About 15 months ago I had the opportunity to speak at the Canadian Student Leadership Conference (
CSLC) that was being held in Kitchener, Ontario. It was an honour to be the opening keynote speaker for our national student leadership conference. It was awesome to be selected as a main speaker, especially when there are SO many great Canadian speakers (
like these) to choose from.
I have done it before, I’ve keynoted about 10 times at a Canadian conference. I really wish I was chosen for my abilities alone. I wasn’t. Here’s the truth about being selected as a keynote speaker; I wasn’t their initial choice. I wasn’t even on their radar. The ONLY reason that I was chosen was because their initial choice wasn’t available. He couldn’t make it, even though he was booked and paid for.
The reason he couldn't make it? He passed away. He died.
His name is
Rob Stewart. He was an award winning filmmaker and passionate advocate for the conservation of sharks and ocean life in general.
He died making his new film, called
Sharkwater Extinction, it was the sequel to his powerful and impactful film Sharkwater. When asked to speak in his place the organizers said I didn’t have to talk about Rob, most of the kids wouldn’t even know who he was or that he was initially booked. I felt that I HAD TO! I had to share his story, honour him, and let people share in his passion. As a human race and as aspiring leaders of tomorrow we need to what is happening in the oceans. We need to know how we can help!
I showed the trailer to his first film as part of my speech. As I stood to the side watching the 2 minute clip, I was overwhelmed with emotion. For the first time in my career I was visibly tearing up on stage. I realized in that moment that I was only speaking because he wasn’t alive. It wasn’t that he was sick, delayed or had family emergency; he had died.
As I researched Rob, I watched a clip of his parents saying, “At least he died doing what he loved”. It made me think and say to myself, “What an incredible statement!” To do something with your life that you would die for. Now I don’t mean you should be in job you could die doing. But, to have a job or career that you would do anything for. Go all out. Jump out of bed for!
Do you have one now? Are you following a career path that gets you excited? Something you dreamed of doing? Something you want to keep learning all you can about?
If not, maybe a change is needed. Maybe you need to figure out what you can do to make it more of a passion rather than a pain.
This past weekend I went to see the new, finally completed, documentary by Rob Stewart. Sadly, there were only 5 people in audience, including my son and I. I teared up as soon as the film started. I found myself very emotional throughout the entire 90 minutes. The film ends with Rob’s last dive. It was hard to watch. His smile, his mission, his motivation… Gone.
I hope people choose to see this film, it’s a more valuable use of your time than any Marvel or DC film. Please don’t get me wrong, I love the fantasy films just like most of my friends. But, maybe if we spent as much money, time, and had the same excitement for OUR planet, stopping the real villains that are destroying it, and learning about what we can do to help ourselves and our future, we would be far better off.
If you want to donate to the cause or learn more about Rob’s mission check out the website,
www.sharkwater.com
Thanks for all you were committed to Mr. Stewart. You were a passionate real life hero and a STUpendous Canadian. I will continue to share your story.
In leadership and gratitude,
