The impact of our student wellbeing and resilience seminars

“I just wanted to say thank you so much for today. You have inspired me to not just talk about doing something but to actually do it. I learnt so much and plan to act on your words starting today! You have inspired me to start being my true self through standing up for what’s right even if I am judged or criticised, which is something I was afraid of before coming into your session today. I hope that through being myself I can lead again like I used to. Once again, thank you so much”

“I went into this lecture today expecting it to be a boring, however when I walked out, I was disappointed that it had ended, and I can attest that the 200 boys listening had the same opinion as myself. I walked out with how I decided I wanted my life to be, not that I wanted to be stuck and confused what to do when I graduate high school, but how I can do this now so my life is better in the future. It has also given me incredible feedback on how to overcome addictions and that you are not alone, which is very important for me right now as I went to bed struggling with these things, and your speech gave me answers on how I can help solve these. One piece of feedback though, add more space to the workbook, so much important stuff to go through.”

“Thank you for your recent presentation to the Year 10 cohort at Churchie. My son who boards at the school, has spoken with us regularly this past week and often reflected on the themes you shared. I want to express my appreciation for the way your message reinforced a number of key values that my son is currently growing into. It was clear that your words resonated deeply with him and are helping to shape his thinking during this important stage. In an ever-changing world, the role we play in shaping the minds and hearts of these soon-to-be young men has never been more vital, and I’m grateful for the way you are contributing to that work, and especially my son.”

“I attend Brisbane Boys’ College. I just want to thank you. My life hasn’t been the easiest. I didn’t think I was going to make more than a couple more weeks before taking my life. Then we were told that a man named Glen Gerreyn was going to speak to us. I was in grade 9 at the time. I’ll be honest I thought you were going to be another cheesy inspirational speaker, but after your talk I felt so inspired. You told me that I could do anything. I always wanted to be a carpenter. My mum and my uncle who are both alcoholics always told me I would never make it, I would never succeed. But because of you, I now have a school based apprenticeship with JNC Constructions. Your most recent talk with us made my imagination run wild. Maybe I could even start my own business. Maybe I could just shoot for greater things. I want to thank you for two major things: 1. Giving me the drive to chase my dream. 2. Giving me my life. Because without your talk, I don’t think I would be here today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“Your presentation was super engaging and contained some really useful information. You gave us some simple (but nonetheless effective) ways to manage our nutrition, exercise and money. Your explanation of addiction to alcohol and drugs (and how it works) was also helpful; it showed us the different phases of addiction and explained what we should do if we (or one of our friends) finds ourselves in one of the phases. Thank you so much.”

“I really enjoyed today’s seminar. Never had any sex-ed or talks about this at home or other schools so I really appreciate what he said. Very engaging and helpful and hope he can talk to more boys about his story and help guide them.”

“Your talk was a life changing experience and one I will never forget, all of my friends seemed to agree as well. Thank you so much!”

“I wanted to let you know your speech has really impacted me. After your seminar I have decided I want to do better. I have been struggling with an addiction and in turn this has damaged my self-esteem, but after hearing your words I’ve been able to start making better decisions. I’ve started back at gym again for the first time in weeks, and for the first time ever right after gym I went on a run on up castle hill, after not running for over 6 months thank you so much for getting me back on the right path.”

“I want to say thank you. Usually when guest speakers come to the school to talk to us it is often the most boring, miserable, and painful thing of the day. I can confidently say that you actually made a difference in how I live my everyday life from now on, for the whole school day it’s all me and my friends could talk about, and how you where able to keep all of us actually intently listening. Lately I’ve noticed how much of a problem I have with vaping. But because of you I now know how serious it it’s and how bad it will be if I don’t do something about it. So I will do the very best I can to quit it. I cannot thank you enough for what you opened my eyes to today. You have forever changed me. Thank you.”

“Thank you for the great chat you had with our cohort today, I’ve been slacking off recently with my health physically, mentally and food wise but I’m now making goals that I plan to achieve, tomorrow I’m going to Officeworks to buy some stuff to make a goals board and I WILL stick to it. You did encourage us to do something this arvo so what I did accomplish was starting up my eBay business where I resell video games and consoles. Thank you very much for the talk today and I hope you know how much of an impact you’ve made on my determination toward my newly found goals. I look forward to a healthier future where I can feel confident again.”

“I was at your talk this afternoon with the Yr. 9’s. I thought it was absolutely fantastic! I honestly can’t express in words how much I loved and how much I took away from today. Your talk today was truly inspirational.”

“I wanted to send you this email to thank you properly because as you were finishing, I was sort of freaking out because I was so stuck in an emotional and moved state for an hour, I couldn’t process any words to express my absolute love for what you had delivered. This was the best talk we have ever received at Downlands College and I think your real passion and plain hard truths really hit hard to many students and teachers. I have to admit, there were a few times that I was getting shivers and tears simply because, even as I sat with 130 students around, it felt like you were talking directly to me and telling me everything I knew I needed to hear but didn’t want to say myself.”

“Your talk today really hit me on a personal level, I feel like you voiced what I had been feeling for so long. I’ve struggled with mental health/illness so I really understood what you were saying about life being lived in seasons. I have so many thoughts for this life and I’ve never had anyone tell me that I have the potential to fulfil them with so much conviction.”

“I just wanted to say thank you for coming to speak at our school Emmanuel on Friday. Your message about hope and finding a way forward really hit home for me as your story really inspired me in a new light. Last year was the hardest year of my life for so many reasons including ankle and brain injuries, friendships issues, and life at home. But hearing you speak on Friday helped me see things differently. For the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe there is a way forward even if it’s slow and hard. Your story really resonated with me as I see how much of a strong person you have turned into and hope to be as strong as you have been through your life. So thank you for being real with us and for giving me a little bit of hope again to know that things will get better.”

“Thank you for visiting our school. It was truly an inspiring experience. Your inspiration has given me the light and determination to improve my current paper and make it better. I am very grateful for this new mindset, the seed of hope, hope that with enough careful and meticulous work, my paper will one day be peer-reviewed and recognised. I truly appreciate it.”

“I am very thankful for Glen for speaking at Fairholme. It gave so much insight and his background story was truly inspiring. Glen was a very engaging speaker and had so many stories to share (some were funny as well which I enjoyed) I can’t wait for our next session.”

“For the first time in weeks, I sat down and practised my violin, focusing completely on what I was doing. That night, for the first time in three years, I put my devices down, and I read my notes from the talk, went to bed early, and got up early this morning to start my day, going to the junior school and living out my passion for teaching music in an ensemble but enjoying it and trying really hard to inspire young kids to continue to live out their talents. Thank you so much for speaking at my school. I appreciate it a lot.”

“I want to tell you I have never felt like I could go so far until you spoke to me yesterday at Faith Lutheran College Redlands. My parents have always told me I could but the depth you went into was another level of belief in myself and I have taken a lot away from it. I am planning to print the photos I curated and put them on my wall in front of my bed so I can see them every night before I go to sleep and it’s the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning.”

“The concept that you shouldn’t let fear get to you when achieving your gifts to its highest potential.”

“The seminar had me nearly in tears as it was so inspiring and helpful to make a difference in my life. I never thought that a story like his would motivate me as much as it did. I would love to attend another one.”

“You came to my school today and delivered your six hour Day of Hope Seminar. I wanted to personally thank you. I think twice during the seminar I got emotional and almost cried. Your words and the way you delivered them was so thought provoking and the amount of information and ideas I got from listening to you speak is overwhelming. My friends and I were saying how amazing the work you are doing is and were genuinely amazed at how you can pull all of that information, all the examples and evidence together and get a bunch of teens to listen to you speak for 6 hours. The day flew by for me and when talking to some others, I gathered that they felt the same way. I’m sure you get hundreds of emails like this and I am sure you will get many from my peers. I wish that every year 12 student got to experience your seminar and have it do what it did to me. It’s inspired me to never give up on my hopes and dreams. Thank you!”

“I really needed the talk today. I have recently been really burnt out, spending a lot of time on my phone, and overall letting my work ethic and discipline slip, things I have worked really hard on generating throughout high school. Today shone a new light on my dreams and aspirations and the reality that I could lose them if I don’t have the driving force to reach out and grab them. I really appreciated your chat today, and am sure that I was not the only one who was impacted by it. Thanks so much”

“I just wanted to thank you for everything you have done not just for my school but for the thousands of students whose lives you have changed. I truly aspire and look up to you. After your seminar today, I left feeling empowered and hopeful. A hope I cried for just yesterday. I’m not a religious person but your talk today felt like a sign. You see, recently, I have been constantly consumed by the thoughts of travelling the world and helping people in disadvantaged areas and after a long year of friendship difficulties and constantly feeling as though I was inferior, your talk made me realise that I am capable of things I can’t imagine YET. With the inspiration I feel, seeing empowered women kicking goals and achieving their dreams, I believe that even on a smaller scale, I want to make a difference because, “If not me, then who?” One quality I will continue to remember from your speech today was your immense determination to achieve your goals, whether they were completed in 2 years, 10 years or after your time, the message was clear. Thank you for the spark of hope.”

“Your talk today was the most inspiring somebody has ever told me, I’m sure everybody tells you that however everything you spoke about I related to and am motivated to do. However, you have truly changed my trajectory of life and how I have a purpose in this world because I am a seed of greatness. I could not stop telling everybody I saw about your talk today. Today when you spoke about going to training with older, faster, stronger athletes it is uncomfortable and that is how I feel every time I go to training. In sport and everyday life, I do lack confidence in myself a lot, but when I do find that tiny glimmer of confidence, I do find a change in my performance, and I do see a change in drills. What I am trying to say is you have showed me that I am on this earth for a purpose and that I do matter. Thank you so so so much you have truly had and huge impact on my life thank you so much.”

“I had the best time ever at the leadership day. I was the one who hugged you at the end of the program. you have given me hope to go on and achieve goals that I thought were impossible. I want to graduate university with a degree in child Psychology, and you have given me the inspiration, and the motivation, to believe that i can do it. I liked the way that you gave everybody the chance to go beyond their own boundary. I have taken all the quotes and inspiring notes and placed them all over my room. I went home after school that day and i did my usual routine, but something felt different. While I was having a shower, I cried. I didn’t feel sad or depressed. I just had so much of an emotional recall, that day that I was exhausted, emotionally. Thank you so much for making me realise that i can be the best i can be. You have inspired me to go further, to dream further, to stretch further and to believe further than i have ever thought imaginable.”

“For as long as i can remember I’ve struggled with disabilities and mental health issues. For much of my life I have felt tied to the few options that I had presented to me. I felt as if i was never going to be free from doctor’s appointments and the confines of my home where I could be watched and monitored by my parents. Up until today i thought I had hit rock bottom, and I was beginning to give up on all hope. However, your seminar today gave me a whole new perspective. You helped me to realise that i am so much more than my weaknesses, that I can do great things even if it means starting from nothing. You gave me the motivation to start acting upon my dreams, so now, just from today I’ve planned and wrote a whole chapter of the book I have simply been pondering over for nearly a year. I’ve done research into starting my own podcast and finally got myself into the zone and practiced my music for over an hour. Thank you for all you do and have done.”

“I just really wanted to thank you for inspiring me today and making me want to become a better person and improve myself to reach my potential. After the session today I went home and got dressed and went straight to the gym, I pushed myself pretty hard and got a PR on bench press which was my little one-day win. Again, I just wanted to say I thank you very much for today you have absolutely inspired me.”

“I really can’t thank you enough for what you have done for me today, it is like a breath of fresh air. Just four days prior I was in desperate need of a guide or something to put me back on track, my mind was at an extremely low point, and this seminar has really given me enlightenment on how I can better improve myself and my environment.”

“I can gladly say that never, in my life, have I experienced such a powerful and motivational message that had me sitting on the edge of my seat writing down every word you said. I will never be able to thank you enough for coming in and inspiring such a large group of students full of untapped potential and hope. During your seminar I realised so many things and I’m sure to realise even more later. My eyes were opened for the first real time in my life and a greater reality has been painted in front of me ready to pursue.You made me realise that I matter.”

“I just wanted to let you know that at the most recent Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Sydney I came 3rd in the 400m. I ran 56.4 seconds, which was a 2 second personal best from states a few weeks before I love having my vision board in front of my bed so I can look at it every morning and night!”

“I really really loved our seminar today. I have devoted my entire afternoon to set as many goals that my mind can think up. It was really important to hear what you had to say, after suffering from depression about 1 and a half years ago and currently suffering from my anxiety I was starting to feel a bit down again. I haven’t been going to well at school recently but today has helped me want to make a change. I have not yet found my purpose and my dreams aren’t exactly clear, which at first frustrated me. But by the end of the day, I decided in pursuit of these dreams I take every opportunity I get and create opportunities of my own. So far I’ve come up with doing the Kokoda trail, getting a part time job and moving out at the end of year 12. My favourite point of the day was about moon shots; I’ve created some ridiculous ideas that I’m going to put every ounce of heart and soul into achieving. Here’s a photo of my goal planning. I’m going to stick them on my wall and try to expand on every night, I also have weekly goals to reach the end game. Thank you so much for today, you really are an incredible speaker and helping so many people.”

“I wanted to express my immense appreciation for the ideas you shared with my cohort today. As a student who has been recently diagnosed with ADHD, I have had many doubts regarding my ability to organise myself, but most of all, commit to my goals. ADHD symptoms have always been burdensome to try to manage, but particularly during my senior years. I find it extremely difficult to concentrate in class, even if there are no distractions around. I’ve always felt like my brain has placed me at a disadvantage, and that others around me are much sharper than I am. However, your workshop today inspired me to not perceive my ADHD as a setback or excuse to become stagnant, and that there’s always a way to achieve my academic aspirations, even if it might take me along a different path than expected. I am hopeful that small adjustments, along with the right attitude, will allow me to change my trajectory for future studies. Thank you again for today’s seminar and for your work.”

“Distraction is the destruction of your dreams in slow motion, in 20 years i will be more disappointed by the things I didn’t do then what I did do”

“I was the girl sitting in the front on the floor at the beginning of the seminar. I’m the kid who turns up late every day to school, goes through the motions in classes, and just gets through the day. I turned up this morning early by a fluke and was so prepared to just sit through another inspirational seminar where they talk about the same stuff and I roll my eyes, but I’m so glad I decided to give it a shot. I just wanted you to know that even though you might not know how much you’ve impacted me you have changed the trajectory of my life. Sitting in the audience, seeing your passion and lust for life was beyond inspiring. I’m not an innately emotional person, but I felt my eyes welling up and realised how much I was holding down under the surface. You managed to articulate me and my life so aptly without even knowing me from a bar of soap. For the last 2 years I’ve been feeling so defeated and knocked down by everything that’s hit me in the past year. I went from being the one to make everyone laugh to the one who hid in the corner. I’ve always believed I could get through this, but this was the kick up the bum that I needed to actually believe in myself and put time into My gifts. Thank you so much.”

“I wanted to thank you for coming to speak at my school today. As a student-athlete, I learnt and opened a new perspective to so many ideas of your speech that really inspired me. Your idea of not simply “trying harder” but instead “trying different” really resonated with me and challenged the way I think about my training, goals, and personal development. Your presentation encouraged me to reflect on my strengths and made me realise how important it is to actively pursue my talents rather than simply relying on effort alone. It gave me a clearer perspective on how I can continue growing both as an athlete and as a student.Thank you again for your time and for sharing your experiences and wisdom. I look forward to putting your advice into practice.”

“Thank you for all of the incredibly valuable information – it completely changed my perspective on a lot of areas, but specially dreams and goals. I think this will definitely help a lot of students in navigating senior schooling and then through the rest of their lives.”

“Your story and the story of others you shared led me to believe that I really can achieve my dreams as long as I am willing to pay the price, have drive, have passion, work hard, take small steps now, believe in my dream, have a good paradigm and overcome failure/setbacks. And even though I am unsure of what my dreams actually are, I know they are going to be big and that I will know it when I see it.”

“When failure occurs Pick yourself up! Dust yourself off! And try again! Nothing satisfies the human spirit more than purpose”

“I really enjoyed your speech; it really touched me and had me reflect on who I am. There are not enough words to describe how I felt afterwards. It made me think I might need to change somethings. I also realised that I want to commit to more things and be consistent. You had told us we should make a vision board and that is what I have done today as soon as I got home. I have also visited your website and the via character test and I have found out a lot about me that I did not know. Like, I said there is not enough words to describe the speech you gave today it was so powerful to me and I’m going to try and use all that I have learnt today and use it to empower my daily life.”

“You came and spoke at my school today (MackayNorthSHS) and I wrote down almost every word you spoke in my book; I loved your speech today. Your story Is amazing and what you’ve achieved is motivating to so many young kids just like myself. I told Mum everything and she’s now showing me all of your podcasts that I can’t wait to listen to. I’m going to be honest, I walked out of assembly with a new mindset and purpose, as-well as a plan. A talk like what you gave today was exactly what I was missing, like that mandatory first step that I couldn’t figure out. So, thank you Glen as you have opened doors for me with your words.”

“Thank you so much for coming to Ormiston College and devoting your time into sharing advice and your story. You are the best speaker I have ever had the pleasure of hearing and what you are doing is amazing. Your presentation and the words you shared inspired and helped me find my purpose. I am so very grateful”

“I know you receive these so many times a week, but I just want to say I genuinely have never had more motivation. For the past 3 years I have been battling depression really badly, even to the point where I questioned if I should even be here and there was even a time where I couldn’t leave my bed for 2 weeks and had completely lost my spark. Prior to that I was an A level student, to where I went from barely passing. I lost all my energy, stopped going out and was just in a constant loop of sadness. Around February this year I have finally started to change my life around, I genuinely focus on myself, and I’ve gone from failing my classes term 4 last year, to getting Bs-As in every single class within one term. Though I haven’t really known where to start again in my life as I’ve been so lost within myself, but your speech today really just made me feel passionate that I can do something with my life. Thank you so much for today and I wish you well.”

“I was completely prepared to walk away without paying any attention to what you were saying. When you get diagnosed with severe depression and a heart condition stemming from an intense eating disorder at ten years old, you get comfortable with the idea that you might not make it before you can really experience any sort of future. Even after recovery, I didn’t go back to my dreams and talents. I needed an excuse to put off thinking about me and my place in the world. Hearing you speak felt like a wakeup call, as cheesy as that sounds. I want to start taking opportunities when they come. Thank you for your words.”

“I sat on the second row, somewhere in the middle, fully engaged. I started to take notes, highlighting key points, and maintained a sense of organisation. Honestly, I anticipated the typical monotone speaker we often encounter. Instead, you’ve shattered my assumptions, your charisma, authenticity, and eloquence set you apart from the rest. From the moment you began speaking, you engaged me like no other speaker ever has before. I was truly intrigued by your speech. Thank you so much for your wonderful speech yesterday, I assure you that you are by far one of the best public speakers I have listened to session! Thank you again.”

“I would just like to express my thanks for the session that we had today! I left the room at break absolutely buzzing and with so much adrenaline! I’m sure that you’ve probably heard this daily, but I’ve honestly never been inspired by anyone as much as you inspired me in 3 hours. It did feel like you were speaking directly to me because for every problem that I’m faced with now, I feel that I have a pathway out of it! So, thank you endlessly for the guidance you have given me out of my negative mindset – I think I needed it more than you’ll ever know! Thank you again for the life-changing experience!”

“I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now but just haven’t had the chance, I really want to say a HUGE thank you!!!!!! Since being involved in 2 of your sessions I have turned my life in a totally different direction and wake up in the morning with a new outlook on how fantastic each and every day can be. This year I have been invited to teach classes at two of my local high schools, giving students a reason to look forward to coming to school. My classes aren’t like other school classes and without your motivation I wouldn’t have had the determination to put my own program together. I have danced since I was four and because of a reoccurring injury, I thought that I would never be able to show the world my love for dance as a performer but after hearing you speak, I lead my passion through a new doorway. I am now in training to become a qualified dance teacher and volunteer on my days off to teach hip hop at an out-of-town school and help students be more active and get fit in fun new way. Without the motivation I received from hearing you talk i don’t think that I would have been capable of doing what I have done. Injuries and all, I now have over 100 students that I can’t wait to share my newfound passion with. thank-you again!!!!!”

“Glen presented the Day of Hope to our Year 11 students followed by an in-service to our staff. Both groups found the sessions informative and inspirational. By mid-year our Year 11 students need some motivational input to rekindle the resolutions they made at the beginning of the year. This day was an opportunity that they appreciated to review their goals and priorities. Glen is a dynamic and interesting motivator. Both staff and students resonated with what he said. I would certainly recommend him for seminars with both teachers and senior students”

“Being able to tell my child it’s ok to fail, but to remember to pick yourself up, dust it off and give it another go is ok.”

“The concept that has impacted me the most was the idea of being action oriented.”

“Today, I feel like the old, negative, un-committed me has died and I finally have become the person I really am who has been missing for so many years. I have never felt more driven to go for my dreams at this stage of my life. I have read countless motivational books and listened to countless of motivational speeches the past few years in hope that they could drag me out of the endless pit of emotional mud I have been in but nothing has driven me as much as your talk today and I thank you profusely for allowing me to see that I am in control of my future and I am allowed to start right now. I really just want to thank you again. These past few years have not been easy for me and I have dealt with bad anxiety and depressive episodes but today, I have a newfound hope, vision, commitment and zest for my future and my life. I have re-found my purpose and I am so excited to start this next chapter in my life. I have attached a photo of some of the work I have done for today. I look forward to informing you of my future successes.”

“I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to personally thank you again for coming out to our school today and delivering such an impactful presentation. It was a pleasure meeting you. I’m usually not a fan of spoken presentations because I’m a hands-on kind of person learn best by doing rather than just listening. However, your presentation was different. It was not only my favourite speech but also absolutely amazing. I was engaged from start to finish. Your passion, well-spoken delivery, and the intensity of your message kept us all on the edge of our seats. It was clear how valuable the content was, and I walked away with insights that will stick with me for a long time. Thank you once again for your amazing presentation, and I look forward to hearing from you.”

“It was fair while ago when you came and spoke to us at St Andrews Lutheran College on the Gold Coast. I just wanted to thank you for your talk and let you know that I still carry around the notes I took down from your talk.I have found that quotes are a real motivator for me, and so I put together a little book that has all my favourite quotes in it to read when I’m feeling low or preparing for important things.”

“Thank you for coming out to talk to my grade, it was a wonderful experience. I felt fully immersed; you’re an incredible speaker. You changed the way I think about myself and my future, you have hit a mental switch inside me (and others) after listening to you. Again, thank you so much for the incredible experience, I am so grateful.”

“I just wanted to say that I really appreciated your speech today, it was incredibly moving and it genuinely helped me so much. I experienced a bad period towards the end of last year. I was on the verge of depression and was desperately trying to hold myself together. I tried going to the doctor and to a psychologist, but nothing was helping. I thought that nothing or no one would ever be able to ‘fix me’. As I started this year, I promised myself that I would prioritise my wellbeing over everything, and I work hard every day to do so. I have been slowly healing, but I have been struggling to motivate myself lately. Your words today have helped me realise that nothing is wrong with me and that I never needed ‘fixing’, and I thank you so much for that. Thank you so much for your speech today, I really loved and enjoyed it!”

“You inspired me today to set my life in my own direction instead of expecting my dreams to just happen. Your talk today has done something I haven’t seen many speakers do for my grade, and that is inspire. I know for a fact that many and most people genuinely took something from your workshop and have begun changing their lives for the better. I went on a walk/run with my best friend and my dog after school and as we walked along the beach watching the sun set, I felt more grateful and present in my life that I have in a while. Thank you for seeing my grade today, you are such an engaging speaker and a down-to-earth, enlightening human and I hope to check back in with you in a decade when my dreams become my reality. Thank you.”

“I am just letting you know that your speech really inspired me at the end of Term 2. Those holidays leading up to my basketball season for school, while all of my friends were inside playing NBA 2K, I decided that I would instead prepare and train myself to be the fittest and fastest on the court every game I played. Creating a small calendar on a piece of paper helped to push me towards my goal. First game of the 10As season against Brisbane State High School, I scored a career high 20 points. Next game against Ipswich Grammar, 19 points with career high four 3s. Thank you again for your inspiration to me, I will take the lessons you taught me into every training and game I play”

“I was one of the lucky students to hear your speech and story at Nudgee College today and I have been really moved by your story and cause. Your perspective has made my dreams and goals clearer to me and I will be sure to share them confidently with my parents when they get home. Thank you from me and the Nudgee College Community once again and hopefully I can get in touch with you in the future again.”

“I wanted to thank you for the framework you provided me about success and hope earlier in the year. I am currently the highest ATAR in Bundaberg with a result of 99.65. You have been such an inspiration. You talk got me through Year 12. I appreciate everything you have done to help.”

“Your talk today at my school, St Luke’s Anglican School, opened my eyes.. I’m one of the Year 12 girls and already was on my way to finding my purpose and all that but eventually kinda lost track. Your talk refreshed everything and made clear that only I can change something in my everyday life to achieve my dreams. After I got home from school, I changed my background to a picture of Harvard. I started my vision board with my subject results, the OP I want to achieve, Universities I want to go to and other goals/visions/dreams. I hope that the younger students at my school will get the same opportunity as I got, because your talk was amazing and inspiring.”

“I would like to start with staying a massive thank you for your amazing presentation, it was very inspiring and moved me. Your words of wisdom helped me greatly as I am going through some challenges. You reminded me to push past the negative people/comments and do whatever I can to make myself better. Thank you so much again.”

“Today you spoke to my school, and I loved it. Your way of presenting and speaking was not what I was expecting and I was truly engaged the whole time and I took a lot from it. Your talk resonated with me, in numerous ways. I have already made massive steps today based on your talk. Thank you so much.”

“Thank you very much for talking to us today at St Margarets. I genuinely got so much out of your words and I am going to put it into my life and into the future. I still remember the quotes and topics you spoke to us about last year and I put it into my everyday life. Thank you again for your words, they have truly changed my life.”

“I am in Year 10 at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Brisbane. Today you came to my school and spoke to my year 10 cohort and presented the Brilliant Young Mind Seminar. Firstly I would just like to say that I was also at the session you did last year with the year 9’s called Day of Hope. After that session last year I became a whole new person, I had a more open mind and a positive attitude to anything that came at me. My grades excelled more because I developed a can-do attitude and I learned to adapt to assessments, I didn’t like but I still gave it my all. My GPA improved and I received an academic progress certificate. I also decided to apply for the Global Exchange that the school had to offer and because of my new mindset, I was accepted into the program first round and offered a spot to attend a school in South Africa for a term. And this year, my effort in class has been given an excellent for every single class. Coming back to today, it has helped me realise a couple of things that I need to improve and change before I move into Grade 11. I just wanted to thank you for helping me reach my full potential.”

“My husband and I attended your Positive Parenting Seminar at St Mary’s, Toowoomba yesterday evening. I was the ” Granny” who spoke to you afterwards. We were so impressed, not only by you but by your message. We are blessed to have responsibility for the care of one of our Grandsons but although we love him dearly the generational and cultural distance is often challenging. Last night we left with renewed hope, finally we have tools to develop a plan to help us support him positively. Thank you.”

“2023, May 30th. This was the date you arrived at my school and helped me to overcome procrastination. Since then, I have managed to pursue my dream of having a YouTube channel. I have accumulated over 24,000 subscribers and 4,000,000 views with only 12 videos. With them, I have been able to make >$25,000, averaging $8000/month and rising. I just want to thank you for helping me to stop procrastinating and doom scrolling as this has changed my life. I t’s been my dream ever since I was 8, but I never had the confidence to pursue it as everyone I had ever talked to shut down the idea because they worried I would waste my time and fail. You supported and helped me with your speech and I will never be able to thank you enough”

“It was such a pleasure to meet you and hear you speak at the St Peter’s retreat yesterday. As I said to you afterwards, there were layers of authenticity in your address that I admired. You had us all engaged (which is no easy feat with teachers on the first week of a school year!) and your key message around ‘hope’ was powerful, poignant, and persuasive”

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the speech you gave at my school. I moved from interstate, and it’s been really challenging to stay motivated—in school, friendships and in my sport.The pressure of adapting to a new environment while trying to excel academically and athletically felt so overwhelming. Last year, I’d already decided that I would spend years 11 and 12 by putting in minimal effort just to make it through and setting aside my dream of studying medicine. Your words completely shifted my mindset. You helped me see school not as a burden, but as an opportunity. Instead of giving up on my goals, I now feel so inspired to push forward with a new sense of purpose. I’m confident that the tools you shared will keep me motivated/consistent and help me perform even better, both academically and in swimming. Thanks again for everything—you’ve made an insane difference in my life”

“All I can really say is wow. To say I got a lot out of today would be an understatement. One of the biggest takeaways for me was what you said about school, particularly maths. I wrote down your point about how the things we often think are pointless — the moments where we ask, “When will I ever use this?” — are actually some of the most important. Even if we never use the content again, the real value is in the process: problem-solving, discipline, and learning to do the hard things even when we don’t want to. When you spoke today about doing the things you don’t want to do — especially in school — it completely shifted my mindset. I realised I’ve been dreading going back to school, even though there was a time when I prayed for the opportunities I now have. I thought about the students from my old school who would have done anything to be in my position, and it reminded me how grateful I should be.Thank you again for coming out — your work is truly amazing.”

“There are not enough words to describe how grateful I am. It’s quite uncanny how your presentation was at the one point in my student life that I was really struggling and overwhelmed by everything, and it was exactly what I needed. I now have the motivation to move forward, dream bigger and STOP PROCRASTINATING! I’m so happy that you are making a difference in so, so many people’s lives, and I’m sure that everyone who has met you, is very grateful to have met you too. Thank you.”

“I was one of the ‘boys’ from today’s talk, and I want to personally thank you from the bottom of my heart. All of my half-thoughts over the past 3 years relating to how I can ‘fix my life’ you were able to articulate thoroughly. As a young man without guidance from a father your seminar has reminded me of that little thought in the back of my head, the one I had as a little child, 10 years old and less; “I want to be a man!” Thank you for your effort, inspiration, stature and showcase of honour!”

“As a student at Stretton State College today I wanted to thank you for your presentation. I wasn’t expecting to be able to relate to the majority of your speech, however I found myself corrected. My biggest win today was your financial and psychological advice. Below I will attach my 7 new habits i have introduced starting this afternoon to my daily life. Thank you again for your time and advice today.”

“I found your messages really impactful and necessary and I felt that throughout the session, my perspective on life and who I would like to be as a person changed drastically. So, I’d first like to deliver a massive thank you for such an incredible and honestly life-changing experience. The work you do is so impactful and meaningful. It’s helped me shape and change my mindset and work towards developing more into the person I want to be and focus on creating change and moving towards a world I want to see. Thank you for everything that you do.”

“I felt compelled to reach out. For a while now, I’ve been in a bit of a hole. I never thought I’d feel so lost in the very work that once lit me up. But when you spoke, something changed. The way you told your story, the way you turned pain into purpose – it cut through the fog I’ve been sitting in. I left the auditorium that day feeling something I haven’t felt in months: hope. And clarity. And drive. As soon as I got home from camp this afternoon, I wrote out the goals I’ve buried under self-doubt. This weekend I’ll be turning it into a physical goal board to hang on my wall. A reminder of what matters. Thank you for reminding me of the fire I thought I’d lost. With deep appreciation.”

“A few years back in high school I was a year 11 student on the verge of breaking down and ending my life. Then that day where we had the absolute privilege of hearing you speak and telling us your story changed everything for me. I got my life back on track secured a full time job once I left school and worked harder on my sporting goals than I ever did before and anyone else that I knew of. Earlier this year in Townsville we had a Pro-Am held and I played some of the best golf I ever had at that point. It was a shock to many but at the same time it wasn’t if that makes sense? I shot 67 and that was the lowest score of the day by any amateur by 9, and tied with the 2 leading Professionals. I was over the moon knowing I have the game and belief to mix it with the best. I am now about to fly down to Brisbane to qualify for my first big Professional event the Isuzu Queensland Open. It is safe to say that if I had of chosen not to go to school that day, never hearing you speak I have no idea where I would be today. Thank you once again Glen, you’ve completely changed my life for the better and I’m sure I’m not the only one.”

“You spoke to my year 11 cohort at the Rockhampton Grammar School. Your talk truly left each and every one of us inspired and as I left the auditorium, I heard many talking about how grateful they were they came to school after being sceptical of what ‘Day of Hope’ would entail. I, similarly, to all of my friends, have already taken on what you have said. All afternoon, I was getting snaps from my friends saying, ‘my vision board is ordered!’ ‘Done my first daily win’ ‘I wrote down all of my goals and my purpose!’ Truly, thank you so much for your speech. It was enlightening and encouraging, and I know for a fact it has helped boost many people’s confidence in themselves throughout my grade. I truly hope to never forget anything we spoke about yesterday; it will help me grow into the person I’ve always wanted to become Thank you.”

“Thank you so much for coming to our school today, your words really had a personal impact on me and my mates today. You have such a great way of getting to people and definitely are the best speaker I have ever listened to as I personally love public speaking myself. Thanks so much and I hope you can keep travelling and spreading the word of hope to all kids my age and continue to impact them the way you impacted us.”

“Today, you spoke at my school, Toowoomba Anglican School. I wanted to say thank you and commend you for your engaging and inspirational speech today. The speech changed my mindset about everything right then and there. I cannot express in words how inspiring and fantastic your speaking is, everything you said resonated so much with me. You made everything clear to us and was straightforward, honest and upfront with everything. You have basically taught us how to live our lives to the fullest, make the most of our gifts/abilities, and be ourselves – the best person we can be. And you made it engaging and extremely real for us, made us decide the path we take. Again, I thank you so much for speaking today and changing my attitude toward everything.”

“Thank you for inspiring me to do a half-marathon this morning. I was presented with this opportunity last week, but I thought it was preposterous; to run a half-marathon before school? However, after you spoke. you shifted my paradigm. I completed the run this morning, and am very glad that I did. I just want to thank you for inspiring me to do this. And I believe that doing this opens the door to things that may seem out of my reach in the future. Thank you.”

“First I’d like to thank you for your amazing speech and for spreading your message to so many young people. Thank you so much for the wisdom you imparted on me today and that extra nudge onto the right track, it was very powerful and my mind feels a lot more clear on what I need to do! I’m sure you will hear from me in the future with what I’ve achieved. Thanks again and for all you’ve done for us!”

“Your speech this afternoon was extremely engaging and motivational. I appreciate your passion for encouraging others to discover new ways to learn and helping students to become diligent learners. I believe you are changing the mindsets of many students around the world. I wish you the best on your journey through life and hope you continue to enrich the world with your insightful ideas.”

“You’re the best motivational speaker I’ve had and even if I don’t achieve my goal thank-you for re-establishing my dream and encouraging me again.”

“I was in your first group of girls today. I really enjoyed your lessons and the way you got across to majority of the group. I took your key idea of a win a day and tonight I decided to take that survey and have attached the results. I also started by creating a vision board on Pinterest and got my dad to get a cork board from the shed. I’m super excited to see what my future holds and you’ve helped me today just by telling me I am enough. I have never really felt that the future holds much for me and never liked school at all, even though I am alright at it. Today helped me discover that school is exactly where I need to be. Thank you so much for coming in today!”