Blog from the eBar: MoMonday (Monday, July 29)

MoMonday
Monday, July 29, 6:00-9:30 p.m.
Tickets $10 adv/$15 at the door

MoMondays will introduce you to some of the most interesting, informative, and inspiring people in Guelph. At each MoMondays event, six to eight speakers share their passions and ideas. Some are funny; some are thought-provoking or powerful. It’s the perfect combination of heart, humour, and happiness! It’s short and punchy, with each speaker on stage for no longer than fifteen minutes.

About two months ago I was asked to speak at a MoMondays event. I had never been to one and had no idea what I was getting into. It was unlike anything I had been a part of before--I was amazed by the energy, the positive vibe, and the connection I felt with the speakers, many of who revealed some truly personal aspects of their lives.

I thought, “Guelph would be perfect for something like this!”

So on July 29th at the ebar from 6:00-9:30 p.m., MoMondays in Guelph will present some truly amazing local speakers.

Here is a quick overview of the July 29th lineup:

	Bruce Ysselstein Ten years ago Bruce weighed 300 lbs and had to take a break when he tied his shoes. Just last weekend he qualified for the National Triathlon Team and will be representing Canada at the World Championship Series Grand Final in 2014. How is such a remarkable transformation possible? Bruce’s message: "Baby steps." You can end up in a far different place than you might have thought you were headed without ever having realized that you changed direction. That said, it's equally simple to knowingly change direction by creating a long-term goal, taking small steps toward it, and having the courage and perseverance to see it through.
	Candice Lepage Failure is not the end of the world! Candice ran a small deli-counter type business in Guelph for five years from 2004 to 2009 which ultimately failed. She wants to talk about how much she learned from that experience and how the fear of failure keeps people from truly learning in life. Candice has a compelling story and a really magnetic personality. When she told me that she wanted to speak on "failure" I was a little taken aback--but then I realised that most of the great tales I tell people are not necessary stories of conquest and accomplishment but more often about the ones that got away!
	Mike Schreiner MoMondays is all about real people sharing personal stories, and this is no exception. Many of you will know Mike Schreiner as the leader of the Green Party of Ontario and local candidate in Guelph; however, this is NOT about politics. Mike will get personal and share the challenges he overcame to pursue his passion to foster the local sustainable food movement. Come out and meet the man behind the election sign and find out why his daughter started calling him “the Local Food Dude.”
	Michael Santonato The Host of MoMondays in Richmond Hill, Michael is “The Relationship Master” and his new book Find Em & Keep Em; A Guide to Attracting the Right Partner is due out later this year. What can I say?? Michael Santonato is one of the coolest people I have met. He introduced me to the whole MoMondays phenomenon. I can’t wait to hear him speak!
	Marc Seguin Addict, trauma survivor, and believer in the healing powers of hope, Marc knows that walking through painful feelings doesn't lead to the doom and pits of despair it seems to foreshadow. The story may be unique but the feelings are universal.
	Dino Scrementi When I asked people in Guelph whose story they wanted to hear, Dino’s name kept coming up. Everybody knows him as that crazy guy with the beanie cap. An independent downtown merchant for almost 30 years, Dino is famous for his summer sports camp for lower-income families. When asked what he wanted to share, it was simple: “Why I love living in Guelph.”
	Debbie Mann Debbie went from a six-figure income to homelessness and back during her struggle with chronic depression. Her story is about not only her suffering, but about her journey back to life, self love, and humour.
	Host: Mike Salisbury Mike is a landscape architect and the principal of Earthartist Planning and Design, specialising in the development of “playable landscapes” for children. Previously elected to Guelph City Council, he is passionate about creating great places to live and play. Recently rekindling his interest in community theatre, Mike is scheduled to appear in the pantomime adaptation of Beauty and the Beast this fall at the Century Church Theatre in Hillsburg.