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Today I arrived in Clarion, Pennsylvania for my first stop on a 5 day Speaking Tour. It felt great to be on the road driving myself and getting some quiet time away from turbulence, no meals on flights and bad movies.

I’ve got 4 schools over the next 4 days and I’m looking forward to the fast-paced action once again. Due to the holidy season and exam season across Canada, December and January have always been slow months for me (and from what I know for all Motivational Speakers). So it’s great to be back to the grind, working with students every day this week.

One of the big tests I’m trying to overcome this week is my addiction to fast food and no exercise on the road. Since I’ve begun eating healthy and avoiding fast food when at home, I haven’t had the chance for a strong test to see if I can keep up my habits while I’m away. Like I tell the students, it’s up to me to “Motivate Yourself”.

This morning I had the chance to speak in California for my third time in three months. After having not been in California in 12 years, three in three is quite the pace! There’s something magical about the IDEA of California. I feel it when I book a gig there and I hear it from people’s flabergasted responses, “wow…you get to go to California!??”, as if by going, all will be well in the world.

Don’t get me wrong, I do LOVE California. But sometimes the hype can let you down. My stop on this trip was San Francisco…in and out in 48 hours. I had three talks at a GREAT, diverse and open Intermediate School in Walnut Creek and my plan initially was to do some sightseeing yesterday and this afternoon. Unfortnately, 48 hours straight of downpour doesn’t really lend itself to standing on the Golden Gate Bridge, walking down Fisherman’s Wharf or even driving up and down the hilly streets.

I head back to Toronto on a red eye flight tonight. My last red eye was a turbulent nightmare from San Jose to Boston. Hopefully this one will be much less bumpy.

My biggest disappointment was actually the lack of In-N-Out Burger anywhere near where I was staying. How is it possible?!! The tragedy of it all. But of course, there will be future trips to California. The place of magic, mystery and usually a good burger!

Today I had a really amazing opportunity to be a guest on a local daytime talk show. The show’s broadcast range extends out to over 1 million people…and even if less than 60 watch, it was still a lot of fun to do.

I had a 10 minute segment on Daytime York Region on the Rogers Channel. The studio is about a two minute drive from my condo, so the commute was a DELIGHT! A very sore throat aside, I was happy with how everything went. A public speaking trick I teach students is to interview yourself outloud as much as you can. Pretend you’re on a reality show and just ask yourself questions you would have to answer in a “Diary Room Confession”. So since I found out I would be on the air, I did that exact technique.

The interview ended the way any of my interviews should end…with me breaking the Guinness Record for being the Fastest Talker!

I should have a copy of the video on my web-site within the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned!

What a year 2007 was. I reflect back during this holiday season and look at what I’ve accomplished and what I still need to get myself in gear with. 2007 was my first year as a fulltime Motivational Speaker. I finally had the chance to dedicate myself fully and completely to what I love.

Here’s the highlights:
91 speeches – up from 58 in 2006
15 States and 3 Provinces – up from 4 States and 3 Provinces in 2006
2 American National Conferences – The National Associaion of Student Councils’ National Conference and the Students Against Destructive Decisions National Conference
2 Canadian National Conferences – The Canadian Student Leadership Conference and the Canadian Youth Against Impaired Driving National Conference.

Besides the success in my professional career, in November I purchased and moved into a condo with my girlfriend. That’s right and ladies and gentleman…I have a mortgage and I AM an adult!

But of course, I still have unfinished business. Like my book on student council initiatives, my parental speech on cyber awareness and my additional speeches and workshops for students that I am always looking to add to my collection.

There’s lots to come for me in 2008 and I can’t wait to keep pushing forward personally and professionally. I wish you all a VERY Happy New Year and I look forward to working with you all in the year to come!