I first heard Sophia Rae speak at a seminar hosted by her parents and immediately recognized her as a compelling speaker for my junior and senior high school students. When she shared her story at my school, students responded positively, deeply resonating with her. Sophia's blend of vulnerability, strength, and her ability to connect with the audience, combined with her storytelling skills and professionalism, make her a must-see speaker for anyone who has experienced trauma.

I had the absolute pleasure of hearing Sophia speak at the Canadian Yoga in Schools Summer Conference on the topics of trauma and mindfulness. My professional development over the past 25 years usually involved interactions with other adults, in-depth research studies, or engaging with experts in their field of study. I could not have been more genuinely surprised and grateful to hear Sophia speak. She demonstrated remarkable poise, professionalism, and genuine care through her lived experiences. Her heart felt and in depth knowledge strengthened my beliefs on the importance of student voice. Please! Do yourself a favor, and listen to Sophia speak if you get the opportunity. She will help you understand the impact trauma can have on our youth, but more importantly take you on a journey of how trauma can be successfully navigated through mindfulness.

I had the pleasure of hosting Sophia as a guest speaker in my second year B. Ed class, ‘ Social, and Emotional Learning’ at Mount Saint Vincent University. At that time, as a young adolescent she spoke authentically and honestly about the critical role teachers play and understanding the social and emotional needs of their students. Her presentation captivated my education students, who were not only thoroughly engaged, but also left with valuable insights. Sophia’s passion and unique perspective, even as a young teenager, adds a compelling and influential voice to the conversation on social and emotional learning.