Dan MacQueen is a Motivational + Keynote speaker who explores the powers of resilience, perspective, goal setting, adversity, gratitude, mindset and perseverance. Understated and humourous, this will be a talk your group remembers! #betterthanyesterday #controlthecontrollables
At 28, Dan was leading a healthy, active life. After an optometrist appointment to identify the cause of his persistent headaches was cut short, he was handed a sealed envelope and told to go directly to the hospital. What followed, was emergency brain surgery. On June 21, 2014, Dan's reality was shattered by a devastating brain hemorrhage. With no map to guide him on the gruelling path to recovery, Dan had to rely on his grit, perseverance, and resilience to relearn everything he once knew: how to walk, talk and even smile.
Dan has survived two emergency brain surgeries, weeks in a coma, and months in a rehab hospital. What he found out along the way might surprise you: there is nothing like a brain injury to refocus the mind! Driven by a positive mindset, Dan battled through excruciating rehab exercises to rebuild his life and return to a job he loved.
He’s grateful for the doctors who saved him and the friends and family who supported him. Now he wants to pay it forward. The tools Dan used to build back his life can be used by anyone facing challenges. He will reveal strategies to help you or your team be #BetterThanYesterday and achieve your goals, one step at a time. His action-oriented life hacks will help you tackle anything you face.
Through his talks, Dan has inspired groups at the @NHS London Wolfsen rehabilitation centre, @Headway - West London, a Brain injury association, @Hootsuite, a social media management company and @Spendesk a Fintech SaaS company based in London. His audiences were moved and uplifted by Dan's story and ready to use his practical approaches to triumph over adversity.
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Testimonials
Meghan MacDonald Account Executive @Hootsuite
“Dan’s keynote was one of the most inspirational speaking engagements I’ve heard (virtual or
live)! His honesty, humour, and approach to the challenges he has faced really resonated.
Regardless if you’ve struggled with trauma or mental health challenges, Dan’s story will
absolutely strike a cord, reminding us all how to live better lives and be grateful for what we
have.”
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Nikhil Gupta Implementation Consultant @Hootsuite
“It was an incredibly heartening and captivating presentation, and you would be hard-pressed to
find anything more inspirational than Dan's recounting of his life experiences.
Dan was both heartfelt and genuine and hearing how he courageously coped and has learnt to
deal post his injury is a 'must-listen' for anyone who has encountered traumatic events and
significant setbacks.
I'd recommend this to anyone yearning for something riveting and meaningful to listen to! You'll
come away deeply inspired!”
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Tara Ataya Chief People and Diversity Officer @Hootsuite
Dan's session was inspiring, vulnerable and educating. He left the audience with a real
understanding of his story but also presented practical tips on how to be resilient in the face of
adversity. He helps his audience recognize the strain that physical health challenges can have
on mental health and shares some techniques on how to overcome and get through challenges.
He is an inspirational leader and we are better for having had him share his story.
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Sherry McRae Director, Professional Services (NA) @Hootsuite
“Dan is able to connect with his audience in a way that is rare. Think it is a combination of his
humility, empathy and resilience that captures your attention and allows his listeners to become
invested in the story while taking the learnings to shape their own journey. He was able to bring
us through his experiences providing a descriptive narrative while at the same time wrapping it
with motivational meaning. Being able to hear Dan speak is a gift to his audience.
Recommend everyone take any opportunity to witness his story and hear his perspective”.
Julio Gonzalez Implementation specialist @Hootsuite
“The pandemic has taken a huge toll on our mental health but hearing Danny Mac’s session
really helped me get back to the right mindset and implement a good strategy to be
#betterthanyesterday. If I had to describe how I feel after Dan’s virtual keynote, it would have to
be two words: Inspired--by Dan’s incredible journey--and empowered, because of the great
advice that he shares with his audience. I would 100% recommend this session to everyone!
Thank you Dan!”