Testimonials

“We are honored that you selected the Brain Injury Association of America as your chosen charity. Your contributions will help BIAA fund grants for innovative research seeking a cure for chronic brain injury; provide personalized support and resources to the brain injury community; and advocate on the national level for greater access to care and treatment. What you all have accomplished with this fundraiser is impressive and will make a real difference. Thank you for turning your compassion into action.”

Rick Willis– President & CEO, Brain Injury Association of America

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I recently attended a keynote speech by Mike Orris, and I must say it was an inspiring experience. Mike has a unique ability to connect with the audience and deliver a powerful message that left a lasting impact on everyone in the room. It is amazing how a Positive Attitude Changes Everything. I would highly recommend Mike to anyone looking to be inspired to overcome their challenges.

Matt Ballock —Manufacturing Manager, American Polyfoam

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I had the pleasure of attending a meeting with guest speaker Mike Orris.  Mike’s ability to connect with the audience, while he shared his incredible life story, was both genuine and inspiring.  Mike credited his miraculous recovery from horrific injury to his family and having a “Positive Attitudes Changes Everything” (PACE) mentality.  PACE is something each and everyone of us can apply to everyday life, helping us to achieve our goals for both personal and professional growth.  I strongly encourage everyone who has the opportunity to listen and learn from his incredible journey and story.

Brian Bennett– President/CEO, Streamline Packaging Solutions

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My wife and I had the honor of meeting Mike and hearing his amazing story of perseverance.  It is a remarkable tale that humbled us, caused us to shed a few tears, made us laugh, and filled our hearts with happiness.  Mike taught us that no matter what life throws at you, you can conquer anything with the right attitude!

Robert Stewart III–  Chief Executive Officer, The M. Conley Company

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Positive attitude changes everything!  Listening to Mike Orris explain this attitude after going through an extremely traumatic  period in his life has really given me perspective…the right and positive perspective in life.  So many external factors in our life try to attack our well being and who we are as a person.  There are constant attacks on our mental stability and what we stand for.  

P.A.C.E in every situation not only calms the temperature of the situation but believes calms and heals our level of stress and anxiety in life.  

Mike’s expression and passion for P.A.C.E. does really change everything, and it’s so simple to do! It has certainly changed me!

Wayne Lenertz–General Manager, Lenertz Industrial Supply Co., Inc.

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We had the opportunity for Mike to present his philosophy and way of life using PACE (Positive Attitude Changes Everything). The presentation was inspiring, motivating and PACE is what companies and individuals can practice to help achieve great results.

Mike’s presentation was very heartfelt and delivers a strong, positive message that everyone can benefit from and practice in their daily lives.

Jim Arturi–VP Project Management, Pregis LLC

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Wow what can I say!  You think you know somebody Until.

I’ve know Mike for several years now through a distributor/manufacturing partnership and enjoyed our professional business relationship during that time.  We did the normal small talk in regards to how each other’s families were doing, what were some of the activities he enjoys and how business was going.

Over the last several years we have seen each other at a couple of mutual conferences we attended and always hit it off, including our wives.

Well our last conference we attended we find out the Mike would be the Keynote speaker.  All that was said is that Mike has a great story to share.

Little did we know what this guy and his family went through and is still going through.

Mike begins his story and I don’t think there was a dry eye in audience.  I can’t believe what this guy has gone through and how positive he was about the whole ordeal.  It really hit home for my wife and I, my father had gone through a traumatic brain injury some 20 + years ago and all of the emotions and pain he went through came flooding back.  His story really connected the dots for me and help me understand some of the things I didn’t know back then.

The P.A.C.E. yourself took on a new meaning for both of us and we were so grateful that he was able to share his truly inspirational story.

Greg Oltoff- President Shoreline Container

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I have known Mike for years now and thought I knew the “full story” of the challenging situation he endured.  Wrong.  My awareness of his plight was only surface level.  I recently attended an event where Mike was the key note speaker, delivering a message of positivity in the face of a challenge that would sideline most.   Mike took the audience through a wild journey full of hope, inspiration, and humor.  I know all of the 100+ individuals in attendance and we still talk about Mike’s journey to this day.  This is a story that meets people right where they are, regardless of their place in life, and provides inspiration. 

John Gee- VP Sales, Pregis

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Mike Orris story was riveting, sad, scary,  funny and best of all it left you with PACE.

Mike and his wife Jenn are down to earth authentic people who took a heavy dose of adversity and found hope, gratitude, and PACE.

Mike did an excellent job positioning his adversity as entertaining and also some very valuable self-improvements take aways.

Kevin Bauduin- Chairman and CEO, Pregis

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I had the great opportunity to hear Mike Orris tell his story at a recent business meeting in St. Kitts.

To say the presentation was inspirational is an understatement. Mike shared his experience as a triathlete, and was telling his story of what appeared to be another training ride on his bike. What happened next was heartbreaking.

To hear the story told by Mike with such clarity and calmness had to be very difficult for him. However, when he methodically walked the group through what he went through to rehabilitate not only his mind and body, you could picture exactly what he was going through.

What started off to be a tragedy, became a triumphant tale. The audience had a heart felt appreciation for Mike sharing his story about his recovery, his family, and his desire for complete rehabilitation.

If you ever get the chance to meet Mike and hear his story – your day will be better because of it.

Rob Onorato- CEO Shorr Packaging

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“What a presentation! Genuine, heartfelt, gut wrenching, raw and inspiring all at the same time. Speeches and Presentations come and go, but his is one however, that will resonate and be remembered indefinitely.”

Ken Wong- Vice President Crownhill Packaging

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I recently attended a keynote speech by Mike Orris, and I must say it was an inspiring experience. Mike has a unique ability to connect with the audience and deliver a powerful message that left a lasting impact on everyone in the room. It is amazing how a Positive Attitude Changes Everything. I would highly recommend Mike to anyone looking to be inspired to overcome their challenges. 

Matt Ballock– Manufacturing Manager, American Polyfoam.

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I recently shared an incredible experience with many peers in my industry. We listened to a speaker with a riveting tale to tell. Mike Orris, a husband, and father brought the room to tears at times and fits of laughter at others with the story of his personal journey through some of the most challenging situations I have ever heard an individual describe. Mike’s story is very inspirational and a tremendous account to keep with you as you traverse your own daily struggles. I highly recommend that you hear his story.

Randy McCorkle–Atlanta Foam Fabricators

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“Mike shared his story of persevering through unimaginable adversity through the power of positivity at our annual customer event. Mike does an incredible job capturing the audience by balancing humor, humility and raw emotion. I shared Mike’s story with my three sons and remind them when they face adversity that a positive attitude changes everything. Thank you for sharing your story and bringing P.A.C.E. into our lives.”

John  Breber–Regional VP Field Sales, West Pregis LLC

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“Mike was our keynote speaker at a recent customer event and earned rave reviews from the audience.  His personal journey and emotional experiences are so genuine and relatable that it left every guest feeling inspired and appreciative. Additionally, his positive attitude was absolutely contagious at every single interaction from pre-event planning to post-event debrief making it a true pleasure for anyone hosting an event!”

Daché Davidson–Chief Marketing Officer for Pregis

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Mike knocked it out of the park as the keynote speaker at our recent Premier Partner Event.  His presentation was engaging, highly personal, and sprinkled with humor.  Mike is an incredible storyteller with an incredible story and message.  The entire audience left the presentation inspired and ready to PACE ourselves in our daily professional and personal lives.  I can’t recommend Mike highly enough.

Thor Petersen–Vice President of Sales – Pregis

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I recently had the opportunity to take in a speech given by Mike Orris while attending a business conference and honestly the only thing I can say is WOW!    The story that Mike shared is truly amazing.  Mike endured in a 2 year time frame what can only be described as 10 lifetimes worth of challenges.  The primary concept that Mike shared during his talk referred to pacing yourself.   In this instance, PACE stands for Positive Attitude Changes Everything.  Mike explains how he overcame one obstacle and then the next by holding himself to this simple principle.  I am now using this concept for myself and with my kids and it works every time.   I plan to ask Mike to come out and speak to my entire company later this spring as I want them all to hear his message of hope and inspiration.  Thank you very much Mike as I know your words positively impacted everyone that attended presentation.

Tom Hall Executive Vice President Amcon Foam

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Your talk was a rollercoaster of emotions for me. The challenges you overcame were so inspirational. As a father of three, I found myself envisioning your family’s journey while you were out of it and the trauma they must have gone through. The job of holding everything together by your wife is another thing, what an amazing partner. From your road back from death, I am awed by your blind determination and never ending faith in you’re ability to overcome ALL obstacles. You’re approach of “no other options but full recovery” proves that anything is possible with the proper mindset!! AND of course, your PACE which enables continuous progress, is an essential component of your ultimate recovery.

Mike Pichotta–Vice President of Operations- Ernest Packaging Solutions

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We heard Mike Orris at the Pregis Premier Partners meeting,  give his motivational presentation this year in St. Kitts. His presentation put your emotions on a roller coaster and made you realize anything can be possible if you have the right attitude. That is PACE, Positive Attitude Changes Everything, and Mike is the true example of what you can do with PACE.

David E. Surkamp- President, Surco Incorporated

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We all need new thoughts to inspire us on the road we call life.  Mike Orris’ story will inspire anyone and everyone that has the opportunity to hear it.  With a smile on his face, a positive attitude and yes the occasional tears, Mike delivers his story and message in a way we can all connect with.  His PACE yourself message is so important in today’s society.  Mike’s message helps refocus on what is truly important in life, family, friends and good health.  It was privilege to hear Mike tell his story.   

Jeffrey Esses–LJR Solutions Inc.

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Less than 24 hrs after hearing Mike speak about his incredible journey, we were given the opportunity to truly test his PACE (Positive Attitudes Change Everything) mantra. Several thousand miles from home, we received a call that a family member had a life threatening emergency and was not expected to live. With Mike’s words still ringing in the backs of our minds, we managed to keep (and share) a positive attitude through this terrifying and devastating time. Our loved one has now made a full recovery, and the doctors have deemed it nothing short of a miracle. Positive attitudes do change everything!

Brett and Terri Matthews

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I was fortunate to see Mike’s presentation at a recent event.  Mike’s story is a sobering one that provokes a tremendous amount of thought, but his delivery allows the audience to laugh along the way.  His sincerity and transparency about his life let us in to see an unvarnished look at his challenges and the way he has persevered.  Mike’s message is relatable and has everyone hanging on each word as the presentation unfolds.  Mike’s message is truly an inspiration.

Brian Belanger- General Manager, Lindenmeyr Monroe

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“I’ve always been a believer about the power of a positive attitude and the impact it can have on a person’s life.  It’s always been easier to say and believe when times are good.  Mike is living proof that it works when things are bad and his incredible journey of how a tragic accident changed his and his family’s life by living, thinking, and behaving positively is amazing.  An inspiring speaker with a powerful and practical message of P.A.C.E.  Positive Attitude Changes Everything!”

Todd Renehan – Supply One

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My wife and I had the opportunity to hear about Mike’s incredible journey and how he has persevered and excelled in the face of very difficult hurdles.  His PACE process is a great reminder of how positive thinking and approaching life in this way can help us all overcome even the most challenging of circumstances.  I was truly inspired by Mike’s presentation.

Ken Kucera– Chief Operating Officer- Shorr