“Sam is one of the most creative and inspiring dreamers I know. Some people talk about taking action and making an impact, and then there are those people who execute on making an impact because they know they are destined for it. Sam is the latter.

– Sarah Wells, Canadian Olympic Athlete

“Empty Your Backpack is honestly the book that I needed when I was starting out my journey of activism. The book teaches people how to lead with love, be critical, strong and successful in your path.”

– Hannah Alper, Activist and Author

“Wise beyond his years, Sam shares captivating stories and strategies to fill your backpack. This must-read book is guaranteed to inject new meaning into your life while gently guiding you to step into your power.”

– Allan Kehler, Mental Health Advocate

“Sam has blazed a pathway to his own definition of success. In Empty Your Backpack, Sam doesn’t just write about leadership; he passes on skills to the reader to help them become better leaders every day.”

– Dr. Ivan Joseph, Best-Selling Author and World-Renowned Leadership Expert

“Life is tough, but it’s much harder without a helpful reality check. Sam delivers friendly and entertaining hard-hitting truths about what makes the difference between a life of pain versus prosperity.”

Kent Healy, Investor and Author

“Sam is one of the most authentic people I have ever met, and he is fearless in his pursuit of helping others uncover their authentic voices and living in ways that make sense to them.”

– Ryan Porter, CEO of Ruutly and Author

“The fact is that there are many of us who allow self-doubt and the opinions of others to weigh us down and hold us back. Sam’s book challenges us all to “empty the backpack” and be intentional with the beliefs, actions, and relationships that will accelerate us forward”

– Daniel Horgan, CEO of CoLabL

“Sam is undoubtedly the best person to speak about how to build a winning mindset and maximize life’s opportunities. This book does a great job of balancing theory with practical tips that any student can implement right away.”

– Swish Goswami, Startup Canada’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year

“Sam has courageously followed his curiosity and through this book distills impactful learnings about life and pursuing paths less travelled. A must-read for young dreamers.”

– Diana Kander, New York Times Best-selling Author

“Sam is a true servant leader dedicated to helping others. His book inspires action and is a must-read for young athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs.”

– JeVon McCormick, President and CEO of Scribe Media

“I can’t help but think about what my life could have been like if I had Sam Demma as a mentor growing up. Full of tangible and action-based practices, this guide will resonate with anyoner to feel the power of purpose in their lives.”

– Donovan Taylor Hall, Youth Coach and Content Creator

“There are so many pathway options for youth to consider that choosing ‘the right one’ must feel overwhelming. This timely book full of advice provides tools and encouragement for youth to follow their individual curiosities and dreams.”

– Brent McDonald, Executive Superintendent

“Sam is a breath of fresh air and an inspiration for generations to come. I normally read to help me sleep, but the issue with this book was the fact that I couldn’t put it down!”

– Duku Forè, Founder of Rich Dreams

“Sam’s take on creating a life of unique purpose isn’t only inspirational but actionable for readers who want to make a difference in their lives. You can’t help but be moved by his stories and motivated to find ways to make your own mark in the world.”

– Codi Shewan, Author of Everyday Legacy