The words “motivational speaker” and “comedian” rarely cross paths in the world today. More often than not, a motivational speaker is associated with “steps-to-success” programs, lengthy seminars and overly excited, dare I say corny, spokespeople. Historically, such connotations would rarely be found comical or cause one to guffaw.  However, history is about to change…

“Regardless of if you choose to smoke, drink, or neither… Bellace is hilarious and he uses humor as a tool to inform the pressures of unhealthy choices like drinking and smoking on a college campus” -Adam Strand

Enter Matt Bellace. After receiving a Ph. D. in clinical neuropsychology from Drexel University, Bellace has devoted the past 15 years of his life to motivating youths across the country to become student leaders. His “How to Get High, Naturally” program tactfully motivates hundreds of thousands of teenagers per year to choose a healthy lifestyle by finding the “natural highs” in life.

“After we brought him here last semester, the P.A.s thought Matt would be a great resource for incoming [first-years],” Senior Biology Major and Peer Assistant Adam Strand said. Strand was one of the first who really strived to bring Bellace to campus. “Many students in these first few weeks feel that everyone here drinks and that they need to drink in order to fit in.”

What intrigued Strand the most about Bellace was his ability to lecture about making healthy choices while still keeping an audience engaged.

“Regardless of if you choose to smoke, drink or neither … Bellace is hilarious, and he uses humor as a tool to inform the pressures of unhealthy choices like drinking and smoking on a college campus,” Strand said.

The event is co-sponsored by the Peer Assistants and the Campus Activities Board.

“The mission of CAB is to enrich the educational, cultural, social and recreational needs for the entire Gustavus campus,” Senior Management Major and President of CAB Adam Toppin said.

Toppin believes that Bellace fits the bill of powerful early semester programming for incoming students and is very confident Bellace will help any student who is dealing with such issues.

“CAB is very excited about this great opportunity to pair with the P.A.s and we hope that all students will come out to hear Matt’s message and then head over to the old football field for the outdoor movie Angels and Demons,” Toppin said.

Matt Bellace speaks on Friday, Sept. 11 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall. You can also check out his website, videos and clips on his website, or just listen to Adam Strand: “Bellace has a great message for all, and if you don’t go for the message, at least go for the humor.” So … you wanna get high?