Testimonials

Thank you so much for coming in and talking to my Peer Mediation class in honor of National CPR Day. Your message was beyond powerful and impacted everyone in the room. They left understanding the importance of CPR, but more importantly, they left empowered to RISE and to SOAR. I know your influence did not stop in my classroom because I heard my students sharing your story with others.
Kristen I.

Many thanks for your wonderful presentation. I especially admire how well you were able to keep the whole class engaged—between funny jokes and a powerful message. I hope you can visit us with another inspiring word soon!
Cameron K.

Donna Bollinger’s commitment to ocean safety and education is unparalleled. “Breaking the Grip” and “It Starts With The Heart” are inspiring and appropriate for a wide range of listeners. I am more equipped today than I was prior to hearing her presentations. I highly recommend Donna for your next event!
Marvine G.

I had the pleasure of listening to Donna share at a women’s conference in North Carolina. I quickly realized that Donna is a gifted speaker and advocate. What makes her message so compelling is that she speaks from her heart. I sincerely believe that her transparency and desire to make those around her better will continue to impact so many.
Michaela S.

Thank you so much for speaking to our class! I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to share such an inspiring message with us. I loved everything you had to share and I have already started to spread the messages of RISE and SOAR. I felt every word you said and felt how truly passionate you are about this. Thank you for the impact you are making in this world.
Tiffany R.

Thank you for your time to talk to us about life lessons while teaching us CPR. When you shared your story about your son and the beach, I could tell how much you care and that touched my heart. I learned that it doesn’t matter where you come from, you can achieve anything you want as long as you work for it. I enjoy hearing from other people and their views on life. So it has been great to hear from you and you definitely made a difference. Thank you.
Gigi K.

Thank you for coming in and teaching us about CPR and sharing your story. I can relate to that feeling of hopelessness and the feeling of replacing it with happiness and joy. Your stories were powerful and I am honored to have heard them.
Evan

Thank you so much for coming in and sharing your story and telling us how you overcame your hardships and how we can overcome ours as well. I am going to look at some books to help me with my anxiety and bring up my positivity! I love how you were talking about how situations are affected by your mindset. One thing that you told me after class that I will remember forever is how thoughts are like placing an order. I love that analogy and can’t thank you enough for your positivity and energy!
Lauren M.

Thank you so much for coming into our class and speaking to us. I was inspired by you a lot. Your words of wisdom encouraged me to better myself in situations that may cause me anxiety. I learned that my biggest enemy is myself and that once I overcome my head trash and personal bullying, I can SOAR and go farther.
Aliyah H.

Thank you so much for coming in and talking to my Peer Mediation class in honor of National CPR Day. Your message was beyond powerful and impacted everyone in the room. They left understanding the importance of CPR, but more importantly, they left empowered to RISE and to SOAR. I know your influence did not stop in my classroom because I heard my students sharing your story with others.
Abi J.

I wanted to thank you for giving your time to the West Orange Peer Mediation class. I speak for all of us when I say your presentation skills are phenomenal. You had so much confidence and passion when presenting us with how to perform CPR. That day I learned so much valuable information that I will remember for the rest of my life. I hope you know how many lives will be saved because of your teachings. Thank you again so much for providing us with such useful information.
Jack B.

We have produced more than one hundred athletic events on the Space Coast with many different Emcees and announcers. Donna Bollinger stands out as one of the best for her fun and high-energy commentary and ability to motivate both athletes and spectators! With Donna you also get the added bonus of her being able to step in and sing the national anthem or make up an impromptu rap song. She is always a treat to have at our events.

Mitch V.

I met Donna many years ago with her daughter, at a camp. She truly changed my perspective on how your care and understanding can make a long-lasting impact. Many times over the years she has ‘shown up’ for me well beyond most people in my life, really seeing when I needed help before I asked. To be honest, I would support anything she does, based solely on the fact that I know she takes the same drive and determination to her life. This is one of the most genuine people I have ever met.

Brighid W.

Donna is a fine example of her book. I instantly realized she was gifted with a good sense of humor and a great personality. I could also tell that she was not lazy, being a busy and productive person myself. After reading her book, I noticed that I already use her uplifting strategies to keep my life enjoyable. Now, I’m evermore ready to keep it up. She’s a very inspiring person who does things from the heart. I’d like to have everyone follow her example so we could have a peaceful helping world.

Jack

Neighbor and friend, senior citizen

Wow! Where to begin….Break That Grip was outstanding!! It was very thoughtful, insightful, honest, and helpful. It brought tears to my eyes. This book is a great accomplishment and will continue to save many lives. SOAR is a great reminder to lead a “bright life” worthy of admiration, no matter where you are in life.

Dr. John Sanders

Reconstructive Microsurgery

Donna Bollinger is my brilliant colleague and an effective teacher, who has a heart of courage. Her warmth of soul and passion to rescue and restore life to others through S.O.A.R. is a testimony to that courage. She will save many lives, perhaps your own. Embodied in her book, Break That Grip, she offers a way back to beautiful, peaceful shores and safety to the rescuer! She is a great human.
Michael Pritchard

PBS Host, Humorist, and Juvenile Parole Officer

“My career has been to design images and tell stories for Sesame Street, Pampers, Michelin, Huggies, and Capri Sun, to name a few. New expressions of storytelling has always been my goal. In Break That Grip, Donna does a superior job of taking fun, stimulating, and relevant stories and makes them SOAR! Using every challenge as an opportunity to make this world better. We need more positive, humble people like her on this planet. Upon receiving my copy, I read the entire book from start to finish while standing in my kitchen. Donna captured my attention by employing unique, yet relatable images, with a good dose of humor to make my spirits RISE!
Trip Gruver (1955-2021)

Multiple Emmy and Clio award winning director and veteran of live action animation and composing

Donna Bollinger is my brilliant colleague and an effective teacher, who has a heart of courage. Her warmth of soul and passion to rescue and restore life to others through S.O.A.R. is a testimony to that courage. She will save many lives, perhaps your own. Embodied in her book, Break That Grip, she offers a way back to beautiful, peaceful shores and safety to the rescuer! She is a great human.

 

Michael Pritchard
PBS Host, Humorist, and Juvenile Parole Officer

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