About Us

We are all about choice - the choice to live different.

We believe in the value of each of our lives, and that value is what makes our lives worth living.

We will not be persuaded by the lure of apathy or the haze of indifference.

We will not perpetuate the 'me-first' mentality that endangers our cultural identity. We will focus on continually living our lives in a way that reminds the world that there is more to live for.

We believe that a changed heart can truly change the world.

We believe that this change starts with each of us.

It starts now. Live Different.

History

Established in January 2000 by Vaden and Christal Earle, the Live Different movement is facilitated by Absolute Leadership Development, a federally incorporated Canadian charity. Live Different (Absolute) was established to meet a need in the emerging generation of students: the need for purpose, hope and perspective. This was originally accomplished through high school motivational presentations and has now expanded to include our humanitarian program, Hero Holiday (initiated in 2005), as well as Live Different Academy (initiated in 2004) program. In 2011 Absolute rebranded as Live Different in order to better communicate our core message and inspire people to the kind of selfless action that will change our worlds.

Program Overview

Live Different Motivational Experience

Live Different's “motivational experience” has emerged as the most popular school assembly in Canada’s public, Catholic, and independent middle and secondary schools.  Going beyond motivation, Live Different offers a live, concert-style, school-wide motivational assembly and supplementary workshops, programs and resources presenting a message that everyone has value and stirring students to take immediate action to make a positive difference in their world. Live Different has taken significant measures to ensure all students can be reached with this exciting program by switching to a fully sponsored, donation based pricing model which will give as many schools as possible access to this opportunity. Our presentations create the forum to invite students to participate in a Hero Holiday student humanitarian relief trip, giving them a tangible hands-on opportunity to make the real difference in their lives by showing compassion and meeting the needs of others.

Hero Holiday

Hero Holiday is a program that provides youth an opportunity to change their lives by meeting the needs of others who live in poverty. Throughout the year, Live Different provides opportunities for high school students to participate in humanitarian relief projects by bringing practical assistance to those living in extreme poverty. Activities may include building homes, distributing supplies, providing food, mobile medical clinics and working with children at risk. This program allows them to see first-hand how two-thirds of the world lives, expands their world view and gives them an opportunity to become educators on world poverty by sharing their experiences.

Live Different Academy

Live Different Academy is a nine month leadership development program that provides students an opportunity to go to the next level of personal development though their active participation in Live Different's mandate of empowering youth and pursuing social justice. Live Different Academy students spend a semester on the road with the Live Different school tour, delivering messages of self-worth and purpose to students across Canada. Their second ‘tour of duty’ is a semester in Mexico completing a course on International Social Justice and assisting in hosting Hero Holidays. The advantage of this ‘school’ is the practical, cross-cultural nature of this experience. The lives of the Live Different Academy graduates are changed for good as a result of this intensive and rewarding adventure.