We were pleased to invite Frederick Shegog to Clarion University of Pennsylvania to speak to our campus. Through his presentation our students were encouraged to work through unfortunate circumstances. Frederick used his own past as an example and as a result was able to connect with our students. He was inspiring! Students left Mr. Shegog’s presentation motivated and encouraged.
We look forward to Mr. Shegog returning to Clarion University.
I have known Freddie for two years and have been lucky enough to experience his speaking and the evolution it has gone through in those two years. I have been blessed enough in my career to have multiple people come back as alumni speakers, but Freddie has honestly surpassed my expectations and consistently makes me proud each time he speaks for our facility monthly. Freddie has always been a fantastic speaker, but over the months of coming in as well as him speaking at other facilities, his communication style evolved as well as his rapport and how quickly he can connect with whoever his audience is at that time. Freddie is very dedicated when it comes to his speaking. He also shares a big passion for it, obviously noted in his perseverance to further his speaking engagements and career.
Freddie planted his roots with his speaking at the Keystone Center first. In the beginning, Freddie’s style was sharing a little about his background and then diving right into his current struggles in recovery for a total of about 15 people. Listening to Freddie speak now is so empowering and motivating. I have told him on several occasions over the past year that I feel so good after hearing him speak. Although I may not be able to relate to his sharing on addiction, Freddie’s discussions hit a wide range of topics (family, parenting, friendships, significant others, goal setting) and the energy level he exudes, it is inevitable you will not be affected by it. Freddie’s current style of speaking is very fluid and adaptable to his audience. For example, when he comes to speak now, he first inquires about the current problems in the community and uses this as a way to pay special attention to that point somewhere in his speaking that day. Possibly the most intriguing part of Freddie’s style is his actual tone and volume of his voice. Simply said, it takes people’s attention instead of asking for it, and I feel like as a speaker that is incredibly impressive to do.
Freddie treats his speaking times as a privilege. Two years into his recovery and he does not neglect to talk about the different struggles he faces daily as well as the real rewards he is receiving by doing the right things in hopes other people will grasp on to the “realness” about his story. He also is more than eager to stay and answer any questions after the meeting has ended. His current following here, where his speaking began, has grown from 15 to now 75 people. Freddie has even caught staff attention where they will also come and sit in while he speaks. Everyone looks forward to his monthly speaking visits.
In conclusion, Freddie would be a tremendous asset to have as a part of your facility. I have seen him grow so much personally, academically and professionally over the time I’ve known him. Freddie has already proven his drive by becoming the Founder and CEO of The Message, and I believe he is capable and will continue to do so many more great things.
I have had the pleasure of working with Freddie for the past 2 years. His passion for his work and positive energy is contagious! His wonderful ability to share his story, his insights and connect with others while offering a message of faith, motivation and hope is a natural gift that comes from within him. He is an agent of change in terms of personally impacting others lives but also his mission that recovery must be addressed openly at a societal level. Having an opportunity in meeting with him or him speaking with you or a large group will be something you are grateful to be a part of! He touches lives in a purely unique and authentic way.
Frederick’s presentations should be required on all on college campuses worldwide. He will not only help the students; he will immediately impact the way faculty educate the students. He is an institutional game changer that is setting a dynamic trend needed in today's world. Inspiring, educational, and motivating are the core of what his talents bring to any audience. Frederick is the new standard of hope, leadership, and recovery.
Frederick Shegog is a unique and powerful storyteller combining real-world experience and a solution-focused message that all people impacted by addiction need to hear.
Freddie Shegog delivers a real-life-based message of hope, inspiration, and recovery. His presentation pushes back powerfully against the hopelessness and despair that mark the disease of drug and alcohol addiction. Every word from his mouth is filled with passion, compassion, and commitment to protecting his fellow brothers and sisters from contracting this deadly disease. His life-changing message has been applauded everywhere he speaks. Freddie is a man on a mission, a sacred faith-based mission; he has dedicated his life both to prevention and to bringing hope and recovery to those who are already suffering with the disease.
Frederick's message and dynamic delivery are very empowering to people of all backgrounds. The ability to connect with individuals and groups ranging from teenagers to senior citizens while also enhancing their understanding and ability to address serious societal issues productively are skills that Frederick displays with great ease and precision. Every college and university that enlists Frederick to speak with their students during New Student Orientation, Welcome Week or Weeks of Welcome will have a positive impact on the successful transition and overall experiences of students matriculating at their respective colleges and universities.
Frederick Shegog is innovative, intelligent and engaging. Seeking to disrupt the stigma around addiction, Mr. Shegog pulls from his personal experience to capture his audience to go a step beyond sympathy and promote empathy. As a witness to his prowess as a public speaker, Mr. Shegog inspires his audience to look beyond the circumstances of where someone ends up and see to the heart and potential of people.
To say that Freddy is an inspirational speaker is a complete understatement. He came to speak to my school of “at-risk” teens; those students hung on every word he said. He moved them with his personal story of troubles, hard-work, and triumph. He connected with the students because they too have troubles, and they appreciated having someone they could relate to share his honest story. I asked Freddy to speak for 45 minutes to an hour, worried that my students would get bored, but he could have spoken for much longer, and the students still would have listened intently. Afterwards, the students did not clear out but went to shake his hand and stay behind to speak to him one-on-one! I will be asking Freddy to come back and see my students again in the future. I highly recommend asking Frederick Shegog come speak to your group. He is real. He is honest. He is inspirational.