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Barb Underhill
With Wings on her Feet
Barb Underhill started skating when she was five because her mom and dad felt that every kid should learn to skate. Little did they know at the time that skating would become a passion in her life. Barb is forever grateful for the gift her parents gave her when they put those "wings on her feet". Those "wings" took her to places that might only have been a dream and taught her many priceless life lessons along the way.
Underhill's skating career with Paul Martini, over their 21 years of pairs skating, was one of tremendous highs and devastating lows. They were Canadian pairs champions for 5 seasons, World Pair Champions and 7-time World Professional Champions.
At the end of her amateur career, Barb Underhill skated in the Ice Capades, followed by Stars on Ice and has since worked as a television skating commentator and analyst of International Figure Skating events, including the 2002 Olympics from Salt Lake City and the 2006 Olympics from Torino, Italy. In 2005, Barbara was awarded the William G. Davis Chances for Children Award” and in 2006 she and her husband Rick were 2006 National Child Day award recipients for their contribution to the health and well being of children in Canada.
Following the tragic death of her daughter in 1993 and at the close of her skating career, determined to make a difference in the world, Barb and her husband started a foundation to promote safety education and injury prevention among children. In 1998, as a result of her demonstrated leadership in the community and commitment to volunteerism, Barbara was invited to participate as a member of the Premier’s Round Table on Voluntary Action.
In her speeches, Barbara takes her listeners on her personal journey of world acclaimed triumphs and devastating losses. Through powerful anecdotes and vivid analogies, combined with breath-taking video clips from her skating career, she shows how anyone can find a way, not just to survive - but to thrive, despite the difficult curves that life throws. Barbara presents on topics such as Achieving Excellence, Overcoming Adversity, Power of the Dream and Personal Success.
Barbara's speeches, customized to each client’s event, inspire people to be at their best in times of complexity and moments of glory.
Topics:
- Motivation
- Teamwork
- Education
References:
“Thank you for your participation in our Women of Influence Luncheon Series...you were fabulous. The standing ovation from the attendees supports the feedback we have received on how wonderful and inspiring you are”. Women of Influence Luncheon 2001.
Ás a prominent public role model, the perspective you provided and experiences you shared were both invaluable and inspiring…feedback has been overwhelmingly positive”
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Province of Ontario.
“The standing ovation at the end of your talk was well deserved and speaks to the impact you had on the audience…your sense of humour, the wonderful chemistry and your capacity to energize and motivate an audience is extraordinary”. Canadian Tire Foundation for Families.
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