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Camilla ThompsonManaging Director | Select Wellness

“I have had the pleasure of working with Matthew for 4 years and I say pleasure because he truly is a wonderfully
special human being. I have listened to his talks many times and I always get something out of them, he has true
gift of connecting with audiences more than any other speaker I have worked with before. Matthew is our number
one booked speaker at Select Wellness, our clients love him as do their employees.
His drawings help to illustrate his stories which come from the heart, he is real, raw and very funny!
People leaves his talks spell bound, inspired, soothed and comforted. Most importantly they leave with sense of
hope, hope that they get through whatever challenges they may be facing.
Matthew brings some much needed lightness and humour to mental health and wellbeing, he is very relatable and
approachable.”

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Valencia ShunmugamHealth & Wellbeing Advisor | Sydney Metro

“Matthew delivered his talk via live stream, he was so engaging and we received many positive responses to his talk.
His real life experiences are what brought the message through so eloquently. He has the unique ability to make complex subjects simple to understand through his beautiful illustrations and stories. In a time like this his message was so pivotal to our employees to use adverse events as opportunities to learn, grow & develop.”

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Suzie ReiderManaging Director Brand Solutions | Google

“Matthew was brought in to start each day, during a 2 day executive master class in digital brand building in New York.
Matthew engages audiences big and small with his incredible warmth and authenticity as he shares his own story and helps the room ground in a bit of peace and mindfulness. His illustrations are simple and powerful and add visual stimulation. Matthew has so much to share.”

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Jack MortlockCommercial Director | Tonic Health Media

“If there was one observation I had to make about Matthew Johnstone during the 16 talks he delivered to media buyers and planners for Tonic Health Media, it would be this: no-one looked at their phone, not one; they were all mesmerized.
Matt tells stories and connects with people in a way I have never seen before. His visuals and words affect people in different and unique ways. We’ve had wonderful feedback on how some of our clients have changed and improved certain work practices while others have taken up meditation and breathing exercises.
I could not be more emphatic in my recommendation of Matthew’s services.”

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Helen SilverAO Chief GM Workers Compensation | Allianz

“Matthew is an inspirational speaker and an equally inspiring person. His passion for increasing awareness and understanding of mental health issues, building resilience and learning how to stress less is infectious. He had our audiences not just enthralled but up and sharing their own experiences - something that doesn't always happen in corporate settings. His story telling ability both verbally and through his beautiful artworks is utterly engaging and he somehow makes very complex and difficult issues seem simple and entertaining. He shines a light at the end of a dark tunnel many people are stuck in; encouraging important ‘mentally healthy’ conversations.
I highly recommend Matthew for any speaking engagement.”

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Lucinda MaunsellManager | Strategy & Resilience | Sydney Water

“I’d like to thank you for presenting to the Sydney Water Corporate Strategy Team, sharing your personal experiences, insights and advice on resilience and wellbeing. The content of your presentation is certainly relevant to both the work environment and to peoples personal lives. My colleagues provided me with very positive feedback following your presentation including: “I could have listened to Matthew for hours”, “Matthew’s presentation was certainly the highlight of the day”, “Matthew is an amazing presenter” and “the use of imagery makes it so easy to remember his messages”. Thank you for being so generous with your time, advice and information.”

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Anna LissamanDirector of People & Talent | TVNZ

“Matthew presented an open session for over 150 of our TVNZ team about stress – how to understand it and how to learn to ride the wave and keep things in perspective. Matthew’s warm, brave, humorous and authentic approach in sharing his personal experiences really resonated with our team. He engaged the audience in a way that got them sharing. What I personally liked the most was Matthew’s welcoming and matter-of-fact manner and clear desire to get people to open up a conversation where they may have once feared to walk.
We look forward to welcoming Matthew back to TVNZ very soon.”

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Jodie StewartTransition Centre Manager | Holden

“Matthew is the ultimate professional who took the time to learn about his audience and their circumstance which resulted in a perfectly tailored presentation that resonated with our employees in a time of stress.
I continue to receive great feedback weeks after from people who he touched with his story and advice. Thanks for caring so much Matt, you made our night so successful and positive.”

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Linda GilbertSenior Health Advisor | HQS Commission

“The New Zealand Health Quality & Safety Commission invited Matthew to be the keynote speaker at a national symposium in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland.
His insights, illustrations and influence enabled the Commission to promote consumer participation and co-design messages nationally.
The evaluations from all three symposia provide the evidence to support Matthew’s expertise. He was by far the top presenter. Using humour, design and authenticity he managed to engage, and challenge the audience. We are very grateful to Matthew and can recommend him highly. He is just the ticket for anyone with the desire to open minds, promote health, wellness and resilience.”

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Mitchell TaylorChapter Chairman | YPO Gold

“Our survey rated your presentation at 9.7/10 which is outstanding. I will certainly recommend you to our YPO regional organisers for future events. Thanks again for presenting and making it such a memorable night.”

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Sjolke BoomsmaSafety Operations Manager | CSR

“Matthew you have helped our business to start stripping away at the stigma that surrounds mental illness by changing our thinking and creating awareness. You have introduced our people to parallel thinking and looking at life a little differently.
You have touched the hearts and minds of our people, particularly through your illustrations. Your drawings are some of the best we have come across, and having experienced your talks first hand, these visuals come to life and complement each topic seamlessly.
Your talks around ‘Resilience’ and ‘Stress Less’ are exceptional, and very well received by all of our employees. We love your tips are all real methods that our people can use day to day - the positive feedback continues to flow in.
We look forward to utilise your services further in the future.”

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Olivia Sarah-Le LacheurHead of Life Distribution | CommInsure

“Inspiring. Thought provoking. Impactful. Funny.
When Matthew Johnstone walks onto a stage and his breathtaking illustrations fill the screen, silence descends on the audience.
Whether in a room of 100 or 500, Matt engages each as an individual. Through his imagery, he translates complex issues such as mental health, wellbeing, mindfulness, resilience and stress into easy to understand and memorable concepts.
On one of my recent sponsored, road shows, Matt averaged a 4.5 out of 5 rating which I think says it all. I am delighted to recommend Matt as a 'must have' speaker at your next event.”

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Paul HeptonstallSenior NRL Welfare & Education Manager

“On behalf of the NRL, I would like to thank you for your time in presenting part of the 2 day Mental Health First Aid course to over 50 employees.
The professional manner in the way you delivered the content and structure of the program was excellent and your ability to engage other experts in their field made the program very relevant to our industry. The feedback we have received from all who attended has been overwhelming and I think it is fair to say that the course definitely opened everyone’s eyes and has encouraged them to broaden the understanding of Mental Health and Well Being issues at their own clubs and organisations.
I am happy to be a referee for any prospective organisation wanting to engage Matthew as a speaker.”

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Professor Gordon ParkerFounder of the Black Dog Institute | AO recipient

“I have heard many people present over the years and I put Matthew in the highest echelon for a number of reasons.
Firstly, he is a superb communicator – both in ‘connecting’ with the audience and in delivering a focussed ‘message’. Secondly, as a speaker and as an illustrator, he has a unique capacity to communicate a positive and empathic message to the complex topics that he addresses. I have now observed Matthew in approximately twenty presentations and remain of the view that he is one of the best presenters that I have heard over time. His books have been distinguished by having a seemingly universal ‘impact’ on the readers – again attesting to his consummate capacity to communicate.”

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Norman GillespieCEO | UNICEF Australia

“There is more wisdom and insight into the human condition by spending 45 minutes with Matthew Johnstone than a lifetime of browsing self-help books.
Matthew’s vibrant personality and ability to draw on a wealth of anecdotes and metaphors, using his incredible illustrations, ensures his audience feel he understands and speaks directly to them.
If your organisation wants to reframe an issue, change entrenched perceptions or to inspire new thinking, I recommend you engage Matthew Johnstone as a key speaker at your next team meeting or event.”

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Melissa IngramOperations Manager | Elysia Health Retreat

“Matthew Johnstone has delivered many talks and held several retreats at Elysia. The feedback from guests attending his sessions has been outstanding, offering praise for Matthew’s compassionate and creative delivery of information around mental health and wellbeing. His work complements Elysia beautifully. I am delighted to highly recommend Matthew as an author and speaker.”