Deri's Blogs

Wake-up Your Brain
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Deri’s blogs and video posts include emerging information, tools, tips, and strategies for living a positive, mentally-healthy life – at work and beyond!

We Called It a ‘Walkie Talkie’—We Didn’t Know It Was Also a ‘Brain Gain’

My friends, Audrey and Jacqueline, and I started walking over the last few years – especially during the long winter, in-between our southern get-aways. We knew we loved our “Walkie Talkie’s”; the exercise, connection, and camaraderie were always invigorating.  What we did not realize is the real brain-boosting power of combining walking and talking; improving…

How to Have a Caring Conversation with Someone who is Making You Miserable

“My co-worker constantly berates me for making even the smallest error, or asking what she deems a ‘stupid’ question.” “My colleague’s voice tone is condescending and insulting toward me when we are in meetings.” Do you work with someone whose behavior is challenging your energy and enthusiasm for work? Maybe it’s a family member, who…

Why It’s Best to Hold Hands and Stick Together

You all remember the poem by Robert Fulghum “All I Really Need To Know I learned In Kindergarten”. Here is a little reminder: “All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school…

Why Being Distracted Impacts Results in School, at Work, and on Vacation

It’s August. While many parents are getting ready for The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?when kids head back to school, many kids are happy just being ‘distracted’ from the topic of school! I mean, isn’t that what summer vacation is all about – distraction! Well, perhaps. However, the topic of distraction – or lack…

The Two Most Important Questions in Life

The two most important questions in life are: Who Are You and What Do You Want? Both are positive questions and both move you TOWARD creating the life you desire. ?Who Are You?? helps you to instantly focus on your highest values, on those things that are most important to you, on your legacy even.?What…

Why Self-Compassion is the Pathway to Inner (and Outer) Peace

A post from Elisha Goldstein got me thinking about self-compassion, and it reminded me of a course I participated in last year with Kristin Neff. This is what Elisha shared that caught my attention: “In all the time I’ve been practicing and teaching mindfulness as a way of life, I’ve come upon a phrase that…

Six Reasons to do your Mental Spring Cleaning

It’s Spring! Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, the sun is shining and faces are smiling. There is nothing quite like it! Spring is often the time of year when you engage in some Spring Cleaning; getting rid of what’s been stored over the winter that you doubt you will ever use again, cleaning the…

3 Key Reasons Your Wellness Program is Sick

Does your organization have a wellness program? I’ll bet you do – in some form or another. Most organizations do – or at least they say they do. Chances are good that your wellness program, no matter how elaborate or simple, is not delivering the outcomes you had hoped. There are 3 key reasons for…

How To Be A Hero

Have you ever met a hero? I have. A hero is a person who demonstrates noble qualities like generosity, courage and kindness. Each of these words fit the hero I just met. His name is Gilles M. (due to the nature of his work, we cannot publish his surname) and he has inspired this blog…

Love IS a Drug!!

It’s the month of love…Valentine’s Day on the 14th marks the half-way point in the shortest month of the year. ?Spring is around the corner, and moods seem to be lifting (especially for those of us who have lived through a bit of a deep freeze this winter). I am thoroughly enjoying a brain seminar…

What Clients Say...

“Deri, you are the best! Not a dull moment and the time went too fast!”
Linda Borbridge, Manager, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network
“I’m often asked to recommend a professional speaker who will captivate and motivate, and without hesitation Deri Latimer comes to mind. Deri has a reputation for a no-nonsense, energetic, synergistic approach. Her cutting-edge sessions are the perfect combination of science and inspiration and will have you moving into a new groove.”
Dr. Lewena Bayer, CEO, Civility Experts Inc.
“Deri is the personification of quality, style, and enthusiasm in her message. She delivered a message with our group that heightened their awareness and ability to share success. My hope is that you too will seek her out as a keynote, connector, and catalyst for change.”
Joseph Bork, Program Director, St. Mary’s University
“I am usually the type to sit in the crowd, quietly take it all in, and take notes, notes that end up in a binder, often never to be seen once I return to work. Deri was engaging, fun and as real as they get. I was so moved by her session that I shocked myself by approaching her after the session to chat. During the session I didn’t need to take notes because her concepts hit home and stuck with me. I have already taken her advice and acted on her tips and tools to be more positive. Her positivity is contagious and her message is one that everyone should take time to listen to.”
Amy Normal, VP, Corporate Services, Said Business School, University of Oxford
“I had the privilege of hearing Deri keynote at our conference. She captivates, motivates, and positively engages an audience with her unique combination of wisdom about neuroscience and positive behaviors that can be life changing when put into action. I would recommend her without any reservation for those seeking a speaker who can move an audience – from associates on a manufacturing floor to members of an executive leadership team – into action. Her takeaways are designed for positive impact. Prepare to laugh, to be curious, to be hungry for more time to listen to Deri.”
Vickie Maris, Host, Agile Digital Business
“Deri, your seminar truly resonated with our team. You took the time to learn about our roles, our challenges and opportunities and created an inspiring and motivating seminar just for us and made an impact with every person there. Having your book to use as a tool in our day-to-day has also been very valuable and has enhanced the results we got out of the time with you. We all hope that we will see you again at the next conference!”
Chantelle Arsenault, GBA, Great West Life Assurance Company of Canada
“It was an absolute pleasure to have Deri speak at our AGM. Deri brought an amazing level of passion and energy as she engaged our members with her talk on growth mindset. If you are looking for a speaker to connect with your audience, I would highly recommend that you reach out to Deri. Thank you, Deri – we were lucky to have you!”
Rob Chester, Director Information Security, Wawanesa Insurance
“A wonderfully authentic speaker with an infectious positive energy, Deri takes the crowd back to the roots of inspiration by sparking something within the humanity of the people in the room. Her fantastic sense of humor and knowledgeable way of integrating experiential learning opportunities into an inspirational message makes her a speaker not to miss!”
Ashley Collette, Social Work Officer, Canadian Armed Forces
“I forgot to take notes because I was taking it all in and feeling change take hold…”
Derek Rumboldt-Delouche, Director, Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada
“That was fantastic! That was the most energized I have ever felt leaving a conference!!”
Barb Spurway, Principal Consultant, Protegra
“I cannot exaggerate how positively our Forum delegates reacted to your presentation. You set the perfect tone for the entire conference and left a lasting impression on our delegates and CPA staff alike.”
Sarah Marshall, President, Canadian Physiotherapy Association
“You changed people.”
Michelle Kletke, Human Resources Manager, TNG, Jim Pattison Group