Presentations

Positive Mental Health Presentations

Virginia Gingras is an experienced high school educator, an Ultra-Marathon runner and a veteran athlete who suffered from an eating disorder and depression in her late teens/early twenties. For the past 15 years, she has spoken at various schools, businesses and adult engagements around the topic of Positive Mental Health. Her presentations are a must-see for all ages as they evoke change, inspire endless possibilities and fuel the belief that “yes, I can”.

Virginia is a well-rounded individual who has held a variety of educational leadership positions over the past 15 years (Math Department Head, Elementary School Principal, Summer School High School Principal, Math Consultant) and in 2016 secured the fastest known time for a female to run the entire Bruce Trail (900km+ in 13 days – about 70km a day), raising $18, 000 for Mental Health in Youth. To learn more about this adventure (videos, pics and blogs) click on Virginia Vs Bruce tab on the home page.

Presently, Virginia runs her own wellness business, Vicki Tree Yoga & Wellness. 

Positive Mental Health: “Keeping the Conversation Alive”

Audience: Female (Grade 6 – 12) or Male/Female (Grade 9-12) 1 hour

Brief Description: This candid presentation uses Virginia’s personal stories of a struggle with an eating disorder & depression, along with her epic Virginia Vs Bruce Trail Run, an initiative where she secured the fastest known time for a women to successfully run the entire Bruce Trail (900km + in 13 days) as a platform to open dialogue around positive mental health. Topics pf the presentation include the importance of celebrating success, knee jerk reactions, emotional awareness, finding the “hidden gifts” in uncomfortable disappointments, advocation for yourself & negative self talk to name but a few.

Reach out to Virginia today to connect about your presentation needs.

Lets keep the conversations around Positive Mental Health strong, real, alive and ongoing!

To learn more about Virginia’s background, click here

To contact Virginia for costs of the presentations and available times, please email virginia@vickitree.com

Arrive to Thrive: “imperfectly. perfect. living”

Audience: Adult Male/Female  1 hour

Brief Description:  As an adult, finding balance and managing stress is crucial to finding happiness both inside and outside the workplace. This presentation interweaves three personal stories as a platform to discuss finding your own calm in chaos with a huge focus on positive mental health (celebrating success, knee jerk reactions, emotional awareness, finding the “hidden gifts” in uncomfortable disappointments, advocation for yourself & negative self talk to name but a few). Arrive To Thrive: “imperfectly. perfect. living” uses Virginia’s own 3 personal stories (past depression/eating disorder, Virginia Vs Bruce Trail Run of 900km women’ record of Bruce Trail and the sudden death of her sister) as platforms to discuss the above topics. Focus is on “thriving” by committing to the process, handling stress, believing you can and overcoming obstacles along the way. This is a must see for any staff or adult group and will inspire one to reach for their full potential.

All the presentations are tweaked to suit your audience.

Past Presentations:

Below is an example of some of the locations and audience types for the presentations:

  • Canplas Industries Ltd. Barrie, Ontario: Empower Presentation to their Innovation and Product Development Staff Team

  • Simcoe County District School Board: staff for NTIP and at past Leader Conference

  • Guthrie Elementary School: SCDSB students grade 5 – 8

  • WR Best Elementary School, SCDSB: girls grade 5 – 8

  • Simcoe Catholic School Board: high school grade 9-12 boys and girls

  • Season’s Center For Grieving Children: adults at their yearly conference for wellness

  • WE Unite Women’s Group Oro-Medonte: adults at specialty workshop

  • Girls Empowerment Event, Orillia: adults and children

  • “Authentically You” Girls Workshops Horseshoe Valley: girls age 8 – 12

  • “Thriving With Emotions” Workshops Horseshoe Valley: boys and girls age 8 – 12

  • Yoga Retreat, Horseshoe Valley: adults

  • Various Wellness Retreats, Horseshoe Valley: adults

  • Milton District High School, Halton District School Board: staff 

  • Iroquois Ridge High School: Seminars For Wellness (students and staff)

  • Georgetown High School, Halton District School Board: students

  • Over 15 Catholic and Public Elementary and High Schools in Ottawa (parents, staff and students)

  • Over 20 different presentations in Gatineau, Quebec for high schools and businesses