In May 2024, Speaker Slam® champion Mike Shoreman's TEDx talk premiered globally on the official TEDx platform, timed with Mental Health Awareness Month.
From winning Speaker Slam® to becoming a prominent figure in the Canadian mental health movement, Mike joined a line of Speaker Slam® champions who have gone on to the TEDx stage, including Joze Piranian, Marjorie Aunos, and Unstoppable Tracy.
The Crucial Four
In his talk, Mike takes the audience through the challenges he faced while attempting to paddleboard across the five Great Lakes. He highlights the role of a supportive network, which he calls the "crucial four": the people who stand by us, cheer us on, and lift us up when the water gets dark and cold.
Imagine yourself in Mike's position, navigating Lake Michigan alone. Who are your crucial four? Not just any friends, but the ones who truly understand your journey and are ready to step in with unwavering support.
Mike's story was also the subject of the documentary When Hope Breaks Through, which premiered in Toronto in 2023.