From stuttering to strength, sport to service - this is my journey of transformation and purpose.
Hey, I'm Kenny M'Pindou, and if there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that our challenges can become our superpowers.
I grew up in a household full of love and energy. From a young age, I was happiest when I was running, jumping, playing - and sports quickly became the place where I could be myself. I wasn't always the most technical athlete, but I was fast, strong, and fearless, and sport was the space where that mattered most.
When I was in Grade 7, I realized the impact my stutter had. Before that moment, I didn't know what it was - I just knew how it felt. Every time I tried to read out loud or speak up, I could hear the laughs and feel the eyes on me. I became quiet in class and tried to disappear. But sport was different... on the pitch, on the field, and later on the ice track, I could express who I was without needing to fit into someone else's idea of "normal."
I went on to play elite-level soccer and eventually found my way to the Canadian National Bobsleigh Program, a journey that has brought me steps closer to my dream of representing Canada at the Olympic Winter Games.
Through my experiences with stuttering and the lessons I've learned along the way, I'm passionate about helping others see that vulnerability isn't weakness. It's a strength. I speak with students and organizations across Canada to talk about kindness, courage, and the importance of belonging, especially for young people who may feel like they don't fit the mold.
I share my story not for sympathy, but so that others know this: your story matters and it can inspire others too.