Joel Hicks

hello Joel, you helped me round Tough Guy (with Abbie) and I would like to say thank you, I really appreciated it!! you helped me so much espeically the last lake literally carried me!! your continous encouragement throughout the course and happiness kept me going when it got tough!!! so thanks again and hopefully see u next year :) x

Hi Joel, its Abbie - one of the girls you helped complete Tough Guy 2012 - can honestly say I don't think I would have been able to complete it without your encouragement that we was going to get over that finish line - even if you had to carry or pull us (which at times you literally had to haha)!! Not sure how you do it, taking part in all the most crazy events, but all for a very good cause and very inspiring!! Thank you so much for staying with us and motivating us through the entire course - so glad we didn't get shocked in the torture chamber - at least now I know what to look out for next year!
Thanks again, the video and pictures are great!!
Abbie
xxxx

I had found out about Joel via the crazy event that is called Tough Guy, the summer event, 'Nettle Warrior' taking place in July. I saw his picture and a link to alwayswithasmile.com on the Tough Guy Facebook page, he was dressed as an Avatar and I remember queuing behind him at one of the obstacles. I did some further investigations (some might call it internet stalking, but I'll choose not to) and found out he did motivational talks. So, being cheeky,I asked him to come in and speak to pupils at the school I teach at, Ernesford Grange Community School in Coventry and he said yes, not only a yes but a 'I'll do al it for free!' What a find!
Many, many, many emails between myself, Joel and my Deputy head and a few months later, a date was set which was November the 18th 2011 just after the year 10s and 11s had a gruelling session of re-sits for English and Maths. He wasn't going to get an easy audience. I’m the sort of person who can turn worrying into an art form and was a good half stone lighter by the end of the week. I need not have been such a worry wart.
Joel spoke to Yr 10 and 11 over our 4 morning lessons, wisely modifying the talk for each group of kids. I was fortunate enough to sneak out of my A Level class for a while (they were busy fundraising for Children In Need) and watch him talk to the year 11 A half. Joel spoke very candidly and openly about his life, the personal trauma of having the kind of false accusation you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy, and his more recent discovery of his infertility and how and why he overcame these rather large personal hurdles. The pupil's faces moved from shock, to understanding to inspired. The pupils applauded spontaneously several times during the talk and my rather lovely Yr 11 girls hung around to have pictures taken, to chat to him and invite him to do Screwball Tough Guy with us in April. Here I think he moved from an inspirational voice to 'hero' for my girls.
Joel's hard work was done but rather than go home, he stayed to help the 6th formers with their Children In Need fun run and chatted to them that afternoon whilst I was teaching. I was hoping beyond hope that Joel's visit would go down well, it went down a storm and the kids just can't wait till he visits again.
Da Iawn diolch cariad. (Google translate: Welsh)

Joel.......It is an absolute pleasure to know you.... You are a wonderful person, the world is a better place with you in it. What a shame we don't have any more Joel's in the world. Keep up the Fantastic work, ALWAYS WITH A SMILE! Here's to more success in 2012! Thank You!

Keep up the good work Joel, you make such a difference to people's lives no matter what's thrown at you!

Sorry that was suppose to be the Bare If You Dare 2012.

Joel, I would love to participate in the Bare If You Dare 2010. I am from the us and I think that you are a brave and allsome person for being so uninhibited. I wish I was that uninhibited and comfortable with my body.

Keep of the Good work!

Reg

Joel has been a friend of mine for quite a few years now and still amazes me now!

How can one man have so much energy and enthusiasm to participate in so many crazy events up and down the country?

You inspire me and many others Joel

Keep up the good work

Hannah xx

I didnt know this existed until now.....Amazing work Joel.... you are truely a motivating and inspiring person and a good role model to other's... Will help support and spread the word of your fundraising to other's :)
All the best for the rest of 2011 and may you continue to make others smile in 2012!!!

Best Regards
Sarah-May

Joel, I commented in August last year but will comment again. The work you do with "Always with a Smile" is fantastic, you work hard at raising much needed money for loads of charities countrywide, you always go into so much detail with each of your costumes which brings smiles from children and adults alike.

I always enjoy coming with you to your events both supporting and taking photos (still room for improvement in the latter!! lol). As a friend I'm proud of you and what you have achieved and you are an inspiration to others...you'll always have my support and help, if needed, any time hun xxx

Keep up the great work with the fundraising Joel. x

good job... still watch your progress online and wish you all the best in everything, your such a star x might see you in wales naked run 2011 ha ;)

Joel, it was so good to meet you (and to be helped and most importantly carried) at the Tough Guy challenge last sunday.
It was right near the end and by the time I climbed the last A frame I couldnt feel my hands anymore - could have not descended it without you!
Love this idea of fundraiser extraordinaire :) keep up the good work and hopefully see you again soon!
Fran x

Joel great evening other night enjoyed supporting you with all the other Firewalkers to raise money for the Kids. Keep up hard work matey fancy a skydive in new year? all the best CJ x

Keep up the good work Mr H.

Keep it up Joel. Always happy to support your endevours.

Great to have met you, however briefly at the bog snorkelling event. cheers for the inspiration.

Keep shining

All the best from cornwall

Dave

Keep up the good work, the world needs someone fighting for good causes! :-)

Joel, you are a star!
Congratulations for all your achievements and hard work.
I knew nobody could get you down.
Keep up the good work, a fantastic role model for my boys.
xx

Hey Joel, just wanted to say how wonderful it is to see someone doing what you do. Keep up the fantastic acheivement.xxxx

Joel, you're an inspiration! You bring smiles to so many people's faces. Brains, braun, charisma and a sense of humour! The world needs more people like you...

I admire you Joel. You are somebody with heart as well as good looks. A heart so big it could friggin' explode. I hope you get a kick out of this as you do so much for people and always with a smile. Keep up the good work mate. I'll continue to wave my Joel Hicks flag with pride and support you. (((bear hugs)))

Well done Mr Hicks you continue to impress with your good work and support for many!! Keep it up xx

Joel, you are an inspiration to alot of people. Your sheer determination to fight against everyone who tried to put you down to get you where you are now is amazing. You are a credit to yourself for all of the hardwork you do. You should be so proud of yourself. I'm glad to know you and have you as a friend. Don't ever stop believing in yourself . Your doing a great job. All the best for all the future events behind you every step of the way xx

Keep up all the great work joel!! xx

its amazing wot u do! xx

always with a smile is a fantasic charity joel and like ppl sed u do everything wiv a smile : )
about time you was honered iv sumthing for all the good work u do ,, keep going joel u are doing a fantastic job babe,,, xxx

Joel, you are a great guy, I have only met you once but you are an inspiration!!!!

'Always with a smile' and you really do always do it with a smile!
what you do is fantastic joel and so many benifit from what you do!
Well done for all the money you have raised
and im sure you will keep up the good work!
Elyshia x

Keep up the good work Joel..your doing a great job and so many charitys are benefitting from it..well done you.
love..nikki x x

keep up the good work and keep smiling you can do anythink you put your mind too x

Wonderful job, keep up the hard work for a good cause.

Joel is such an inspiration and should be worthy of being on the honours list.
He always puts others first before himself and with the fact of him giving so much to so many is worthy of this.
Keep up the great work you do.
Always greatfull and with a smile
Paul

Joel,

Everything you have done to raise money for charity is absolutely amazing. You have made a huge difference to so many people, leaving footprints in their hearts and touching their lives forever. You are awe-inspirating, beautiful inside and out with a pure heart of gold. You have taken part in so many fun and motivating activities which are entertaining to watch, radiating happiness from the heart and always with a smile. Never stop believing and continue to live the dream, whilst making other people's dreams come true too .... x

What you do is phonomonal! You know i'm always here supporting you in every way!xx

original, fantastic, fun ways of raising money, truly inspirational! Keep up the good work! : ) xx

Jokes aside to which there are just too many and they would fill up your guestbook - never get off lightly! - you're doing a brilliant job. Keeping this up means happy little faces everywhere.

Even though you didnt get an A* A level grade like myself, Im very proud of you.. always have been, always will :-) I hope lots of opportunities, success and happiness come your way in the future because you thoroughly deserve them......love from your reality check ;-) x

Fantastic!!! Really admire all that you do and achieve Joel... and "always with a smile"! Always happy to support you in any way xxx

Inspirational.