SPEAKING

In light of recent world events and the pandemic, many students are struggling with their mental health. Together, Olympic gold and bronze medalist, Carol Huynh, and mental health therapist, Monique Smith, tackle this concern through their motivational speaking presentation, “HOW TO BUILD A S.T.R.O.N.G.ER BRAIN: A GAME PLAN FOR HEALTHY DECISION-MAKING.” Incorporating storytelling, teaching, wrestling demos, and multi-media, Carol and Monique bring audience members on an engaging tour of the mind, teaching HOW decisions are made as well as giving practical SKILLS for health decision-making.

AUDIENCE MEMBERS WILL LEARN TO CREATE A GAME PLAN FOR NAVIGATING LIFE’S DIFFICULT DECISIONS…

EMOTIONAL

…the Fight, Flight, Freeze response and the role of the pre-frontal cortex and limbic system in emotional regulation.

SOCIAL

… the concept of the WISEMIND and its role in healthy decision making in online and in-person interactions.

PHYSICAL

… the role of the S.T.R.O.N.G. Skills (Sleep; Take the advice of professionals; Resist Drugs and Alcohol; One Fun/Competent thing a day; Nutrition; Get Exercise) in order to make WISEMIND decisions.

SPIRITUAL

… that identity and self-worth are not defined by outward success and medals earned, but on inner character and values.

Concordia University of Edmonton is a community that cares about one another, and we regularly have conversations about mental health and wellness. Given the challenges we're all facing because of the pandemic, the timing of the workshop with Carol Huynh and Monique Smith was perfect for our campus community as we are all navigating difficult decisions. Carol and Monique deliver a fantastic presentation that is entertaining with personal, relatable stories and information about how we make decisions, with excellent tips everyone can immediately implement to increase awareness and resiliency. Since stress is unavoidable, we all benefit from learning more about practical strategies in order to thrive while making big and small decisions. I highly recommend this presentation for all audiences.

Dr. Barbara van Ingen

Vice-President of Student Life and Learning, Concordia

Open and honest mental health conversations are key to stigma reduction. The need for these conversations may be more important now than ever as we navigate a world of less social connection and disrupted routines. NAIT had the privilege of virtually welcoming Carol and Monique to share how and why we make the decisions we make, particularly in times of stress.
Through an engaging presentation, Carol and Monique shared their own stories of facing and overcoming adversity that staff and students alike found relatable. Post event feedback was overwhelming positive; attendees left with new tools to help them understand and adjust their reactions in times of stress.
On a personal level, the knowledge and strategies taught in the workshop have resulted in an immediate and positive change in my relationships with my adult daughters.

Lynn Ryan

Mental Health Coordinator, NAIT

I watched the STRONGer workshop. Thank you for recording and making it available. I found it very beneficial. Carol and Monique were fantastic as they were willing to share part of themselves with us, including their challenges and triumphs. Many accomplished people share their successes but aren't courageous enough to share their limitations. They are great proponents of wellness and have a natural way of relating that reaches many people. I hope many more students, faculty and staff can hear their message,

Andrew

Audience Member