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
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Attempt to have murder charge quashed against alleged serial killer dismissed by judge
A motion filed by the man accused of killing four Indigenous women in Winnipeg to have one of those murder charges quashed has been dismissed by the judge – weeks before the start of his trial.
Government proposes new policy for federally regulated employees to disconnect from work
In their 2024 budget, the federal government wants to amend the Canada Labour Code, so employers in federally regulated sectors will eliminate work-related communication with employees outside of scheduled hours. If implemented, this would affect roughly 500,000 employees across the country.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.