SPEAKING

From Survival to Self-Love:
How I Finally Learned to Embrace My LGBTQ Identity With Pride — And How You Can Too

KEYNOTE SPEAKER • PODCASTER • LGBTQ ADVOCATE • TRAUMA INFORMED STORYTELLER

Now accepting keynote invitations worldwide

I am Stef Vachon, a proud queer man, husband, father, international figure skating professional, and host of the Together Moving Forward Podcast.

Today, I stand confidently in my truth.
But for most of my life, I didn’t.

My journey includes childhood bullying, homophobia, emotional trauma, years of internalized shame, the loss of self-worth, a long healing process, a powerful reclamation of identity, and finally learning to live with pride, dignity, and self-love.

Now, my mission is simple and deeply human:
To help LGBTQ+ people stop surviving…
and finally learn to truly live.

My keynote is not about theory.
It’s about real life.
Real pain.
Real healing.
Real identity.
Real pride.
And it changes people.

MY KEYNOTE IS A DEEPLY EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE

WHAT THIS KEYNOTE IS ABOUT

My keynote is a deeply emotional, empowering and healing experience designed for:
LGBTQ+ individuals
Mental health & community organizations
Pride events
Youth & community centers
Diversity & inclusion initiatives
Educational institutions
Trauma-informed environments
Anyone supporting LGBTQ lives

This is not a speech about struggle. This is a talk about:
Reclaiming identity
Healing shame
Breaking silence
Building self-love
Restoring dignity
Discovering pride
Turning pain into purpose
Choosing life fully, proudly, openly

MY LIFE DIVIDES INTO FOUR POWERFUL CHAPTERS

THE HEART OF THE TALK
MY STORY

The Before — a confident, joyful boy full of creativity, talent, dreams, and purpose
The During — years of bullying, emotional trauma, fear, shame, anxiety, survival mode, losing myself
The After — beginning therapy, healing, self-respect, boundaries, rebuilding my identity
The Now — becoming a father, reclaiming joy through skating, loving myself, living freely, proudly and fully

This story is not told for sympathy.
It is told for strength.
For truth.
For healing.
For pride.
And it resonates… deeply.

MAIN TRANSFORMATION POINTS AUDIENCES EXPERIENCE¹
During my keynote, audiences learn:
Why so many LGBTQ+ people live in survival mode without realizing it.
How to begin moving from survival to self-love.
How shame is planted in us — and how to uproot it.
How to rebuild identity after trauma.
Why community, representation and belonging literally save lives.
How to reclaim our power and dignity.
How to love ourselves — even when it once felt impossible.

People don’t just listen to this keynote.
They feel it.
They see themselves in it.
They leave lighter, prouder, stronger, and more grounded in who they are.

ABOUT STEF VACHON

Stef Vachon is a proud queer man, husband, father, keynote speaker, host of the Together Moving Forward Podcast, and former international professional figure skater with over 30 years of experience around the world.

After a life marked by bullying, homophobia, emotional trauma and years of survival, Stef began a deep healing journey that led him to reclaim his identity, embrace self-love, and finally live with pride and freedom.

Today, he uses his voice to help LGBTQ+ individuals move from survival to self-love, reminding them:

You are worthy.
You are enough.
And you deserve a life you feel proud to live.

ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL MOMENT

A VERY UNIQUE MOMENT
THE RECLAIMING LETTER

One of the most powerful moments of the keynote is what I call:
The Reclaiming Letter Moment
It is emotional.
It is courageous.
It is healing.
It is transformative.

This moment will make audiences cry, breathe differently, reflect deeply, and reconnect with their worth in a powerful way.
It is the moment where silence breaks.
Where dignity stands tall.
Where self-love becomes real.

WHY ORGANIZATIONS WANT TO BOOK ME
Organizations choose this keynote because it:
Is deeply human
Is trauma-informed
Inspires hope
Builds pride
Supports mental health
Reinforces resilience
Opens meaningful conversations
Strengthens belonging
Aligns with DEI values
Leaves audiences emotionally stronger

This is not entertainment.
This is impact.

ORGANIZATIONS CHOOSE THIS KEYNOTE

WHO THIS KEYNOTE IS PERFECT FOR

LGBTQ+ events & Pride organizations
Mental health & wellness organizations
Schools, universities & student associations
Corporate DEI programs
Nonprofits, community centers & advocacy groups
Conferences & summits
International speaking events

FORMAT OPTIONS
I offer multiple speaking formats depending on your needs:
45–60 minute keynote
75–90 minute extended keynote
Conference talk + Q&A
Workshop + keynote combo
Intimate community talk
In-person or virtual

BOOKING INFO

Based in Montreal, Canada
Available worldwide — in person & virtual
togethermovingforwardpodcast@gmail.com

NOW ACCEPTING KEYNOTE INVITATIONS
Let’s talk about how this keynote can support your audience, your community, or your organization.
Together, we are moving forward.

INVITE ME

SPEAKING

From Survival to Self-Love:
How I Finally Learned to Embrace My LGBTQ Identity With Pride — And How You Can Too

Now accepting keynote invitations worldwide