Overcoming Adversity

Halim Flowers shares his transformational journey while incarcerated for 22 years, helping audiences overcome their obstacles and find their purpose.  

In 1997, Halim Flowers was arrested at the age of 16 and given two life sentences. His experiences were filmed in the Emmy award-winning documentary Thug Life In DC. During his incarceration, Halim discovered a love for literature and the arts, and began writing, painting, and freestyle-rapping. In 2005, he started his own publishing company, through which he published 11 books.

<p>Sharing her extraordinary story, Jessica Buchanan inspires audiences to overcome their own obstacles and access their own strength and resilience—no matter how “impossible” the odds.</p><p>On October 25, 2011, while working in Somalia on a routine field mission for her NGO, Jessica Buchanan was abducted at gunpoint and held for ransom by a group of Somali pirates for 93 days.

<p>Sharing her extraordinary journey from impoverished orphan in Mexico to self-made millionaire to impactful philanthropist, Magie Cook inspires audiences around the world to face their biggest obstacles and achieve their greatest potential.</p><p>Magie Cook’s story captivates audiences around the world.

<p>Drawing from her incredible life-affirming story of resilience, Maja Kazazic shows organizations and individuals how to harness the power of empathy to turn loss into growth and surpass their greatest expectations. </p><p>When she was 16 years old, Maja Kazazic&#39;s life changed forever. In the summer of 1993, two years into the Bosnian War—a genocide that killed 250,000 people and injured millions—a rocket-propelled grenade exploded in her courtyard destroying her home and killing five of her friends. Her legs were shattered in the blast.

<p>The inspiring subject of the Prime film, <em>A Million Miles Away</em>, José Hernández shares stories from his extraordinary journey from migrant farm worker to NASA astronaut, empowering audiences to persevere in challenging environments and to achieve their greatest goals. </p><p>NASA engineer José Hernández wanted to fly in space ever since he heard that the first Hispanic-American had been chosen to travel into space.

<p>Described by Billie Jean King as “a bold and dynamic force for good with the courage to fight for social justice, live authentically, and inspire others to do the same,” Joanna Lohman is committed to building a new generation of leaders who harness adversity as a catalyst for success.</p><p>Joanna Lohman is a former professional soccer player and member of the United States Women’s National Team. During her 16-year professional career, she built a platform for social impact and became the first player in Washington Spirit history to have her jersey retired.

<p>The very personification of courage, optimism, and resilience, former U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords shares her remarkable story on stage, joined by her renowned speech pathologist, Dr. Fabi Hirsch Kruse. </p><p>Gabby Giffords’ story of perseverance and hope is unparalleled. The youngest woman ever to serve in the Arizona State Senate and a trailblazer in other offices, Gabby became a rising star on the national stage after being elected to the U.S. Congress in 2006.

<p>Considered the NFL’s greatest undrafted player of all time, Kurt Warner and his incredible life story inspired the major motion picture <em>American Underdog</em>.</p><p>Kurt Warner, though undrafted, had an extraordinary NFL career. He led the St. Louis Rams to victory and was named Super Bowl MVP, among many other honors. And he’s paid his success forward, tenfold—founding both a nonprofit charity and a living community for young adults with disabilities, inspired by his son, Zachary.

<p>Drawing from his remarkable career as one of the most successful NBA coaches and players of all time, Steve Kerr provides lessons in leadership, overcoming adversity, and the importance of giving back.</p><p>Few professional coaches have had a career—or a life—as inspiring as Steve Kerr’s. Currently head coach of the Golden State Warriors and USA Basketball Men’s National Team, he is a nine-time NBA champion, having won five titles as a player and four as a head coach.

<p>For over three decades, Parrado has moved global audiences through sharing his story of survival, resilience, and determination in the Andes. Parrado draws from his experience to articulate innovative strategies for those that need to scale personal or business mountains in the twenty-first century.</p><p>Nando Parrado is the hero of the 1972 Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 rescue.