Media Coverage

2013: News 5: How to motivate prisoners

 
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Regardless of creed, gender, religion or race; everyone has potential—and it is up to you to know and acquire your full potential. That is the message which the Motivational Missionaries Tour Belize 2013 is instilling in Belizeans from all walks of life. Over the course of this week, Bert Oliva and his team, also known as the Potentialists, have been making stops around the country holding sessions with students, at risk youths, professionals as well as the general public on thinking outside the box. The series is an initiative of Restore Belize and Chamberlain Consulting and today, one of their main stops was at the Kolbe Foundation in Hattieville. Some four hundred plus inmates were counseled on life at and after prison. Both Oliva acknowledges that while they have done prison sessions in the U.S, Kolbe was a different experience.

Bert Oliva, Motivational Speaker
“Not only inmates, the worse inmates that they had—those that are not even allowed out of their cells for long periods of times were the ones they brought it. So it was a major challenge for us. That’s not what we were expecting, but it ended up being a great experience.”

Bert Oliva

“I was telling them that some of them were never going to see the street again so let’s be realistic—especially the group that was there. So you can start life, as of today, you can escape everyday by going into reading books and writing books and eventually they will be able to create a location over there where they can actually speak to the students and show them how it is not all that great to be on the other side. Also we talked about them not worrying about how to get a job when they got out of there. Why not create your own job? Why not become an entrepreneur with all the gifts that they have? I saw the gift shop; they have talent. So if you have all this talent, why not go out there and use it and create something; not concern yourself if you are gonna get a job or not in Belize when you can become your own boss.”

This afternoon at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts, employees from several companies, who sponsored the tour, got their chance to live the adventure with the potentialists. The tour takes them on Thursday to Dangriga and on Friday at the Belmopan UB Gym and then in the afternoon to the San Ignacio Hotel.

2013: Plus TV: Motivational Missionaries’ Tour
starts in Belize City

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A Belizean consulting firm has partnered with RESTORE Belize and various sponsors to bring a team of motivational speakers to the country for a week’s tour covering five districts. Sessions will host school children, corporate businesses and the average Belizean as speakers; Bert Oliva and Robin Kirk hope to find each individual’s true potential in what is being called “The Potentialist.” The opening was today in Belize City and organizer Dionne Miranda tells us more:

Dionne Miranda:

Today’s event is a culmination of friendship in terms of us wanting to go through the entire Caribbean  and deliver motivational speaking to the entire Caribbean youth population  My company, Chamberlain Consulting, we actually train and provide motivational speaking.  I’m actually trained by Bert Oliva. We do that in Belize for corporations that hire us.  This is our “giving back” part of it, where we believe that to get what you want, you have to give. This is our giving part of it, where we know we have to build the nation of Belize, we have to prepare the kids for their future. Only then can Chamberlain Consulting, and my family achieve its actual goals.  So together with RESTORE Belize, and with the Bert Oliva Academy, we’ve come up with this concept of the Motivational Missionaries’ Tour, which starts here today.

This morning, the activities of participants seemed more death-defying than inspirational – two students were made to bend a pole connected to their ears at either end simply by walking to each other and others actually walked on broken glass – and no one got hurt! Main speaker  at this morning’s event Oliva, goes into details on why he believes humans can be their own worst enemies:

Bert Oliva:

This is not about an American group coming in, because each one from the group comes from a different country. We have a Colombian in the group, a Venezuelan in the group, we have a Cuban in the group.  We believe that people are people.  O truly believe that everyone has potentials inside of them. The only person that holds them back is themselves, and through the tools and techniques that we’re going to show today, and some of the breakthroughs, you’ll see that people will accept some of the messages. And then we have Deon Chamberlain, who is from Belize, and shall be here to actually follow-up, and continue the training, and so forth.

Oliva, Kirk and the team will be in Corozal and Orange Walk tomorrow, and in Belmopan, San Ignacio and Dangriga later this week. A free session for at-risk youths at the Bliss Center will take place at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon. Entrance is free and those interested can contact RESTORE Belize at 630-5333.

2013: Love FM: Press Release

A team of motivational speakers has begun a tour of the country to dialogue with young people. Bert Oliva today embarked on the week-long Motivational Missionaries Tour and are expected to make contact with over six thousand Belizeans by the time the program ends.

According to a press release from Restore Belize, the Motivational Missionaries Tour will visit five of the six districts during what has been called a series of motivational concerts, which carry a singular message, which is that young people have the potential to “make it happen.”

The primary focus of the Motivational Missionaries Tour are high school students but there will be an open session where other youths can participate in the tour.

This week’s Motivational Missionaries Tour is part of the I Am Belize public education campaign, which promotes national pride and a positive cultural identity amongst Belizeans.

2013: SAN IGNACIO RESORT HOTEL SUPPORTS THE YOUTH

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Chamberlain Consulting & Restore Belize have partnered together to present the Motivational Missionaries Tour 2013.

Dr. Dionne Miranda, Managing Director of Chamberlain Consulting told 7 News Belize, “We believe that it’s really important because we think all the time about giving people things that are like shoes and clothes and money and food and that sort of thing and yes those are essentials of life but when the soul is broken and a person doesn’t have anything to believe in or to live for or to strive for then all of that becomes useless, so we believe that it’s a partnership – not that what we are going to be doing is make the complete difference but it’s all about is getting together making that difference as a team and this is one component.”

San Ignacio Resort Hotel is excited to participate by hosting the San Ignacio Youth Seminar Portion of the tour, here in the Bedran Hall, on February 8, 2013.

Paulita Figueroa, Owner and Operations Manager at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel said, “When we spoke with Dionne a year ago about this event we were very excited to be a part of the change they are trying to make. Many of our youth do not have proper guidance in our society and it is inspirational what Chamberlain Consulting and Restore Belize is trying to do for our youth here in Belize.”

To read the full article on News 7 Belize click here.

2013: 7 News Belize: Speaking Of Motivation.

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And while Saldivar has motivation aplenty to defend what he describes as “his government” – for those not quite so headstrong and self assured, a group of high powered motivational speakers are in the country. They will be making presentations for hundreds of young people in the upcoming week. Bert Oliva along with their team will be touring the country holding motivational sessions. These sessions will be conducted under the theme -The Potentialist- and focuses on finding an individual’s true potential. Today the crew stopped by our studios to share more with us.

Dr. Dionne Miranda – Managing Director, Chamberlain Consulting

“Yes, actually we partnered with RESTORE Belize and Bert Oliva a motivational speaker and their team have volunteered their time to come into to Belize and speak to our teenagers and at the same time do a cooperate session because that is their real jobs but they fall in love with our country and the last time that they were here and they want to give back and they want to give back more so they are coming in to finished up what they started.”“We have a full schedule; on Monday we do Belize City at the Bliss starting at 8:30am – that’s the grand opening and Minister Faber will be there to open us up, that’s one session in the morning and one in the afternoon at 1pm – that’s for Belize City teenagers. On Tuesday, we are heading to Orange Walk in the morning and that’s going to be at the multi-purpose complex. In the afternoon, it the Andre Campos stadium at 1pm, then on Wednesday we go to the prison and we do all of the inmates at the prison. In the afternoon we do a cooperate session at 1pm and after that we moved on, on Thursday to Dangriga, that’s going to be at the Parish Hall in Dangriga. On Thursday we moved on to Belmopan in the morning and that’s the UB Gymnasium and at that one we are going to be doing both kids from Sacred Heart College and the Belmopan area because the venue in Cayo wasn’t large enough for us.”

“On Friday afternoon we then head out to San Ignacio at the San Ignacio Hotel and that’s where we are going to be doing the San Ignacio session. That actually wraps up the tour other than some cooperate sponsorship that they will be delivering some more sessions for after that.”

Bert Oliva

“I’ve been doing sessions for over 19 years now. I decided years ago to change my life and I came from being really in the most poor part of South Miami Florida to building a wealth and everything, it wasn’t with the right people, but the thing is it’s not about me, I just was able to be among the right people at the right time and I learn so many things and that’s what I have been doing for over 19 years and I travelled the world teaching the message that we teach which is human ology; the scientific study of human potential and what we did was bringing a group of potentialist because I believe that everyone has potential inside of them. The only reason that people don’t succeed is because they hold themselves back. It’s easier to blame the government or someone else or situation when it’s really just you. All we are doing is coming here with different tools, techniques and messages and all it takes is just one person to make a difference, so that’s why it’s not just me, I am bringing a whole team of us and we are going to have a great time.”

Dr. Dionne Miranda

“We believe that it’s really important because we think all the time about giving people things that are like shoes and clothes and money and food and that sort of thing and yes those are essentials of life but when the soul is broken and a person doesn’t have anything to believe in or to live for or to strive for then all of that becomes useless, so we believe that it’s a partnership – not that what we are going to be doing is make the complete difference but it’s all about is getting together making that difference as a team and this is one component. We are happy to join up with RESTORE Belize because they are talking literacy, education and all of that and we are working on the human component which is the important part. But I must tell you that the Belizean private sector has been incredible; when we approach people coming from like the Chairman of BTL, looking at the BTB Laura Esquivel and looking at the Belie Diesel, Crystal, Radisson Fort George, Scotia Bank, The San Ignacio Hotel, Delta Airlines, just to name a few, I mean these people came out and just willingly gave because they really believe that this is where the difference will start. we don’t think like I said that we will change the way things, but we do believe it’s one start and if every single human being is Belize and around the world makes that one change – we are going to make the difference that everybody needs to see. So yes, it is true that one committed citizen can make a difference and that is what our message is all about.”

You can witness these dynamic speakers for yourself this Wednesday at the Bliss Center for the performing arts. The 90 minute session starts at 1:15pm.

2013: Belize Motivational Missionaries Tour

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Bert Oliva, motivational speakers, came to Belize to motivate the youth and instill self-esteem. Looks like they did a great job. Cayo is featured in this video starting around 3:50. Wait, is that Tarun bending steel…with her neck? They are coming back to visit Cayo again on February 8th.

“World renown speaker, Bert Oliva, are bringing a unique event to the caribbean in early 2013 called Motivational Missionaries. The first stop in the tour is Belize, where the focus is to motivate and energize our future, the children of today. Follow the journey and don’t miss the change. Be a part of the Human Connection movement today where you too can become a Potentialists! ‘IT’S NOW OR NEVER!'”

Coming again to Cayo on February 8th.

2012: San Pedro Sun: BTL and Restore Belize bring Youth Rally to San Pedro

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The San Pedro High School hosted the first in a series of four Youth Rallies being held in the Belize and Cayo Districts. The Rally took place on Thursday May 24th at 9AM at the Rafael Angel Nuñez Auditorium. The purpose of the Rallies was to “assist with stimulating and educating children from schools throughout the country about living a positive lifestyle.”

The rallies are a combined effort by the Belize Telemedia Limited, RESTORE Belize and the Belize Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (BELAIFA) and featured professional motivational speakers from across the United States.

Offering the welcome and opening address was Minister of Tourism Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. In addressing the gathering, Heredia stated, “It is imperative that influential organizations and personnel continue to impact societies, targeting our youths as they make that transition into becoming the leaders of tomorrow.”

He concluded; “Students, you are the real benefactors of this event. As you embark on your journeys to becoming teachers, lawyers, nurses, Tourism Industry employees or even the next Prime Minister of Belize, always remember the important lessons you have been taught and the words of wisdom and encouragement by these motivational speakers.  It will allow you to see the world differently and to achieve maximum success!”

Speakers for the event included the CEO and Founder of the Bert Oliva Wealth Academy, Mr. Bert Oliva. Motivational speaker for the international, “My Bag, My Home, Homeless by Choice Tour,” Mr. Roy Juarez Junior; Founder and CEO of the Human Communication Skills, Pamela S. Perkins, and CEO and Founder of the Educational Achievement Services, Inc. Mrs. Consuelo Castillo-Kickbusch.

The students and attendees at the rally were blessed to be in the presence of these amazing individuals who, from their stories, shared and proved that through education, a steadfast will to succeed and with a little support, nothing is unreachable.

The first speaker was Mrs. Consuelo Castillo-Kickbusch. Suffering from an injury she sustained while in Belize for an international conference, Consuelo limped to the forefront of the catwalk where she introduced herself, showed her x-rays, followed by a very entertaining and engaging session with the students, teachers, and attendees at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium. Her tactic is entertaining the kids, speaking of experiences that resonated with the youth – speaking in their dialect – as she spoke of her encounters with youth, much like those in attendance, in the United States, interjecting humor into her stories.

Following much laughter and cheers with the kids, she silenced the crowd to tell her story. The SPHS students were admirable as they paid much respect and sat silent, paying keen attention to all the speakers. Consuelo’s account of a young nine year old girl in the United States with immigrant parents, an abusive mother, a school where she was shunned and told that she was unwanted, being sexually molested from the age of nine to the age of twelve by four different men resonated with everyone in attendance. As she delved into her experience, re-living her torture, the visible signs of pain, anger and frustration in her voice and face, many in attendance came to tears.

While her struggles and pains were many, her success story amounted to much, much, more. She spoke of her introduction to a library, given the opportunity to learn how to read and learn; her determination to overcome her trials and succeed, having to take multiple jobs to work her way through college and eventually enlisting in the  army where she received many honors and crossed barriers as a Latin American in the United States Army.

The words “Yes You Can” and “I Am Belize, Belize is Me, because I am Special” resonated with the audience. The account of her amazing story, which most certainly touched the core of all in attendance, is one that this reporter was very fortunate to have experienced.

Roy Juarez Junior, Motivational speaker for the international, “My Bag, My Home, Homeless by Choice Tour,” was next to present. Roy has been living as a homeless person for the past three years by choice as he shares his story with children across the United States, to encourage students to dream big. Roy spoke of his childhood, being the third of five children born to an abusive dad. He spoke of nights in bed, hearing the screams of his mother as his father physically abused her, and at times having to serve as a shield for his mom to get away. He spoke of being in school, not knowing whether he would have a mother to come home to. He spoke of being on the run, as a family unit, his mother and four siblings, from his father, in fear for their lives.

Learning the emotions of hate, anger and disappointment at the tender age of seven and spending the following years, practically homeless, being tossed from home to home, being rejected along with his siblings by his mother for the love of a man, desire less of kids, that would provide a safe haven for herself; being able to find a home for his younger siblings but always being the one rejected. He spoke of not knowing where his next meal would come from or where he would spend the night.

He spoke of the opportunities that were given to him, including listening to a motivational talk being presented by Consuelo during the times of his being homeless, as he sought shelter and food at the hotel where she was presenting.

He remembered not really being interested in the presentation until in the background, he heard parts of her story to caught his attention and instilled in him the notion that he can do anything he choose to, if he would only allow himself to dream big, that he was worth every good thing and deserving of all that he can make of himself.

Once again, he encouraged the students to keep dreaming and working towards making those dreams come through. He stressed on the importance of education and forgiveness.

He was followed by a presentation by Pamela S. Perkins, who made her way to the podium dancing. Her presentation centered on the power of words, and she spoke of growing up in a time when it wasn’t okay to be black in America, and even worse, being a black woman. She spoke of the dangers of speaking badly of ourselves, the importance of choosing our words as they can define our lives. She encouraged individuals to become the persons they want others to see them as, while using words to promote positivity amongst each others.

Bert Oliva, CEO and Founder of the Bert Oliva Wealth Academy, was the final speaker. Bert encouraged the kids to take risks and be aggressive and sometimes crazy, in making decisions. He encouraged them to play the game of life, and play it to win. He encouraged them to go for what they want – not to wait around for their turn. “You see it, go for it”. He encouraged celebration; celebrate individual successes as well as the success of others.

All speakers were equally motivating, speaking of their various struggles and successes while expounding on the importance of a proper education and determination to succeed.

The rally was truly amazing and empowering. To see and hear of individuals that go through so much more than many of us, and yet have the desire and determination to dream big and make those dreams come through.

Following the presentations at the SPHS, the team of motivational speakers travelled to Belize City to start their afternoon sessions while being hosted by Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education at the Princess Hotel in Belize City. The team had two sessions each hosting 600 second form students from various High Schools across the City, which were broadcasted live on Wave FM. The final session is scheduled for Friday May 25th in San Ignacio and will be hosted by Mayor John August.

The San Pedro Sun joins the many students in attendance for the opportunity to have been a part of such an inspirational event.

2012: Ambergris Today: Youth Rally Positively Impacts San Pedro Youth

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The youth are the future of our country and as parents, educators, family members and friends, it is very important that we guide them in the right direction and encourage them to hitch their wagon to a star and never give up. With this in mind, in a collaborative effort between Belize Telemedia Limited, RESTORE Belize and the Belize Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (BELAIFA), on Thursday, May 24, 2012, students of San Pedro High School were addressed by professional motivational speakers from across the United States.

The purpose of the youth rally was to stimulate and educate the youths of Belize about living a positive lifestyle. Addressing the students were four internationally renowned speakers, they were Consuelo Kickbusch, Roy Juarez, Pamela Perkins and Bert Oliva. These speakers are well known for their motivational, inspirational and charismatic speeches and have instilled the values of staying in school, self esteem, overcoming hardships and igniting their own potential.

Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch –

“I am Belize, Belize is me, The Future, Today because I am Special” These are the words the students at SPHS were repeating after Consuelo after she enlightened them with her personal life story.

Consuelo, a retired colonel of the US Army, touched the hearts of many as she related her life story. At the age of nine Consuelo was mentally, emotionally and sexually abused by men and had a physically abusive mother.  At the age of 19, Consuelo learned to read, got herself a job and worked tirelessly to obtain an education. She entered the US Army, rose above all her hardships, forgave her mother and is now devoted to positively help change the lives of the youth of America.

Students were touched by her story and Consuelo received a warm round of applause and cheers and even a standing ovation.

Roy Juarez –

“My bag, my home” – Roy’s mother was a victim of daily physical abuse by his father, finally the mother left the father but ended up leaving the children for another man and leaving the children homeless. Roy raised his two siblings on his own, Roy packed a bag of personal items he called a home for two and a half years. He went through a lot of hardships and pains and distrust. Roy became a high school dropout but was lucky to have been chosen to introduce a lovely lady; a motivational speaker who then became his mentor, helped changed his life – that lady was Consuelo Kickbusch. Roy graduated from Hardin Simmons University and president and founder of America’s Business Leaders- a human development company. Roy learned to forgive his family and now they are all back together.

“Love yourself enough to give yourself a chance, education changes everything.” – Roy Juarez.

Pamela Perkins –

“I WOW!”  – Although Pamela’s speech was short and direct it was a very powerful one. Pamela talked about the importance of understanding yourself, not allowing the world to define you. “Word Up” – you cannot speak against yourself and expect life to be perfect, you have to define who you are and leave and impression,” stated Pamela.

She explained to the students to never allow anyone bring them down to believe in their selves, in their words. The world will define you from what you give off and you have to set that pace.

“If you are true to your word, your word will be true to you. I WOW!” – Pamela Perkins.

Bert Oliva –

“Make it Happen” – Bert Oliva came from a humble beginnings, worked arduously to get to where he is today. Today Bert is the CEO/Founder of Bert Oliva Wealth Academy International an international sales and training organization that includes seminars, professional coaching, keynotes and corporate trainings.

He is well known for his breakthrough feats such as walking barefoot on glass, eating fire among other feats. Hhe assured the students that a person does not need a breakdown to have a breakthrough. “Crazy people succeed, you have to make things happen in order to succeed in life,” stated Bert.

Bert made a first form student eat fire for the first time and proved to all that only by facing the discomfort and not succumbing to the pressure one feels during a breakthrough that they develop a new outlook of what is possible in their lives and strive for their full potential.

All four speakers had the full attention of the students of SPHS and were quite moved by the speeches they each delivered. At the end of the rally students rushed to personally thank the speakers for having touched their hearts and impacted them in such a positive manner.

2012: 7 News Belize: Motivation For Youths

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2012: Ambergris Caye: High School Student Eats Fire at Yesterday’s Youth Rall

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Yesterday 440 San Pedro High School students gathered in the Angel Nunez Auditorium for a Youth Rally. Four motivational speakers, 2 hours, lots of rowdy high schoolers restless with graduation so close…I didn’t know what to expect. I arrived early to DJed blasting the music of Rihanna and Pitbull…I had a good feeling about this event.

…

The event was for the high school students but these three younger kids were there to receive their awards from “Be Kind Belize”. They were nominated by their primary schools for the Kindest Kid in San Pedro Award (ages 6 to 10). Here are the winning Kindness Ambassadors. Kids who put others before themselves, who respect their teachers, their friends and the environment (though the competition is over, read the nominations, you’ll tear right up). Seriously cute and so nervous to stand on stage in front of the high school and receive their prizes!

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The first speaker, Consuelo Kickbusch, a retired Lt. Colonel in the US army limped to the stage. She whipped out her X-Ray to show the kids that she had recently been hurt but that she was here in Belize because they matter to her.

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She was a very tough act to follow. But Roy Juarez Jr spoke next about life as a homeless teenager abandoned by a mother who herself was on the run from an abusive ex-husband. His message? Education is the key.

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Last presenter was Mr. Bert Oliva. His mantra? Live crazy. Live life, don’t let life live you. The kids seemed to embrace the idea of living crazy. Mr. Oliva said that he was going to call an adult up on stage to do something really crazy to hammer home the point. Someone came up on stage and whispered to him…”we can now take a student volunteer, it has been approved”.

One girl was chosen…chosen to swallow fire. Her nerves definitely started to grow as Bert demonstrated. He dipped the wand in some sort of kerosene and lit it. (Her look says it all…)

Even the Minister was transfixed.

This was the real deal…

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I am not embarrassed to tell you…I am not usually a “self help” person. But each and every presentation and the kids’ reactions were very moving. Very inspiring. I was drinking the Kool-Aid. Sure some of this stuff might be seen as cliche, but it is cliche for a reason. This event was FANTASTIC. Congratulations to everyone who was involved

You simply MUST click here to read the rest of this fabulous article and see lots more great photos on San Pedro Scoop