KURTIS KRUEGER ”Brilliant. Dedicated. Visionary. Oleg Lougheed is someone you should know. His drive and determination to transform the world through a disciplined approach to positive change is a testament to creating opportunity through sustained action. It is Oleg's unique understanding of action, of how specifically to achieve outcomes, that is extraordinary for someone who thinks on a large scale.”
SEJAL THAKKAR A few months ago, I had the privilege of working with Oleg as a co-facilitator for an event he organized, “Survive to Thrive: Your Past Does Not Determine Your Future.” Oleg is amazing, kind, and generous with his time and knowledge. His presentation was outstanding, engaging, and insightful. Every single moment of his program was carefully crafted and kept the audience engaged and inspired to do more and fear less. Oleg has a natural ability to inspire others to go out and get all that they could get from their personal and professional lives. The attended left the conference excited and armed with great ideas to transform their lives. If you’re looking for someone who is interesting, motivating, and thoughtful then look no further than Oleg for your speaker!
LAURA STALEY Oleg creates a safe, respectful place for conversation that focuses on sharing perspectives by putting voice to our unique stories of overcoming. There are beautiful and inspiring stories of people rising strong through very difficult circumstances, traumas, challenges, and obstacles to become role models who can uplift many. As more people aspire to live from a place of greater internal peace, dignity, and compassion, they can find a warm welcome, a non-judgmental presence, and an intelligent, heart-centered host in Oleg Lougheed. Overcoming Odds remains a place to explore the contents of your character, to discover what you actually value about being alive, and the ways in which healing, transforming, and expressing your essential self contribute to our world. Thank you, Oleg, for creating Overcoming Odds. I highly recommend connecting with Oleg and becoming a part of Overcoming Odds and Courageous Conversations.
JULIA KELLEY I have spent several years working alongside Oleg. I have watched him grow his organization, Overcoming Odds, from a vision to an International community and platform for transformation. I have witnessed Oleg speak in front of hundreds of people on several different occasions. His ability to captivate an audience and engage action is an inspiration to many, myself included. Beyond his public speaking and presentation skills, Over the years, I have watched Oleg craft his leadership, mentorships, and community building skills. He is the perfect example of what's possible when focused on a mission.
DON FORRESTER It is a pleasure for me to make a favorable recommendation concerning Oleg Lougheed. He is a powerful communicator with a compelling story. I have been in the audience when he is presenting and he speaks with confidence and the skillset to effectively connect with his audience. He shares his personal story effectively and he is a source of encouragement to others to do the same. He carries the same enthusiasm and passion over into the pursuit of his personal life. Whether you are sitting across the table from Oleg sharing conversation and a cup of coffee or in an audience surrounded by others, you'll be glad for the investment of your time. Shared time with Oleg will enrich your life.
CASEY BERMAN ”When Oleg asked me to be on the Board of Overcoming Odds, I was honored, inspired and motivated. But that's the type of person Oleg is. He has this unique ability to make everyone around him feel comfortable. He is able to ask the deepest, most difficult and penetrating questions with ease and nonchalance. He also asks it in such a way that he empowers you to be courageous and provide a colorful, authentic answer. He's a leader who rallies people, who makes them feel heard and understood, and can project plan anything to success. In short, he gets stuff done. The other thing about Oleg is he's fearless. Sure, he may sense some doubt here and there, but it doesn't last long. We need more fearless people like Oleg …”
MARLON ALTOE Oleg recently addressed the Toastmasters Group for the New York State Society of CPAs, for which I am the President. I wanted to provide the group with the opportunity to hear accomplished public speaker from different walks of life … He delivered that and some more. Not only did Oleg present beautifully crafted speech, but the subject matter of personal resilience and overcoming adversity …
STEVE GAMLIN As someone who has been in the broadcast world (radio, podcasts, my own radio show) for nearly 30 years, there are two categories who make up 98% of show hosts and formats: 1) thought-provoking conversationalists 2) cookie-cutter paint-by-numbers. I have had the great honor of being part of Oleg Lougheed's 'Overcoming Odds' podcast several times. There's a reason. It's Oleg. Most definitely NOT a cookie-cutter approach (I can't even imagine Oleg in a chef's hat and apron...but I bet it'd make for one heck of an interesting cooking show). On a *daily* basis with his show episodes, messages, videos (etc), he makes me think. And people who make us think, evaluate and define our views on issues and topics deserve respect …
ERICA CURRY I will never forget the first time I learned about Oleg. I was so impressed by his story of resilience and overcoming the odds of his earliest years of life. He was organizing a conference in Michigan and I reached out and asked him if he would consider doing a sister event on the other side of our state. He didn’t hesitate for a moment. He gave me a confident, resounding YES and within 3 months we pulled off an highly impactful experience for 150 people. What impressed me most about Oleg was his vision, his focus, and his trust in me as his collaborating partner despite never meeting me in person until the day before our event. What inspired me the most about Oleg was the way he shares his transformational story with the perfect blend of humility, connectedness, vulnerability and strength. He is on a journey to change the world, one life at a time. Oleg has the dynamic and effective combination of being simultaneously authentic, adaptable, and purposeful. I recommend him without reservation …
NAHLA JAF First I met Oleg in a group meeting, his story tells who he is and his personality tells what type of great young man he is. He has great ability to transform his feelings and emotions for what he believes into a great inspirational poem. I have heard his talks, and speeches during conferences and events I can’t tell enough about his accomplishments and what he is willing to achieve to inspire other youths to make changes in their lives and have an impact on our community. He is a great motivational speaker, gifted interviewer. He has a pure soul with a big mission. He is already on his right path …
ANNE HEFFRON Some people are here visiting the planet, and some people are here to change it. Oleg’s one of the changers. He’s got these big eyes, and he watches everything closely, taking it all in, figuring it all out. Stuff like, how do you survive when life is really difficult? How do you make the most of what you have? How do you make the most of connections? How do you even make connections? The cool thing is that Oleg is also one of those people who was born to stand on a stage and both educate and entertain an audience. His heart is so big people pay attention. They know they are watching someone who has been to places both very dark and very light. You can just see it in Oleg’s face. And you feel so lucky you get to …
NICOLE NICHOLLS ”Thank you so much for your willingness to share your personal story. I feel that one of the most important pieces of moving forward in a positive manner is knowing that we are not alone. For our parents and teens and even staff to hear what you have been through and overcome helps everyone understand that while each situation is unique, we are not alone, other people get it and are there for support. I especially think your message is important for teens and their parents to hear because they often get stuck in this rut of "where will I/my teen end up in life". For them to see and hear how successful you have made your life, given all of your obstacles, is an incredible inspiration! Thank you again!”
SUMMER WATSON Oleg was featured on my live stream podcast a few weeks ago and he was open, engaging, shared his unique and inspiring journey with me and those folks present for the live. I am so impressed by Oleg's authenticity, willingness to share his story, his innate and learned resiliency, his keen sense of self-awareness and his introspective process when considering a question …
SCOTT MASON Powerful but sublime. Brilliant but unpretentious. Substantive but not a walking tome. All of these phrases are perfect descriptors for Oleg Lougheed, but they only begin to capture what he brings to the table as a speaker, leader, and force for good I the world. I have had the pleasure of working with Oleg on several projects and have been truly impressed by the scope of his ambition, his organizational skill, his openness to discussion, and his general executive skillset. When supported by strong visioning skills, top-tier oratorical skills, and a mind of seemingly endless expansiveness, anyone in his orbit quickly feels inspired, motivated, and excited for the future. Spend time working with Oleg, collaborate with him if you can, and above all else, listen to him speak. You'll be inspired …
BRIAN KELLY Oleg Lougheed is one of the most impressive human beings I have met. His personal story is captivating and one you cannot help but connect with at a human level. What makes Oleg particularly compelling and resonant is his ability to connect, uplift and impact others through his story. I marvel at how he has chosen to turn his unique and challenging life circumstances early in life into a mission of servant leadership and impact is truly inspiring to so many. When I first watched Oleg's Tedx talk and researched his story and Overcoming Odds, I was inspired to reach out to explore how I can help. As I have come to know Oleg, he embodies this mission to serve other through Overcoming Odds. This is an all-day, everyday heart-led, journey of purpose, and meaning fueled by curiosity, belief in each person's human greatness and inspiring hope and possibility … I would recommend for speaking engagements around the power of story, overcoming life's challenges to create impact with …
DEANNE PEARSON Oleg has truly turned the challenges in his life into a mission that can inspire people to action and make the world better. It is a privilege to know him, and life-changing to hear him speak about how he overcame the odds. Not only does he define how he changed his own life and survived pain that could have made him bitter or calloused, but he also opens each of the audience members up to their own potential and the potential to help others, especially adoptees. I would highly recommend him as a speaker for any group that needs inspiration from a place of heartfelt experience and truth.
TAWNY KLESZ Orchards Children's Services had Oleg provide a training session for our parents in Post Adoption! He was great! Oleg, was informative, resourceful and kind! He made sure to include everyone and not only tell his story, but listen to the stories of the parents in our program! He provided insight and answered parents questions with poise and understanding. Parents enjoyed Oleg's story and presentation so much that they were asking if he would be available to do a teen support group/training for their families because they felt that his story was so relatable and encouraging. It was nice to have someone presenting who was extremely inclusive with the group! Definitely would recommend him …
MICHAEL PARISE Oleg Lougheed is one of those rare individuals whom you think you'd love to meet AND, once meeting him, you discover how fulfilling this meeting is. It propels one into a deep desire for an ongoing friendship to share mutual experiences and insights. I enjoyed his interviewing style: engaging, wonderfully unexpected, and vulnerable. And so he invoked the same in me. I loved how he delved into my life and allowed me to express the joys and sorrows of a guy who loves to live outside the box, who can be crazily humorous and humorously crazy, and who loves to delve into the real reasons we humans are as we are. Oleg's profound wisdom for his age speaks to all of us in ways that help us rediscover the beauty of being unique and gifted individuals.
