See the impact Mettie brings (video and written testimonials)!

Educator and Event Testimonials:

“After Mettie’s Ending the Silence program 99% of the students requested that Mettie return. Mettie returned and facilitated her “Decide to Rise” resiliency training for 100 Wisconsin youth leaders. Sharing her story and tools helped break down stigma, gave hope, and prompted an open discussion about a difficult subject.”

~Sara Doherty, Community Prevention Coordinator, Elevate INC.

“I attended a NAMI Wisconsin conference where Mettie spoke and then hired her as a keynote speaker at our recent fundraiser. Both times, Mettie captured the spirit of loss and turned it into positive action.  Her hour presentations kept everyone engaged with humor, emotion, personal affect, and hope. Mettie is the real deal and someone who leaves a lasting impression on the heart and mind.”

~Deeatra Kajfosz, Founder of LiFE OF HOPE

“Mettie’s openness is inspiring, she speaks with a full heart. Her practical exercises engaged and educated our audience.  She humbly presents a heavy topic with relational ease, humbly demonstrating her resilience through lived experience.”

~Aaron Rasch, State Coordinator, Peer Run Organizations, ILR

“As the Public Relations and Events Coordinator at NAMI Wisconsin, I have worked with hundreds of workshop presenters, and it is rare that I get to work with someone who is as zealous as Mettie Spiess. Mettie served as one of our workshop presenters and did a 75-minute presentation entitled, EmPOWER Your Voice: Create Connection. Inspire Hope. Save Lives.  She came highly recommended by our local affiliate, and indeed, she did not disappoint! Her willingness to be vulnerable with her audience is one of her strongest qualities, a quality which is the very essence of bravery and hope. I would, without a doubt, recommend Mettie to anyone looking for a compassionate, professional and compelling speaker for their next event.”

~Colleen Rooney, Public Relations and Events Coordinator, NAMI Wisconsin

Student Testimonials and Decide to RISE Statements:

“Mettie was the light at the end of my tunnel that I needed to see to go on.”

~Grade 12, Washington County Student

“I was hospitalized after a suicide attempt last year. Thank you for speaking out Mettie; you are my role model. I will RISE above my shame.”

~ Haley, Grade 10 

“My brother struggles with suicidal thoughts. I will RISE above my judgment and let him know he is not alone.”

~ Christian, Grade 10

“Thanks for being so vulnerable and transparent with your own stories. It inspires me to share my own.”

~Grade 11, Peer Leader

“THANK YOU for FINALLY bringing in a speaker who gets it and taught me something I can actually use! Bring in more speakers like Mettie!” 

~Sarah, Grade 12 

Corporate Event Testimonials:

“Mettie Spiess has been the most effective coach for personal change I have ever encountered.  She helped our employees get rid of their subconscious roadblocks and  see themselves from a new positive and empowering perspective.  Mettie’s amazing dedication to making a positive long lasting change in the lives of our employees has been unique.  This is what sets her apart from anybody else.  She is a wonderful motivator and a beautiful person.  I am deeply grateful for her natural talent and the difference she has made.   I enthusiastically recommend Mettie for any corporation seeking to motivate, inspire action, engage employees and empower individuals.”

~Keli Backes, Executive Vice President, B & K Transportation

“I had the pleasure of working with Mettie Spiess in my role as a Human Resources with ACUITY. Mettie spoke to 50 of our employees in an educational workshop, inspiring them to start really living through their journey to wellness. Not only was she informative, but she was engaging, charismatic, and empathetic toward our employees. She came well prepared and showed impressive attention to detail in coordinating the entire speaking engagement. Several of our employees have since requested that Mettie return to ACUITY for future lunch and learn opportunities, as they believed she provided them with an outlet of practical tools to improve upon their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. We would be lucky to have her back.”

~Haley Lindstrom, ACUITY