When it comes to building teams, creating momentum, and employing winning strategies, Orlando Bowen is the real deal. A former professional football player and now high-performance coach, for the past fifteen years Bowen has used storytelling, fitness activities, and cognitive exercises to teach resilience, leadership, and teamwork to over 300,000 people. Empowering others to overcome adversity, to find their passion, and to use their gifts is Bowen’s lifelong goal. This mission has placed him on hundreds of stages and boardrooms throughout North America, while also garnering him many distinguished awards.

Ten years ago, Bowen thought he was about to die. Pinned to the ground and enduring a savage beating, the then-CFL linebacker had been jumped by two plainclothes police officers, an injustice which was the first of many laid against him at the hands of the police force. “In that moment, knowing my life was about to end, I’m thinking, ‘I didn’t give everything I had to make a difference. There’s more I could’ve done,’” he said. Later completely exonerated of any wrong-doing, Bowen—incredibly—has publicly forgiven his perpetrators and has dedicated his life to inspiring others to pursue excellence in all they do.

Bowen is the founder and executive Director of One Voice One Team Youth Leadership, which empowers youth to utilize leadership skills and talents to better themselves and their community. He has received local and national awards for his incredible work, including an African Canadian Achievement Award, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and a national Harry Jerome Award for community service.