Believe In You Speaking Panel
Get ready to ignite your school with inspiration! A dynamic motivational speaker from the Varsity Brands Believe In You panel will bring energy, passion, and impactful messages straight to your students. Our panel features an incredible lineup of speakers who share powerful stories of resilience, empowerment, and personal growth. Click each speaker below to learn more about them.
Brandon Buck
BRANDON BUCK
Brandon Buck, founder and CEO of Infinite Strengths, is a distinguished coach dedicated to living by example and guiding others toward personal and professional growth. Brandonâs dedication to leadership development began during his collegiate baseball career at Purdue University. After graduation, he began a career as a high school teacher and coach in Arizona. As the head coach of the baseball team, Brandon emphasized character development over game performance, focusing on shaping young athletes into exemplary men, husbands, and fathers. His approach led to numerous draft picks, collegiate athletes, state championships, and the development of a nationally recognized program. In addition to his achievements on the field, Brandon implemented district-wide leadership programs for students, teachers, and administrators, earning recognition as a Teacher of the Year finalist in Arizona in 2010.
Success, to him, is not something one attains but rather something one embodies. It involves understanding and consistently acting in alignment with oneâs core identity. By striving to become better individuals, we inherently foster improvements in all areas of life, as better individuals contribute to better outcomes and environments. Start Living a Life Without Regret!
Website: https://infinitestrengths.com/
Sandy Zimmerman
SANDY ZIMMERMAN
Sandy was a teacher for 23 years. She is a mother of 3, an inspirational speaker, author of âGet Out of the Carâ, 9-time competitor on NBCâs hit show American Ninja Warrior and became the 1st mom in the showâs history to finish the course and hit the buzzer. Sandy is a 2-time FINA World Champion, 2-time UNAA World Champion, and World Cup Champion. She has appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, CNN Entertainment, E! News, The Huffington Post, and Womenâs Health. In 2022 Sandy was inducted into the National Teacher Hall of Fame. She is a TEDX speaker, national judo champion and played basketball at Gonzaga University. Sandy continues to coach basketball today with the Warriors and travels the country speaking and sharing her story.
Website:Â https://www.sandyzimmerman.co/
YouTube Channel:Â https://www.youtube.com/@sandy.zimmerman
Book:Â https://a.co/d/9pmVyF1
Kaitlin M Roig-DeBellis
Kaitlin M. Roig-DeBellis
Kaitlin M. Roig-DeBellis is the Founder & Executive Director of Classes 4 Classes, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization. Kaitlin founded Classes 4 Classes knowing that positive social change was needed. Classes 4 Classes is a social networking tool for every K-8 student in the United States. Classes 4 Classes has been featured in People, O, Glamour and many other national publications. She started C4C after the devastating events at her school, Sandy Hook Elementary on 12/14/12. Kaitlin speaks to audiences as a keynote and commencement speaker. Currently, Kaitlin has addressed over 275,000 people in person and over 1.5 million virtually. Kaitlin is the author of ‘Choosing Hope: Moving Forward From Life’s Darkest Hours’ published by G.P. Putnam & Penguin. Kaitlin teaches two courses at Bay Path University as an Adjunct Professor. Kaitlin has received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Dedicated Teacher Award and the Humanitarian Award from her alma mater, UConn. She has also been honored as a Glamour Magazine Woman of the Year and LâOreal Woman of Worth and serves as TEDx speaker. She holds two honorary doctorate degrees.
Website:https://kaitlinroigdebellis.org
Organization: https://classes4classes.org
Book:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/choosing-hope-kaitlin-roig-debellis/1123719007
Kate Garnes
Kates Garnes
Standing at 5â1â but packing a punch of energy, meet Kate Garnes! Originally hailing from the heart of Missouri, Kate was an only child raised by a strong single mom, fueled by unsweetened tea, outdoor adventures, and the quirky charm of old-school Nickelodeon cartoons. Navigating the world feeling smaller than her peers, she found herself on an exhausting quest for perfectionâa journey that many teens today still struggle with. Through her work with youth over the past decade, Kate sees that same relentless pursuit mirrored in the next generation. But Kateâs story is one of resilience. From being told sheâd never be âgood enoughâ to creating magic for audiences as a performer at Walt Disney World, to being a published author and gladiator, she transformed her narrative and became her own hero, not because anyone saved her, but because she learned how to save herself.
Website: https://www.kategarnes.com/
Steve Specht
STEVE SPECHT
Steve Specht, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, is a highly respected educator and coach with a passion for shaping young lives both on and off the field. He has served as the head football coach at his alma mater, St. Xavier High School, since 2004. Specht attended Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, where he earned a B.A. in English Literature, followed by a Master of Arts in Teaching from Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan.
A lifelong educator, Specht returned to St. Xavier High School in 1996, where he has taught English, served as Dean of Students, and now works as the school’s Development Officer. As a coach, Specht has had an illustrious career spanning over 35 years, marked by extraordinary success. Under his leadership, St. Xavier has won four Ohio Division I state championships in 2005, 2007, 2016, and 2020. His coaching accolades include being named NFL Don Shula Coach of the Year in 2012, Nike National Coach of the Year in 2007, and Ohio Division I Coach of the Year in both 2005 and 2007.
Beyond football, Coach Specht is an author, having written the book 4th & Redemption. He is also a sought-after speaker, delivering impactful presentations at businesses, conferences, and schools. His topics often focus on transformational coaching, team building, overcoming adversity, and leading a purpose-driven life.
Website: www.coachspecht.com
Eddie Cortés
EDDIE CORTĂS
For the past 20 years, Eddie Cortés has empowered students to build resilience, positive self-worth, and the confidence to chase their dreams. This mission has become personal for Eddie, as it stems from his own life-altering experience.
As a middle schooler, Eddieâs dream of playing Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees came crashing down when his cousin told him he wasnât âbig enough, fast enough, or talented enoughâ to make it. This moment crushed Eddieâs self-worth, and he stopped believing in himself, which affected his grades, relationships, and choices. He stopped dreaming.
Eddie now wants to help students understand that they are âbraver than they believe, stronger than they seem, smarter than they thinkâ, and worthy of their dreams. Heâs had the privilege to partner with public and private schools across the United States to share his message in an interactive school assembly, IâM POSSIBLE, which helps students nurture a positive self-view and build resilience to overcome disappointment, failure, and obstacles.
Eddie has a bachelorâs degree in leadership, loves Chinese food, and is a CrossFit enthusiast. When heâs not speaking, Eddie is making life-long memories with his wife and daughter.
Website: https://topyouthspeakers.com/speakers-topics/eddie-cortes
Promotional Video: Eddie’s Promo Video