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Danielle Campo McLeod

Decorated Paralympic Swimmer ~ Award Winning Speaker ~ Author

Danielle Campo McLeod is a decorated Canadian Paralympic swimmer, award-winning inspirational speaker, and recipient of the 2024 National Hero award, bestowed upon her by Canada’s Walk of Fame.

Diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) at the age of two—initially misdiagnosed as muscular dystrophy—Danielle faced significant challenges from a young age. Despite her condition, she discovered a passion for competitive swimming, leading her to represent Canada at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. She earned multiple gold medals and set eight world records, amassing a total of 17 Paralympic and World Championship medals.

Following athletic success, Danielle committed herself to advocacy and community engagement, serving for over 15 years as a national ambassador for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. As the Director of Culture and Engagement at Muscular Dystrophy Canada, her leadership was instrumental in raising over $5 million for neuromuscular disease research.

Now as the Mental Health Lead at the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, she focuses on promoting mental well-being, inclusivity, and support for students facing various challenges, including disabilities and mental health issues.

A devote mother of five, with two of her youngest children diagnosed with SMA, Danielle brings a unique and personal perspective to her advocacy. Her experiences as a person with a disability and a parent navigating her children’s diagnoses deepen her commitment to fostering understanding and support within communities.

Danielle’s journey, further marked by a miraculous recovery from a life-threatening health scare following childbirth, is shared in her memoir, “Resurrections: My Will to Survive is Olympian,” offering an honest and uplifting perspective on overcoming life’s hurdles, reflecting her faith, love courage, and indomitable will to survive.

Her contributions have been recognized with prestigious honours, including the Order of Ontario; the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and is the youngest person to be awarded an Honourary Doctorate from the faculty of Law at the University of Windsor.

Her story and advocacy work have been featured on major media outlets such as The Social, Breakfast Television, CP24, 100 Huntley, CHCH, CBC, and CTV News.

Through her public speaking engagements and community involvement, Danielle continues to inspire others to embrace resilience, focus on abilities, and work towards a more inclusive and understanding society.

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Presentations

  • Signature Keynote: "My Will to Survive is Olympian"

    In “My Will to Survive is Olympian,” Danielle Campo McLeod leads audiences through a transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Drawing from her remarkable experiences overcoming muscular dystrophy, achieving global success as a Paralympic swimmer, and navigating a life-threatening health scare, Danielle shares profound insights on resilience and personal growth.

    Key Takeaways:
    • Resilience as a Strategic Asset: Understand that challenges and setbacks are an inevitable part of the journey, both personally and professionally. Danielle emphasizes shifting your perspective to see adversity as a catalyst for growth and innovation, harnessing resilience as a strategic asset that drives long-term success.

    • Cultivating a Supportive Culture: Discover the importance of building a supportive and connected environment where individuals feel safe to share their struggles and receive support. By fostering a culture of teamwork, compassion, and mutual respect, you can enhance overall productivity and employee satisfaction.

    • Passion-Driven Performance: Learn how to encourage and integrate personal passions into professional roles. Danielle illustrates that passion fuels engagement and performance and demonstrates how aligning personal goals with organizational missions can lead to a more motivated and driven workforce.

    • Finding Purpose Through Adversity: Gain actionable insights on how to define and confront challenges, turning them into opportunities for growth. Danielle’s personal story shows how embracing adversity can lead to profound purpose and fulfillment, inspiring audiences to rise above their own challenges.

    Danielle’s keynote is a powerful blend of personal narrative and universal lessons, designed to help audiences uncover their own resilience and live a life full of purpose, passion, and connection. Through her inspiring journey, Danielle exemplifies how to overcome obstacles and encourages others to recognize the value in their own lives and strive for their highest potential.

  • The Power of Connection in Healthcare: A Personal Journey

    In this deeply moving keynote, Danielle Campo McLeod shares her powerful story of resilience, survival, and the life-changing impact of connection in healthcare. Born with a neuromuscular disorder, Danielle has spent much of her life within the healthcare system, experiencing the profound difference that compassionate care can make. Her journey took a dramatic and life-threatening turn with the birth of her third child, when she developed sepsis. In this pivotal moment, it wasn’t just medical interventions that saved her life—it was the genuine human connections she formed with her healthcare team.
    Drawing from her personal experiences, Danielle emphasizes that while medical expertise is crucial, it is the empathy, understanding, and connection that truly transform patient care. Through her narrative, healthcare professionals will gain valuable insights into the power of connection and its critical role in patient outcomes.

    Key Takeaways:
    • The Human Element in Healthcare: Understanding the importance of treating patients as individuals with unique fears, hopes, and stories, not just as cases or charts.

    • The Role of Empathy and Compassion: How small acts of kindness and understanding can significantly impact a patient’s experience and recovery.

    • Building Meaningful Connections: Practical ways healthcare providers can foster deeper, more meaningful relationships with their patients, enhancing trust and improving care.

    • The Lasting Impact of Connection: Recognizing that the connections made during care can have a lifelong impact on patients, influencing their emotional and mental well-being long after they leave the hospital.

    This keynote will inspire and empower healthcare professionals to prioritize connection in their practice, recognizing that every interaction is an opportunity to heal both the body and the spirit.

  • Connect Before You Collect

    In “Connect Before You Collect,” Danielle Campo McLeod emphasizes the profound impact of authentic human connection in both personal and professional settings, making it an ideal keynote for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Danielle explores the transformative power of pausing to genuinely connect with others before pursuing goals or tasks, illustrating how this approach can turn simple transactions into memorable and impactful experiences.

    Key Takeaways:
    • Prioritize Genuine Interaction: Learn the importance of truly listening and engaging with others, whether in personal or professional contexts. Danielle demonstrates how building trust and fostering stronger relationships through genuine interaction can lead to more meaningful and effective connections.

    • Empathy and Understanding: Discover the power of showing empathy and understanding the journeys and challenges of others. By creating a supportive environment where people feel valued and respected, you can enhance relationships and drive positive outcomes.

    • Impact of Small Gestures: Understand how simple acts of connection, such as eye contact and sincere greetings, can create lasting positive impressions and significantly impact others. Danielle’s anecdotes highlight how these small gestures can make a big difference in building rapport.

    • Holistic Approach: Incorporate connection into all interactions, from casual conversations to critical business meetings. Danielle emphasizes creating a culture of compassion and mutual respect, aligning with DEI goals and fostering an inclusive environment.

    • Authenticity in Leadership: Explore how leaders who connect with their teams on a personal level can inspire loyalty, enhance morale, and drive higher performance. Danielle shows how authentic leadership can cultivate a more engaged and motivated workforce.

    By integrating these principles, “Connect Before You Collect” equips individuals and organizations to cultivate environments where genuine connections thrive, fostering a culture of inclusion and achieving collective success. Danielle’s keynote is a powerful reminder of the value of human connection and its role in creating a more empathetic and effective workplace.

  • IGNITING RESILIENCY - ELEVATING LEADERSHIP

    In her transformative speech, “IGNITING RESILIENCY – ELEVATING LEADERSHIP,” Danielle Campo McLeod invites audiences to explore the powerful intersection of resilience, leadership, and authentic connection. Drawing from her extraordinary life experiences—overcoming muscular dystrophy, achieving global success as a Paralympic swimmer, and leading through life-threatening health challenges—Danielle delivers an inspiring and transformative message for leaders at all levels.

    This talk is particularly relevant for those looking to elevate their leadership approach and foster a culture of resilience and inclusion. Danielle’s story offers powerful lessons on discipline, commitment, and the value of genuine human connection in achieving success.

    Key Takeaways:
    • Igniting Resiliency: Learn how to turn adversity into an opportunity for growth. Danielle’s experiences provide a blueprint for harnessing resilience as a strategic asset, empowering leaders to navigate challenges with confidence and purpose.

    • Elevating Leadership: Discover how to uplevel, inspire, and transform your leadership team with lessons drawn from Danielle’s journey. Her insights emphasize the importance of discipline, commitment, and authenticity in driving team performance and achieving long-term success.

    • Powerful Lessons on Discipline and Commitment: Understand the critical role that discipline, and commitment play in effective leadership. Danielle’s narrative illustrates how these qualities can lead to personal and professional excellence, motivating leaders to cultivate them within their teams.

    • Authentic Connection: Explore the transformative power of genuine human connection. Danielle shows how leaders who prioritize empathy and understanding can build trust, foster stronger relationships, and create a more inclusive and effective workplace.

    “IGNITING RESILIENCY – ELEVATING LEADERSHIP” is designed to uplevel, inspire, and transform your leadership team, equipping them with the tools they need to lead with resilience, drive innovation, and foster a culture of inclusion and connection. This speech is more than just a talk—it’s a call to action for leaders to rise to their fullest potential and inspire their teams to do the same.

  • Unleashing the Power Within: A Journey of Resilient Leadership (Youth Talk)

    In Danielle Campo McLeod’s inspiring speech, “Unleashing the Power Within: A Journey of Resilient Leadership,” young audiences are invited to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, connection, and empowerment. Drawing from her incredible life experiences—overcoming muscular dystrophy, achieving global success as a Paralympic swimmer, and triumphing over life-threatening health challenges—Danielle delivers a message that resonates deeply with youth, encouraging them to dream big and reach their goals.
    This talk is designed to inspire young people to connect with their true potential, embrace resilience, and pursue their passions with unwavering determination. Danielle’s story offers powerful lessons on discipline, commitment, and the importance of genuine connection in achieving personal success.

    Key Takeaways:
    • Igniting Resiliency: Learn how to turn obstacles into opportunities. Danielle’s journey shows young people how to harness resilience as a powerful tool, helping them to navigate challenges and stay focused on their dreams.

    • Dream Big, Act Bold: Discover how to set ambitious goals and take bold steps toward achieving them. Danielle emphasizes the importance of dreaming big, taking action, and never giving up, no matter how difficult the journey may seem.

    • Powerful Lessons on Discipline and Commitment: Understand the value of discipline and commitment in reaching your goals. Danielle’s experiences illustrate how these qualities are essential for success, motivating youth to stay dedicated and persistent in their pursuits.

    • Authentic Connection: Explore the importance of building genuine connections with others. Danielle highlights how connecting with mentors, peers, and communities can provide support, inspiration, and opportunities for growth.

    • Passion-Driven Success: Learn how to align your passions with your goals. Danielle encourages young people to pursue what they love, showing how passion can fuel success and lead to a fulfilling and purposeful life.

    “Unleashing the Power Within: A Journey of Resilient Leadership” is more than just a speech—it’s a call to action for youth to connect with their true potential, dream fearlessly, and pursue their goals with passion and determination. Danielle’s message is one of hope, resilience, and the belief that every young person has the power within them to achieve greatness.

Signature Keynote: "My Will to Survive is Olympian"

In “My Will to Survive is Olympian,” Danielle Campo McLeod leads audiences through a transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Drawing from her remarkable experiences overcoming muscular dystrophy, achieving global success as a Paralympic swimmer, and navigating a life-threatening health scare, Danielle shares profound insights on resilience and personal growth.

Key Takeaways:
• Resilience as a Strategic Asset: Understand that challenges and setbacks are an inevitable part of the journey, both personally and professionally. Danielle emphasizes shifting your perspective to see adversity as a catalyst for growth and innovation, harnessing resilience as a strategic asset that drives long-term success.

• Cultivating a Supportive Culture: Discover the importance of building a supportive and connected environment where individuals feel safe to share their struggles and receive support. By fostering a culture of teamwork, compassion, and mutual respect, you can enhance overall productivity and employee satisfaction.

• Passion-Driven Performance: Learn how to encourage and integrate personal passions into professional roles. Danielle illustrates that passion fuels engagement and performance and demonstrates how aligning personal goals with organizational missions can lead to a more motivated and driven workforce.

• Finding Purpose Through Adversity: Gain actionable insights on how to define and confront challenges, turning them into opportunities for growth. Danielle’s personal story shows how embracing adversity can lead to profound purpose and fulfillment, inspiring audiences to rise above their own challenges.

Danielle’s keynote is a powerful blend of personal narrative and universal lessons, designed to help audiences uncover their own resilience and live a life full of purpose, passion, and connection. Through her inspiring journey, Danielle exemplifies how to overcome obstacles and encourages others to recognize the value in their own lives and strive for their highest potential.

The Power of Connection in Healthcare: A Personal Journey

In this deeply moving keynote, Danielle Campo McLeod shares her powerful story of resilience, survival, and the life-changing impact of connection in healthcare. Born with a neuromuscular disorder, Danielle has spent much of her life within the healthcare system, experiencing the profound difference that compassionate care can make. Her journey took a dramatic and life-threatening turn with the birth of her third child, when she developed sepsis. In this pivotal moment, it wasn’t just medical interventions that saved her life—it was the genuine human connections she formed with her healthcare team.
Drawing from her personal experiences, Danielle emphasizes that while medical expertise is crucial, it is the empathy, understanding, and connection that truly transform patient care. Through her narrative, healthcare professionals will gain valuable insights into the power of connection and its critical role in patient outcomes.

Key Takeaways:
• The Human Element in Healthcare: Understanding the importance of treating patients as individuals with unique fears, hopes, and stories, not just as cases or charts.

• The Role of Empathy and Compassion: How small acts of kindness and understanding can significantly impact a patient’s experience and recovery.

• Building Meaningful Connections: Practical ways healthcare providers can foster deeper, more meaningful relationships with their patients, enhancing trust and improving care.

• The Lasting Impact of Connection: Recognizing that the connections made during care can have a lifelong impact on patients, influencing their emotional and mental well-being long after they leave the hospital.

This keynote will inspire and empower healthcare professionals to prioritize connection in their practice, recognizing that every interaction is an opportunity to heal both the body and the spirit.

Connect Before You Collect

In “Connect Before You Collect,” Danielle Campo McLeod emphasizes the profound impact of authentic human connection in both personal and professional settings, making it an ideal keynote for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Danielle explores the transformative power of pausing to genuinely connect with others before pursuing goals or tasks, illustrating how this approach can turn simple transactions into memorable and impactful experiences.

Key Takeaways:
• Prioritize Genuine Interaction: Learn the importance of truly listening and engaging with others, whether in personal or professional contexts. Danielle demonstrates how building trust and fostering stronger relationships through genuine interaction can lead to more meaningful and effective connections.

• Empathy and Understanding: Discover the power of showing empathy and understanding the journeys and challenges of others. By creating a supportive environment where people feel valued and respected, you can enhance relationships and drive positive outcomes.

• Impact of Small Gestures: Understand how simple acts of connection, such as eye contact and sincere greetings, can create lasting positive impressions and significantly impact others. Danielle’s anecdotes highlight how these small gestures can make a big difference in building rapport.

• Holistic Approach: Incorporate connection into all interactions, from casual conversations to critical business meetings. Danielle emphasizes creating a culture of compassion and mutual respect, aligning with DEI goals and fostering an inclusive environment.

• Authenticity in Leadership: Explore how leaders who connect with their teams on a personal level can inspire loyalty, enhance morale, and drive higher performance. Danielle shows how authentic leadership can cultivate a more engaged and motivated workforce.

By integrating these principles, “Connect Before You Collect” equips individuals and organizations to cultivate environments where genuine connections thrive, fostering a culture of inclusion and achieving collective success. Danielle’s keynote is a powerful reminder of the value of human connection and its role in creating a more empathetic and effective workplace.

IGNITING RESILIENCY - ELEVATING LEADERSHIP

In her transformative speech, “IGNITING RESILIENCY – ELEVATING LEADERSHIP,” Danielle Campo McLeod invites audiences to explore the powerful intersection of resilience, leadership, and authentic connection. Drawing from her extraordinary life experiences—overcoming muscular dystrophy, achieving global success as a Paralympic swimmer, and leading through life-threatening health challenges—Danielle delivers an inspiring and transformative message for leaders at all levels.

This talk is particularly relevant for those looking to elevate their leadership approach and foster a culture of resilience and inclusion. Danielle’s story offers powerful lessons on discipline, commitment, and the value of genuine human connection in achieving success.

Key Takeaways:
• Igniting Resiliency: Learn how to turn adversity into an opportunity for growth. Danielle’s experiences provide a blueprint for harnessing resilience as a strategic asset, empowering leaders to navigate challenges with confidence and purpose.

• Elevating Leadership: Discover how to uplevel, inspire, and transform your leadership team with lessons drawn from Danielle’s journey. Her insights emphasize the importance of discipline, commitment, and authenticity in driving team performance and achieving long-term success.

• Powerful Lessons on Discipline and Commitment: Understand the critical role that discipline, and commitment play in effective leadership. Danielle’s narrative illustrates how these qualities can lead to personal and professional excellence, motivating leaders to cultivate them within their teams.

• Authentic Connection: Explore the transformative power of genuine human connection. Danielle shows how leaders who prioritize empathy and understanding can build trust, foster stronger relationships, and create a more inclusive and effective workplace.

“IGNITING RESILIENCY – ELEVATING LEADERSHIP” is designed to uplevel, inspire, and transform your leadership team, equipping them with the tools they need to lead with resilience, drive innovation, and foster a culture of inclusion and connection. This speech is more than just a talk—it’s a call to action for leaders to rise to their fullest potential and inspire their teams to do the same.

Unleashing the Power Within: A Journey of Resilient Leadership (Youth Talk)

In Danielle Campo McLeod’s inspiring speech, “Unleashing the Power Within: A Journey of Resilient Leadership,” young audiences are invited to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, connection, and empowerment. Drawing from her incredible life experiences—overcoming muscular dystrophy, achieving global success as a Paralympic swimmer, and triumphing over life-threatening health challenges—Danielle delivers a message that resonates deeply with youth, encouraging them to dream big and reach their goals.
This talk is designed to inspire young people to connect with their true potential, embrace resilience, and pursue their passions with unwavering determination. Danielle’s story offers powerful lessons on discipline, commitment, and the importance of genuine connection in achieving personal success.

Key Takeaways:
• Igniting Resiliency: Learn how to turn obstacles into opportunities. Danielle’s journey shows young people how to harness resilience as a powerful tool, helping them to navigate challenges and stay focused on their dreams.

• Dream Big, Act Bold: Discover how to set ambitious goals and take bold steps toward achieving them. Danielle emphasizes the importance of dreaming big, taking action, and never giving up, no matter how difficult the journey may seem.

• Powerful Lessons on Discipline and Commitment: Understand the value of discipline and commitment in reaching your goals. Danielle’s experiences illustrate how these qualities are essential for success, motivating youth to stay dedicated and persistent in their pursuits.

• Authentic Connection: Explore the importance of building genuine connections with others. Danielle highlights how connecting with mentors, peers, and communities can provide support, inspiration, and opportunities for growth.

• Passion-Driven Success: Learn how to align your passions with your goals. Danielle encourages young people to pursue what they love, showing how passion can fuel success and lead to a fulfilling and purposeful life.

“Unleashing the Power Within: A Journey of Resilient Leadership” is more than just a speech—it’s a call to action for youth to connect with their true potential, dream fearlessly, and pursue their goals with passion and determination. Danielle’s message is one of hope, resilience, and the belief that every young person has the power within them to achieve greatness.

Testimonials

  • “By sharing her challenges and triumphs, Danielle
    demonstrates that with faith, hope and tenacity,
    there is always a way forward. Her story and her
    strength are inspiring, as is her desire to make a
    difference.”

    Danielle Campo McLeod Rick Hansen, C.C., O.B.C., Founder, Rick Hansen Foundation
  • “Danielle joined us for our corporate retreat. Our staff
    was deeply moved and highly motivated by her
    message on resilience, hard work and dedication.
    Danielle is such an engaging speaker and her
    message, authenticity and humour really translated to
    our team.”

    Danielle Campo McLeod Baker Tilly
  • “To be quite honest, the first thing that comes to my mind is to scream, WOW!! In all my years of attending and hosting different business functions, I cannot think of a time that I was so inspired, and so motivated to achieve more in my life than after hearing Danielle speak."

    Danielle Campo McLeod Anthony Wilson, Economic Development Office
  • "We had the pleasure of having Ms. Danielle Campo as our motivational speaker at the Ottawa
    Neuromuscular Disease Conference twice. She was asked to make a
    presentation at the Gala dinner, held at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, in
    front of a large group of international clinicians and researchers. Danielle was captivating and
    held the attention of the crowd with her anecdotes and descriptions of her life stories. Her
    passion and outstanding communication skills were very evident. Her outgoing nature also contributed to the ease with which she interacted with our visitors, before and after her presentation. Indeed, she was a highlight of the meetings and we received numerous letters of
    Appreciation."

    Danielle Campo McLeod Rashmi Kothary, Ph.D. Deputy Scientific Director Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
  • "I have had the distinct pleasure of hearing Danielle Campo McLeod speak on several occasions to audiences of varying sizes and interests. Danielle has a unique quality of being able to easily and quickly connect with members of an audience, drawing them in with her passion and exuberance both for them as individuals and for the topic.
    Her message is always clear and researched, her openness honest and palpable, making the experience a very positive one for all."

    Danielle Campo McLeod Elaine M. Whitmore, BSc.N, MPA, CHE Chief Executive Officer John McGivney Children’s Centre

Books

  • RESURRECTIONS, My will to survive is olympian. A story of love, faith, survival and triumph.

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