DRILLING THROUGH MOUNTAINS
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DRILLING THROUGH MOUNTAINS •
mike HALL
CTSO SPEAKER
Inspiring Student Leaders to Step Up, Speak Up, and Lead with Purpose
You’re searching for the perfect keynote speaker for your next CTSO conference, someone who can engage, challenge, and equip your student leaders with more than just hype. That’s where Mike comes in.
more than entertaining.
more than inspirational.
more than educational.
because he’s all three
For over 30 years, Mike has worked directly with teenagers. As a mentor, coach, teen center director, and now, a nationally trusted youth motivational speaker. His style is raw, relatable, and rooted in real leadership principles your students will actually remember and apply.
Mike isn’t just a speaker. He’s a leadership developer: someone who speaks their language, earns their trust, and gives them tools to carry into school, work, and life.
why mike?
30+ years of hands-on experience working with students
Former YMCA teen center director and mentor to thousands
High-energy delivery mixed with honest, real-life stories
Content targeted specifically for leadership growth, character, and influence
Equally effective with first-year members and top-tier officers
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A dynamic, high-impact keynote tailored to your conference theme. Mike will open or close your event with energy, clarity, and a message that hits home for every student in the room.
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Pair the keynote with a deeper breakout workshop where Mike unpacks the leadership mindset further. Great for officer tracks or small-group engagement with students who want to go further.
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Want lasting impact? This option includes both live sessions and copies of Mike’s student-focused books, like 2 Words of Elite Leaders or Drilling Through Mountains. Students walk away with a message they can take home — and carry forward.
keynote add-ons
Looking for a keynote speaker who also can lead a workshop or two? Mike's got you.
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Welcome to Leadership Town (60-120 min)
Imagine you’re in charge of creating a town from scratch, from a dream to a real functioning place for a group of people to live.
We’ll break into small groups and do just that while learning hands on how to be an incredible leader. We will laugh, think and leave this session empowered to be elite leaders, not just now but for the rest of our lives.
This session will be HANDS-ON, INTERACTIVE and FUN!
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Kill the Fear of Public Speaking (60-120 min)
Standing in front of a group can be terrifying! But there is GOOD NEWS!
When you know the hacks and behind the scenes stuff that Mike has learned over the years, the fear will shrink! You’ll be amazed at how a few small tweaks can make a huge difference in your presentation confidence. We will even give several students the chance for live speaking feedback.
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Mental Health First Aid Kit (60-120 min)
Your emotions are like a smoke alarm. Horrible when it malfunctions. Dangerous when you don’t listen to it. CRUCIAL when there’s real danger.
Emotions guide our decisions toward what we want and don’t want. Sometimes we need a mental health first aid kit for OURSELVES. Other times we need to use that same first aid kit for FRIENDS or FAMILY MEMBERS.
You’ll be equipped with the tools and training to handle mental health way better than most people!
choose your content
Every student audience is different. The content should match their moment. Whether your focus is personal growth, leadership, school culture, or all of the above, Mike offers two proven keynotes (and companion books) that make an impact and stick with students far beyond the event. Both options are powerful, practical, and built from real experience working with teens.
DRILLING THROUGH MOUNTAINS
live a life of resilience, determination, and SYNERGY WITH OTHERS.
Forty-five minutes of the most straightforward, compelling and captivating strategy that any 12-year old or young adult can implement TODAY to make TOMORROW what they always dreamed it would be.
2 WORDS OF ELITE LEADERS
A FAIL-PROOF FRAMEWORK FOR LEADERSHIP & GROWTH
In this keynote, you’ll discover a style of leadership that leaves you not only successful but admired. When you become a 2-word leader, those you oversee won’t be able to imagine being led by anyone else.
If you're looking for a high-impact speaker who understands the unique challenges and opportunities facing student leaders today, Mike Hall is the name CTSO advisors trust. From personal ownership to peer influence, his keynotes deliver a lasting message that challenges, equips, and motivates students to lead with purpose.
Mike has served as:
An FFA keynote speaker who speaks to leadership, grit, and respect in action
A HOSA keynote speaker helping students lead with clarity under pressure
A STUCO keynote speaker who inspires student councils to lead beyond the title
An FBLA keynote speaker focused on ethical leadership and personal excellence
A 4H keynote speaker who builds bridges between values and vision
A DECA keynote speaker who equips future professionals to stand out with integrity
A BPA keynote speaker with proven messaging on professionalism and responsibility
From state conferences to national events, Mike brings energy, depth, and real-world tools students won’t forget.