“Kevin Costner at VMX 2025: Discovering the Heart of Change”

Kevin Costner at VMX 2025: Embracing Your Purpose

Kevin Costner, the Academy Award-winning actor, director, and producer, took center stage to deliver the keynote address at VMX 2025 in Orlando, Florida. His inspiring speech, which kicked off the event, focused on finding and embracing one’s purpose, drawing powerful parallels between his personal journey and the work of veterinary professionals.

Costner began by reflecting on the early years of his career and the struggle to find his true path. He shared how growing up in a blue-collar family shaped his work ethic, but also left him searching for something more meaningful. “I was probably going to be a manual labor guy. I’m not that smart,” he admitted. “But I played piano, sang in the church choir, wrote poetry… I didn’t tell anyone about it, but I just did it. I don’t know why.”

He continued, “At one point, I started getting a little desperate. I hadn’t found my calling yet, but when I looked back at the breadcrumbs of my life, I realized I was a storyteller—a daydreamer.”

This realization didn’t come easily. Costner spoke openly about the challenges of aligning his passions with his career. Even after achieving fame as an actor, he remained committed to pursuing art that resonated deeply with him, regardless of the financial risks. “I’ve used my own money to chase my own dreams,” he shared. “Because once I found my heart, I wasn’t going to let anybody take it away from me, no matter how much money was on the line.”

Defined by Passion, Not Title

Costner drew a direct connection between his journey and the calling that drives so many in the veterinary profession. He emphasized that it is passion and purpose, not titles or financial success, that define a person.

“You graduate and they call you a vet,” he said. “When you’re an actor, you’re a bum on the corner until you start making money. But I wasn’t concerned with money as much as I was with my journey. And when I finally admitted to myself that I was going to be a storyteller, my life changed.”

Costner also acknowledged the challenges of following one’s passion. It’s a path filled with doubt and pressure, especially when dealing with emotionally charged situations involving animals and their owners. Drawing a parallel between actors and veterinary professionals, he acknowledged how difficult it can be to remain strong under the constant scrutiny and expectations of others. But for Costner, the toughest moments are what ultimately define a person: “People are watching you… I’ve taken big bites out of life, and life has taken some really big bites out of me. Who cares about the easy moments? How are you in the toughest?”

The Toughest Moments

Costner shared one of the more poignant moments of his keynote when he opened up about the loss of a beloved pet. “There comes a moment when we know it’s the beginning of the end,” he said. “I’ve had to put my dog down. And there was one of you, a stranger sitting beside me, crying, offering support without saying a word. You didn’t even know my name, but you were there for me. That’s what you do. And I thought you should know that.”

Costner’s message to the audience was clear: discovering and embracing your purpose is a journey that requires self-reflection, hard work, and resilience. For veterinary professionals, their impact isn’t just defined by their technical skills but by their deep compassion and ability to guide others through emotional moments. This compassion, Costner emphasized, is what ultimately shapes their legacy—both personally and professionally.

Reference
Costner K. VMX Kickoff with Kevin Costner, Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Presented at: VMX 2025; January 25-29, 2025; Orlando, Florida.