Hi there! I’m Jon Jon Rivero!
I wear a lot of hats, both figuratively and literally—but I like to sum it all up by describing myself as a thought leader of Awethentricity: the awesome art of owning your authenticity and influencing others.
And, I’m here to help you and your workplace find YOUR awesome: your authenticity, your fulfillment, and your deeper knowing that you are on the right track in this crazy life.
Today, I deliver keynotes and lead workshops internationally, using both energizing humor and authentic vulnerability to help individuals take a deeper look at themselves. I’m a hip-hop dancer, a 5th Dan Black Belt Master in Taekwondo, a spoken-word performance artist, and an Occupational Therapist with a specialty in trauma-informed care—and I bring all these perspectives and experiences to the table when I’m facilitating an event or group.
However, it took all kinds of twists and turns in my personal life before I stepped into my own authenticity and fulfillment.
I come from a lineage of hard workers, and people with a sincere devotion to service. My family is originally from the Philippines, and my parents and grandparents sacrificed a lot so that my brother and I could have the security and education we did growing up. My father developed a brain tumor when I was 2 years old and I spent several years of my childhood helping him recuperate after surgery—that’s how I became interested in the malleability of the brain and body, which eventually led me to Occupational Therapy.
During those years, I also taught myself how to breakdance, perform, and sing by watching Michael Jackson videos with my dad! The movements would make his face light up, which encouraged me to hone these skills. Eventually I got connected with local hip-hop communities, and started expressing myself both through dance, a cappella beatbox, and spoken word poetry.
My father’s dying wish was that I go back to the Philippines, and never forget where our family came from. So in 2007, I founded the Balikbayan project, which works with 1st generation Filipino-Canadians who are dedicated to returning to their homeland with service through the use of their individual expertise, talents, and skills. For me, it’s actually my experience with hip-hop culture that has allowed me to connect with the kids there, and help them find their awesome.
I’m also the founder of Qi Creative, which offers success coaching services and other programs for children, families, and schools living with special needs in Canada. We help people create their own Awesome by creating meaningful learning, celebrating their strengths and talents and ultimately by helping them become the authors of their own stories in life.
Public speaking is my blood—while I was growing up, my mom was well known in our Regina Filipino community as the go-to speaker at festivals and other events. My first speaking events were in high school as a President of our Student Council, and as I continued my political involvement in University, more opportunities started coming my way. My first professional gig was in 2006 for the Global Youth Assembly, and in 2012, I was inducted into the Global Speakers Federation. I’m excited to be bringing my passion and charisma to this work on larger scales every day!
Ready to see if I might be a good fit for your event or organization? Click here to learn more about how I can help you Create YouR Awesome!
