SPEAKING

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

Together Moving Forward Podcast
KEYNOTE SPEAKER • PODCASTER • LGBTQ ADVOCATE • TRAUMA INFORMED STORYTELLER

Now accepting keynote invitations

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 about real life.
Real pain.
Real healing.
Real identity.
Real pride.
And it changes people.

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 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.

After this keynote, audiences walk away with:
Permission to exist fully and proudly as themselves.
A deeper understanding of trauma, shame, healing, and resilience.
A renewed sense of dignity and self-worth.
Tools to rebuild the relationship with themselves.
HOPE — real, grounded, powerful hope.
A reminder that they are stronger than they ever believed they could be.

Together Moving Forward Podcast
Together Moving Forward Podcast
Together Moving Forward Podcast
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 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.

FIVE POWERFUL STEPS THAT HELPED ME MOVE FROM SURVIVAL TO SELF-LOVE

THE PATH FROM SURVIVAL TO SELF-LOVE

But my story is not only about where I came from. It’s about what I learned along the way.

Through my healing journey, I discovered five powerful steps that helped me move from survival to self-love, self-respect, and pride.

In this keynote, I share these five steps, not as a formula for healing, but as practical tools and reflections that can help you begin moving forward in your own journey.

STEP 1 — RECLAIM WHO YOU ARE
Reconnect with who you truly are beyond shame, fear, and judgment.

STEP 2 — HEAL THE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF
Learn to treat yourself with compassion, protect yourself, and build healthy boundaries.

STEP 3 — YOU ARE NOT MEANT TO HEAL ALONE
Find your people, your community, and the support that reminds you that you are not alone.

STEP 4 — TURN YOUR PAIN INTO PURPOSE
Use what you have learned, your passion, and your voice to create meaning and help others.

STEP 5 — START LIVING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT
Slow down, listen to yourself, honor what you need, and learn to live one moment at a time.

That’s my path from survival to self-love.

Together Moving Forward Podcast

ABOUT STEF VACHON 

Stef Vachon is a proud queer man, husband, father, keynote speaker, former international professional figure skater with over 30 years of experience around the world, and the creator and host of the Together Moving Forward podcast — a platform dedicated to healing, resilience, identity, and empowerment for the LGBTQ+ community.

After surviving years of homophobia, bullying, and abuse, Stef spent decades in survival mode before beginning a powerful healing journey that changed his life. Today, he stands in truth, pride, and self-love — and dedicates his voice to helping others feel less alone and more supported in their own journeys.

He speaks with warmth, honesty, vulnerability, courage, and deep humanity — reminding audiences that healing is possible, identity is beautiful, and we are stronger than we think.

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.

Together, we are moving forward.

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 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.
 
You are not alone in this process.
If the reclaiming letter exercise resonated with you during my keynote, I created something to support you further.

Download my free guide:
THE RECLAIMING LETTER GUIDE
5 Steps to Stop Seeking Validation and Start Honoring Your Truth

This practical and trauma-aware guide will gently walk you through:
How to begin safely.
How to structure your letter.
How to release shame that was never yours.
How to reclaim your dignity.
What to do with the letter afterward.

This is not about confrontation.
It’s about liberation.

Download the Reclaiming Letter Guide
Together Moving Forward Podcast
Together Moving Forward Podcast
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.

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.

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

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