Speaking Tour
Over the years, Degrassi alumni Pat Mastroianni (aka Joey Jeremiah), Dr. Rebecca Haines-Saah (aka Kathleen Mead) and Stacie Mistysyn (aka Caitlin Ryan) have traveled cross-country sharing their life experiences, speaking on a wide variety of topics - including but not limited to - acting for television and film, mental and physical health, drug awareness and education. Authenticity is at the core of their appearances, creating a two-way conversation that connects and resonates across generations. Whether you're a community, program or institution, their conversations can be tailored to suit your needs.
Physical and mental health advocate and well-being specialist.
Stacie Mistysyn
Stacie Mistysyn is best known for her role as Caitlin Ryan on Degrassi and is the founder of Stronger with Stacie coaching and fitness. Her certifications include personal fitness specialist, healthy-eating and wellness coach and menopause fitness specialist.
“As a teenager, I secretly struggled with eating disorders and anxiety while the world watched me grow up on the original Degrassi series. At the time, I assumed I was to blame for my struggles and that I should have better control over my emotions and body. It wasn’t until my younger brother lost his own battle with anxiety that I finally reached out for the help I so badly needed.”
Stacie is currently acting as a peer tutor for Ontario Shores Recovery College and is versed in WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), a simple and powerful process that helps identify tools to create and maintain wellness.
Pat Mastroianni
Pat Mastroianni is best known for his role as Joey Jeremiah on Degrassi – a character very much in contrast with Pat’s adolescence. While Joey was outgoing and oozing charm, Pat was navigating his childhood with little moral support and low self-esteem. Through working on the show and speaking in schools about Degrassi and the documentary series, Degrassi Talks, he found his voice and confidence. As creator of Degrassi Tour, he now travels cross- country, motivating, and inspiring youth to set and go after their goals. He is a positive role model who appreciates his fans and wants nothing more than to help others find their way.
“The person I wanted to be was Joey Jeremiah. I played him as if I was this cool kid in school, and I think because I wasn’t a cool kid in real life, my eyes on camera told a lot more than my performance. People watching my performance on Degrassi Junior High realized he was just this awkward kid and a shy kid who wanted to be liked and please people and he would put on airs and people saw right through that and realized that Joey was a vulnerable kid just trying to get through school. I think that’s what I brought to the role as just Pat the actor.”
Motivational speaker on being true and believing in oneself
Professor and researcher for drug and alcohol awareness
Rebecca Haines-Saah
Rebecca Haines-Saah is best known as “Kathleen Mead” on Degrassi. The Kathleen character had many serious storylines including an eating disorder, a parent with an alcohol problem, and an abusive boyfriend.
Now a university professor and researcher, Rebecca focuses on adolescent substance use and mental health. Her work with young people is very much inspired by Degrassi’s approach to telling authentic stories about teen experiences.
Rebecca will speak on, “Drug Education 101 – Myths, Fears and Facts.” This is age- appropriate, accessible, and evidence-based content that is suitable for both youth and parents. She will share insights about what works when it comes to educating young people about drug use, the benefits of a “safety first” approach for teens, and why “the best prevention has little to do with drugs.”