Michael's Biography
Michael Bortolotto’s life story is a testament to the power of perseverance, resiliency, positivity, and advocacy in overcoming the barriers of societal discrimination and personal physical challenges. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at 11 months, Michael transformed the adversities of his condition into opportunities for growth, discovery, and empowerment. His journey is an inspiring narrative of triumph through self-leadership, an unwavering positive mindset, and using adversity to develop resiliency.
As a child, Michael was surrounded by a nurturing environment of mentors and role models who instilled in him the belief in dreaming big and striving for a future filled with possibilities. However, upon graduating from high school, he faced the harsh realities of societal discrimination, encountering unjust barriers and improbable obstacles. These experiences became the catalyst for his “Positive Rebel Mindset”—a philosophy which emphasizes the rejection of self-imposed negative thoughts, ideas of limitations, false conditioning, and fears.
Michael’s academic achievements include a Diploma in Applied Arts and Sciences in Recreation Administration from Vancouver Island University. His professional journey took a pivotal turn during a summer practicum in 1986, when he co-facilitated an international youth conference on entrepreneurialism, igniting his passion for empowering others through education and advocacy. He is a successful entrepreneur and business owner who demonstrates how entrepreneurship can be a transformative path to personal empowerment. By embracing this journey, he has not only advocated for himself, achieving independence and an enriched quality of life, but has also inspired, led, and empowered individuals with disabilities to leverage entrepreneurship as a means of self-advocacy and personal growth.
In addition to his accomplishments as a professional speaker, Michael is an active member of seven Toastmasters Clubs and the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. His dedication to mastering the art of public speaking has enabled him to deliver compelling keynote speeches across Canada, earning him high praise and recognition for his powerful and inspiring presentations. Michael is an accomplished author. His children’s books, The Truth About Apples and Pineapples (2011) and Tour de Courage (2014), focus on themes of inclusion, anti-bullying, and self-leadership, resonating with readers of all ages.
His contributions have been recognized through numerous awards, including the Cathleen Lyle Murray Foundation Award from A.A.C.P.D.M., the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from Rotary International, and being named one of British Columbia’s top entrepreneurs with a disability. He has also been honoured as the top citizen in Nanaimo’s history and inducted into his high school’s Wall of Fame. Michael’s personal life is deeply enriched by his family. His wife, Dorothy, and their children, Natasha and Quintin, serve as a continual source of motivation and inspiration, challenging him to transcend perceived limitations imposed by Cerebral Palsy. This dynamic family life underscores Michael’s philosophy of resilience and growth. Michael emplifies the transformative power of determination, self-leadership, resiliency, and a commitment to social inclusion, diversity, and equity. His journey inspires and educates audiences to embrace challenges as opportunities, foster socially inclusive communities, and realize their full potential.