Joannie Rochette

At the 2010 Winter Olympics, Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette captured the hearts of a nation when she won the bronze medal just days after the tragic loss of her mother. Her remarkable display of resilience, focus, and grace under pressure earned her the honor of being Canada’s flag bearer for the closing ceremonies and co-recipient of the Vancouver 2010 Terry Fox Award, recognizing her determination and humility in the face of adversity. Rochette inspires audiences by sharing candidly about overcoming challenges, pursuing your dreams, and embracing resilience in every aspect of life.

Rochette first laced up her skates just shy of her second birthday, quickly demonstrating her natural talent. She won the Canadian novice and junior titles before claiming her first Canadian senior crown in 2005, becoming the first female skater to secure national titles across all levels. Internationally, Rochette earned 11 medals on the ISU Grand Prix circuit and three medals at the Four Continents Championships, with her Olympic debut in 2006 exceeding expectations as she finished 5th overall.

Beyond competitive skating, Rochette is a committed humanitarian, working with organizations such as World Vision and Right to Play, and supporting campaigns like iheartmom at the University of Ottawa, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Montreal Heart Institute, and the Bruny Surin Foundation. She has also lent her voice to the French version of Disney’s animated film Planes and is a long-standing performer with Stars on Ice.

Rochette’s pursuit of excellence continues off the ice: she graduated with a medical degree from McGill University in 2020 and is currently completing her residency in anesthesiology at the University of Montreal. Her extraordinary journey as an athlete, humanitarian, and medical professional makes her a compelling and motivational speaker for audiences of all ages, inspiring individuals to embrace resilience, perseverance, and personal growth.

Overcoming Adversity

Six-time Canadian Champion, World Medallist, and Olympic Medallist Joannie Rochette tells the inspiring story of her rise to global success in figure skating. Joannie describes the team work, passion, and competitive nature that she needed to rise to the top, as well as the obstacles she has had to overcome in her sport, including the tragedy that defined her Bronze Medal win at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.