I am part of a program called Tobacco Free Sports, and act as an athlete ambassador, going to elementary schools and youth organizations to help encourage kids to choose to be tobacco free.

So Friday was my very first speech, at Squamish Elementary School, in front of 75 grades five, six and seven students.

And how did it go?

Let's just say that I had numerous requests for stars, hearts and even rainbows alongside my autograph on the posters we give out. I even signed a few ball caps, sweatshirts, school planners, hands and backpacks.

Shhh .... don't tell the kids I am actually a development skeleton athlete who crashed at Nationals last year ... as far as they are concerned I have won medals in every sport, in every Olympic games for the past decade. And I have been to the moon. And I can walk on water. And I am totally cool because I brought 12 different sharpie markers and let them choose which colour they wanted my signature in (which is actually true ... ).

Meanwhile, there are mothers all around Squamish wondering "who on earth is 'M. Bartleman' and why is he/she writing in permanent marker on my child's clothing/body?"

In my mind, though, the star of the day was the kid who answered my question "What's the best thing that could happen to you if you use tobacco?" with this insight:

"Nothing."

Indeed.