Inspirational & Motivational (C)

Inspiring speakers connect audiences with themes of teamwork, resilience, and determination. In times of adversity their powerful lessons inspire, motivate, and drive performance across corporate, nonprofit, and association events.

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Inspirational & Motivational Speakers
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Inspirational & Motivational

First Sergeant Matt Eversmann (Ret.)

<p>In August 1993, Matt and his Ranger company deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia in support of Operation Gothic Serpent. The battle was made famous by the best selling book and movie <em>Black Hawk Down</em>. </p><p>Matt spent almost nine years in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment. He later served at the US Army War College and taught leadership at The Johns Hopkins University. Matt’s last military assignment was an Infantry Company First Sergeant in the 10th Mountain Division.

Lauren Manning

<p>True survivor of extreme challenge, and business leader, Lauren Manning shares experiences that help organizations thrive even in the most difficult of times.</p><p>“It was my moment. my choice. Keep fighting or surrender and die. I made the choice. I decided to live.”</p><p>The most catastrophically wounded survivor in the September 11th attacks, Lauren battled against all odds to emerge from the fires. A world-renowned role model for her resilience and fortitude surmounting personal and professional challenges.

Jeff Henderson

<p>Jeff Henderson inspires with his emotional journey of redemption from the streets to the stove, sharing real-life strategies to help you achieve your dreams, no matter your stage of life.</p>

Commander Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.)

<p>The resilient leader who saved the USS<em> Cole</em> from sinking during its devastating al Qaeda attack, Commander Kirk Lippold shares strategies for leading decisively, strengthening team performance, and navigating risk—as well as real-time geopolitical and national security insights.</p><p>On October 12, 2000, Commander Kirk Lippold led the USS Cole when it came under a devastating al Qaeda suicide attack in Aden, Yemen—which came to be known as one of the most brazen acts of terrorism prior to the September 11 attacks. </p><p>Under Commander

Adam Steltzner

<p>With his electrifying blend of rock ‘n’ roll energy, scientific brilliance, and leadership mastery, Adam Steltzner delivers powerful real-world lessons in collaboration, ingenuity, and the audacity to achieve the impossible.</p><p>Dr. Adam Steltzner doesn’t just talk about innovation—he lives it.

Jim Abbott

<p>An inspiring legend who turned dreams into reality, Jim Abbott is a powerful voice on resilience, determination, and redefining what’s possible.</p><p>Despite being born without a right hand, Jim Abbott always dreamed of playing Major League Baseball. Against all odds, he made that dream a reality. From winning the Sullivan Award as the nation’s top amateur athlete to pitching a gold medal win for Team USA at the 1988 Olympics and throwing a no-hitter for the New York Yankees in 1993, Jim's career stands as a testament to perseverance over perceived limitations.

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>