Speaker Slam® Alumni

Mari Haruno

Motivational special Educator, Inspirational Speaker,Canada study abroad expert

Award Winning Inspirational Speaker

@motivator_haru

About

Mari Haruno

Mari Haruno is an experienced educator and speaker with over two decades in special education. As a principal of special education schools in Japan and Canada, Mari has introduced innovative teaching methods and created supportive learning environments that benefit children with developmental disabilities.

Holding a Master’s degree in Education, Mari teaches Math, Biology, English, and Japanese to a wide range of students, from children to adults, both in person and online. Her deep commitment to education is matched by her personal resilience, having overcome significant life challenges, including severe burns, a traumatic traffic accident, and a battle with an eating disorder lasting over 20 years. These experiences have influenced her educational approach and inspired her interest in motivational speaking.

Mari’s journey reflects her ability to turn adversity into strength, and she uses her experiences to positively impact her students worldwide.

“Give it a shot! Believe in yourself! Your possibilities are endless!”

On Stage

2 Speeches at Speaker Slam®

2024 Grand Slam: Brave · 2024

In the Blink of An Eye

Nov 9, 2024CBC Glenn Gould Studio · TorontoGrand Slam: Inspirational Speaking Finals

At the 2024 Speaker Slam® Grand Slam, the Inspirational Speaking Finals held at CBC Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, Mari Haruno delivered “In the Blink of An Eye”.

Transcript

can you imagine suddenly losing all your te in the brink of ey not exactly the best way to start your day isn't it today you will hear a story of Courage residence and the sizing power living in the moment without losing any tee along the way it was a hot summer day exactly 10 years ago I was at a busy intersection in Tokyo surrounded by a crowd while I stood there I glanced to the white and saw a small boy dting on to the road to the left a last truck was speeding towards him oh no watch out without thinking Ian gloved the small boy

pushing to safety at the moment all the sound around me faded away I felt as if my body was floating in midair watching everything slow down just as a scene from an actual movie you can just imagine what happen next I thought oh great the this is how I'm going to die the next thing I woke up in the hospital with 25 stitches on the back of my head almost all my teeth in pieces and two blocken leaves talk about our of day yet I was still alive the doctor looked at me surprised it's a miracle you survived if your lips had shifted just a

little they could have punctured your heart however why did you do something so reckless Reckless me at the moment I didn't see it as regress at all I truly believed that everything would be all right yes I never underestimate myself except when I try to assemble Ika furniture without any instruction I'm not saying everyone should take the risk I did what I did was a calculated decision when you believe you can do something without doubt the result often follow with a bit of Courage I save their life and surviv the experience yes this experience experience is so painful I'm still suffering mentally and physically but

at the same time this experience transformed my life it gave me passion for teaching inspiring people every day as a teacher counselor and a speaker you might take your life for granted right now but nothing is guaranteed in this world having faced so many challenges over the years I fully understand living is not easy it can be tough however because I have experienced so much I truly appreciate moments of joy and happiness so here is my thought for you this life won't come around again not even this moment that's why I want to live free and embracing each day with purpose being brave isn't about

being Reckless it is about trusting yourself and taking s risk when it counts you all have your own stories of college resilience so don't hold back share yours I urg you to recognize your own power don't underestimate your ability to make a difference in your life and the lives of others as you live here today remember hold de the pleas moment because life can vanish in the brink of an ey thank you very much one speech can change your life Unleash Your power embrace the stri Inspire the world let your story flow and speak slam let your spirit go

Transcript generated from the recording and lightly cleaned. Some names and wording may differ from the spoken speech.

Power of YES · 2024

Melon Bun Magic

Sep 17, 2024Lula Lounge · Toronto

3rd Place

Speaking on the theme Power of YES at Speaker Slam® in Toronto on Sep 17, 2024, Mari Haruno delivered “Melon Bun Magic” and placed third.

Transcript

have you ever eaten melon bun what is melon bun melon one is melon shaped sweet one and one of the most popular EVS in Japan hey Mari how many melon buns can you sell within one day my boss asked me I was 18 years old and confident that I could do anything the daily average was only the street so I asked him what is the maximum limit that you can purchase a day guess how many he say 580 as soon as I heard that all right give it a shot please order 580 oh I had no idea how I would sa 580 milon BNS however

I was feeling so inspired by the opportunity to challenge myself but then when I saw the food to on which all 580 melon BS are stucked just like the C Tower I was super nervous how am I going going to deal with this amount of pressure that I just put on myself I know because I have my own magic way whenever I feel nervous do not have confidence I always convince myself by talking to myself when I do this it is like my eyes my ears my nose all of my body parts Tear Me On give me some confidence I had this instinct to talk

to myself since I was three years old back in kindergarten other than me everyone was able to play backward flip I was wondering why I couldn't make it and I began to practice every day after school even though I felt like I was at my limit I could keep going knowing I won't die instead it builds on the success every little hit of the success that I experienced my confidence grew stronger since then whenever I come across a tough situation I always remember the moment that I made it through the backw flip and how I convinced myself yes Mar you can do it it you

can do it even though I do not have confidence this my magic crate boost me up a good idea came to my mind sting while singing every time when the door open and someone enter the convenience store I started singing my original melon b s passionately let's go melon B melon B give it a shot give it a shot give it a shout my eyes my ears my nose all of my body parts were cheering me on the customers were drawn to my positivity my eyes met their eyes and we smiled at with each other they were buying five to 10 melon buns at a

time I started notice when people are feeling positive they would buy more this is how all 580 melon B in the food to so like young Busters within one hour when I say yes to this challenge I gave other people to share in my positivity no matter what challenge you face in your life just to know that you also can do it by being your own cheer leader you have the power to say yes too don't be afraid to give it a shot believe in yourself because your possibilities are endless I will cheer you on you can do it yes you can w

Transcript generated from the recording and lightly cleaned. Some names and wording may differ from the spoken speech.

In Their Words

What Mari Says About Speaker Slam®

As soon as I won, I had a lot of offers. Especially from Toastmasters. Over 10 clubs invited me as a guest speaker. From Japan and Canada many people invited me as a speaker. I got a lot of opportunities.
Mari Haruno · 2024 Grand Slam

One Speech Can Change Your Life

Mari is one of the speakers who have told their story on the Speaker Slam® stage since 2016. The next one could be you.

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