From BlacktieColorado
Perseverance is the operative word at Pueblo Community College. Whether it be a student working hard to earn a degree and becoming successful in the business world, or a non-traditional student overcoming the odds to get their long-dreamed-of diploma, the drive and persistence it takes to succeed is always an element.
Visiting speaker Woody Roseland had the same sentiment when he talked to attendees Thursday night at the 3rd annual “Mingling and Mocktails” event at PCC. He told the crowd comprised of high schoolers, college students, mentors and supporters all about his philosophy of just throwing out creativity into the universe and seeing what sticks. He had one of his first videos “go viral” with 250,000 views, resulting in CEOs and corporate entities contacting him to speak and gain from his expertise. “Sometimes you put everything into a project and it ends up failing. But you have to get back up and keep trying,” he told the crowd. He mentioned almost offhandedly that he happened to have a rare form of cancer when he was 16, relapsed 7 times and lost his left leg. But that doesn’t come anywhere close to defining Roseland. His boundless energy and live-for-the-moment attitude has made him a success on many levels.
Even emcee Marcus Martinez exhibited he has what it takes to succeed. A novice at navigating a program, he took the stage with confidence and humility, delivering an honest and refreshing commentary on the program. He just went with his heart.
Mingling and Mocktails is an event that brings together students from various levels to network and learn etiquette. And, as we learned after hearing Roseland speak, to make perseverance an integral part of the academic arsenal.
To preview BlacktieColorado coverage of this event, CLICK HERE
2016 MINGLING & MOCKTAIL SPONSORS
Presenting Sponsor
Pueblo Community College
Gold Sponsor
Black Hills Energy
ABOUT 2016 KEYNOTE SPEAKER WOODY ROSELAND
Harnessing film, copywriting, and photography for the benefit of his clients
Woody Roseland launched his first business in the 7th grade selling bootleg CD’s to his classmates. With his hard earned money he bought what any reasonable 7th grader would bur, a gigantic stereo.
At the age of 16 Woody was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer (osteosarcoma). Woody unfortunately relapsed 7 times and had his left leg amputated above the knee.
Since his diagnosis, Woody has been a staunch advocate for the young adult cancer community. Woody has spent time working at the LIVESTRONG Foundation and speaking across the country, everywhere from the main event at TEDxMileHigh to Pelotonia’s opening ceremonies in front of ten thousand people.
Not wanting to let cancer rule his world, Woody spun his creativity into developing a business that would offer him the opportunity to tell stories and inspire action. Roseland Creative Company is an idea shop that harnesses film, copywriting, and photography for the benefit of its clients. Woody launched Roseland Creative with nothing more than a macbook, and a DSLR.
Roseland Creative has had the opportunity to work with a variety of businesses and organizations. Their highest profile clients include coordinating projects for the Denver Broncos, the Denver Nuggets, Uber.
On any given day Woody can be found at Cheeseman Park with his head in the clouds, bike nearby and a camera around his neck. He typically has a story or two in his back pocket for anyone willing to listen.
Woody believes in the power of the hustle and trusting the struggle to achieve his dreams. Woody’s ultimate dream: moving to Barcelona, Spain so he can practice the siesta every day.
Film Projects
I made my first movie at age 9 after I begged my parents for a video camera for Christmas. Years later I learned how to shoot on a DSLR. There were a lot more modes and dials.
But the same rules still applied. Pay attention to the details and make something worth watching.
Cinematography Reel A 62 second visual resume of the work I’ve done behind the camera over the past year.
12 Days of Chemo – A project for First Descents
Published December 18, 2014
First Descents provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer.
What is the American Dream? – Documentary
Published October 6, 2014
A simple question that is open to individual interpretation. While in Cleveland, Ohio I posed the question to people I crossed paths with. The answers amazed me, people poured out their heart and soul on camera. This project is still in the works. I don’t feel that the interviews captured the diversity and truth of the American Dream, stay tuned.
The Scripture of the Mile High – Client Video
Published March 6, 2014
Video produced for Nuggets fans and debuted to Season Ticket Holders. After the success that Breathless had we were contacted by the Denver Nuggets. We reunited the creative team from Breathless, sans Theo to create The Scripture of the Mile High. Our goal was to pay homage to the history of the franchise and at the same time get fans excited about the current team. Convincing me to shoot under the basket at Nugs games was an easy sell.
Breathless – A project of Air Ball Creative for TEDxMileHigh.
Published July 19, 2013
A film about the people, the places, and the heart and soul of Denver.
S#!% Cancer Patients Say – YouTube
Writing Projects
Woody Roseland is a 22-year-old motivational speaker, TED Talker, stand-up comedian, writer, sports fanatic and damn good looking amputee.
(2012 – Present)
July 2013
Speaking Engagements
Woody Roseland Bio from All American Speakers Bureau
Woody Roseland, an eight-time cancer survivor and amputee is passionate about bringing the best out of people.
Woody combines his story of diagnosis, relapse and amputation with his stand-up comedy roots to deliver an relatable, impactful and unforgettable experience that your audience won’t soon forget.
As a 17-year-old high school football player, a nagging pain turned into something much worse – a rare form of bone cancer. As the years past, the cancer persistently lingered in Woody’s life eventually taking his left leg. But it couldn’t take his excitement and love for life.
Over the years Woody has fought back against his disease by living life on his terms – launching companies, competing in endurance events, becoming an accomplished filmmaker and traveling the world sharing his message.
Each step along his journey has added layers of perspective and levity that he happily shares with audiences.
Pelotonia 12 – Woody Roseland
August 24, 2012
TedXMileHigh – 2012 Presentation
Published on Jul 16, 2012
Woody Roseland lives to laugh, to dream, and to be HERE.
From his story, it wouldn’t seem like he has anything to laugh about. As a sophomore in high school, he experienced a pain in his leg that wasn’t just a bruise, it was cancer. Since, he has overcome cancer five times, and through it all has discovered the most important aspects of life. In this engaging and moving talk, Woody tells his serious story with humor, and asks us to participate in loving life and understand the weight of ‘You Are Here’. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.
News Coverage
The Denver News Channel – January 9, 2013
Colorado Surgeon, Students Design Permanent Artificial Leg
9 News Story Tellers – September 3, 2012
Woody Roseland Feature
Fox & Friends – May 12, 2012
Cancer Survivor’s Special Week
The Denver Channel – Sports Extra – April 16, 2012
CBS News Story – April 11, 2012
Larry BrownSports – April 11, 2012
CLICK HERE to preview photos from the 2016 Pueblo Community College Mingling & Mocktails event which took place on April 21, 2016.