Taking life one day at a time is how CJ Janzen chooses to live.
After working as a paramedic, truck driver, a scuba instructor and now a public speaker, Janzen has been many things, but being a quitter is not one of them.
The Cambridge native, who prefers the neutral pronouns xe and xyr, was diagnosed with a chronic fatigue condition called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) nearly a decade ago.
But it hasn't slowed down Janzen who continues a successful public speaking career, entering competitions across North America as a fierce advocate for the community.
"On good days I can barely walk and on bad days I am completely bedridden for multiple days in a row, it can be quite debilitating," Janzen said. "I went from swimming, or scuba diving two to four times a day, to being 90 per cent bed bound."
Now a week before a major heart operation, Janzen will be competing in the Speaker Slam in Toronto on July 16 with the hopes of winning $10,000 and the chance to compete in the grand slam event for a $50,000 prize.
"I am trying to save all my energy for the event, because I know it will take a pretty bad toll on me," xe said. "If I have a speaking engagement I try to stop everything leading up to it or I just won't be able to do it."
Going into the competition, Janzen will be taking personal experiences from xyr life and sharing xyr life motto, "Choose to live joyously, within the tempest of adversity."
"Before I got sick I was living my best life, other than the fact that I was an alcoholic," Janzen said. "When I got sick, in some ways, it's been a blessing, because by getting sick, it forced me to come home to Canada and that got me through the doors of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and now I’m over 11.5 years sober."
Janzen will be the first to admit xyr life hasn't been the easiest.
When Janzen was a young child xe was abused by someone close to her and at 13-years-old, xyr mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Janzen watched as the person xe loved the most fought the disease but ultimately lost the battle.
"For the final three years of my mother’s life, I had to act as her PSW (personal support worker) taking care of all of her bodily needs, I had to grow up fast. I was 30 before I was 13." Janzen said.
Janzen wanted someone back then to explain what became apparent later on in life; that although there is light at the end of the tunnel, that tunnel might have a few bends in it.
Janzen's experiences provided the tools to fully appreciate life and realize that no matter what cards you're dealt, life is worth living.
After joining Toastmasters in Cambridge, a group of like-minded people who are passionate about public speaking, Janzen was able to focus on crafting a message to help and uplift others.
"By competing at Toastmasters, it has allowed me to sort of discover who I am and what knowledge I have expertise in and that is in resilience, inspiration and helping people discover or rediscover their purpose and passion," Janzen said. "And for me, speaking is currently my passion, but I want to make it my profession."
Janzen's goal is to live a "burden-free" life.
Winning a competition like Speaker Slam means Janzen could go from charging zero to $200 a speech to $3,000 an event.
"There's so many barriers for people with disabilities and ODSP is 100 per cent a blessing. I would not be here without all the support that I do get, and I'm credibly thankful. But I don't need to be a burden on the system. I have talents. I have a desire, I have a drive."
Janzen may be unable to purchase things that could help in everyday life, like a proper wheelchair and new supports, but that hasn't stopped the public speaker.
Known widely as 'CJ, The Singing Speaker,' Janzen uses music to underscore motivational and personal lyrics for an emotional performance.
Next year Janzen hopes to compete on Canada's Got Talent and spread awareness about the autoimmune illness, ME.
"In everything I do I try to stand up for ME. It doesn't get as much attention as other disabilities, but there are so many who are affected by it," Janzen said. "I am going to base my performance at Speaker Slam on this and I might not get the win because of it, but it's important I do this."
Janzen uses every opportunity to fundraise for ME research and has set a goal of raising $50,000 with an ongoing fundraising page. Xe notes that 15-30 million people worldwide are affected by the illness.
Janzen is looking forward to getting up on stage and knows that no matter the outcome, the experience is well worth it.
"I try to be authentically myself and tell my story and if that reaches one person and they can spread that to someone else, I think that's a win."
