2 boys aged 14 and 16 Our eldest is ASD, ADHD, Sensory and Intellectual disability. He has a lot of trouble regulating his emotions which can often get him into trouble. He thoroughly enjoyed the session and could not stop talking about it all the way home, even though you said not to but he instigated the conversation.My 14 year old is a little bit more reserved and not motivated, with the typical teenage attitude appearing. But the talk has now lead him to think about his choices and certainly is showing more respect towards us his parents.What we also got out of the session was we found that it opened up more conversation in our household. Things like "what was your schooling like?", "how was your childhood?"These are questions that our boys have not asked us before, so it was nice to have some open conversations.Thank you and all the best with future events.
Renee Bosankoe
Rev, we’ve just left your Townsville talk tonight. WOW
10 mins down the road…..
My 12 yr old states;
Mum, I think I get it!?!?
I have just realised that if I get up and do what you’re asking me to do, you won’t ask me again & again.
Mum; Yes son & more hands make the jobs lighter & we can & do fun stuff together sooner!
Another thing he realised;
Difference between COMPETENCE & CONFIDENT. Like when I first couldn’t ride my bike, I kept at it and that made me competent and from not giving up I then built confidence from being competent. YES! I can see his cogs turning.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
You are a wonderful human giving back to our youth.
Jacob Ward
Hi Rev, I am your friend in the salmon shirt from Townsville!
I am 11 years old and I loved your speech last night. It was very powerful and motov8ting! I hope you are having a great day. And especially hope you had a great ride at Douglas and Smithfield bike parks! I love to ride MTB and have been peddling since I was 2 years old!
Once again your presentation was wonderful and you have definitely inspired me with some powerful messages for my future.
Thank you so much!Keep shredding on the bikes!
Sam Bailey
Many thanks Rev attended your Deakin University - Burwood Seminar event last night.
Yes, you got it in one our boy didn't want to attend but it was so pleasing to see him shake your hand and say thanks afterwards.
It was a great presentation and I love that you don't hold back, it certainly gave our boy some thinking so thank you - highly recommend!
Mare Young
Thanks Rev for sharing your stories and your wealth of knowledge last night. I traveled from north of the Sunny coast to south of the Gold Coast to attend your event last night with my 14yr old son as I just knew we needed to attend one of your events (gut feeling).
I can’t begin to tell you how my parenting will never be the same again. I have been inspired, motivated and grounded as a person and more so as a parent. My son heard some hard home truths last night which and so did I.
You have given me the motivation and confidence to carry on parenting him with love and conviction as I now have direction.
Keep on doing your great work....the boys need it as do we parents.
Respect Mare
Pennie Chalupa
Tonight I took two of my grandson's to see John at Ipswich in Qld.
They only found out where they were going about two days ago so instantly didn't want to go. Like they even had a choice.
They both learned something tonight I just hope they start to use what they learnt. John, I would like to thank you for using your life's experiences to help the youth of today and hopefully tomorrow.
You help the boys but also the parents. There were a few stories tonight, other than yours, that broke my heart. I was actually in tears when one of the father's got up to speak at the end. Parents and children now know they are not alone with the issues they face.
Thank you so much John, tonight was very enlightening and you are amazing. Kind regards, Pennie Chalupa
Brayden Allen
Hey dude I just wanted to say thank you so much for tonight you probably don't remember me I was sitting at the back in black jumper but I just wanted to say I think what you do is really good and you made me realise that there is more to life then just video keep up the great work dude
Shelle Bardy
You are so deserving of acknowledgment Rev.
I brought my son to your boys event in Melbourne (he's 14). Since then he's saved $$$$, bought himself a dirt bike and now so driven and striving for his next purchase.
I then brought along my daughter to your girls event and she was so anti about coming but left saying "omg that was amazing". She came home and talked to her brother about you and they often reference your talks.
We will definitely come again the next time you're in Melbourne.Have the best day, keep loving life and thank you for helping my teens.
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