Barbara Underhill

Barbara Underhill

World Figure Skating Champion, Television Broadcaster, Safety Advocate, Proud Mom

Barbara A. Underhill is best known around the world for her signature skating move "The Leap Of Faith." She and her partner of 21 years, Paul Martini, were five time Canadian National Pair Champions from 1979-1983. After winning their 1984 World Pair Skating Championship title, they went on to a very successful 14-year professional skating career, touring internationally with various ice shows such as the Ice Capades, Stars on Ice, and winning seven World Professional titles. Barbara has worked for TSN, CTV and the CBC as a colour commentator.


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Barbara Underhill is best known around the world for her signature skating move "The Leap Of Faith." She and her partner of 21 years, Paul Martini, were five time National Pair Champions of Canada from 1979-1983. After winning their 1984 World Pair Skating Championship title, they went on to a very successful 14-year professional skating career, touring internationally with various ice shows such as the Ice Capades, Stars on Ice, and winning seven World Professional titles. For fifteen years Barbara and Paul have been the voice of figure skating in Canada, and recently returned from the Olympic Games in Torino, and the World Championships in Calgary. Barbara and Paul are members of The Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and The Olympic Hall of Fame.

Barbara is a proud mom, and step-mom to five children. In 1993, Barbara's life was shattered when she and her husband Rick Gaetz experienced the tragic loss of their eight-month old daughter Stephanie in an accident at their home. In her memory they founded The Stephanie Gaetz KEEPSAFE Foundation in 1998, dedicated to childhood injury prevention, and safety education. With a new perspective on life, she has been able to find the blessings in life, and turn tragedy into hope. She is inspired now to share her life journey with others, and to help them find purpose, meaning, and wisdom in life's greatest challenges.

  • Leap of Faith

    Barbara takes us on her personal journey of world acclaimed triumphs and devastating losses. Through powerful anecdotes and vivid analogies, combined with breath-taking video clips from her skating career, she shows us how we can all find a way, not just to survive - but to thrive, despite the difficult curves that life throws at us. Barbara presents on topics such as Achieving Excellence, Overcoming Adversity, Power of the Dream and Personal Success. Experience Barbara's stories, customized to your context so you are inspired to be at your best in times of complexity and moments of glory.