321-890-6561
D1P It Starts With Me...
To Be The Change I Want To See!
Where students shine, and their purpose, confidence, and money skills come alive.
Donna Bollinger delivers engaging school assemblies that empower students with the essential skills they need to succeed in life. Through her dynamic presentations, she teaches ocean safety, CPR, strategies for overcoming life’s challenges, and foundational financial wisdom from her Passion to Paycheck and Money CPR programs.
With a passion for equipping youth and a unique ability to connect, Donna creates memorable, high-energy experiences that leave students feeling capable and inspired.
Whether online or in person, Donna helps students build resilience, confidence, teamwork, and financial clarity, guiding them to navigate life’s currents with courage, purpose, and strength.
About Donna
Donna Bollinger is a powerhouse speaker with a compelling and relevant message for our youth. As a former Ocean Rescue Lifeguard and Basic Life Support instructor, she takes her real-life experiences on the beach and transforms them into dynamic life lessons. Her passion for equipping young people with life-saving tools as they navigate the strong currents of life is unmatched.
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Donna captivates students with high-energy, heartfelt stories, combining words, songs, and catchy raps to teach. A natural on stage, she even performs the National Anthem.
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As an elite triathlete and two-time national swimming record holder, she realized she was better at running her mouth than the race—leading her to become an announcer and emcee.
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She taught Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie how to perform CPR and once impressed a U.S. President while running, as he discovered she was listening to The Power of Positive Thinking.
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A proud mom of four amazing young adults, she draws daily inspiration from her mother, a Congressional Award-winning youth advocate.
Donna's Presentations
Break That Grip
Lessons From The Ocean of Life tells the true story of a family rescuing themselves from a rip current, and explains how surviving in the ocean is like surviving in life. Learn how to respond like a lifeguard and remain calm in the face of stressful situations.
CPR Starts with The Heart
CPR Starts with The Heart uses the foundations of CPR instruction to equip young people with memorable tools to deal with anxiety, insecurity, and stress, and become effective responders. Watch her CPR Rap above.
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Passion To Pay Check
Turn your gifts into income! This course equips young people with the confidence, tools, and strategies to turn their hobbies and natural talents into real opportunities to earn. Whether you're into art, sports, music, or helping others, you'll learn how to serve, sell, and shine.
Money CPR
Breathe Life Into Your Money!
Learn how to make your money work for you—not against you. Discover simple, powerful steps to grow your cash, keep more of what you earn, and build a future you’re excited about.
Testimonials
“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. "Break That Grip" and "CPR 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
“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 L
Donna's Book & Journals
OVERWHELMED? SCARED? AFRAID? These 3 words only BEGIN to describe the feelings that rushed through Donna. She faced an angry ocean and a powerful rip current that threatened the lives of her son and nephew. But these words are ALSO experienced by many young people today as they face their own “rip currents” in life.
In Break That Grip, Donna shares the powerful parallels between respecting the ocean and respecting life. She shares her heartfelt stories and equips young people with strategies to free themselves from their inner critic. Repeatedly applying the easy-to-remember steps will produce more positive outcomes, and we’ll experience a brighter life. This book is for people who want to expand, evolve, and finish strong.
Audio Book Now Available!
Break That Grip
Contact Donna
Contact Donna
Donna Bollinger is a powerhouse speaker with a compelling and relevant message for our youth.
321-890-6561