From “We Shall Overcome” to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” to “Shake It Off,” our cultural lexicon is rife with rhetoric on facing tough times. We represent a team of Speakers on Overcoming Adversity that add substance to the songbook, having charged head-on into some of the most insurmountable and unimaginable obstacles ever encountered, and not only survived, but thrived.
The ability of our inspirational speakers to reframe and adjust perspective becomes even more salient when a culture of fear and complacency is prevalent in the workplace, and employees become limited more by attitude than perceived lack of opportunity.
Our Overcoming Adversity Speakers won’t just lift you up and over, but carry you further, going beyond motivation with the ability to ignite and inspire that inner fire in your audience as well as sustain and maintain the drive to succeed throughout your organization, long after the keynote concludes.
Entrepreneur and 5th generation retailer, Sterling Hawkins works with start-ups, legacy retailers, and Fortune 500 companies to close the innovation gap in retail. Hawkins heads operations and venture relations for CART (Center for Advancing Retail… Full Profile
Teaching to over 1400 Harvard University students, Tal Ben-Shahar's course on “Positive Psychology" was the most popular in the University, while another course, “The Psychology of Leadership," took third place on the same list. Ben-Shahar… Full Profile
One of television's most watched celebrities, Bear Grylls launched a Survivalism Fever that has swept across the world. The former British Special Forces operative is best-known for taking his adventures in the planet's most hostile… Full Profile
Born hearing impaired and raised in a polygamous commune, Lance Allred started playing organized basketball later than most future pro-athletes; he was in the eighth grade the first time he touched a basketball, the same… Full Profile
Stephanie Decker became a national hero after she saved her children, shielding them from the falling debris of their collapsing house with her own body while a freak tornado engulfed their small Indiana town. Though… Full Profile
A role model and inspiration for audiences around the world, John Maclean is the first wheelchair athlete to finish the Ironman World Championship, the first wheelchair athlete to be inducted into the Ironman Hall of… Full Profile
One of the greatest actresses of her generation, Kathy Bates has brought numerous roles to life on screen and onstage that no other performer could pull off. In recent years, she has also demonstrated she… Full Profile
Paul Shoemaker is a mastermind at knocking down the barriers and curtailing social problems. As the Founding President of Social Ventures Partners International and SVPI's former Executive Connector, he's brought together social changers, researchers, and… Full Profile
When things got tough, Allon Raiz rethought his failing business and turned it into the most successful business incubator in South Africa. Today Raizcorp is one of the few profitable business incubators in the world,… Full Profile
When Phil Hansen’s dedication to his art led to permanent nerve damage and a shaking hand, he turned a limitation into a creative catalyst that took his art to new heights. Hansen’s skillful use of… Full Profile
Internationally sought neurosurgeon, Dr. Maroon has contributed decades of groundbreaking research to the treatment and prevention of concussions and other neurotraumatic conditions. His innovative techniques for treating brain injuries, tumors, and spinal conditions have received… Full Profile
The star of numerous acclaimed comedic and dramatic roles in television and movies, Meredith Baxter offers an inspiring story of courage, hope, self-acceptance and happiness to millions dealing with drug abuse, domestic abuse, and cancer.… Full Profile
One of the science world’s most successful and influential CEOs, Tan Le started her incredible life journey as a refugee facing a high probability of death on a treacherous trip across the pirate infested China… Full Profile
Motivational Speaker, “Possible Thinking” Business Consultant, Guinness World Record Holder Despite being born without arms due to a birth defect, Jessica has lived an otherwise normal life. After overcoming her self-esteem issues, Jessica earned a… Full Profile
One of the world’s most influential surfers, Bethany Hamilton was attacked while surfing at the age of 13 by a 16-foot-long tiger shark that severely severed her left arm. Bleeding profusely she had to paddle… Full Profile
After surviving two horrific car accidents, artist and entrepreneur Allison Massari braved an excruciating recovery that forever changed the way she viewed life and happiness. She has since then become one of North America’s leading… Full Profile
During his military career, Dr. Howard Wasdin was shot numerous times during a horrific battle and suffered structural deviations that altered the way he walked. He made the decision to attend Chiropractic College after finding… Full Profile
Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, Dr. Sampson Davis was surrounded by poverty, broken families and drug-related crime. He managed to walk the tightrope between being smart and socially acceptable in a rough neighborhood, and… Full Profile
Retired Brigadier General Tom Kolditz is an internationally recognized expert on crisis leadership and leadership in extreme contexts. His time as a Leader Development Expert spans four decades in the public, private and social sectors.… Full Profile
Olympic Gold Medalist, Amputee Over the last 28 years, Marlon Shirley has endured many challenging situations, including many which would have caused an average person to break down. But Marlon Shirley is no average person.… Full Profile
Gold medalist, Billy Mills wowed the world when he overtook the world’s highest performing runners in the home stretch of the 1964 Olympic 10,000-meter-dash. Mills, who had been given a 1,000 to 1 shot at… Full Profile
Named one of the “Coolest Girls in Sports” by Sports Illustrated, Aimee Mullins has redefined what’s possible for an entire generation of differently-abled people. The record-breaking athlete, model, and actress was born without shin bones… Full Profile
J. R. Martinez has been inspiring, motivating and empowering his audiences with his amazing story of recovery since sustaining severe burns on 34% of his body when serving in Iraq as an infantryman. His career… Full Profile
With 107 career wins, Misty May-Treanor is the #1 ranked player in the history of competitive beach volleyball. Known for her rigorous ethics, values, and hard work, the three-time Olympic gold medalist is one of… Full Profile
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