Danielle Campo
Paralympic Gold Medalist
Paralympic Champion & Mental Health Advocate 📍 Windsor, Ontario

Danielle Campo

Finding Your Gold Medal Moments Through Resilience

Danielle Campo McLeod is a Paralympic gold medalist, inspirational speaker, and mental health advocate whose story of resilience has touched lives across Canada. Diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) at age two, Danielle defied all odds to become a world record-breaking swimmer, securing multiple gold medals at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Paralympics.

"When adversity strikes, I don't say why me, I say try me."
Resilience Mental Health Disability Advocacy Workplace Inclusion Leadership
@daniellecampomcleod daniellecampo.com
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About Danielle

Speaker Biography

Danielle Campo McLeod is a decorated, world record holding, Canadian Paralympic swimmer winning more than 17 Paralympic and International medals. From overcoming the effects of muscular dystrophy to international success in the pool and miraculously surviving a life-threatening health scare following childbirth, Danielle's road to wellness is a story of faith, love, courage, survival and triumph.

After retiring from competitive swimming, Danielle transitioned into advocacy and leadership. She has helped to raise over $5 million for neuromuscular disease research as the Director of Culture and Engagement at Muscular Dystrophy Canada. She now serves as the Mental Health Lead at the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, working to improve the well-being of students through an inclusive environment.

In 2024, Danielle took the Speaker Slam® stage, where her powerful speech on resilience and overcoming adversity earned her the title of Inspirational Speaker of the Year. Shortly after, she was honored as a Canada's Walk of Fame National Hero, solidifying her place as a leading voice in Canada's advocacy and motivational speaking space.

As a mother of five, including two children with SMA, Danielle's advocacy is deeply personal. She speaks to inspire others to embrace their struggles and find their gold medal moments.

Awards & Recognition

  • Canada's Walk of Fame National Hero (2024)
  • Inspirational Speaker of the Year (Speaker Slam®, 2024)
  • 17+ Paralympic & International Medals
  • World Record Holder (Paralympic Swimming)

Credentials

  • Mental Health Lead, Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board
  • Former Director, Culture & Engagement, Muscular Dystrophy Canada
  • Raised $5M+ for Neuromuscular Disease Research
  • Author, Coach & Humanitarian

Areas of Expertise

Resilience Mental Health Disability Advocacy Workplace Inclusion Human Connection Leadership Student Wellness Athletic Achievement

Signature Presentations

Keynote Topics

Available as keynotes, workshops, and panel discussions

01
For Corporations, Associations, Healthcare, Education

Unleash Your Inner Resilience

A Transformative Journey of Self-Discovery and Empowerment

Danielle guides audiences through a transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment, teaching them to identify, acknowledge, and own their challenges as a starting block to true resilience. With her inspiring personal story and actionable insights, Danielle emphasizes that facing adversity begins with defining it, putting words to it, and not being afraid of it.

Key Takeaways:

  • Resilience as a Strategic Asset: Harness resilience to drive innovation and long-term success
  • Cultivating a Supportive Culture: Foster an environment where people feel safe to share struggles
  • Passion-Driven Performance: Align personal goals with organizational mission
  • Shifting perspective to see beyond immediate challenges
  • The importance of teamwork, compassion, and mutual respect
02
For Sales Teams, Leadership, Customer-Facing Roles

Connect Before You Collect

The Profound Impact of Authentic Human Connection

Danielle emphasizes the profound impact of authentic human connection in both personal and professional settings. She explores the importance of pausing to genuinely connect with others before pursuing goals or tasks, illustrating how taking a moment to understand and empathize with others can transform simple transactions into memorable and impactful experiences.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prioritize Genuine Interaction: Build trust through truly listening and engaging
  • Empathy and Understanding: Create supportive environments where people feel valued
  • Impact of Small Gestures: Eye contact and sincere greetings create lasting impressions
  • Authenticity in Leadership: Connect with teams on a personal level to inspire loyalty
  • Incorporate connection into daily interactions to create a culture of mutual respect
03
For HR, DEI Teams, Corporate Leadership, ERGs

The 150% Rule: Redefining Inclusion in the Workplace

Essential Insights on Empathy and Adaptability

Danielle offers a profound exploration of what true inclusion means, especially for individuals with disabilities. Drawing from her personal journey as a Paralympic champion living with muscular dystrophy, Danielle reveals the often unseen challenges that individuals with disabilities face daily. This talk emphasizes that while individuals with disabilities often have to give 150% just to reach the starting point of others, the real change needs to happen in the environment around them.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 150% Reality: Understand the extra effort required by individuals with disabilities
  • Empathy and Compassion: Cultivate a more compassionate corporate culture
  • Redefining Inclusion: Shift focus from changing individuals to adapting environments
  • Invisible Challenges: Recognize unseen challenges and how to support effectively
  • Creating truly inclusive workplaces that go beyond physical accommodations

For Media & Event Planners

Press Photos

High-resolution images available for download

Danielle Campo - Professional Headshot
Danielle Campo - With Paralympic Medals
Danielle Campo - Canada's Walk of Fame
Danielle Campo - Speaking Engagement

As Seen On

Media Features

CBC

Featured Guest

CTV

Featured Guest

Global News

Featured Guest

The Social

Featured Guest

Also featured on: Breakfast Television, CP24, Canada's Walk of Fame

Trusted By

Past Clients & Speaking Engagements

Baker Tilly • Rotary • Hiram Walker • University of Windsor • St. Clair College • Small Business Centre • Muscular Dystrophy Canada • Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board • Greater Essex County District School Board • and more

What People Are Saying

Testimonials

"By sharing her challenges and triumphs, Danielle demonstrates that with faith, hope and tenacity there is always a way forward. Her story and her strength are inspiring, as is her desire to make a difference."

Rick Hansen, C.C., O.B.C. Founder, Rick Hansen Foundation

"Danielle joined us for our corporate retreat. Our staff was deeply moved and also highly motivated by her message on resilience, hard work and dedication. Danielle is such an engaging speaker and her message, authenticity and humour really translated to our team."

Baker Tilly Corporate Retreat

"In all my years of attending and hosting different business functions, I cannot think of a time that I was so inspired, and so motivated to achieve more in my life than after hearing Danielle speak."

Anthony Wilson Economic Development Office

Book Danielle for Your Next Event

Ready to bring a powerful message of resilience, mental health, and overcoming adversity to your audience? Contact our booking team to check availability.

Represented by Momentum Speakers Bureau

Rina Rovinelli

Info@SpeakerSlam.org | +1 (416) 669-9152

Request Booking Call: +1 (416) 669-9152

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