Theo Fleury

Calgary Flames Icon & Mental Health Advocate

NHL Stanley Cup Champion

Olympic Gold Medalist

Theo Fleury is perhaps best known for his time on the ice. But off the rink, his life once carried the markings of a troubled childhood, abuse and coping with emotional pain through addictive and self-destructive behaviours.

Today, Theo defines himself as a victor over trauma and addiction, and a facilitator to those still trying to find their way. His best-selling books, Playing with Fire and Conversations with a Rattlesnake, encourage open sharing and provide practical tools that people seeking help can personally use. These tools are also useful to those who want to lead a productive conversation, called “Real Conversations”, with anybody else experiencing trauma.

Theo has been awarded the Canadian Humanitarian Award and the Queen’s Jubilee Medallion. He is a Siksika Nation Honorary Chief and recipient of the Aboriginal Indspire Award. He also holds two honorary doctorates – one in Science from the University of Guelph-Humber for outstanding contributions to the mental health of Canadians, and another in Laws from Brandon University for his work in combating child abuse and promoting healing and recovery.

Today, Theo is a healthy, motivational and successful agent of change. He is committed to daily transformation through personal growth, mindfulness and new action, and his compassionate spirit allows others to feel safe and whole by experiencing his vulnerability.

Theo is skillfully adept at inviting audience self-reflection during his many speaking events by creating safe environments for guests to share their own “Me Too” experiences. Without controversy or blame, Theo focuses on helping and leading others down a path of healing.

Playing With Fire 

Playing With Fire (2009) documented Theo Fleury’s rise and fall as a professional athlete struggling with drug and alcohol addictions. These addictions which ultimately ended his NHL career and led him to contemplate suicide were caused by a childhood trauma that he felt he could never talk about. 

In “Me Too” Theo Fleury opens up about the sexual abuse he faced as a child, and sheds light on male sexual abuse. From the greatest heights and lowest depths, Theo Fleury shares his message about winning it all, losing it all and reinventing himself all over again.

“Me Too” is an uplifting talk about hope. It is a reminder that we are never alone in our struggles because we have all faced adversity in our lives.