#27 John Brink - From WAR-TORN Childhood to IMMIGRANT CEO in Canada?

The Cluttered Path

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During WWII in war-torn Holland, a five-year-old watches Canadian soldiers hand out bread, butter, and cheese in a schoolyard. He decides that someday he will live in the land of his heroes. Decades later that child, John Brink, arrives in Canada with a suitcase, $25.47 in his pocket, and a desire to build his own company. What unfolds is a story of grit, passion, and the billion-dollar skill that changed everything: Communication.

We sit down with John to explore his childhood in Nazi-Occupied Holland, PTSD, and years of academic struggles that evolved into a blueprint for confident speaking and leadership. He shares the identity shift that came with discovering ADHD and Dyslexia, and how naming his neurodiversity turned shame into a superpower. From a humiliating first experience speaking in public to becoming a Distinguished Toastmaster, John walks us through the habits that transformed panic into presence: study the room, master the tech, move with purpose, choose outlines over scripts, and focus on your audience. He also reveals why a little anxiety is useful, how empathy makes moments unforgettable, and what it looks like to go off-script to elevate someone else’s story.

Along the way, we talk building lumber mills, writing books, and stepping on a bodybuilding stage in his 70s and 80s as a declaration that discipline scales across domains. If you care about public speaking, leadership, or simply finding your voice, you’ll leave with practical tactics and a deeper sense of what’s possible when you align attitude, passion, and work ethic with a clear message.

Where to Connect With John Brink:

Web: https://johnabrink.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnABrink

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-brink-podcast/id1523109056

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Resources from This Episode: Billion Dollar Communication Skills: https://amzn.to/4gELwS2 Against All Odds (autobiography): https://amzn.to/4gHZMJY Living Young, Dying Old: https://amzn.to/4mDklIR

As an Amazon Partner, our podcast earns from qualified purchases at no extra cost to you.

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챕터

1. Welcome (00:00:00)

2. Introduction (00:00:12)

3. Born in Nazi-Occupied Holland (00:01:33)

4. Life in Holland After the War (00:08:22)

5. Immigrating to Canada, Age 25 (00:10:16)

6. A Positive Attitude During Trials (00:15:55)

7. Diagnosed With ADHD and Dyslexia (00:18:12)

8. Joining Toastmasters (00:21:02)

9. The Power of Self Acceptance (00:25:45)

10. A Terrifying First Experience as a Public Speaker (00:28:22)

11. Becoming a Bodybuilder in His 60s (00:34:40)

12. Lessons on Effective Communication (00:38:24)

13. The Story of Heiki Ellermets (00:46:59)

14. Where to Find John Brink (00:47:54)

15. Closing Thoughts (00:48:42)