Thompson Rivers University Athletics

Keynote presentation by Waneek Horn-Miller

Turning Trauma into Motivation: Building Strength, Confidence, and Community

The greatest lesson Waneek Horn-Miller ever learned was that "anything is possible." Suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome after being stabbed, at the age of fourteen, she could have recoiled from life. Instead, she embraced it like never before. On stage, she traces the powerful journey she took from beleaguered youth to star Olympic athlete to one of the most articulate and vibrant voices in Canada today. A model of perseverance, good-natured humour, and soulful wisdom, Horn-Miller inspires audiences to follow their own dreams, fight for their heritage, and achieve their full potential in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. "Motivation is the biggest thing and the key to your success," she says. "You have to figure out what it is that's the trigger for your motivation and recruit people into helping you, and, as well, get tough with yourself. Look in the mirror and say, I've had it with all the excuses. I want to make my dreams my reality, and I want to start today."