Lessons of teamwork, resilience, and determination in the face of adversity—these have always been among the themes that audiences respond to most—and they are the themes that motivate and inspire now, more than ever.
Adam Steltzner
<p>Described as a cross between “Einstein and Elvis Costello,” Adam Steltzner is a leader heralded for making the impossible possible. And he wants to know “How great do YOU dare to become?”</p><p>An aspiring rock star turned Ph.D.
Jim Abbott
<p>No obstacle is too big to overcome for Jim Abbott. After being born with only one hand, the pursuit to making it to the major leagues did not deter him. As the first baseball player to win the Sullivan Award as the nation's outstanding amateur athlete in 1987, Abbott went on to represent Team USA and became the first American pitcher in 25 years to beat a Cuban team on Cuban soil.
Kyle Maynard
<p>World-class athlete and best-selling author Kyle Maynard has never considered his physical differences to be a disability, but rather just another obstacle that cannot stop him from realizing his dreams.</p><p>On first sight, Maynard is obviously exceptional. He is a quadruple congenital amputee, which means that his arms end at the elbows, and his legs extend to just past his knees. His adamant refusal to accept the limitations of this condition, however, is what truly sets him apart.
Derreck Kayongo
<p>With his trademark panache, Derreck Kayongo tells his courageous story of survival, social entrepreneurship, and humanitarianism, and the life lessons he learned along the way. </p><p>From Ugandan refugee to successful entrepreneur, CEO, and renowned human rights activist, Derreck’s journey inspires audiences to dream big. Through personable and articulate storytelling, he shares his visionary ideas for harnessing the power of observation and creative problem solving, applicable to any organization or community.
Amy Van Dyken
<p>Amy Van Dyken is a 6-time Olympic gold medal champion swimmer who made history as the most successful athlete at the ’96 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia and the first American female athlete to win four gold medals in a single Olympic games.</p>
<p>Van Dyken began swimming at age six in an effort to relieve childhood asthma, through which she developed a strong "will to win." That strength made her a star in the ‘96 Games, despite competing with about 65% of normal lung capacity.</p>
Lopez Lomong
<p>Lopez Lomong's remarkable journey from Sudanese Civil War to the Olympic Games underscores the capacity of the human spirit to overcome extraordinary adversity, giving hope and inspiration to pursue dreams that might seem unthinkable.</p><p>Lopez began his journey in Sudan, where he was kidnapped by rebel soldiers at just six years old. After boldly escaping capture, he spent 10 years as a refugee until he was adopted by a U.S. family at 16.
Allison Massari
<p>Hailed as “life-changing” “riveting” “completely unique” “bold” and “profound,” Allison Massari’s keynotes are unforgettable—uplifting and energizing teams and leaders, alleviating burnout, and activating empathy, creativity and empowerment. Working with Allison unleashes an inner strength and professional enthusiasm that transforms work culture and attracts and retains top talent. Her potent message has reached audiences in more than 75 countries and is a testament to hope, relentless perseverance, and radical compassion.
Ben Nemtin
<p>Ben co-founded <em>The Buried Life</em> movement and his message of radical possibility has been featured on <em>The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show,</em> and networks like CNN, FOX, and CBS. </p><p>A decade ago, Ben was knocked off his feet by a heavy depression. To help him feel more alive, he and his three best friends created the world’s greatest bucket list, borrowed a rickety old RV, and crisscrossed North America, achieving the unthinkable.
J.B. Bernstein
<p>J.B. Bernstein shares insights on how to transform seemingly insurmountable obstacles into tangible opportunities and finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.</p><p>J.B. is one of the most respected marketing experts in the world of sports. He is the co-creator of “The Million Dollar Arm” reality show talent search, which produced the first two Indian men to ever sign pro sports contracts in the U.S.
Shannon Huffman Polson
<p>From the cockpit to the boardroom, Shannon Huffman Polson shares stories of grit and leadership to help others overcome fear, break through uncertainty, and reach their full potential.</p><p>Shannon is a woman of many firsts. Among those high points: She is one of the first women to fly Apache combat helicopters in the U.S.