“Tara and I really enjoyed your panel discussions last night. All the speakers were awesome and very inspiring. Great job! I wish MYAA had made it mandatory for coaches to attend. Thank you.”
Mary Jo De Spirito, Parent, Kevin Touhey & Friends Event Attendee
“Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your work tonight, great messages from all!! Well Done!
Thanks again.”
Gary Hoffman, Parent, Kevin Touhey & Friends Event Attendee
“Kevin,
My husband, daughter and I loved your speakers and seminar last night. My husband couldn't get over what a great speaker you are. He had never heard you in front of an audience before and his first comment after you wrapped it up was, ‘That guy really speaks from the heart.’ (I) wanted you to know how much we all enjoyed listening and learning and look forward to reading your book one day. Hopefully we will see a major shift in thinking from parents and students alike and all of us learn from your words of wisdom.”
Kyle Koszowski, Parent, Kevin Touhey & Friends Event Attendee “All of us run around trying to do too much and therefore are ineffective in a lot of the areas in our lives. What Kevin has been able to do is to ask us, ‘What are the major objectives? And how can you stay focused on those major objectives and try to relieve guilt that comes with not being able to be successful in every single area?’ Second and probably most important, it allowed us to make decisions as a team so that we understood what the important objectives were. Then, in our individual areas of responsibility, we were able to make similar decisions that moved the team forward.”
Dave O’Brien, Drexel University Athletic Director
“Our leadership is OUTSTANDING. Tough loss this weekend - too many missed opportunities. We had them, but we were hoping instead of truly believing! But our character/leadership, our demeanor on Sunday and yesterday at practice is unbelievable.
Great TEAM CHEMISTRY!”
Dan Garrett, Kean University Head Football Coach
“The players said it was just a great 3 hour program. One of our seniors said you gave the best presentation he has ever heard in his 3 years here. Kevin, the entire program, coaches included look forward to your return for summer camp.
You are to heart related performance enhancement what Bill Walsh was to the West Coast Offense when he was with the 49ers. People will seek you out in droves.”
R.E."Rocky" Hager, Northeastern University Head Football Coach
"These meetings are what we need to get to that level that you want us to be at. This man is truly amazing. I think we should record the sessions and have the team watch them so we can all be on the same page.”
Kareem Johnson, Kean University Junior Linebacker
“Just wanted to thank you for Sunday. I thought the talk was great! I heard everything you said and I needed to hear some of the things you said that no one would say to me. They are making me become a better coach in order to reach them with the hopes that they can reach their potential and realize their dreams.”
Michele Sharp, Kean University Head Women’s Basketball Coach
“When you get a moment - please stop by the office here at Cherokee. I am in your debt and I want to tell you how grateful I am that you have helped this program the last 4 years. You are the real deal.”
PJ Mehigan, Cherokee High School Football Coach
“The girls talk about your lessons every day. Thank you for your time effort and support you have given to the girls’ varsity softball team and me over the last three years.”
Paula Escadero, Shawnee High School Head Softball Coach
“I think what Kevin was able to do is truly amazing. He was able to communicate to the team that success comes to teams who learn to overcome incompatibility. That true success comes when individual goals are reflective of team goals. And that the whole team did not have to be friends in order to win. It was OK if they were not all compatible.”
Tim Gushue, Shawnee High School Football Coach
“I am not exactly sure what Kevin does in those sessions that are team only. I just want him to keep it up because it works!”
Brian Anderson, Shawnee High School Baseball Coach
“I just wanted to say thanks for coming to our match on Friday. The team was very excited to see you there. I have to tell you, you made a strong impression on the team. After you left they held a self initiated discussion about your presentation. I love the point you make about all other things being insignificant and competition being the focus. I believe I have said this to them before just not so eloquently.
Respectfully…”
Pat Senft, Cherokee High School Volleyball Head Coach
“Again, thanks for your time at the fall open house. You did a superb job. Your presentation style was what we needed for the opening part of the day. We all liked the way you connected the high school, Kean University and the alumni. Everything came full circle for an exciting and fun opening. You truly raised Kean, yesterday!”
Valerie Winslow, Kean University Director, Office of Student Life and Leadership Development
“Hey Coach T!
I just wanted to let you know everything is going great...Tennis is unbelievable! I can’t believe how well these tools have worked for me every time I step out onto the court. I just get my mind in a zone where I focus on my tennis and it seems as if nothing could stand in the way. Every point is its own separate point now and that helps me to believe in myself and know that I can play out there for hours if that is what it takes to win.
Take care and see you soon!”
Lauren Edelshein, Rutgers University Tennis Player
“There is no-one who does what Coach Touhey does to prepare athletes to perform…period”
Lauren Edelshein, the Elite Wilmoor School of Gymnastics speech to gymnasts on July 15, 2006
“Coach Touhey-Wow! I really think that attitude breathing stuff works! Since you emailed me and coached me on the technique I've been doing it a lot and I feel like it really works. I've been playing better and I've been having much more success. The game is fun again because I'm able to block out all the negatives and play the game the way I can play it. I've been bumped to the number one spot in the rotation and I've been hitting the ball very well.
Thanks a lot.”
Sean Doolittle, University of Virginia Baseball Player, 2006, ACC Player of the Year. Finalist National Player of the Year, 2006, Oakland A’s Minor League Player
“Well, Mr. Touhey,
It finally got here. I must say I can't thank you enough for working with me these past few months; maybe I should just say years. I wouldn't be where I am now; Lord knows where I would be, or what state of mind I'd be in. You truly are one of the most special people in my life and I'm blessed to have met you. I consider you family. Please believe me when I say I do have full trust in your tools, I really do. My ego, however, (like you said it would) gets in the way. Even today I used my breathing techniques and I know they work. I feel like I don't have so much pressure and weight on me.
I just wanted to let you know how much you mean to me and my family. You're changing people’s lives everyday and helping them cope with everyday situations. I hope that one day I can have an effect on people the way you do. Take care Mr. Touhey. And thank you again.”
Anonymous
“Hey Coach,
I find my self doing your techniques a lot, even if I don't set aside time to do it. I'll do it in practice, meetings, film review, etc. Anytime I feel uncomfortable I try to do it. Just telling myself to breath is such a big help, I can't believe it sometimes. “
Luke Bonus, Hofstra University Football, Conference Rookie of the Year 2006
“Hey Coach
... I constantly heard 'win the next play, blow up the negatives and have fun.' It was soo amazing. I did think about what you’ve told us a lot during the games and I feel that it has helped me clear my mind from the negatives that haunt me. Thank you for making my senior year more enjoyable and memorable.”
Anonymous
“I can’t thank you enough for all you've helped me with thus far.”
Johanna Hedler, Kean University Softball Team Senior Captain
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“Kevin was a breath of fresh air and a reminder to us all of what is really important in our careers and lives in general; the why of what we do what we do.”
Teadora Lewis, Teacher, Gibbsboro School District
“Hi Kevin,
Thank you so much for coming in on Friday. I think the students, as well as myself, really gained something from the meaning of your presentation and you set such a happy, positive tone for our day. It was amazing how at that exact moment when you asked if we felt the happiness in the air, that I was thinking that same thought! Thank you again for volunteering your time to come into our class.”
Danielle, Third Grade Teacher, the Allen School
“Hi Kevin,
The feedback has been wonderful as many of my staff have contacted me to say that they are looking at ‘things’ differently. And, I have to admit that I am one of them. Again, thank you for the work you do and agreeing to come to Gibbsboro—it does make a difference.”
Dr. James Lavender, Superintendent, Gibbsboro School District
"Jim, I want to say a big THANK YOU for bringing Kevin to our school! What a wonderful speaker he was.
Remembering the, 'why’ we are teaching children is the key to coming to work everyday with a good attitude and positive perspective."
Becky, Teacher, Gibbsboro School District
"Jim that was one of the best in-services I've been to in all these years of teaching. I really liked Kevin Touhey. He was real and the message was awesome. Thanks."
Kathy, Teacher, Gibbsboro School District
"Jim & Kristen, I just wanted to be sure to take a moment and thank you both for our workshop on Friday with Kevin. It was so refreshing to have a workshop like that. So often we have in-services that help us to improve our skills, do our job better, work harder, etc. Kevin's workshop was actually inspiring. I found it, personally, to allow me to be a better person and to feel better about myself."
Amy, Teacher, Gibbsboro School District
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“I recently heard Mr. Touhey speak at AFLAC's state kick off and I could not have been more impressed. I have seen many motivational speakers and Mr. Touhey ranks up there with the greats. I was filled with so much inspiration and motivation during his speech that I could not wait to get out and make a difference the next morning. I have read his new book, The Miracle of Optimism, twice and have marked pages for those mornings that I need an extra little boost. We can all learn from his experiences and his wisdom and the world would be a better place if we all did.”
Michael, AFLAC Employee
“Kevin, I wanted to thank you for your speech at the Fox Cable sales meeting. It was FANTASTIC!”
Brad Jacobs, Account Executive, National Geographic Channel
“On behalf of my team of Fox Cable Entertainment Ad Sales, I want to thank you for the truly spectacular presentation last week in Greenwich.
While my expectations and confidence were high, I can honestly say you exceeded any goal I might have had for the meeting. Your message resonates on so many levels and I was amazed how many people sought me out to share personal feedback and thanks for having you at the meeting. I was exceptionally impressed how you were able to weave a contextual understanding of our business into the whole concept of the Miracle of Optimism. You have a lot of people who will not forget business applications of the Ford Fairlane or Sister Hennessy!
Your personal style is extremely effective in captivating the room. You succeeded in mesmerizing a group of highly competitive Type A personalities for more than 90 minutes…. not an easy task at all! It was a pleasure and an honor to have you at our meeting. I think that sales organizations in many businesses can benefit from your experiences.”
Bruce Lefkowitz, Executive Vice President, Fox Cable Entertainment Networks
“It is so ironic how people come in and out of your life. After beginning my journey back in high school when I first met Kevin Touhey as a student, I ran into him at a parade this past Halloween. I started talking about my career—as I am working with AFLAC now— and I asked about his. I knew for years that he could and should make it as a writer, and he did, which made me ecstatic! When Kevin said he was still doing motivational speaking I knew that I had to ask him to speak at an AFLAC event.
So, back to my boss I went and they agreed to have him as the motivational speaker at our State Kick Off event in early January 2009. It was the best hour of the entire day as we all sat and listened. Not one person got up, left the room or took their eyes off of Touhey. We all cried at one point or another because what he was saying was so inspirational, moving and life-changing.
Touhey had about three standing ovations! We all brought home a signed copy of the best book I have ever read in my entire life…The Miracle of Optimism by Kevin Touhey; an Amazon top seller written and published by a miracle…Mr. Touhey!”
Trisha Scherzer, AFLAC regional recruiter
“I wanted to take a minute to say thank you! On January 5th, you spoke to our entire organization at our annual Kick-off meeting; to say you made an impact would be an understatement. What you accomplished that day with your inspirational talk was nothing short of excellence. I felt as though you had the entire room in the palm of your hands and I could feel the energy. I watched as people edged to the front of their seats as they hung on your every word.
Thanks so much for delivering such a powerful and heartfelt message. You certainly made a memorable impression.”
Lorenzo V. Cutaia, Aflac State Sales Coordinator
