Smart, Driven, Burned Out
For leadership teams, executives and high performers
Your audience leaves with
- • Name the real cost of running on empty
- • Spot the early signs in yourself and your team
- • Leave with one practical change to make this week
Media kit, 2026 edition
A speaker for leaders who are carrying a lot.
Dai Manuel is a Vancouver keynote speaker, TEDx speaker and executive coach. He speaks to leadership teams, conferences and organisations about burnout, resilience and leading change, drawing on nearly thirty years of coaching, operating and running a business. Everything a planner, producer or brand partner needs is here, plus the full PDF.
Download the media kit (PDF)
Printing it? Get the print-ready version, laid out for US Letter with clean margins. Or grab the eight-page speaker brochure.
At a glance
- Topics
- Burnout, resilience, leading change
- Formats
- Keynote, workshop, lunch and learn, emcee
- Based in
- Vancouver, in person or virtual
- Keynotes from
- $3,000 CAD
Pronouncing it? Dai rhymes with "dye".
"Any conference would be lucky to have him facilitate."
01
Three talks planners book most
Each one is shaped to your audience after a planning call. See all seven talks.
How to Be a Champion of Change
For organisations carrying a change nobody asked for
Your audience leaves with
- • Understand why change costs trust
- • Lead the human side, not just the plan
- • Keep people moving when the path is unclear
The 2% Solution
For conferences, wellness weeks and whole-company events
Your audience leaves with
- • Thirty minutes a day: 15 moving, 5 still, 10 reading
- • Build habits that survive a busy calendar
- • A framework taught on stages since 2015
Formats: 45 to 60 minute keynote, half-day or full-day workshop, lunch and learn, or emcee. In person or virtual.
Watch Dai
See the work before you book it.
The TEDx talk in full, plus television and interview appearances. What you see here is what shows up in your room.
Why Vulnerability is a Human Thing | TEDxBearCreekPark
Dai Manuel on Breakfast Television Montreal
Meet the Moose | Vancouver Real
02
Why people listen
CrossFit BC owner
One of Canada's longest-running affiliates, and the first Vancouver gym with daily HYROX classes.
Fitness Town co-founder
Grew the business from 3 to 8 locations as COO.
Bestselling author
The Whole Life Fitness Manifesto.
National spokesperson
Canada Beef and Chicken Farmers of Canada, with TV, radio and print across Canada.
Host
The 2% Solution podcast and the Active Living Zone at The Wellness Show (12,000+ attendees).
Distinguished Toastmaster
The highest award in Toastmasters International, and a competition-winning speaker.
Red Bull HYROX Coaches Camp 2026
One of 60 coaches worldwide selected.
03
What organisers say
From the people who booked Dai and sat in the room.
"Dai's attentive approach allowed him to craft a well-being presentation that not only met but exceeded our expectations, setting a highly positive tone for the entire conference. The feedback we received regarding his presentation was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees remarking on how it precisely addressed their needs."
"His was the last keynote during my last conference. I honestly didn't want to get on stage to close the event because it was so powerful and meaningful that I felt like I could only diminish it by saying anything."
"Any conference would be lucky to have him facilitate."
"Dai Manuel is a standout facilitator whose energy and expertise create a unique and memorable learning experience."
More from booking reviews
Verified
"Dai sets the tone for the day beautifully!"
Dai joined our conference as the opening Key Note Speaker and was brilliant at setting a very informative and upbeat tone for the rest of the day! His speech on change was impactful as well as enjoyable and he kept an audience of over 350 healthcare employees fully engaged. His words were inspiring and his energy was contagious. He was able to really tailor his speech in such a way that every person in that room felt that Dai truly related to the unique challenges they face working in healthcare. I highly recommend Dai as a very knowledgeable, skilled, motivational and energetic speaker for any venue!
Organiser review
"Perfect speaker"
Dai was great. He matched his engagement perfectly with our crowd. It was small and intimate and he enjoyed his work. Our staff was engaged and I had lots of good comments afterwards.
Emcee
"We could not have had a more perfect fit"
The inaugural Superhuman Summit 2015 was a giant success. Dai Manuel was brought on board to be our Superhuman Emcee for the 2 day conference. The event hosted 12 world experts in anti aging medicine, physiotherapy, health, and fitness. Dai was instrumental in creating an environment where the attendees felt part of the event themselves. Interacting with the speakers and leading Q&A sections were Dai's strengths. His valuable knowledge and passion in the health and fitness industry glowed. We could not have had a more perfect fit and believe Dai will be a part of the ongoing success of our event.
"Dai is one of the most engaging public speakers I've ever met. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable in what he does, but he also has the innate ability to inspire, motivate, understand, and guide you."
Real people, real numbers, shared with permission. Results vary and are not guaranteed.
The story behind the talks: read the speaking case study.
04
This year, on and off the stage
Speaking
Toastmasters International Convention
Session speaker at the 2026 convention in Vancouver, and invited to write for Toastmaster magazine.
Main stage
Vancouver Wellness Show
Creator of the Active Living Zone. Two talks and the men's health panel on the main stage.
Competing
CrossFit Games, Men 45-49
Qualified for the Age-Group Quarterfinals.
Industry
Infofit Fitness Career College
Program Advisory Committee member.
Coaching
Red Bull HYROX Coaches Camp
One of 60 coaches worldwide selected for 2026.
05
Speaking rates
Starting rates in CAD. The final fee depends on the brief, format, date and travel. Vancouver events carry no travel costs.
- KeynoteFrom $3,000 CAD
- 45 to 60 minutes, tailored to your audience.
- Guided workshopFrom $4,000 CAD, half-day
- Half day or full day, in person or virtual.
- Lunch & learnFrom $500 CAD + $50 per attendee
- A tight 90-minute session over the lunch hour.
- Emcee & hostFrom $2,500 CAD, half-day
- Conferences, galas and community events.
06
Approved biography and introduction
Copy any version for an event programme, article, interview note or the person introducing Dai on stage.
Short bio
Dai Manuel is a Vancouver keynote speaker, executive coach, fitness business consultant and author. Known as Coach Moose, he brings nearly thirty years of coaching, operating and teaching to conversations about resilience, leadership, health and change.
Full bio
Dai Manuel is a Vancouver-based keynote speaker, executive coach, fitness business consultant and author of The Whole Life Fitness Manifesto. He runs MERGE Fitness Inc. and co-owns CrossFit BC with his wife, Christie. Over nearly thirty years in fitness and business, Dai has coached real people, led teams, carried payroll and helped founders navigate the work that does not fit neatly into a presentation. His talks combine those lived lessons with practical ideas on resilience, leadership, men's mental health and sustainable change. He is a TEDx speaker, Distinguished Toastmaster and host of The 2% Solution podcast.
Download a high-res headshot
More options, including a cut-out portrait and a black and white version, in Press photos below.
Introduction script for your host, about 30 seconds
Our next speaker has spent nearly thirty years helping people get stronger, at work and in life. He co-founded Fitness Town and grew it from three locations to eight, co-owns CrossFit BC here in Vancouver, and has spoken on the TEDx stage. He is a Distinguished Toastmaster, the author of The Whole Life Fitness Manifesto and the host of The 2% Solution podcast. Today he is here to talk about what it really takes to lead well when you are carrying a lot. Please welcome Dai Manuel.
Pronunciation: Dai rhymes with "dye". One syllable.
07
Press photos
Approved for event promotion, interviews and editorial coverage. Credit: Dai Manuel.
Headshots
Full-resolution files for programme covers, event pages and printed signage.
Stage setup
A short list for your AV team.
- • Dai brings his own laptop and runs his own slides.
- • Please provide a video connection his laptop can use (HDMI or USB-C), with audio to the room.
- • A wireless lapel microphone is preferred. A handheld backup on a stand works too.
Anything beyond that, your AV team can sort on the day. Questions? daimanuel@daimanuel.com.
Need print-resolution originals or a specific shot? Contact daimanuel@daimanuel.com.
08
As seen on
- Forbes
- HuffPost
- CBC
- CTV
- Global News
- National Post
- The Globe and Mail
- Chatelaine
- Reader's Digest
- Shape
- MSN
- Breakfast Television
- The Vancouver Sun
- CKNW
Ten awards across a decade of lists ranking Dai's writing among the best in health and fitness, including Breaking Muscle's Top 10 Fitness Blog Contest (2015) and GuidedMind's Top 101 Most Inspiring Blogs (2016).
For brand partners
Audience, reach and partnership options.
09
Reach, as of September 2026
65K
Combined followers across Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook
41.7K
Instagram followers, verified
152.9K
All-time podcast downloads
14.3K
LinkedIn followers
90K+
Members in the LinkedIn group Dai founded
300+
Media appearances
Audience: adults in midlife, mostly men (58/42), 56% aged 35 to 54. 51% United States, 10% Canada on Instagram; podcast listeners 59% US, 27% Canada.
10
Brands Dai has worked with
- Nike
- lululemon
- Under Armour
- Microsoft
- Starbucks
- Best Buy
- Dove Men+Care
- Withings
- Power Plate
- Vari
- QALO
- canfitpro
- Chicken Farmers of Canada
- Canada Beef
11
Partnership rates
Starting rates in CAD, plus GST.
- Instagram ReelFrom $4,000
- Scripted, shot and edited by Dai. Includes 30 days organic usage.
- Story set, 4 framesFrom $3,000
- Four frames with link sticker and call to action.
- Podcast mentionFrom $1,000
- Host-read segment on The 2% Solution, kept in that episode for good.
Rates shown are starting rates for one-off engagements. Ongoing partnerships receive preferred partner pricing. Paid usage or whitelisting from $950 per 30 days. Category exclusivity from $650.
Event enquiry
Planning an event? Send the details here.
Dates, audience, format and what you want the room to walk away with. It lands directly in Dai's inbox and he replies personally within two business days. Fees follow the brief; the starting rates above give you the shape.
Press contact
Interviews, assets and deadline requests.
For press interviews, speaking clips, approved photography or fact checks, send the request here. It lands directly in Dai's inbox. Include your outlet, deadline and what you need.
Next step