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Diana Nyad Profile

“I have three messages. One is we should never ever give up. Two is you are never too old to chase your dreams. And three is it looks like a solitary sport but it takes a team.” These were the words of Diana Nyad as she reached the Florida shore after swimming 110 miles from Cuba in 2013. Her inspiring and motivational story of how she overcame the odds to complete her “Xtreme Dream” is astonishing.

In the 1970s Nyad was world-famous as the greatest long-distance swimmer on the planet. Her achievements included swimming around Manhattan Island and across the 102.5-mile gulf between the Bahamas and Florida. She has been inducted into numerous Halls of Fame, including the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Nyad’s successful completion of the Cuba to Florida swim came after she had failed to finish the same quest thirty years earlier and then again in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Alongside her athletic career, Nyad is well known as a sports broadcaster and writer, working for NPR, ABC, Fox Sports and the New York Times. She has also written three books.

  • View Extended/Alternate Bio

    At the age of 64, in her fifth and final attempt, Diana Nyad successfully fulfilled her lifelong dream of completing the 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida on September 2, 2013. Upon completing her grueling 53-hour journey, a breathless Nyad told the world, “I have three messages. One is we should never ever give up. Two is you are never too old to chase your dreams. And three is it looks like a solitary sport but it takes a team.”

    Nyad has never been one to quit. In July of 2010, at the age of 60, she began her “Xtreme Dream” quest of swimming from Cuba to Florida, a task she had failed to finish thirty years previously. When asked her motivation, she replied, “Because I’d like to prove to the other 60-year-olds that it is never too late to start your dreams.” Nyad was unsuccessful in her quest in 2010 and tried two more times 2011 and 2012 before completing last year’s historic swim.

    Back in the 1970’s, Nyad was the greatest long-distance swimmer in the world. Her world records, such as circling Manhattan Island and crossing the 102.5 miles between the Bahamas and Florida, have led to inductions to many Halls of Fame, such as the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame.

    Nyad became a prominent sports broadcaster, filing compelling reports for NPR, ABC’s Wide World of Sports, Fox Sports, and The New York Times. She has written three books and speaks French and Spanish fluently. Nyad has also earned the reputation of a uniquely passionate and entertaining public speaker, earning standing ovations with a broad spectrum of audiences.

    Speaking Topics Include

      • Sports/Adventure
      • Inspiration
      • Women’s Issues
      • Empowerment
      • Motivation
      • Self-Esteem
      • Exercise and Nutrition

Diana Nyad Speaking Videos

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Diana Nyad's Speech Descriptions

Nyad brings her unique experience of sports, endurance and dedication to her speeches, which are both passionate and entertaining (and can be given in fluent French and Spanish as required!). Nyad’s astonishing achievements form the basis for talks on sports, motivation, self-esteem, exercise and nutrition, empowerment and women’s issues.

Never, Ever Give Up
On September 2, 2013, at the age of sixty-four, Diana Nyad emerged onto the shores of Key West after completing a 110-mile, fifty-three-hour, record-breaking swim through shark-infested waters from Cuba to Florida and delivered three messages to the world: never, ever give up; you're never too old to chase your dreams; and it looks like a solitary sport, but it takes a team. Millions of people around the world cheered for her and were moved by her incredible tenacity and determination, her triumph after so many bitter failures, and by the mantra--find a way--that enabled her to realize a dream in her sixties that had eluded her as a young Olympian in peak form. In her captivating presentations, she tells her story and inspires audiences to “Find a Way,” no matter the obstacles.

What People are Saying about Seeing Diana Speak

Rating Entries

I have heard Diana speak 3 or 4 times in the past three years, and can't wait till I can see her again. She is one of the best speakers I have ever seen ( and I have seen hundreds). She is funny, engaged, talented ( she can sing), and very inspirational. Her story is unique - she is one of a kind. If you are looking for a speaker who is not pushy, who is a true professional and one that will leave everyone in awe, and wanting more - Diana Nyad is the one for you.

10/10

“I literally went through a roller coaster of emotions listening to her speak. In my opinion, she is the most inspirational speaker I’ve ever listened to. Also, as we all know there are two parts to any speech: content and delivery. She nailed both!”
    Bank of America

“Huge standing ovation when she walked onto the stage! Diana was warm, engaging, and so darn funny! The audience loved her, and she had them in the palm of her hand every step of the way.”
    SCA Americas

“In short, the eent was great. Diana was amazingly warm, open, and courageous in the way she shared her personal story. All that she shared resonated quite well with the group. We were grateful to have her with us, and I believe she set the stage for the extended conversation around Inspirational Leadership.”
    Citibank

“Diana was fantastic. Captivating, funny, and inspirational. It was great to have her.”
    GE

“Diana was fantastic! She was amazing throughout our event and gave 100% of herself to us! She blew us all away and was incredibly inspirational, as I knew she would be! Even my kids who are 10 and 12 and their friends have been talking about her since she left! So thank you for making it all happen for us.”
    Sun Valley Group

“Amazing, we loved her, as did all of the attendees! Her story is inspiring and thought provoking, more so than she probably even realizes. She’s a gem of a person as well!”
    CBC Magazine Female Entrepreneur Summit

“Diana was terrific—high energy, a good teacher and presenter, honest, funny, direct. We’d have her back in a heartbeat. “
    Head of School, Marlborough School

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