Lana Starchuck
Title: Keynote Speaker, Host, Skydiver
Motivational/Self Development
Toronto, ON, Canada
Biography
Lana Starchuck is a five-time Canadian formation skydiving record holder with 1,000 skydives. She is currently the digital product manager at CPA Ontario on the professional development team. Lana has a portfolio career as a writer, editor, producer, and speaker with a background in theatre, journalism, education and creative writing. She is a published author with extensive experience in corporate communications and marketing. Her third book, What Happens When Your Parachute Doesn’t Open and Other Successes is a memoir and self-help guidebook to help you confront your fear, reframe failure, and get moving in a new direction.
Passion
I am an author, speaker, skydiver who lives and works in Ontario, Canada.
I aim for the right balance of nature, exercise, and humour in my life to stay aligned.
I write books and edit books, and give presentations about fear, failure, and risk. I’m also an experienced event host and have done 1,000 skydives.
I'm also a fit foodie; I do a lot of yoga and am a popcorn junkie.
Best Story
I am an "oops" baby, the youngest of three children so...working on borrowed time. My mom revealed this information while my dad was on his deathbed which was interesting timing, but also makes for an interesting story.
That said, I think it's remarkable any of us are here at all. My dad's death in 2012 was a wake up call and I surprisingly gained a lot of strength from his passing. And a new perspective on time.
Time is a non-renewable resource.
Many personal development books talk about a growth mindset, positive thinking, and healthy habits, but few focus on the urgency of acting on these ideas. Time has been largely overlooked.
When my Ukrainian Baba was invited to social functions, she would yes and add, “If I live that long.” Now, my 86-year-old mom uses the joke. And so do I. Because it’s true.
What are you waiting for?
Origin Story
I was born in a small town on the prairies, went to theatre school in Montreal, and have lived in Toronto for 25 years.
I have made some stupid and spectacular mistakes in my life that have led to skydiving malfunctions, car accidents, divorces, and getting fired. The specific is universal and my stories will show readers they are not alone. Change is hard and messy, and it’s never the right time. Fear stops so many people from realizing their potential. That crafty inner critic isn’t helping either.
What Happens When Your Parachute Doesn’t Open and Other Successes is a memoir and self-help guidebook about what skydiving and other life incidents have taught me about fear, risk and failure.
As a five-time Canadian skydiving record holder with 1,000 skydives, I face mortality and vitality on every skydive. I am intimate with the risk of dying. The stories in this narrative non-fiction book make risk more fun, death less weird, and failure a form of learning. Few writers are skydivers, and even fewer skydivers are writers, which makes me uniquely qualified to write this book. And yes, the title story is based on the true story when my parachute didn’t open.
The book is a companion to my keynote presentations on Becoming Fearless. Think of it as a sidekick that fits in your backpack, briefcase or beach bag. It’s a manifesto for courage-infused living that asks: "What have you got to lose?" or more to the point: "What will you gain?"
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Featured Book
I am willing to travel
More than 100 miles
When it comes to payments
Everything is negotiable
Topics
Best Story
I am an "oops" baby, the youngest of three children so...working on borrowed time. My mom revealed this information while my dad was on his deathbed which was interesting timing, but also makes for an interesting story.
That said, I think it's remarkable any of us are here at all. My dad's death in 2012 was a wake up call and I surprisingly gained a lot of strength from his passing. And a new perspective on time.
Time is a non-renewable resource.
Many personal development books talk about a growth mindset, positive thinking, and healthy habits, but few focus on the urgency of acting on these ideas. Time has been largely overlooked.
When my Ukrainian Baba was invited to social functions, she would yes and add, “If I live that long.” Now, my 86-year-old mom uses the joke. And so do I. Because it’s true.
What are you waiting for?
Origin Story
I was born in a small town on the prairies, went to theatre school in Montreal, and have lived in Toronto for 25 years.
I have made some stupid and spectacular mistakes in my life that have led to skydiving malfunctions, car accidents, divorces, and getting fired. The specific is universal and my stories will show readers they are not alone. Change is hard and messy, and it’s never the right time. Fear stops so many people from realizing their potential. That crafty inner critic isn’t helping either.
What Happens When Your Parachute Doesn’t Open and Other Successes is a memoir and self-help guidebook about what skydiving and other life incidents have taught me about fear, risk and failure.
As a five-time Canadian skydiving record holder with 1,000 skydives, I face mortality and vitality on every skydive. I am intimate with the risk of dying. The stories in this narrative non-fiction book make risk more fun, death less weird, and failure a form of learning. Few writers are skydivers, and even fewer skydivers are writers, which makes me uniquely qualified to write this book. And yes, the title story is based on the true story when my parachute didn’t open.
The book is a companion to my keynote presentations on Becoming Fearless. Think of it as a sidekick that fits in your backpack, briefcase or beach bag. It’s a manifesto for courage-infused living that asks: "What have you got to lose?" or more to the point: "What will you gain?"