Jason Dorland
Keynote Speaker: High Performance Coach & Former Olympic Rower for Canada
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Travels From:
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Speaking Fee:
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Categories:Peak Performance, Olympic Athlete, Athlete, Sports, Author, Personal Growth, Mindset, Emotional Intelligence, Empowerment, Success, Human Resources, Corporate Culture, Business Leadership, Leadership, TED, Extreme Sports, Change Management, Mental Health, Motivational, Sports Motivation, Teamwork & Teambuilding
Jason Dorland Biography
Jason Dorland was born into a rowing family. He spent his high school years rowing at Ridley College in Ontario before continuing his passion at university. Once on the Canadian National Team, he set his sights on the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.
As defending Olympic Champions, the Canadian men’s eight was expected to defend that title or, at the very least, medal. They didn’t. Instead, they finished dead last in the final.
Decades later, Dorland defines that experience and the troubled years that followed as the greatest gift he ever received. “It changed everything for me. Up until that moment, I was all about the prize. Now, I get it—how we travel our life’s journey is more important than where that journey leads us.”
After earning his degree in Graphic Design from The Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Dorland helped start an organic food business in 1996 that still operates today in Vancouver, British Columbia. He then returned to university, receiving his degree in Education before entering the teaching profession, where he taught and coached high school for fifteen years. In ten years of coaching rowing, Dorland’s crews earned 12 international championship titles.
Furthermore, Dorland has written three books: "Chariots & Horses—Life Lessons From an Olympic Rower," "Pulling Together—A Coach’s Journey to Uncover the Mindset of True Potential," and his third, most recent book, a novel, "IKE: The Dog Who Saved a Human."
Dorland and his wife, Robyn Meagher, an Olympic middle-distance runner, married in 2001 and live in Victoria, British Columbia, with their family -- rescue dogs included! They are now pursuing their passion for utilizing the many lessons they’ve taken from their Olympic and professional journeys to support others in pursuing their health and highest potential while living a life where they thrive!
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Jason Dorland and other top speakers and celebrities.
Jason Dorland Speaking Topics
Jason Dorland spent his entire rowing career consumed in his singular pursuit of an Olympic Gold medal. Throughout that pursuit, he embraced an old-school approach to high performance—aggressive, combative, egoic. As defending Olympic Champions, his crew was expected to repeat. They didn’t; instead, they finished dead last in their final on the day it mattered most. Devastated, Jason retired from rowing and struggled for years to find a new direction and identity.
Eventually set up on a blind date, he met his future wife, Robyn Meagher, an Olympic middle-distance runner. At first, she represented a conundrum for Jason. Her approach to competition was the polar opposite of his. She didn’t race to win medals or hate her competitors; she ran because she loved running.
Years later, Jason returned to coaching and utilized everything he had learned from Robyn. He was determined to instill in his athletes a different approach to high performance, one that embraced LOVE as a competitive strategy—love for self, rowing, teammates, and your competitors! The results were nothing short of astounding; in ten years of coaching, Jason’s crews won 12 international championships.
Jason shares his humbling journey with humor and lived perspective. In this talk, he will share research on love and its impact on motivation and our capacity to perform at our best. He will also explore your “LOVE Score” and why this simple self-assessment is so important when determining the opportunities for growth in ourselves and those we lead.
As an elite rower, Jason Dorland was taught that the best strategy for dealing with failure was to “give himself a swift kick in the backside” and keep going. And, for the most part, it worked—until it didn’t.
After a devastating loss at the Olympics, Jason used his tried-and-true method to get back in the game. Revenge and retribution fueled his self-imposed “whipping stick.” Eventually, the stick Jason used to push himself broke, as did he.
He struggled with depression, anxiety, OCD behaviour and an eating disorder. Struggling back from that dark place, Jason exchanged his old tactics for something new—the power of self-compassion.
In this talk, Jason will share research on self-compassion and its surprising efficacy in supporting and sustaining high performance. Learn how kindness to self and others can fuel your goals in ways you may have never thought possible.
Jason Dorland Videos
How do I book Jason Dorland to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Jason Dorland for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Jason Dorland, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Jason Dorland or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Jason Dorland for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Jason Dorland, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jason Dorland, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Jason Dorland speak about?
Jason Dorland is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Peak Performance, Olympic Athlete, Athlete, Sports, Author, Personal Growth, Mindset, Emotional Intelligence, Empowerment, Success, Human Resources, Corporate Culture, Business Leadership, Leadership, TED, Extreme Sports, Change Management, Mental Health, Motivational, Sports Motivation and Teamwork & Teambuilding.
Where does Jason Dorland travel from?
Jason Dorland generally travels from Victoria, Canada and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Jason Dorland?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Jason Dorland for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Jason Dorland for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Jason Dorland or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Jason Dorland is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Peak Performance, Olympic Athlete and Athlete. The estimated speaking fee range to book Jason Dorland for live events is $10,000 - $20,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Jason Dorland generally travels from Victoria, Canada and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Vince Poscente, Robyn Meagher and Jason Dorland and Adam Markel. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Jason Dorland for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Jason Dorland Speaking Topics
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LOVE as a Competitive Strategy
Jason Dorland spent his entire rowing career consumed in his singular pursuit of an Olympic Gold medal. Throughout that pursuit, he embraced an old-school approach to high performance—aggressive, combative, egoic. As defending Olympic Champions, his crew was expected to repeat. They didn’t; instead, they finished dead last in their final on the day it mattered most. Devastated, Jason retired from rowing and struggled for years to find a new direction and identity.
Eventually set up on a blind date, he met his future wife, Robyn Meagher, an Olympic middle-distance runner. At first, she represented a conundrum for Jason. Her approach to competition was the polar opposite of his. She didn’t race to win medals or hate her competitors; she ran because she loved running.
Years later, Jason returned to coaching and utilized everything he had learned from Robyn. He was determined to instill in his athletes a different approach to high performance, one that embraced LOVE as a competitive strategy—love for self, rowing, teammates, and your competitors! The results were nothing short of astounding; in ten years of coaching, Jason’s crews won 12 international championships.
Jason shares his humbling journey with humor and lived perspective. In this talk, he will share research on love and its impact on motivation and our capacity to perform at our best. He will also explore your “LOVE Score” and why this simple self-assessment is so important when determining the opportunities for growth in ourselves and those we lead.
-
Self-Compassion: It’s Tougher Than You Think!
As an elite rower, Jason Dorland was taught that the best strategy for dealing with failure was to “give himself a swift kick in the backside” and keep going. And, for the most part, it worked—until it didn’t.
After a devastating loss at the Olympics, Jason used his tried-and-true method to get back in the game. Revenge and retribution fueled his self-imposed “whipping stick.” Eventually, the stick Jason used to push himself broke, as did he.
He struggled with depression, anxiety, OCD behaviour and an eating disorder. Struggling back from that dark place, Jason exchanged his old tactics for something new—the power of self-compassion.
In this talk, Jason will share research on self-compassion and its surprising efficacy in supporting and sustaining high performance. Learn how kindness to self and others can fuel your goals in ways you may have never thought possible.
VIDEO
Jason Dorland Videos
BOOKS
REVIEWS
Jason Dorland Reviews
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“Jason’s presentation was both inspiring and thought-provoking. His unique perspective on life and leadership is one that most definitely speaks to success within the very real context of our greater human journey.”
Freedom 55 Financial, London Life Insurance - May 25 2025 -
"Jason’s message is powerful. It underlines hope and optimism to create a better world through the valuing of human relationships and love rather than power, money, status, or success. While it highlights a different way to compete in sport, it transfers into any arena of life—home, business, and play. It challenges one to live differently.”
Independent Schools Association of British Columbia - May 25 2025
FAQS
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How do I book Jason Dorland to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Jason Dorland for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Jason Dorland, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Jason Dorland or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Jason Dorland for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Jason Dorland, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jason Dorland, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Jason Dorland speak about?
Jason Dorland is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Peak Performance, Olympic Athlete, Athlete, Sports, Author, Personal Growth, Mindset, Emotional Intelligence, Empowerment, Success, Human Resources, Corporate Culture, Business Leadership, Leadership, TED, Extreme Sports, Change Management, Mental Health, Motivational, Sports Motivation and Teamwork & Teambuilding. -
Where does Jason Dorland travel from?
Jason Dorland generally travels from Victoria, Canada and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Jason Dorland?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Jason Dorland for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Jason Dorland for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Jason Dorland or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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Speakers Similar to Jason Dorland
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