Jean-Paul Bedard, Author, Sponsored Endurance Athlete & International Advocate for Survivors of Sexual Violence

Talk: "Nurturing Resiliency"

Jean-Paul was named one of the “50 Most Influential Canadians” by Huffington Post.  In 2015, Jean-Paul received the "Golden Shoe Award" for being named "Canadian Runner of the Year".  Most recently, Jean-Paul was named one of “The Most Inspiring Canadians" by CTV News in honour of the “Canada 150” celebrations.
 
Jean-Paul is also a “Featured Contributor” to the Huffington Post (both the American and Canadian edition), and the author behind the popular blog “Breathe Through This”, with over 5 million readers/subscribers.  Known internationally for his humanitarian work as an advocate for survivors of sexual violence, and as a leading spokesperson for mental health awareness, Jean-Paul is a sought-after public speaker, and has a substantial media audience, widely interviewed both nationally and internationally. Jean-Paul passionately believes life is not about "what happens to us", but about "what we do with what happens to us."  His, is a message of hope, strength, and resiliency.