Earl Lambert
Earl Lambert, one of two inspiring keynote speakers at this year’s Vision Quest Conference & Trade Show, presented on the topic ‘From Vision to Reality’.
Lambert is a seasoned life coach known for his dynamic presentation style that often includes music, magic, hip hop and is always infused with wit and humour. His inspirational storytelling has taken him all over Canada. SAY Magazine found out more about Lambert’s background and his experience working with young people.
“It’s important to help people to recognize the good qualities in themselves. Once they acknowledge that they have a foundation to build from, it can really shift their thinking and their attitude.”
Lambert is Cree/Métis from Papaschase First Nation, Alberta (where Edmonton is now), on his mother’s side and from Fort Vermilion, Alberta (a Métis settlement), on his father’s side. Lambert has worked for many diverse organizations as a Life Coach, facilitator, college instructor and Executive Director for a First Nations not-for-profit organization. While all of these experiences were fulfilling, his most rewarding work has been as a motivational speaker and life coach working with youth, elders, community members and MCing at events all across Canada.
Raised in a single-family home at the level of poverty he endured his fair share of adversity, which he attributes to the multi-generational cycle of destruction created as a result of colonization. He spent much of his childhood in and out of foster care and as a youth in correctional facilities. “I was that kid at one time – in and out of detention centres. I got into trouble and tried to impress the wrong crowd. I was trying to be cool and stand out. Any attention was good attention for me,” says Lambert.
“When I shifted my focus to getting attention in a better way - through education, sports and just being a funny guy - I got the positive attention and acknowledgement I always wanted. I started to believe in myself more and more. I realized how channelling my energy and my gifts in a good way achieved better long-lasting outcomes. That’s when the magic started happening in life.”
In his uplifting presentations, Lambert offers realistic life solutions and through inspiring stories he demonstrates how the choices he made helped him achieve the life he has now. When speaking to youth he explains two types of leaders that one can choose to be. “You are all leaders…” explains Lambert. “But remember, you can lead people in a good way or you can mislead them in a bad way.”
When asked how he knows if he’s had an impact on a youth, or someone attending his seminars, Lambert said, “You know you’ve caught their attention when no one is looking at their cell phone in a crowd of 400+ people,” smiles Lambert. “I know how to connect. I keep everything very real and down to earth. I’ve been where they are and I’ve walked in their shoes.” Find out more at www.earllambert.com.