Words of wisdom: Well-known motivational speaker hails from Cape Breton, N.S.
Self-help author Robin Sharma is one of the leading voices in the world on personal development and his books have sold millions of copies in nearly 100 countries.
And when Sharma is asked where he is from, the answer often surprises people.
"Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia," affirms the author and motivational figure who is currently based in Toronto.
The author of bestsellers like The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari spent more than eight years growing up in this Cape Breton community just across the Canso Causeway. Sharma says his small-town roots helped shape him.
"The smell of the Atlantic Ocean -- I will never get that smell out of my spirit," Sharma said.
Later in his childhood, while living in Dartmouth, Sharma met another person who he still credits with playing a major role in his life.
"My Grade 5 history teacher was Cora Greenaway," Sharma told CTV Atlantic.
"And she saw something in me that very few people saw. She saw that sparkle and she encouraged me."
Port Hawkesbury's mayor admits she's just learned herself that Sharma hails from the town, but adds they have no problem claiming him.
"Wow, he's just an incredibly accomplished author," said Brenda Chisholm-Beaton. "And I have reached out to him in the hopes that next time he's on Cape Breton Island that we can get together for a coffee."
Sharma's latest book, The Everyday Hero Manifesto, was released earlier in September. It’s currently among the best-sellers online in categories pertaining to leadership and personal growth.
"It's so 'Cape Breton', but I'm no one special," Sharma said.
Over the years, Sharma has rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names in the world. Despite his own lofty achievements, he says the idea that each of us has the ability to do something great is a sentiment that could help many during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's a messy time in the world but it's also a beautiful time in the world," Sharma said.
"Christopher Morley said it well. He said, 'We can curse the darkness, or we can light the candle.' And I think each of us has the power to be everyday heroes. By doing our part to build a better world."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.