Keynote Programs
THE HEART ATTACK THAT SAVED MY LIFE
How One Moment Changed Everything I Knew About Stress, Resilience, and Results
What’s the cost of unchecked stress?
For me—one “small” heart attack.
For my employer—over $100,000 in lost productivity, insurance claims, and extended absence.
For most organizations? Research estimates stress costs U.S. businesses up to $1,900 per employee per year in health costs and lost productivity.
This keynote is a personal story with a strategic takeaway: How emotional intelligence (EI) became the tool I wish I’d built earlier—and how it now drives performance, decision-making, and resilience on any team.
I walk audiences through what stress did to me—like the time I spent 10 minutes looking for my glasses… while wearing them. Or when I tried to call my son and cycled through two other sons and the dog first. And eventually? A heart attack.
That wake-up call led to what I now call the Three Ls of Stress Management:
- Laughter – because humor rewires the brain for resilience
- Love – because relationships make or break mental fitness
- [Redacted] – Call me or fill out the form to find out the third
Your team will walk away with tangible strategies they can use immediately, including ways to:
- Recognize stress before it hijacks performance
- Apply EI to team dynamics and communication
- Create a culture that supports well-being and results
And yes, there’s a rubber chicken. But there’s also a measurable takeaway: more clarity, more energy, better teamwork.
FRY YOUR CHICKENS!
A program for people that want to achieve more, laugh more and live more.
This key note is perfect for:
- Large group key notes
- Management retreats/team building events
- Getting people laughing and motivated
There’s something inside of us that stands between all of us and success.
It is a flock of chickens. Chickens like fear, negativity and self doubt.
Every time I’ve wanted to do something out of my comfort zone,I had to fry a chicken.
As a result of frying chickens…
I won $32,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
I got that first date with the woman who became my wife.
I was even able to ride a roller coaster with my son for two minutes without throwing up. It would have been perfect… if only the roller coaster ride hadn’t been 2:20.
You will laugh for an hour. You will identify the one chicken that you need to fry and the steps that you will take toward making a dream come true and living a life you love.
Testimonials
Phil’s conference presentation was riveting, insightful and chockfull of easy to implement ideas! Phil really has a knack for compelling story telling while presenting quality advice that can positively impact anyone, in any profession.
I was so impressed with Phil that I asked him to provide training and consulting for individuals in our community. Phil has been an absolute delight to both work with and learn from!
Erica Woods – Apex Systems
“What an incredible keynote by Phil to kick off the event! He’s an outstanding speaker with a great sense of humor—his stories about chickens and hogs had everyone laughing. I loved his message and took away so many valuable insights. Not many people can say they did the chicken dance at the PMBA conference! Phil, you did a fantastic job, and thanks to you, I’ve already started my BBBI and am planning to go the whole hog!”
– Project Management Summit Vancouver
“Amazing. My favourite session.”
– Erica, Administrative Professionals of Canada
“Real life stories with the content was something I will remember for years!”
– Business Analyst World Orlando
“Just like the chicken – it was finger licking good!”
– Autumn, Child Focus
“Phil electrified the virtual room throughout the session. He demystified personal development and goal-setting topics to overcoming challenges and building resilience. A delight to experience.”
– IIBA New Brunswick
“Phil was amazing! He kept the crowd interested and engaged.”
– Ashley, Administrative Professionals of Canada
“Phil Barth – as always, you were Amazing!!! Since you had to leave right after speaking I was left to collect all your accolades. It was pretty much non-stop. All. Day. Long. Is this what your whole life is like? Must be exhausting to be you!!”
– Carolee Allen Carlin ASUG
“Very entertaining—he presented his talk in a way what was memorable and engaging. I loved the chickens!”
– Child Focus
In czech language we would say: ‘It completely shot me out of my shoes!’ ”
– Karel Smíšovský,
Konference BA, Prague
“Phil was an excellent keynote speaker for our group of educators. He encouraged and motivated us and kept us all laughing while doing so! Our staff are still talking about how great it was to have him for our event!”
– Dawn M. Sorrells, PhD,
Assistant Superintendent
Clermont County Educational Service Center
“Phil Barth, your energy is truly contagious! I already started diving into the book and it’s like a therapy for my brain and soul… therapy with fun :)”
– Nataliia Petryshak,
Consultant, Selecto
A Few of Phil’s Clients
Articles
Drowning the Chickens: Why I Slept Instead of Pushed Through
Eight events. Fourteen days. A dozen squawking chickens.
When stress showed up shouting “keep working,” I did the opposite: I rested. I spent time with family, got a full night’s sleep (yes, even with a puppy), and woke up to a flood of great ideas—enough to drown the stress.
In this post, I share how choosing rest over hustle helped me perform at my best—and how you can beat stress with rest, too.
Great Things Happen Every Day
On August 5, 2015 I took a surprise visit to the cardiac wing of Bethesda North Hospital in Cincinnati. I suffered what was labeled a “small” heart attack. I remember thinking “if this is small I’d hate to see medium.”
Per the advice of my Doctor I changed my diet, started exercising more and decided to work on controlling stress. This book is about the stress control part of my change: For the past four years I have written a daily list: Great things that happened today. Each day I celebrate the great things that happened. Since I started this journey I’ve met some fascinating people, discovered new recipes and celebrated life. My goal is to share the celebration with you and start a “Great Things” movement. We can do it, because great things happen all around us and they happen every day.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
About Phil
For over 20 years Phil has spoken to audiences around the world on goal achievement and stress management.
For his 15 minutes of fame, Phil won $32,000 on the TV game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”.
Phil, his wife Beth, three sons and dogs live in the greater Cincinnati area.
