“Stéfan’s desert adventures have taught us all about overcoming adversity and how to beat the bad news and win. This book is a manual on focus. A must read.”
—Jim Warrington, Executive Director, NABS Canada
“... inspiring from start to finish.”
—Chris Wood, Chairman, GBO Inc.
“Your life is what you choose it to be. Reflecting this philosophy, Stéfan provides an excellent reminder that anything is possible when you choose to put your soul into it and refuse to fail.”
—Howard Breen, President HBideation, author of A page from a CEO’s Diary
“This incredible story was highly motivational and had a significant impact on my life. Seeing what Stéfan was able to accomplish once he put his mind to it made my personal goals seem much easier to achieve. If you are looking for a way to inspire your team, this presentation will do it!”
—David Civiero, CEO, The Link-Line Group of Companies
“A unique and entertaining perspective on issues and realities we are facing in our business lives, presented in a practical and engaging format. Our teams will apply several learnings from Stéfan’s presentation in both their personal and professional challenges.”
—Andy Querin, President, KB Media
“I have heard Stéfan’s story a number of times and never cease to be amazed. His story inspires me as a leader, inspires me as a manager, and inspires me as a human being. I learned from his presentation and it has encouraged me to step up my game physically and mentally. I have now signed up for a race of my own.”
—Patrick Sullivan, VP & General Manager, ComFree
“We had the privilege of having Stéfan speak to our team during a company-wide meeting. It had been a fast-paced, challenging two quarters at FUSE where our team was feeling the obstacles of agency life (growth, change, client demands, etc.).Gobi Runner is about finding courage to face life’s obstacles and Stéfan’s approach to pushing your own personal boundaries was very gripping. He delivered his speech in far more of a story-telling approach than a speech – an approach that was welcoming, humble, and engaging for the entire team. The story of his journey was filled with a mix of big, life-changing discoveries contrasted against minute and humorous observances from the road … all connecting back to real-life business learning. When he finished he had our team wanting more. I’d welcome him back any day.”
—Stephen Brown, President, FUSE Marketing Group
“As a long-time friend of Stéfan, I remember clearly when he threw down the gauntlet and said he was going to do this incredible run for a great cause. He accomplished a nearly impossible feat, dealing with everything from excitement, trepidation, and mental and physical pain to get to his goal. Simply inspiring.”
—Sean Shannon, Managing Director, Expedia Canada/Latin America/Australia/New Zealand
“Within us all survives that child with the ‘crazy’ dreams and ‘unreasonable’ ambitions. May we all, like Stéfan in this book, allow that child to flourish.”
—Mehmet Danis, winner, Atacama Desert Crossing
“Gobi Runner is highly motivating and makes one realize that virtually anything is possible with focus, determination, and a passionate commitment to achieving a goal. There are numerous lessons here for anyone who is fortunate enough to hear Stéfan’s story.”
—Kevin Young, President, Armtec
“Gobi Runner brought some perspective to what adversity really means in a year when all of us have had our share of difficult situations to deal with. What Stéfan delivered was more than I could have ever have expected. The life lessons that he communicates in his presentation are applicable to all ages, levels, and walks of life. Our team walked away inspired, motivated to do more personally and professionally, and in awe of what one person can do if they set their mind to it. I would highly recommend that you invest the time in your people.”
—Brent Lowe-Bernie, President, comScore
“Stéfan has pushed the boundaries and found his new ‘normal’ while continuing to lead his business and family. In so doing he has inspired me to reach a little higher and consider the ways I can achieve my personal adventures.”
—Shaun Francis, CEO, Medcan Health Management
“All leaders can draw from Stéfan’s presentation. From the depths of one’s being is where leadership, courage, and determination are born.Gobi Runner is awe inspiring!”
—Craig Campbell, CEO, Total Security Management
“Sharing the story with us was nothing short of ‘ultimate inspiration.’ Thank you! You made us proud to be associated with you.Gobi Runner invokes a certain spirit in all of us.”
—Sam Chebib, CEO, Nightingale
“Gobi Runner reveals numerous insights for me about a close friend and business partner of the past 25 years. What the book does not reveal is the positive transformation that Stéfan’s quest had on Mandrake the company. Stéfan’s ultramarathon in the desert created a sense that no task in the office was impossible.”
—David Smith, Managing Partner, wwwork!com, and Partner, Mandrake
“Stéfan teaches us that perseverance, combined with proactively managing one’s own mind and expectations, while holding fast to an inner belief in one’s inherent ability to reach one’s full potential, breeds incredible (and often surprising) positive results. In a word, Stéfan is inspirational. He exemplifies a profoundly successful approach to life.”
—Daphne Bykerk, Partner, Mandrake
“Although I resisted the invitation to join Stéfan on his first desert run (and each one since!), as a work colleague and a friend I have seen the commitment that Stéfan has brought to these projects. It takes courage to do what he is doing and I have heard the stories of the 2 a.m. training runs and the injuries from him firsthand. Few of us would have foreseen, three years ago, how Stéfan would use his experience to inspire the community by turning it into a fundraiser, a presentation, and now a book.”
—Michael Gate, Partner, Mandrake
“Gobi Runner takes you on a roller coaster ride that is hugely inspirational while retaining a vulnerable personal touch that we should all be able to relate to as we reach for our own personal and corporate goals. Stéfan shares his quest with others so they, too, can be inspired.”
—Bruce Levitt, CEO, Levitt-Safety Limited
“I followed Stéfan’s blog during his journey across the Gobi and was truly inspired on a daily basis by reading what he was going through. His presentation on his emotional and physical journey will captivate your imagination and touch your spirit. Perhaps it will even ignite an inner flame to accomplish the impossible.Gobi Runner illustrates what humans are capable of achieving; it is a great vehicle for motivating individuals and teams.”
—Sandra Hokansson, President and Country Manager, Adecco
“Stéfan’s presentation describes his intense personal experience in conquering his challenges and fears in the Gobi Desert, but for the audience it is much more than an adventure travelogue. Rather, through Stéfan’s powerful story journey of self-discovery, we see a real-life metaphor for our own search for meaning and purpose in our personal and professional lives as we seek to find our own Gobi