Joël R. Roy

Motivational Speaker & Certified Life in Focus Educator

Marriage Counseling, Parenting, Anger Management & Addictions

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Joël Roy - educator, entrepreneur, cancer survivor and life coach.

 

Joël, a native of Bordeaux, France; graduated from Lycée Gustave Eiffel in 1984, received his certification as a Youth Educator in 1987 and then completed studies at the CTP of Bordeaux in 1988 in technology and accounting.  He supplemented his education with certification as a translator/interpreter through the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce from Cambridge University.  He served one year in the French military 1988-89 putting his translation skills to use as a French language educator teaching foreign nationals.  For ‘services rendered’ in the French Army, Joël received one of his nation’s highest awards for non-career military servants, the Bronze Médaille de la Défense Nationale.

 

In the summer of 1987 and then again from 1990-1992, Joël worked at an international conference center and camp near Charlottesville, VA as an  Interpreter/Translator, Head Tennis Coach, Camp Key Staff Member and International Marketing Manager.  He attended conferences and recruited both campers and camp counselors.  There he met his wife, Catherine, in 1990 while she worked as a horseback riding instructor and barn manager.  They married in September of 1992 and now have three boys. The couple moved to Rockbridge County in January of 1993. 

 

In April of 1994, Mr. Roy opened Destination France, which still operates today.  He provides French language instruction to students ages two (2) and up.  Both Mr. Roy and his students received several honors for their work and language accomplishments such as consistent high placement in national French exams, 1st place international language team, and best international language coach.  The highlight was receiving a letter of commendation in 2001 from the University of Richmond for his work as a high school French teacher, commending him for his consistent and excellent preparation of students entering college.

 

Joël left public school teaching in 2002 to work as a sales manager for a local hotel, becoming the manager in 2005.  He is consistently ranked the #1 or #2 room salesman in the region competing against, now, 19 other area hotels.  The hotel’s business is based mostly on group sales thanks to his consistent efforts to network and work with other area venues and event managers.  He has built a strong reputation for the hotel in quality of service, cleanliness, and staff friendliness. 

 

Then in 2007, he received devastating news - a diagnosis of cancer.  Given only 1% chance of survival, Joël did not wish to give in to fear, but dedicated his life to a new calling – he would use his skills as an educator to become a marriage counselor to help combat divorce and brokenness in families.  So in 2008, Joël completed his Life in Focus certification for Marriage Counseling, Parenting, Anger Management and Addictions. He opened ‘I Refuse to Lose’ in 2009 and began delivering motivational seminars.  Since then, Joël has donated hundreds of hours of free services such as providing individual and family counseling, delivering motivational seminars and hosting family-friendly movie evenings. 

 

In 2011, Mr. Roy received a letter of thanks from President Barack Obama commending him for building a foundation for ‘real and lasting progress in the community’ through ‘I Refuse to Lose.’ 

 

In October of 2013, Mr. Roy was awarded the ‘Family Values’ award for his work in preserving the family unit.  Shortly after that, he got to work on his program ‘The Man in the Mirror,’ a journey and testimony of personal growth.  He introduced the program through a five-part weekly radio show in January of 2014 followed by a one-evening live presentation in November.  In March 2015, Joël joined Toastmaster's International and was voted 'Best Speaker’ by the Augusta, VA Chapter for April, May, June, and July of 2015.

 

Joël is back on the airwaves of 3WZ 96.7 FM radio station with a weekly life coaching program, reaching an average of 350 homes in 14 counties.

 

Joël continues taking life coaching classes, providing coaching services and delivering seminars to help combat the vicious cycle of brokenness in our homes and communities.  His multi-media presentations are powerful and passionate.  He combines his personal experiences as well as his years of teaching and coaching to create a welcome atmosphere in which to deliver powerful and life-changing content.  Mr. Roy is available for individual, small group counseling as well as motivational seminars and workshops to any organization, group or company.  Contact him today for a free consultation to discuss your goals and objectives. 

 

 

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Short Description

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Joël Roy is an educator, life coach, and motivational speaker.

 

A native of France, he came to the U.S. in the early 90s as an interpreter and translator when he met his wife of more than 25 years, Catherine.  

 

Joël is also a cancer survivor. In 2007 learning he had cancer and only a 1% chance of survival, he re-evaluated his life and its direction.  It was in this moment of surrender that he felt called to become a life coach, opening ‘I Refuse to Lose’ in 2008.   

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Since then, Mr. Roy has donated hundreds of hours to families in crisis.  In recognition of this community service work, Mr. Roy has received a ‘Letter of Thanks’ from the White House (2011) and a regional ‘Family Values Award’ (2013).  

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In 2014, he joined Toastmaster's International, a club for public speaking and professional development to add to his training as a motivational speaker.