GOAT mindset aims to give youth hope, goals — and two hearts
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Michael DePeazer turns pain into purpose and death into direction.
In 2021, the Waverley West resident’s brother, Mitch, died of a drug overdose at the age of 39. DePeazer recalls how his brother, a drywall taper and musician, was always willing to help those around him because he cared so deeply about people.
“I call him the man with two hearts,” DePeazer says.
Michael DePeazer wants to give youth the tools they need to succeed with the creation of the G.O.A.T. Mindset program.
The 46-year-old has a theory about what happens when someone you love dies. He believes that you take on one of the deceased’s characteristics — something you yourself might be lacking — and you change for the better.
DePeazer has cared about the people around him for a long time, but his brother’s death challenged him to consider how he might double down and help even more — how he, himself, might become a man with two hearts.
Today, he says, his goal is to become the No. 1 speaker on the topic of mindset in Canada and change a million lives by 2030.
Cynics may doubt DePeazer but might change their minds after listening to him speak.
Listeners might also start believing in themselves.
DePeazer is the founder of F&I Masters, a training and coaching experience that helps car dealerships achieve gains in their finance and insurance profits.
He draws on more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry while delivering his presentations, which blend practical process training with what he calls “deep mindset work” that empowers dealership employees to better serve customers.
The business is so successful, DePeazer says, that he only has to work about five days a month. That leaves him with plenty of time for other pursuits, including volunteer endeavours like the program he recently created to help young people.
Titled the G.O.A.T. Mindset, the program consists of four 90-minute modules meant to help participants shift their mindsets and see what’s possible for their lives. DePeazer presents the modules in person. Each one includes practical exercises so that participants can think through the content and connect it to their own lives.
“GOAT” usually refers to “greatest of all time,” but in DePeazer’s program it stands for “Get to know yourself,” “Own your goal,” “Act on it” and “Trust the process.”
Born in Calgary to immigrant parents from Jamaica and Guyana, and raised by a single mother in Winnipeg, DePeazer draws from his own life story to show young people that where they start in life doesn’t have to decide where they finish.
“I grew up in the inner city myself so I know the struggles, but I also know the potential that’s there if kids are given the right tools,” DePeazer says. “That’s what this program, the G.O.A.T. Mindset, is all about: teaching them how to discover who they are, set goals, take action and build confidence to trust the process.”
Last month, DePeazer presented the G.O.A.T. Mindset for the first time. About 15 young people between the ages of 14 and 22 participated at Elwick Village Family Resource Centre in Winnipeg’s Mynarski neighbourhood.
It was exactly what the participants needed, says Amina Ndagire, child and youth program coordinator at the resource centre, who invited DePeazer to make the presentations.
“He’s very open to serving and sharing his story as well as his knowledge to impact others for the better,” Ndagire says. “He just really pours himself — his whole heart — into his creation to make sure that he’s bringing his best to the youth.”
DePeazer plans to bring the G.O.A.T. Mindset to other resource centres and schools. He wants to help more people, just like his brother Mitch did.
“This is more than just a workshop,” DePeazer says. “It’s about sparking hope and giving these kids a belief in themselves that can change their future.”
To contact DePeazer, visit coachmike.com.
If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Volunteer opportunities
THE following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and the surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
• The Prairie Showcase Tournament, hosted by the Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association, is seeking volunteers for various roles, including field setup, team check-in, and event support. The event, from Oct. 22 to Oct. 26, will feature teams from across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Email events@wpgsoccer.com by Friday.
• The Manitoba Band Association needs Manitoba Senior Honour Band volunteers. Opportunities are available from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, leading up to the final concert of the 2025 senior honour band. Roles include band room and stage setup and/or tear down, transportation (own vehicle required), student supervision (teachers preferred), concert ushers, stagehands and admission desk (cash handling, Square device operation). The time commitment is one to four hours. More information is available at wfp.to/iXZ. Apply online at wfp.to/iXV by Nov. 1, the day of the final concert.
• The Transcona Museum needs Remembrance Week exhibition volunteers at Kildonan Place from Nov. 6 to Nov. 11. They will sit and talk to people about the exhibition, hand out information, count visitors, and help with table setup and take down at the start and end of the day. Help is also needed to move items to the museum when the exhibition is over. Apply at wfp.to/iXL by Nov. 12.
• The Town of Beausejour’s active transportation committee needs a social-media co-ordinator. This role involves attending about one daytime meeting per month, working with the committee to create content, and keeping social-media platforms up to date. Email mallory@townofbeausejour.com or rondeau@mymts.net by Nov. 30.
• The Tetra Society of North America needs technical volunteers with engineering expertise, or students studying engineering, to help create customized assistive devices for people with disabilities. Outreach volunteers are also welcome to help with community engagement efforts. Register at wfp.to/iXv by Jan 30.
• The Assiniboine Park Conservancy needs volunteers for Boo at the Zoo, which started Oct. 3. Shifts are available Wednesday to Sunday evenings. The more shifts a volunteer covers, the greater the rewards. Must be 18 or older. Apply at wfp.to/iJI by Oct. 20.
• St. Amant needs volunteers to join its team in St-Pierre-Jolys for a program focused on independent living skills. They will help the lead facilitator in running group sessions that help young people with autism or related disabilities develop essential independent living skills in a supportive and sensory-friendly environment. The volunteers will guide activities, provide one-on-one support and encourage participation. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old (parental consent is required if under 16), patient, responsible and mature, and must pass background checks. The time commitment is 90 minutes per week. Email volunteer@stamant.ca by Nov. 1.
• Retired teachers are needed to help with programming at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada as volunteer educational tour guides. Licensed teachers lead STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)-based programs in the classroom, and the volunteers give guided tours in the galleries. The time commitment is three to six hours per week based on the volunteer’s availability. Email HR@royalaviationmuseum.com by Nov. 15.
• The Canadian Red Cross Society needs volunteers in Manitoba for programs such as Smart Start and Disaster Risk Reduction. These roles involve leading sessions on climate change and emergency preparedness, and require effective communication skills and cultural sensitivity. Volunteers might also join the emergency responder and personal disaster assistance teams to help during disasters. Training and background checks are mandatory. This opportunity offers experience in public speaking and crisis management. Send a resumé to SmartStart@RedCross.ca by Dec. 31.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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