Tip#860: Strong Women in the Movies, Part 2 - Spy

When I was a kid I was always the shortest, nerdiest one in the class and sometimes one of the few visible minorities. That could be why I was bullied and pick on a lot by other kids. But my confidence and creative spirit in the arts never diminished and by high school I was editor-in-chief of the yearbook, won an arts award and was valedictorian of my graduating year. Movies like the very first Star Wars film always inspired me to be the best I could be!

I believe cinema can help kids and adults, male or female who feel different or outsiders to be confident in themselves. And movies can help breakdown stereotypes of what good leaders and heroes are suppose to look like. Strong female leaders in films have been increasing like action heroes Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) in the Alien films, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) in The Hunger Games series or Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) in the Marvel films like The Avengers.

See my video: Top 10 Movies for Women Leadership 

There are also films based on real-life female heroes like Erin Brockovich, The Blind Side and Secretariat as well as fiction like Legally Blonde or the animated Frozen. These women can be strong cinematic role models to help you believe in yourself. And now there is a new hero that challenges public perceptions of what a female action hero is suppose to look like!

Spy (2015)

The action comedy film, Spy, is about a plus-size desk-bound CIA analyst named Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) who volunteers to go undercover to prevent a nuclear disaster. This amazing homage to James Bond films is also hilarious, full of great fight scenes with Cooper and shows off the comedic talents of McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Jude Law, Jason Statham and Miranda Hart. And McCarthy is outstanding as a new action hero! See: movie trailer

Inspiring Themes:
• Self-confidence
• Self-esteem
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Leadership
• Teamwork

Cooper always had the fighting skills and smarts before she took a desk job but when she finally goes into the field she truly shines. It is amazing to watch her transform from a meek person to a strong-willed leader. And her action scenes are exciting to watch, especially the restaurant kitchen fight, because you are seeing a plus-size woman kick some serious ass! McCarthy was trained by Diana Lee Inosanto in the Filipino martial arts called Kali and Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do.
See article: Diana Lee Inosanto Trains SPY (2015) Actress

So whether you are plus-size, short, nerdy or just feel different from other people be inspired by heroes of all shapes and sizes in movies. Let these cinematic role models show you how to find your self-confidence, talents, skills and gifts and show them to the world!

Related Tips:
Tip#754: Strong Women in the Movies, Part 1 - Belle 
Tip#860: Strong Women in the Movies, Part 2 - Spy 
Tip#929: Strong Women in the Movies, Part 3 - Aliens 
Tip#930: Strong Women in the Movies, Part 4 – Mary Kom 
Tip#968: Strong Women in the Movies, Part 5 - Erin Brockovich  
Tip#1024: Strong Women in the Movies, Part 6 - Women’s March – Made in Dagenham
Tip#501: How Women in Movies Inspire a Leadership Mindset 

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Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments 



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2015

Tip#859: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 4 – Paper Planes

“I’m being supportive, that’s what mates do.” 
Paper Planes (2015)

I continue to feel consistence symptoms of clinical depression that started in September of 2014. And though I’m currently on the 5th session of a 15 week group program on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (see tip#855) and have altered my diet to be more nutritional my symptoms still persist. Thankfully I’ve been receiving heartfelt support by family, friends, work colleagues and dedicated blog readers like Christine Bode who left this comment on my previous tip#858…

“I continue to be inspired by your perseverance and resilience when it comes to dealing with your clinical depression, Emmanuel! You're a leader and an inspiration and I thank you. I'm always reading your blogs even when I'm not commenting but I want you to know that you ARE inspiring me and I'm grateful for our connection!” 

All my best & hugs too, Christine 

It’s comments like this that does wonders when I'm feeling low to re-activate my indestructible optimism and resilience! These comments are like a shining light in dark times reminding me that I’m not alone even if I feel isolated (see: tip#857). Hockey legend Ron Ellis also made me feel supported in our conversation I wrote about in tip#858. That’s why my 3-part recipe for resilience includes cultivating supportive relationships and team spirit both in the workplace and in life. I believe this is so important for anyone young and old.

Paper Planes (2015)

The family drama and comedy film, Paper Planes, is about a young boy named Dylan (Ed Oxenbould) from Australia who has a passion for flight and enters paper airplane championships that lead to Japan. This funny and touching film is wonderfully optimistic and has great performances from all the kids as well as Dylan’s father Jack (Sam Worthington) who is suffering from depression. See: movie trailer

This is one of those films that feels like it is full of light! There are many uplifting messages and the Australian scenery always feels full of bright sunlight. Plus it is fllled with examples of many supportive relationships from Dylan’s school friends, teachers and family at home and his new friend from Japan. In turn Dylan shows his loving support for his father despite the debilitating depression you see Jack struggling with. Dylan’s unshakable support moved me and it will move you too.

Inspiring Themes:
• Following a passion
• Perseverance
• Indestructible Optimism
• Resilience
• Supportive Relationships
• Dealing with Depression (mental health)
• Exploring other cultures
• Team Spirit & Community Spirit

Remember you are not alone even if you feel isolated in whatever challenges you face. Whether it is with depression or a difficult goal or task at work or in life remember to cultivate supportive relationships to be shining lights in dark times.

“I’m going to stick with you for as long as it takes.” 
Paper Planes (2015)

Related Tips:
Tip#300: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 1 – Top 25 Movies 
Tip#824: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 2 – Bell Let’s Talk Day - Wild Card  
Tip#856: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 3 - Mental Health - John Nash - Welcome to Me 
Tip#859: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 4 – Paper Planes
Tip#886: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 5 - Walk the Line
Tip#899: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 6 – Depression - A Little Chaos
Tip#907: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 7 – Depression - The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2  
Tip#918: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 8 - The Intern   
Tip#1118: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 9 - Alpha  Tip#41: Recognize The Support Around You - 4 Movie Tips 

NEED A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER ON RESILIENCE?
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Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments 



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2015

Tip#858: Recognize The Support Around You, Part 2 - Ron Ellis - San Andreas

I was very honored to speak to hockey legend and mental health advocate Ron Ellis on the telephone recently. Ellis inspires me because he’s been speaking openly to corporations about his journey with depression. I told him about my mental health and he encouraged me to also speak openly about my clinical depression. Ellis says it helps people to put a face on depression. This is true because seeing that he speaks about depression inspired me to continue being resilient with my ongoing challenges.

I was recommended to connect with Ellis through another speaker I met a few months ago. After I talked to Ellis I was in awe and amazed how great it felt to find his support through unexpected channels. This is an important reminder to recognize the support around you and to be open with your needs and goals.

San Andreas (2015)

The action disaster film, San Andreas, is about massive earthquakes that strike Los Angeles and San Francisco and rescue-chopper pilot Ray (Dwayne Johnson) and his goal to save his wife Emma (Carla Gugino) and daughter Blake (Alexandra Daddario). Though this movie features unrealistic “over-the-top” action scenes it is still thrilling in its stunning visual effects and touching in its moments about family and supportive help. See: amazing movie trailer

Inspiring Themes:
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Indestructible Optimism
• Strategic/Creative Thinking
• Leadership
• Family support
• Support from strangers

I was also inspired by the scenes of strangers helping or being helped by Ray. I especially loved the scenes with Blake and the two brothers from England and how they unexpectedly help each other survive. They meet as strangers before the quake hits and then afterwards reveal hidden skill sets and knowledge (especially the younger brother!) that help them move through the destruction.

Be inspired to know there is always support around you whether it’s family, friends, work colleagues or strangers. You just need to be open with your needs and goals and articulate them to others. They, or someone they know, may be able to help you. You’ll be amazed at how some people are quick and eager to be there for you!

Great article: 12 Earthquake Survival Lessons from the San Andres Movie

Related Tips:
Tip#41: Recognize The Support Around You - 4 Movie Tips
Tip#857: Recognize The Support Around You, Part 2 - Ron Ellis - San Andreas
Tip#872: Recognize The Support Around You, Part 3 - Red Planet

NEED A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER ON RESILIENCE?
For your workplace, AGM, Conference or special event...
Contact Motivatorman now! See topics: Click here

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments 



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2015

Tip#857: Resilience Resources, Part 15 - Instagram - Pitch Perfect 2

“You are my flashlight, getting me through the night.” 
Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Since August of 2014 the social media tool Instagram has been teaching me the power of the “hashtag”. A hashtag is a type of label for keywords or topics that makes it easier for users to find what they are seeking online. On instagram I discovered how many people are posting and interested in the following topics:

#film 10 thousand+
#mentalhealth 424 thousand+
#depression 10 million+
#god 17 million+
#movie 19 million+
#food 178 million+
#friends 217 million+
#happy 302 million+
#love: 913 million+

I was amazed to see that there were over 10 million posts for depression and increases every second. This inspired me to call my account on Instagram The Film Food Friends Project where I am posting and hashtagging positive photos and tips for getting through difficult times or depression. I always post something with the intention and vision that someone somewhere around the world will benefit from it.

It also feels fantastic when I see someone “like” a post especially when I see from that person’s profile that they are dealing from depression. It feels that my photos are like a flashlight for someone feeling trapped in the dark. Take a look at my Instagram page and click on an image that attracts you. You can then click on someone who “liked’ the photo and see people from around the world. Feel free to follow me too if you have an account. See: Motivatorman on Instagram

Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

The musical comedy film, Pitch Perfect 2, continues the story of all female a capella singing group The Barden Bellas as they try to recover from a humiliating televised performance. They make it their goal to compete in an a capella world competition to redeem themselves. This film is filled with fantastic, catchy musical numbers and hilarious one-liners from stars Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Flula Borg, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen, Keegan-Michael Key, John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks who also directed the movie. See: movie trailer 

Inspiring Themes:
• Team spirit & Teamwork
• Finding your unique voice
• Perseverance
• Resilience
• Creative thinking
• Personal development (retreats)

I loved all the inspiring themes this movie offered like The Bellas going to a retreat to find themselves and how to work together as a team again. That leads to an exciting finale featuring a capella groups from around the world like Canada, India, Africa and the Philippines (where I was born!).

Whenever I see uplifting, entertaining films like Pitch Perfect 2 it feels like a flashlight in the darkness of my difficult times or depression periods. Instagram has also become a shining resource for me that excites me to help others and connect with like-minded people around the world through hashtags. So if it resonates with you add your favourite movies or Instagram to your list of Resilience Resources today!

“I thought I could figure it out on my own and I can’t.” 
Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Related Tips:
Tip#804: Resilience Resources, Part 1 - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - The Theory of Everything
Tip#805: Resilience Resources, Part 2 - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - It’s Kind of a Funny Story
Tip#810: Resilience Resources, Part 3 – Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - A League of Their Own
Tip#811: Resilience Resources, Part 4 – Top 15 Movies for Dealing with Depression & Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Tip#812: Resilience Resources, Part 5 – Mental Health - Mumford
Tip#813: Resilience Resources, Part 6 - 50 First Dates 
Tip#819: Resilience Resources, Part 7 - Wild 
Tip#822: Resilience Resources, Part 8 - Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Tip#823: Resilience Resources, Part 9 – Super Bowl -Invincible
Tip#825: Resilience Resources, Part 10 – Mental Health & Healthcare - Big Hero 6
Tip#829: Resilience Resources, Part 11 – The Tartigrade – Mr. Deeds Goes To Town
Tip#830: Resilience Resources, Part 12 – Depression & Graham Moore - The Imitation Game 
Tip#833: Resilience Resources, Part 13 – Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Tip#834: Resilience Resources, Part 14 - Top 10 Movies for Inspiring Resilience in the Workplace
Tip#857: Resilience Resources, Part 15 - Instagram - Pitch Perfect 2
Tip#873: Resilience Resources, Part 16 - Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation
Tip#881: Resilience Resources, Part 17 - Love & Mercy
Tip#892: Resilience Resources, Part 18 – Problem Solving - The Martian 
Tip#896: Resilience Resources, Part 19 - Depression – J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Tip#910: Resilience Resources, Part 20 – Depression – A Christmas Carol – It’s a Wonderful Life 

NEED A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER ON RESILIENCE?
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Contact Motivatorman now! See topics: Click here

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments 



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2015

Tip#856: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 3 - Mental Health - John Nash - Welcome to Me

A lot has happened in the three days since I posted my very personal blog article regarding my journey with depression in tip#855. I received many supportive comments from friends, professionals in the medical field and from Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter of people thanking me for sharing my experiences. And, of this writing, the post has received over 200 views.

I was also saddened to hear the news of mathematician John Nash and his wife Alicia’s unexpected deaths. They were killed in a car accident on May 23, 2015. Their story was featured in the Oscar-winning film A Beautiful Mind which has been an ongoing inspiration for me. His story of coping with his mental illness keeps me resilient in dealing with extreme periods of depression. John and Alicia’s inspiring story of love and support will live on forever in their powerful movie.

There are many movies, both fiction and nonfiction, that can provide insights on what mental illness is like to better understand and support people dealing with depression and other mental health challenges. Here is the latest I’ve discovered.

Welcome to Me (2014)

The comedy drama film, Welcome to Me, is about Alice Klieg (Kristen Wiig) who has a borderline personality disorder and wins a Mega-Millions lottery helping her create a live talk show that is all about her. This film has a unique combination of being funny, heartbreaking while providing insights on someone with a mental illness. Wiig gives an amazing, quirky and heartfelt performance that is mesmerizing to see. See: movie trailer

The TV show Alice creates is fascinating because at first it seems ridiculous and uncomfortable to watch and yet you begin to see that it’s a form of creative therapy and catharsis for herself. And though her televised actions cause many consequences and hurts someone close to her Alice is clear enough in her mind to make things right. For despite Alice’s initial self-centred needs for creating her show she discovers that the friend who supported her for years was the most important factor for her.

Inspiring themes:
• Find your true calling no matter how unusual it might be
• Taking responsibility for your actions
• Supportive relationships
• Creative forms of catharsis & therapy
• Dealing with Depression (mental health)

Whether you are struggling with a mental health challenge or not remember the importance of cultivating supportive relationships. Getting through difficult times is easier when you know there are others that believe in you especially during times you are unable to believe in yourself.

Read a great review from Forbes:
'Welcome To Me' Shows Humor, Heartbreak In Mental Health Struggle

Related Tips:
Tip#300: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 1 – Top 25 Movies 
Tip#824: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 2 – Bell Let’s Talk Day - Wild Card  
Tip#856: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 3 - Mental Health - John Nash - Welcome to Me 
Tip#859: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 4 – Paper Planes
Tip#886: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 5 - Walk the Line
Tip#899: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 6 – Depression - A Little Chaos
Tip#907: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 7 – Depression - The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2  
Tip#918: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 8 - The Intern   
Tip#1118: Cultivate Supportive Relationships, Part 9 - Alpha  Tip#41: Recognize The Support Around You - 4 Movie Tips 

NEED A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER ON RESILIENCE?
For your workplace, AGM, Conference or special event...
Contact Motivatorman now! See topics: Click here

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape 
B) Re-energize & Release 
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments 



Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Speaker & Resilience Expert
Discover How Movies Inspire Resilience in Your Work & Life!
See website: www.motivatorman.com

© Emmanuel Lopez 2015