Tuesday, July 20, 8 a.m
Legacy Talk: "Healing, Humor, and High-Level Wellness"

Martin Collis, PhD

Dr. Collis is literally a pioneer of the wellness movement and was one of the first four Canadians to be designated a "Pioneer of Wellness." He has criss-crossed North America as a speaker on wellness-related topics and worked extensively with the President's Council to deliver a workplace wellness message throughout the United States. He has been recognized by the Prime Minister of Canada and the White House.

Martin often opens his talks with the words of Seneca: "I have come to teach, to stir the mind and to provide enjoyment," and he uses music, laughter and science to follow that formula.

Dr. Collis obtained his doctorate in Exercise Physiology from Stanford University, and while at Stanford was an assistant coach with the Santa Clara Swim Club where he coached many Olympians including Mark Spitz and Claudia Kolb. He published the first North American book on "Employee Fitness" for the Federal Government of Canada and edited the government publication on Workplace Wellness. His weight control book, The Phacts of Life was translated into four languages and serialized in the British newspaper The Daily Express.

Working with colleagues at the University of Victoria he developed PAR-Q (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire) as a screening device for people entering an exercise program. Many years later PAR-Q is still used throughout the world. Another major research initiative involved the theory and practice of cold water survival. This led to changes in all major physiology texts, new techniques taught by the Red Cross and the U.S. Coast Guard, and patented survival clothing marketed throughout the world.

Martin's most recent publication is titled Walking, Weight and Wellness, which highlights the benefits of the effective use of pedometers. He and his company have co-operated with a business in Taiwan to develop a line of pedometers, one of which has been selected by the B.C. Government as the official pedometer of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Walking, Weight and Wellness is now being edited for translation into Mandarin and Cantonese.

Speaking remains the first love of Dr. Collis and his message is always some aspect of personal and/or professional wellness. As he says in one of his poems, "Some speakers want an hour of your time, I want a piece of the rest of your life."

See his company's website for more information.

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