Kevin Brooks

In their own words

Student Response

After an assembly, students say things they mean. These are their comments, left publicly on Instagram after Kevin spoke at their school — 594 of them, exactly as they wrote them.

Almost 10 years later and i still remember how moving your speech was at Damien High School. You rock man! God bless you and your loved ones.

Your a true inspiration and today is a day that I will never forget because you touched my heart with you story! Your so strong! So, Thank you Kevin for sharing such a huge part of your life with me and my school❤ #justwiggleyourtoes

I still think about this all these years later. This rocked everyone at Tweedsmuir. Keep telling your story, Kev! You’re doing good work. 🙌

So cool!! Congratulations 🎉 I remember when I met you at Adelphi in NY years ago! 🙌🏽🙌🏽

I still remember your presentation from back in 2009. It has stuck with me all this time

Not surprised! Met you years ago when I brought you to York High School in Maine - so impactful!

Thank you for your impactful, inspirational words. Your story is one we will never forget 🤜🏻

I still remember your story from an assembly in 2009 in Stratford Ontario. Seriously impacting , and inspiring

im glad you liked the picture. you were such an inspiration today. thank you so much for sharing your story with us

this speech was so moving thank you for sharing it with us 🤍🤍

It was absolutely amazing listening to your story today. It was such an emotional yet an incredibly inspiring experience that I will always remember! My friends and I were talking about how much it moved us all day, thank you so much for taking the time to come speak to us. ❤️

thank you so much for sharing your story. your such a big inspiration and will forever leave an impact on my life I will forever be wiggling my toes !

I graduated from slhs in 24 and I just wanted to say thank you so much for coming to talk to us, you are so inspirational and such an educational and engaging speaker. Please keep doing what you are doing, you are changing so many lives 🧡💙

It’s our pleasure! Keep up the amazing work!#justwiggleyourtoes👣

Thank you so much for coming! What you’re doing is beyond amazing & I know I speak for many when I say we’re thankful & grateful for you to have come.

hey i absolutely love everything your doing!! esp you extending your platform to also talk about mental health. it’s nice to feel seen & heard:))

Thank you for sharing your story to our school as it moved many of us, you’re amazing and keep rocking on🤘🏼 I appreciate all your efforts and you’re smile is contagious! Loved seeing the video of you walking, we talked about you in all my classes. Just wiggle your toes👣

Thank you SO much for coming to Seven Lakes and for your powerful message! You’re an amazing person with a special ability to connect with youth.

It was so amazing to be there and hear your story from your mouth ❤️ so glad we could make it!! Goodluck to you on the rest of your tour!

we loved having you!! your JWYT magnets are still posted all over valmeyer. your story and its message will always stick with us. thank you so much for using your incredible courage and strength (and your unbelievably caring heart) to share your experiences with crowds of strangers who truly needed to hear it. 💗

So awesome! Thank you so much for sharing your story! 🤘🏽🤘🏽

Glad to have ya man. You're a true inspiration, keep doing what your doing🤟🏻🤟🏻

Thank you for sharing your story with our kids. It was great to meet you! CCHS students you were incredible today! You made us proud❤️🖤🤍

I was really powerful to hear about your experiences! Thank you so much for speaking in are school.

Thank you so much for speaking at our school! I had a big impact on me and I'm sure other students as well ❤️

but you’re so strong and you’re doing great things. Super inspiring keep it up

Your speech today at jaws was really touching and inspirational to me, thank you for sharing that, and just glad things are better man, keep up what your doing man, your making a difference🙌🏻

Hi. I'm at Monterey high, you visited today. I wanted to speak you after your presentation but i was bawling and i didnt want that to be your first impression of me. But i really appreciate you coming in today.

Great having you today! Thank you so much for coming and sharing your story.

You touched all our hearts in a very special way and i’m so thankful for the opportunity i got today <3

It was such an amazing presentation! Thank you so much so sharing your story!

I'm sure my school( career center of southern Illinois) was one of the smallest crowds you've spoken to and just the fact that you would even come out to share your story with the few of us that are out here made me realize that we're not forgotten, your message was a real wake up call for lots of us to say the least

Loved having u just remember keep wiggling ur toes #keepwingglingyourtoes

Thank you so much for coming! You are truly an inspiration ❤❤

@justwiggleyourtoes thanks for such a great story. I hope you'll be back before I graduate in 2017. You made my day all the much better. 👍

moving speech! made me rethink and reevaluate my mindset towards college and beyond

That was an amazing speech you gave today at north marion. It was great to hear about how you have lived and what you have been through. "Just wiggle your toes" I will be careful when I drive

You rocked it bro👌🏽. So motivational and inspiring keep doin what ya do and keep it 100 🤘🏼🤘🏼

So glad you came to our school it made my day ur such an amazing guy #jwyt

Excellent presentation! You made such a great impact in so many lives. Thank you for visiting Miami. You were such a great guest. Come back soon.

I saw you today at my school and it was amazing! Thank you for doing what you do and helping all students in making the right choices. Your story really moved me 💙

I remember when you came for my 10th grade year and now I’m a freshman in college. Keep it up man

Thank you so much for coming to BAMS. I was very inspired by you. I loved your speech and hope you come again in the future to tell your story to the other middle schooler coming into middle school. Thanks you so much. I really appreciated it🙂

that was absolutely amazing, even though I couldn't take it at some points it truly touched me in many way. thank you so much for coming and sharing with us. it was a blessing. #justwiggleyourtoes

Thanks so much for coming to our school. You speech was really inspirational and touched many hearts today and I hope it will continue to. Good luck on your journey wherever it may take you. #JWYT

@justwiggleyourtoes that would be amazing if you were on the Ellen show!

Thank you so much for coming to Waterloo today!! Your speech was easily the most inspirational story I've heard. Thank you❤️❤️

Thank you for coming to our school and sharing your story. It really made me open my eyes and I hope it opened my friends eyes too. I have so much respect for you and what you're doing to help people. I'm go glad I got hear it. Best assemble out of my 4 years at GHS. So again! Thank you!

Your speech today truly impacted me in a way no other speech has. You are truly an inspiration not just to me, but many other and I'm thankful that I got the chance to listen to your amazing story❤️

You are a wonderful man with a wonderful story. God left you here for a reason, and your reason is to help others learn from your mistake. You and your friends continue you journey with passion. And thank you for teaching me you life story.

I loved your speech . Thank god u are alive ..also this speech was touching.. Ur awesome 😀❤️💙 @justwiggleyourtoes

Thank you so much I loved your speech it was truly inspirational and emotional thank you for coming to ur school😘😊💙❤️

Thanks for coming we enjoyed every bit of your story, you are an honorary pioneer and your welcome back any time. #keeprockingon

You're such an inspirational person and your presentation was very powerful. I cherished every second of it, thank you so much for coming and talking about your story. 💕 #JWYT

I was their you did amazing thank you so much for sharing and inspiring us😘

Thank you so much for coming! I started to tear up a little but its okay. Your talk was inspirational and made me realize how short life can be.

Your story was truly moving, thank you for coming to our school.

Happy Belated Birthday! Sending you my love.♥ @justwiggleyourtoes

Thanks Kevin for coming to out school and sharing your story and wise advise. A lot of it was applied to people, and will effect people here in our community! Rock on and live life the way you want to man! 👻🎃👏✌️🙏

You sir, are a good person. Keep it up, we all loved listening👍🏻

You were very inspirational. Thank you and everyone got something from your message. I started bawling my eyes out when everyone gave you a standing ovation.

Amazing speech! You have inspired many gishies and we thank you for sharing your story! @justwiggleyourtoes

Thank you for coming...everyone should of learned something from you well at least I did!! Thanks :)

Thank you so much for coming to our school! You inspired me as well as a bunch of others ❤️

Appreciate you coming to our school and sharing your story with us. I know you've helped countless people and I admire you for dedicating your time to helping more. P.s. if you get homesick there's a Timmy's across the river in St. Louis

i appreciated your message so much. it really got me thinking of the choices me and people around me make. thank you so much for sharing your story💗💗

It was super inspiring to see how you’ve turned a bad situation into a way to spread hope, positivity, and inspiration through your story. Thanks so much for coming - you were awesome

Thank you for being such an inspirational speaker! Hearing your story was very moving and I’m very grateful to have heard and learned from it:)

Such an inspiration, thank you so much for coming we all learned so much from you today

Hey thank you so much your story ment a lot thanks and I'm pretty shure that you left an impact on our school I hope you come back soon

It was very inspiring, and I did shed some tears. Thank you! Something I will always have with me. #justwiggleyourtoes

Thank you so much! You definitely made me think about not only my life but others around my. You're one strong person and you truly are my hero Kevin ❤️

Thank you so much for sharing and coming to our school and amazing presentation we took it to the heart it made me cry 😊😭😭

amazing presentation! thank you so much for coming and sharing your eye opening story! we truly took it to heart! Thank you so much! 😊

You spoke at my high school in 2011 and I have never forgotten your story! Always wiggling my toes, grateful for life 🙏 🙌

i was tearing up your talk was phenomenal, thank you so much for coming and speaking with us and sharing your story

Thanks so much for coming out today. Your speech truly made an impact. 💚💛

Thank you for changing my perspective of life.❤️ENJOY THOSE EMPANADAS! #JWYT

You are amazing! What an incredible impact you are having on young people. Keep up thus important work!👏🙌❤️

Thank you for all you’ve done. We all appreciate hearing your story ✊🏽

We’re so grateful to host you at LSS. Our students said it was the best presentation they’ve had. You make a difference

Thank you for coming to see school.....u are so inspirational....loved hearing u speak meant a lot❤

My biggest inspiration!! I loved you’re story such a beautiful human💟

Thank you for your presentation Mr. Kev, you have saved thousands of lives with your story and possibly mine, your presentation was amazing 🙏

That was a great day, and what a way to remember one of our brothers how we had so many good times with. Let's all keep in touch.

Dude, I'm about graduate but when I saw you as a sophomore you instantly became an idol, you're amazing and thank you for being you.

Thank you for sharing your life experience with us. See you next year again🎓

It's so cool to learn about stories like yours , Thank you for coming to northeast, love your jokes 🔥 keep posting!!!

thank you so much for coming to my school!!! can’t wait to get a JWYT tattoo tbh

Thank you for coming to our school it means a lot to us and hearing you speak it was so awesome

Thank you so much for coming earlier this year, I really think you made an impact on many of us

Watching this today and thought you looked familiar! You came to my highschool in Nakusp BC a long time ago.. maybe mid 2000s?? So cool!

I’m at a loss of words. Your speech was bringing me to another world and I felt it physically and emotionally. Keep doing these speeches Becuase the amount if kids you helped today from depression, rough tome or even just a bad day was awesome to see.

Can’t wait to get the full story bro,about a year after my buddy fell off a roof paralyzed for life as well, 2 skaters 2 years🤘

You're inspirational talk at our event in 2019 is still in people's conversations. Keep moving forward

Thank you so much for visiting CIE. You are doing a great thing for our kids. Looking forward to having you back! 👏

Very inspirational speech, so impactful ! Amazing story and one of my favorite speakers.

Rock on man!! Your story is one that everybody should hear. I really appreciate the fact that you're traveling to tell everyone your story and the fact that you came to my school. Just wiggle your toes!

Thank you so much for what you do!!! Loved your visit to G. Holmes Braddock in Miami, Florida. God bless you, always. You freaking rock!!!!

I’m a student at GW Graham.. thank you for tell us your story!! It really take a lot of courage!!

Had a similar thing happen at 18. Ended up going through a fence, into someone garage and broke my back from my T4 to my L3. And I had 100s of other times doing the same thing and never messed up until the day I did. Remember kids its never "if" you crash it is "when" you crash..

I loved loved loved ur presentation at jose marti mast it was honestly very moving and u touched a lot of peoples hearts #justwiggleyourtoes

Your presentation was fantastic and very eye opening. Thank you for coming to my school and sharing your story it was very touching!! ❤️😊

Thank you so much for coming to talk to our grad class! Sharing your story meant a lot to all of us.

I remember when you visited my school (oak bay high), you’re a great storyteller!

Thank you for taking the time to talk with us today! #justwiggleyourtoes

Thanks so much for coming to Patel, Kevin! Loved your speech and your commitment to helping all of us be better drivers and better people :)

Thank you Kevin -we had a blast this week- sorry about your blowout today!!!!! Good luck 🍀 tomorrow and keep us updated

Yesss!! So happy to be a part of your amazing journey touching lives!! 🤘🤘

Thank you again, Kevin for coming and sharing your story with us ❤️

Gotta love what u do man your a real inspiration to look up to

Could not be more grateful to have had you speak at Yale today ❤️ absolutely hilarious and so inspiring(and I got front row 🤘)

It’s been 3 years since you spoke to my grad class and not a day goes by that I don’t think of you, your presentation, your story. I talk about it all the time to anyone who will listen. Just wanna say thanks for what you do and you’re the most genuine person ever! I hope you’re doing well & stay safe!!

It was interesting learning and listening to your stories, I hope that myself and others can learn from you. Thank you for coming out to Alberta. Also loved your jokes

Great job! Your story moved me. Thank you for sharing. Remember if you change one life you’ve accomplished something good!

That is so amazing!!!!! Keep it up! And thanks again for sharing your positivity with our students.

Hey man you spoke at my school today and I just didn't get the chance to say Thank you. I really appreciate it. You helped many people today and myself.

Thanks for taking the time to talk to our school! It was a great afternoon !

Thanks for coming out to our school. You are a great inspiration

Thanks so much Kevin 😊 and if anyone talks to you like that I got you there just disrespectful and there trying to get attention

I wanted to thank you for being brave enough to tell your story. Not many things are truly touching to me, but you did an amazing job. It was very inspirational to me. I also know what I want my next tattoo to be #JWYT

U made me cry, and usually I get mad at ppl who make me cry, but ur off the hook cuz ur presentation was aMaZiMg

Your speech inspired me so much! Thank you for coming to our school to tell us all your story! It moved so many people. Your speech was one of the best speeches I have ever heard. Again your a really big inspiration to me and I hope to see you again!! Thank you very much! #JWYT @justwiggleyourtoes

Loves your story! I'm glad that you can and talked to put school!! You're the best☺

I love this so much!!!!! I’m inspired to do this with Millie!!!

Thank you soooooo much for visiting our school. I really enjoyed your emotional rollercoaster of a story. I hope to see you again someday. Also, watch the movie WALK. RIDE. RODEO. On Netflix!

Thank you SO much for coming to share your experiences and honest reality check with our students today— I honestly haven’t ever seen them so captivated (even through lunch).

tysm for that presentation, have an amazing life man ❤️ #jwyt

have heard nothing but positive comments throughout the school, thank you so much for coming. i truly believe this helped get the message across 👍💖

When you came to speak at my school You were so inspiring, I'm actually looking g into a #justwiggleyourtoes tattoo!

Thank you so much for coming to my school out sorry moved everybody in the gym it was just amazing #JWYT

Thanks for coming and visiting are school today it made my day

Maybe having a student very openminded will change how he feels! When the school year starts back up I will go into it positively and not force something down his throat but maybe show him that being more open minded about things is a better option. @justwiggleyourtoes

I'm am a sophmore at foothill. Thank you for sharing your story. It truly opened my eyes to what the consequences are for my actions. U were truly inspiring.

Thank you for sharing your incredible/inspiring story! It touched all of our hearts here at Foothill 😄👏

You are awesome Kevin. Thanks for coming to GISH. You impacted more kids at GISH than what you would have expected.

You were awesome! @justwiggleyourtoes such a great inspiration to all of us. 😊

It was such an inspirational and eye opening story! Thanks for sharing it today☺ @justwiggleyourtoes

Hi I was at Hunt also I almost cried you are very strong to have gone through that I hope you never stop sharing your story😭😭👍🏽

I was also at hunt too... And you were great! The story was very emotional😢

Thanks for coming it really inspired me to not drink and drive

Your story was so touching and really inspired me thank you for taking the time to come to Nipawin

Ahaha I'll make sure to keep an eye out ;) but if I buy you dinner you'll need to hold my hand afterwards when I get my JWYT tattoo @justwiggleyourtoes

Thanks for the presentation, it was awesome. I work at the Credit Union and am glad we were able to give a donation to such a great cause and I'm a mom

Your story was so touching and inspirational. It really made me do a self evaluation of myself and the things I partake in. I already knew how dangerous drinking and driving was but you really were the living proof of how bad it actually can be. I'm glad I met you and you took toll on my life. 💜

Thts my skool xD ur like the most inspiring guy @justwiggleyourtoes honest to god. Thnx for comin by Tbh I love ur personality how ur so easy goin even after everything uve been through

#JustWiggleYourToesTattooCrew

The Tattoo Crew

Some people leave an assembly and remember it. Some get the four words put on them permanently, sometimes years later. Kevin calls them the Tattoo Crew.

  • Two small footprints tattooed on Kevin's forearm beside a semi-colon.

    Kevin's own. The foot is Just Wiggle Your Toes; the semi-colon is suicide awareness — the author could have ended the sentence and chose to carry on.

  • Black and white photograph of Kevin having a tattoo done, the artist working on his arm.

The part that lasts

They still remember

Any speaker can collect thank-yous on the day. These are people who went looking for Kevin years afterwards to tell him the talk stuck — the longest, 17 years on.

Longest recollection
17 yrsLongest recollection
Remember a decade or more later
14Remember a decade or more later
Comments recalling an earlier talk
32Comments recalling an earlier talk

17 years later

I remember you talking at my school over 17 years ago. So happy to see you still getting your story out there to help influence young kids. 🙌🏻👏🏻 Wiggle your toes. ❤️

17 years later

I still remember your presentation from back in 2009. It has stuck with me all this time

17 years later

I still remember your story from a school tour you did in 2009 in Stratford Ontario

17 years later

I still remember your story from an assembly in 2009 in Stratford Ontario. Seriously impacting , and inspiring

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Kevin has spoken to over a million students across more than two thousand schools. Assemblies, prevention weeks, graduation season.

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