Upcoming Events

Motov8ing Boys - ADELAIDE

May 19, 2025

University of South Australia

Savage Angels - ADELAIDE

May 20, 2025

University of South Australia

Motov8ing Boys - GOLD COAST

May 26, 2025

Broadbeach Cultural Precinct

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“HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY, IT’S DESPERATION

PRETENDING TO BE ONE”

About John McMahon (Rev)

Rev is a youth specialist with a passionate desire to inspire, inform and instruct millions of young people & their parents to make smarter more informed decisions in life.

In his events, he draws upon stories and experiences from his teenage years, being someone who himself made choices that saw his life go completely off track. These shared life experiences help make a significant connection with his audience. Combine these with a no nonsense, “rubber hits the road” message and that often brings participants to a place where they are ready to be informed and instructed.

The nickname REV comes from John's passion for motorcycles & speed, these events & presentations are not religious.

‍WARNING Rev's presentations & events contain some pretty confronting truths about life. There's swearing & real life language used that's in context with issues being addressed.

Rev is not a psychologist or a mental health expert & has never passed himself of as one. He speaks from 32 years experience working in the cold front with young people & families. He deals in facts, common sense & evidence based insights & experience.

Checkout our YouTube Channel to see more about our events by clicking below

“YOU DESEREVE WHAT YOU

TOLERATE”

Interested in having Rev come and speak at your school, sporting club, organisation or event?

If you want a softly spoken, gentle and all inclusive, politically correct speaker then Rev is definitely not for you. If you want someone who will hit like a sledge hammer, bring a positive disruption to your community and leave people inspired to action and talking about it for weeks and months afterwards then you and Rev might just be suited for each other..
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Please be aware that we require a minimum of 3 months notice for booking enquiries.

CLICK HERE TO ENQUIRE

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UK or US enquiries ONLY...please email events@motov8.com.au and mention your city or region along with the country.

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“YOU’RE PART OF THE

PROBLEM

BUT YOU’RE ALSO PART OF THE

SOLUTION ”

See what people are saying about our events…

VIEW MORE EVENT REVIEWS HERE

Carly Baxter

I attended Motov8 Gippsland with my reluctant son and I’ll begin with his honest and ground-breaking review…. “It wasn’t as boring as I thought it would be” (with a smirk on his face).
The reality was that he was just as inspired and engaged as I was.Rev, you have this ability to draw the boys in effortlessly with your air of “cool confidence” that is backed up with a solid capacity to deliver a genuine and lived account of experience that is relatable, honest and thought provoking. The emphasis on problem-focussed strategies, rather than emotion-focussed strategies, is the pro-active approach to life that teenage boys, girls, adults need to hear. Rev’s presentation is not hinged on clichés or’ kitchen wall mottos’, but on the harsh realities that life throws at us all; he provides practical ways to build resilience and grit. Rev advocates attacking life with tenacity, purpose and accountability…..thanks for a great evening....value added

Jay Vella

"Brilliant...John's direct, no holds barred approach is awesome. Speaking from experience about his tough journey through adolescence, the choices he made from the hand he was dealt and the magic of clawing back. Honest and confronting at times, John has a gift at being relatable to kids... it was great to see them so engaged! With parents and kids with varying degrees of needs in the room l'm sure his presentation prompted some great conversations on the way home".

Mandy Ostergren

"All four of us (Mum, Dad and two boys 12 and 10) really enjoyed listening to you speak.‍

‍I had no idea how the boys would go, sitting for 2 hours and listening, but what you spoke about definitely hit a chord with them, because they didn’t budge, and took it all in.‍

‍Our youngest, said ‘that was really cool!’.‍ Both our boys are dyslexic and school is a hard place to be for our eldest. It really helped him to listen to your story and hear that he isn’t alone in his struggles.‍Thanks for spreading your inspiring message and motivating our kids to be a person of purpose, and helping us to have the tools to support them to do this"

Tina

Thank you for running the event in Canberra. We are deeply grateful that you came all the way from Melbourne.

We loved that you shared your personal journey as it was truly inspiring and moving. It reinforces to me that despite hardship and struggles, humans have the power to change for the better and that my son can transform too. I was also very touched by the love that you have for your mother. She would have been undoubtedly so proud of you.

We could easily relate to a lot of the things you said. It almost felt like you were in our shoes even though we had never met. Even though you came across firm and tough, we felt that there was so much love and compassion of a kind heart that emerged from your presentation. Thank you again for your bravery, understanding and determination. You have made a difference in our hearts and we know that you will continue to do so in many teenagers' lives.

Danielle Hade

Cannot recommend these events highly enough! Do whatever you need to, get your kids in the car and at these events! My son was "not a willing participant" initially but at the end is the night he wanted to meet Rev and ask him questions.

Your style, your approach and your messaging for teens and parents is brilliant! You have a special gift of being able to connect to both generations and say it like it is and offer real solutions that we just can’t get anywhere else out there. You are so very much appreciated!

Sarah Blackfield

Just wanted to say thank you for Wed night. It was a great session and I really think my boys have got a lot out of it and we haven't even implemented your stuff yet. Thank you for talking to Blake. You sharing your bullying experience has helped him realise it is not only him that this happens too.

You must have made a real impression as his teacher rang me today to tell me that he openly spoke about last night and how cool you were. We have referred you to other family members who are struggling with teenagers.
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Thank you again.

Rachel Ragusa

I took my three boys. Two didn't want to go, after going said they thought it was really good. The third shut down after and when we got home broke down and told me so many tough things he'd been holding onto. Then a few days later said I should tell one of his friends mums to take his friend. Well worth it.

Chloe

We attended the event as a family of 4. 2 boys aged 14 and 16 Our eldest is ASD, ADHD, Sensory and Intellectual disability. He has a lot of trouble regulating his emotions which can often get him into trouble. He thoroughly enjoyed the session and could not stop talking about it all the way home, even though you said not to but he instigated the conversation.
My 14 year old is a little bit more reserved and not motivated, with the typical teenage attitude appearing. But the talk has now lead him to think about his choices and certainly is showing more respect towards us his parents.
What we also got out of the session was we found that it opened up more conversation in our household. Things like "what was your schooling like?", "how was your childhood?"These are questions that our boys have not asked us before, so it was nice to have some open conversations.
Thank you and all the best with future events.

Renee Bosankoe

Rev, we’ve just left your Townsville talk tonight. WOW
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10 mins down the road…..
My 12 yr old states;
Mum, I think I get it!?!?
I have just realised that if I get up and do what you’re asking me to do, you won’t ask me again & again.
Mum; Yes son & more hands make the jobs lighter & we can & do fun stuff together sooner!
‍
Another thing he realised;
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Difference between COMPETENCE & CONFIDENT. Like when I first couldn’t ride my bike, I kept at it and that made me competent and from not giving up I then built confidence from being competent. YES! I can see his cogs turning.
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Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
You are a wonderful human giving back to our youth.

Dina Pearson

Absolutely loved it!

Been to a few seminars but this was different.It wasn't by the book, it was Real, Honest and Raw as hell.

WE laughed and cried and had a lot of 'yep, that's me/you moment's'. I tell my kids to think outside the box - and this was all that!

Thanks Rev - you're an absolute Superstar - I'll definitely be buying tickets to your adult session coming up!

Clauds Thratt

Thank you so much, we attended your event at Penrith and found so helpful to start conversations with our 3 young boys but this video on how to get our strategies started is very very helpful

THANKS REV

Shelle Bardy

You are so deserving of acknowledgment Rev.
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I brought my son to your boys event in Melbourne (he's 14). Since then he's saved $$$$, bought himself a dirt bike and now so driven and striving for his next purchase.

I then brought along my daughter to your girls event and she was so anti about coming but left saying "omg that was amazing". She came home and talked to her brother about you and they often reference your talks.
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We will definitely come again the next time you're in Melbourne.Have the best day, keep loving life and thank you for helping my teens.

Michael Sloggett

This guy is world class, I strongly strongly strongly recommend getting your kids there. Was an amazing event for myself and my son.

Joy R

My 17 yr old attended a Motov8 event in Mackay last year with myself and his Dad and the impact it had on all of us was nothing short of amazing.
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We arrived with a kid looking for a free ride in life, entitled and unmotivated. He nagged in the session but I left happy that he went. Changes weren't immediate but over time they were obvious. He graduated Year 12 and started working full time. He no longer expects things to be done for him, he sorts himself out. And I learnt to take a step back and allow him the opportunity to forge his own path.
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He approaches life with a new level of maturity and I can't be any prouder.

Cody V

Hi rev my name is Cody and I’m 15 years old and I live in Adelaide. I came to your event last year when I was going through a really difficult time at school with boys who bullied me because of my autism and how angry I would get when they would tease me and call me names.

I would get angry at my mum as well swearing at her and sometimes pushing her. I just wanted to let you know that it’s been six months since I swore at my mum or did anything to make her feel uncomfortable the way I used to. I got myself a mentor like you said I should and they have helped me to deal with the teasing and name calling at school.

I’m not proud of what I was like, but I am proud of what I am like now. Thank you for coming to Adelaide to talk to me. I have a question I would like to come again the next time and get a photo on a bike with you. Would that be ok?

Tanya Crozier

I took my son and my husband to the Pakenham session last night. Our son is 11 years old. I waited with this review until now because I wanted to see how it has affected him.

And he just told me that last night hearing about Rev's story has changed his mindset completely. He loved the evening; he was glued to his seat and both I and my husband thought it was amazing.

The way Rev talks in a language boys understand has made a big difference. Thank you so much for sharing what undoubtedly has been a difficult journey but has ended up turning you into an amazing man.

Highly recommend it!

Cindy Dooley

Absolutely brilliant. Rev spoke about issues that were relevant to boys of today.

Self esteem, respect, separated families, blended families, step parents, & so much more.

I took my 3 sons aged 13, 14 & 16 - it was worth every cent.

Robyn Vahua

It was an absolutely amazing night tonight! you have no idea. we will definitely put it in an email to win that bike LOL thank you so much!

Your mum would be proud, not because of all the work you do but because you are happy, that's all mums want for their kids, success and good deeds are great but a happy son means the world to mums!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Marli Clay

Scrolling through Facebook a month ago l came across your page and opened the link...., best decision I could have made. Purchased the tickets, worth every cent.With a teenage boy struggling with anger and his own personal pain, we are prepared to do all we can to help him. And yes like many others he was not at all keen on the idea. He saw the tickets on the table and said "why'd you waste your money on that shit?" With some resistance we got him to the Hamilton presentation. He sat, he listened..... for us to see him come up to you at the end of the show, shake your hand and say "thanks for that mate" was awesome. Your down to earth, honest approach obviously made an impact on him. You sure are a motivator. Your words are real and it's clear you're truly passionate about what you're doing..... on a mission to help our boys. By what you said you've obviously had your own struggles but you've proven that you can bounce back and achieve anything you set your mind on doing. Thanks a million and keep up the great work.

Hayley & Hunter

Motov8 and Rev absolutely nailed it at the boys' event in Toowoomba! I went along with my 12-year-old son and his friend, and they were hooked from the get-go.

Rev’s hard-hitting, raw truth style - mixed with powerful metaphors about life and motorbikes - really landed with them. They were so engaged they didn’t want to leave at the end and were both keen to chat with Rev afterwards.

It’s not often you see two young boys hang off every word like that! Highly recommend for anyone raising boys who need strong, real, and relatable role models.

Simone Brown

Thankyou, my daughter who didn't want to attend lol left feeling empowered and more knowledgeable with insight and strategies to face the future, both of us.

We both loved the raw natural and open honesty of you and the group. It has been a great conversation starter and my daughter and I connected on a more deeper level, I thank you so much for this for it's priceless!

She said to me afterwards "| couldn't believe you put your hand up mum to feeling like Your a failure sometimes as a parent, you are not your the best mum and I love you"

Thankyou again

Sharon McNeil

Firstly I want to thank you for sharing your story with us it really touched me, the thing that i took away from your night was getting answers from Ben not just a i dont know all the time.

You're an amazing man and we are lucky to have you doing what your doing for our young men that need a man that will take charge and say hey its not ok to do what your doing like what you did on Wednesday night in a kind and respectful way.

Thank you John.

Debbie and Seth

I took away so many ways how to approach things rather than shout when no one is listening, but what really took me back on the night was you mentioning the family around the kitchen table all having fun, then someone would spoil it and the fights and name calling would start.

And I'd lose my shit and say I'm off…. it all rang so true to me on the night, it made me cry.
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My son Seth 14 who was there on the night said he has a different kind of respect for me after listening to you and when I say no its final not like before, we will be back in September with Seth my older son couldn't get him there last time he will be almost 18 adhd, ocd, anxiety, also my husband needs to hear what you have to say.

Can't wait to see you again.

Kaz Ruben

Hi Rev, I dragged my 12yr old son along to hear you @ Bunbury tonight not thinking much would sink in or that he would get a lot out of it.

BUT I just wanted to thank you, as after you finished up my son turned to me and I thought he was going to say "come on, now can we go already?" But to my absolute astonishment he turned to me and said "mum can we wait a bit so I can say hi? I want to shake his hand and say thank

"Now anyone that knows Thomson would know THIS is huge!! You see my son is both Autistic and ADHD and rarely ever willingly wants to meet new people let alone go out of his way to talk to them.

I was so proud when he came up, took his hat off, introduced himself, shook your hand and said thankyou But then to top it off when we got back to the car he said to me "mum I think that's the first time in my life I've ever felt compelled to look someone in the eyes and shake their hand, there was just something about that bloke" Thank you

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