Levi Stanford
Knows How Quickly Life Can Be Taken Away, Nearly died In An Explosion At 26
Levi Stanford knows how quickly life can be taken away. At age 26, he nearly died only five days after marrying the woman he loved most.
His keynote speeches are about overcoming adversity and learning skills that help you adapt. Levi also shows how to maintain a positive attitude and keep up determination. He talks about accepting responsibility for circumstances and what being in control of your attitude means.
The accident wasn’t supposed to happen. Stanford had spent a lot of time studying pyrotechnics and was experienced in it. He loved the field so much he was considering the industry for a career.
He, his wife, and a few family members visited St. Mary Reservoir near Cardston July 15, 2015. Levi designed a water pyrotechnic display that would produce a magnificent geyser in the air. A video camera was on hand to capture the event.
Levi’s creation went off in his hand near his face and the 2.5 pounds of explosive material should have killed him. The blast shredded his right hand and leg and took off his left hand. It blew off all his clothes. He couldn’t be lifted out of the remote area, even with family’s help, so he walked blind up an embankment and across an abandoned train bridge, and to his truck where he could be taken to a waiting ambulance. He thought he was going to die and said goodbye to his bride.
His medical journey landed him at Foothills Hospital in Calgary where doctors put him in an induced coma for six days. His first sight after waking up was his wife standing there.
While the doctors told him he would be in the hospital for six months, Levi worked hard and was released in 57 days. He readjusted his life to include ongoing physical therapy where he learned to reuse his right hand and how to play piano again. He needs prosthetics for where his left hand was so he welded 15 that help him daily, including a spatula to turn burgers on the grill and an attachment to assist in roasting hot dogs.
His keynote speeches are about overcoming adversity and learning skills that help you adapt. Levi also shows how to maintain a positive attitude and keep up determination. He talks about accepting responsibility for circumstances and what being in control of your attitude means.
Complacency is Not a “Safety” Problem
When safety complacency becomes an issue, companies will often try to solve it by doubling down on safety procedures and protocols. Doing this is like throwing a band-aid on an open wound. It may stop the bleeding for a time but ignores the core issue. The only way to truly resolve complacency and create an engaging, positive safety culture is by understanding that complacency is not a “safety protocol” issue but rather a people engagement problem.
Attendees will leave the event understanding:
• The importance of/how to simplify your safety message, so it is engaging and not confusing.
• The skills required for front-line supervisors to motivate their front-line workers to be engaged in the company safety program.
• How to motivate front-line workers to be anxiously engaged in the company safety program.
• How to create and maintain a positive safety culture.
Resiliency is a Sword Not a Shield
So often, the adversity we face leaves us with stress, anxiety, and the feeling of being overwhelmed. Learning to control these emotions can prevent destructive behavior such as addiction, eating disorders, abuse, etc. and is crucial in turning a victim into an achiever and a follower into a leader.
Through the experience of losing his hand and almost his life, Levi teaches the principles and techniques he used to maintain a positive and determined perspective. Through the acceptance and self-responsibility of his circumstances, Levi has learned and shares what it truly means to be in control of one’s attitude.
Youth: Focus On The Positive
This keynote takes a lighter approach to help children understand that In a world filled with so much negativity, it is essential to be able to recognize and focus on the positive in any given situation. Life can be hard and unfortunately we can’t choose the trials that we will face, but we can control the way in which we face them.
Attendees will leave the event understanding the following:
• The importance of making smart decisions to prevent accidents.
• Vital techniques used to help you find the good in awful situations.
• Our differences make us invaluable and should be celebrated rather than hidden or something to feel embarrassed about.
Faith Based Keynote: If Thou Endure It Well
So often, the adversity we face leaves us with stress, anxiety, and the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Through the experience of losing his hand and almost his life, Levi teaches the principles to not only overcome afflictions but how putting your trust in God will bring you peace and confidence when facing future hardship.
Attendees will leave the event understanding the following:
• The importance of making smart decisions to prevent accidents.
• Understanding that you are never alone and that God will always be there with arms wide open to provide you with peace and comfort.
• Vital techniques used to help you find the good in awful situations.
• How you react to adversity is entirely your choice, and no one can take that away from you.
“Levi Stanford was excellent and a great pick! Thank you!” Sheena – Conference
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