UPCOMING EVENTS
OUR IMPACT:
We're here to give hope to those dealing with mental health and addiction issues. Our events bring people together to hear real stories and solutions from those who've been through it.
OUR COMMUNITY IS OUR GREATEST ASSET
MEET THE TEAM
Jay Barnard: Founder Of The E2RF / ED
Jay Barnard, widely known as Chef Recovery, is a Canadian Executive Chef, inspirational speaker, and social impact leader. With over 17 years in recovery, Jay uses his lived experience, leadership, and culinary background to inspire hope, healing, and transformation in communities across Canada and beyond.
Jay courageously shared his journey from addiction to purpose in a TEDx Talk in Fort McMurray, highlighting the power of recovery, resilience, and second chances. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Empower2Recover Foundation, where he leads nationally recognized live events, community initiatives, and recovery-focused programming.
In 2021, Jay developed HYPE Recovery, a peer-driven recovery program grounded in lived experience, and is also the co-creator of the GRC – Global Recovery Community, a growing platform dedicated to empowering individuals to overcome trauma, mental health challenges, and addiction.
Through storytelling, service, and action, Jay continues to drive meaningful change—proving that recovery is possible in all forms and that lived experience is one of the most powerful tools for transformation.
Brooke Robichaud: E2R Branding & Digital Media
As part of the team Brook Robichaud created the E2R Foundation branding, logo's and website, designing the frame and digital media to launch Empower 2 Recover across Canada, building the social media platform. Author and inspirational speaker, Brooke his an host and speaker at E2R Live Events across Canada, sharing her journey of loss, overcoming grief and recovery, founder of Sober Biz Collective and program developer - Grieving Sober. Hosting her 'Sober 424 Live Global Events'.
Carl Heath: Program Director - Co-Founder Of The GRC
Carl Heath is a former sportsman coach and mentor with over 35 years experience, playing semi-professional soccer, boxing amateur and professional, working alternative learning for over 28 years, developing programs, putting on world record events. Author of Activating Flow, Releasing The power Within' Carl an inspirational speaker, shares his journey of mentally breaking down and breaking through in 1985/86, taking the journey from the head back to the heart. Working with Jay and Brooke, co-creator of the E2R Foundation, becoming Program Director of The E2R Foundation and co-creator of the GRC - Global Recovery Community.
