Smile your way through misery
Smile your way through misery
UK
British veteran and best-selling author inspiring his audience to tackle their challenges by sharing his personal story
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My name Is Julio Herrera Vidal I am President of a National Air Soldiers Association of Argentina, which includes all the Conscript Soldiers of our six Bases. Our soldiers have been unrecognized for 40 Years. Edward Denmark despite once being our enemy has been a help beyond words, even travelling to Argentina to submit evidence in our support. He has been helping all the forgotten Soldiers of Malvinas/ Falklands war for many years. He Is a Remarkable Man with no malice Today the high court judgments are being settled in our favour because his contributions. Many thousands of Soldiers are grateful and indebted for His selfless work.
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When alcohol addiction took control of his mother’s life, it became a fight for Edward to survive the hunger, bullying and misery which surrounded him as a child growing up in extreme poverty.
Remarkably, he still found moments to laugh and be happy. To escape the past and seek adventure, Edward joined the army, where he did not find escape, but faced a hardship and terror beyond anything he imagined.
His military journey took him to the 1982 Falklands war, as well as to Northern Ireland fighting the IRA. His is a journey of contrasts, from utter sorrow and sadness to hilarious escapades, which captivates and inspires audiences. Let the resilience and positivity Edward needed to deal with crisis after crisis inspire you to tackle your own challenges, while teaching you about the reality of war and poverty.
The final blow is simply shocking.
Keynote Speaker Edward Denmark
This talk covers Edward’s action in the 1982 Falklands war where he served as an anti-aircraft missile operator. It tells of the bitter filthy conditions in which he and his comrades fought, and what it was like to come under air attack day after day, with vivid descriptions of British ships being bombed and sinking, and men losing their lives, to the desperate fight to survive each day. Edward eventually returned home a completely changed man and was never the same again.
This talk focuses on the reality of war, it is not a child-friendly description that sugar coats the fear and vulgar attitude needed to live and fight.
Keynote Speaker Edward Denmark
This talk covers Edward’s time serving as a soldier in Northern Ireland as part of the British government’s response to sectarian violence that erupted in 1969 and only ended in 2007 after the death of many thousands of people. The most viable threat came from the Provisional Irish Republican Army (The IRA) who carried out many ruthless attacks against British soldiers. Edward and his comrades also had to contend with daily petrol bomb and brick attacks from the nationalist community who supported The IRA. The streets of Northern Ireland were some of the most dangerous places on earth for British soldiers and the threat of death was ever present each and every day. One disturbing incident occurred that nearly ended his life, and which no training could have prevented.
Keynote Speaker Edward Denmark
This talk covers Edward’s childhood growing up in a council house in a family of 12 in extreme poverty and with a mother addicted to alcohol. What was it like to live in a house that was dominated by addiction, to go without food? He had to steal to eat, had to go to school feeling hungry and looking scruffy, was bullied for his scruffy appearance and didn’t know which way to turn. Eventually, in his teens, he watched as his mother’s addiction take the ultimate price. And yet, in all this sadness, desperation and poverty, he somehow remained resilient and found time, as children do, to laugh. Find inspiration in the stories of Edward’s life and how he has overcome adversity.
Keynote Speaker Edward Denmark
This talk covers Edward’s action in the 1982 Falklands war where he served as an anti-aircraft missile operator. It tells of the bitter filthy conditions in which he and his comrades fought, and what it was like to come under air attack day after day, with vivid descriptions of British ships being bombed and sinking, and men losing their lives, to the desperate fight to survive each day. Edward eventually returned home a completely changed man and was never the same again. This talk focuses on the reality of war, it is not a child-friendly description that sugar coats the fear and vulgar attitude needed to live and fight.
This talk covers the battle and humour in living with terminal blood cancer and the difference a positive mind can make
No one is guaranteed a long happy life. We get what is given and we must do our best with it. That is what Edward Denmark has done. He spent his early years suffering from illness in hospital and his formative years growing up in poverty. His opportunity of an education was lost because of a lack of schooling. He watched as his mother battled alcohol addiction which she ultimately lost. Joining the army offered an escape but like most things in his life this came at a price as he fought for his life in the short but brutal war of the 1982 Falklands war. Patrolling the hostile streets of Northern Ireland facing death and daily abuse was life for a now battle-hardened young man. Life at last gave Edward a break and after retiring from the army due to injury he settled down with his wife and two children at last having the family he always wanted. That also came at a price and what was the cruellest blow yet when Edward was diagnosed with incurable blood cancer.
This is a remarkable journey through this final fight and treatment. Facing this adversity, he has found time to be happy and have humour in the most desperate times. Follow this journey and you will never forget there is hope even in the darkest moments.
We had the pleasure of engaging Edward for a talk in Nov 2022. His presentation came at the end of a client's visit to the Falklands battlefields. It was a great way of adding additional context and bringing the reality of battle to the trip. Edward speaks openly and honestly about the brutality of his & his colleagues' time there. It was a very moving well-presented and informative talk.
Rachel Reynolds
Our soldiers have been unrecognised for 40 Years. Edward Denmark despite once being our enemy has been a help beyond words, even travelling to Argentina to submit evidence in our support. He has been helping all the forgotten Soldiers of Malvinas/ Falklands war for many years. He Is a Remarkable Man with no malice. Today the high court judgments are being settled in our favour because his contributions. Many thousands of Soldiers are grateful and indebted for His selfless work.
Julio Herrera Vidal - President
Who or what inspires you?
People who go through life giving more than they take, those who really care about others, people who have courage but don’t know it
Were there any life skills you learned from your experiences as a soldier that you found useful later in your career as an author and speaker?
Yes, I learned to be honest about my own mistakes and weaknesses. To give the people honesty and look them in the eye even when that feels awkward. You are who you are.
Of all the obstacles you’ve overcome, which has been the most challenging?
This is by far the most difficult question and I simply cannot answer it with one answer because if I did so it would be very disingenuous of me. So there are a number that stand out and they are.
How did you begin your speaking career?
Many years ago I was asked if I would speak to a squadron of young cadets about war and it went very well and they wrote me letters when they went into the army thanking me.
Do you have a favourite experience from your speaking career?
One member of the audience asked me if we had executed the pilots who had ejected from their damaged aircraft during the Falklands war the answer was a firm NO! And I went on to explain they were cared for very well and given a nice cup of tea!
How do audiences gain from your keynote presentations?
I think any audience I speak to will first of all recognise I have been through my fair share of adversity and tragedy, but more importantly I think they will understand that regardless of how bad a situation you may find yourself in, no matter how desperate, you have got to keep hope and stay positive. Be grateful for what you have and use it to the best of your ability. I think and indeed hope that any audience will gain the knowledge that life can throw anything at you, and you are much stronger than you think.
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