World-Class Blind Adventurer
Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Erik Weihenmayer is one of the most inspiring, engaging, and sought after speakers in the world. Despite losing his vision at age 13, Erik has become an accomplished mountain climber, paraglider, skier, and kayaker who never let blindness interfere with his passion for an exhilarating and fulfilling life. Erik’s powerful message speaks to harnessing the power of adversity and using it as fuel for greatness. He sees every new challenge as an opportunity to problem solve, strategize, and create a new way forward. Citing stories from his thrilling journeys, Erik’s presentations embrace a passion for discovery and innovation. He believes in being a pioneer, of making the impossible possible, and opening up a new world of opportunity for yourself, your organization, and your team. His accomplishments show that one does not have to have perfect eyesight to have extraordinary vision.
Modern Adventurer. In May 2001, Erik Weihenmayer became the only blind person in history to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and in 2008, he completed his quest to climb the Seven Summits—the highest mountain on each continent. Additionally, he has ascended dozens of major peaks, rock walls, and ice climbs around the planet. These include the first blind ascent of the 2,900-foot Nose of El Capitan in Yosemite, a difficult alpine climb of the spectacular 19,511-foot Alpamayo in Peru, and an ascent of a rarely-climbed 3,000 foot frozen waterfall in Nepal.
In 2003, Erik competed in Primal Quest, among the toughest adventure races in the world: 457 miles through the Sierra Nevada, nine days, 60,000 feet of elevation gain, and no time-outs. Averaging only two hours of sleep a night, Erik’s team was one of the 42 to cross the finish line out of the 80 elite teams that started. In 2006, Erik founded a first-of-its-kind adventure race, the Adventure Team Challenge, in which teams of able-bodied and disabled athletes compete; his team has won the past three years. In 2010, he completed the Leadville 100 mountain bike race on a tandem; once again becoming the first blind person to complete a world-class competition.
Expedition Impossible. Erik recently finished in second place as part of Team No Limits on ABC’s reality adventure show Expedition Impossible. With skill and determination, his team galloped across deserts on camels and Arabian stallions, kayaked raging whitewater, and overcame incredible challenges. No Limits’ team spirit made them the overwhelming fan favorite and a major source of inspiration for 5 million viewers throughout North America.
Celebrated Author. In addition to being a world-class adventurer and speaker, Erik is also the author of the book, Touch the Top of the World, which has been published in 12 countries and nine languages. It was made into an A&E “Movie of the Week” and then released on DVD. Publisher’s Weekly described Erik’s memoir as “moving and adventure packed, Weihenmayer tells his extraordinary story with humor, honesty and vivid detail, and his fortitude and enthusiasm are deeply inspiring.” Erik’s second book, The Adversity Advantage: Turning Everyday Struggles Into Everyday Greatness, shares seven “summits” for harnessing the power of adversity and turning it into the never-ending fuel to growth and innovation. Steven Covey, author of the best-selling business book of all time, widely praised the book.
Humanitarian Outreach. Erik has made it his life’s work to empower those who are often marginalized and pushed to the sidelines to live more fulfilling and adventurous lives. In 2005, he helped found No Barriers USA, a nonprofit organization with a goal of promoting cutting-edge ideas, approaches, and assistive technologies that help people push through their own personal barriers to live full and active lives. Erik is currently on the board of directors.
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of their Everest climb, Erik and his team created the Soldiers to the Summit Program in 2010. Together they led a dozen severely disabled soldiers, all injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, to the summit of a 20,100-foot peak in Nepal. The project is the basis of a major feature film called High Ground, that is now touring the country with the goals of helping other wounded warriors facing their own arduous recoveries and informing everyday Americans about the challenges faced by soldiers who return home after devastating injuries.
Awards and Honors. Erik’s feats have earned him dozens of awards, recognitions, and TV appearances. He’s received the ESPY, the Nike’s Casey Martin Award, and the Helen Keller Lifetime Achievement Award. He’s made repeated visits to NBC’s TODAY and Nightly News, Oprah, Good Morning America, Nightline, and The Tonight Show. He has appeared on the cover of TIME, Outside, and Climbing magazines, and a photo of Erik on top of a mountain has appeared on thousands of billboards around the country, including in Times Square. He has also carried torches for both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
Erik and his accomplishments have also inspired three award-winning and renowned documentaries: Farther Than the Eye Can See, Blindsight, and High Ground. Farther Than the Eye Can See was ranked as one of the top 20 adventure films of all time, won first prize at 21 international film festivals, and was nominated for two Emmy awards. Blindsight won the People’s Choice Award at the Los Angeles, London, and Berlin Film Festivals. High Ground won the Best Call to Action and People’s Choice Awards from the Boulder International Film Festival and the Official Selection Awards from both the Vail and Sarasota Film Festivals.
Prep members for the Hill with a customized video.
Request More Info
Download Speech Topics: Erik Weihenmayer's Topics
The Adversity Advantage. Adversity is one of the most potent forces in life. It shapes our character, clarifies our priorities, and defines our path. Erik Weihenmayer, the only blind person to climb the tallest peaks on all seven continents and who recently lead a team of severely injured soldiers to the top of a difficult Himalayan peak, understands that adversity can also fuel our greatness. Erik’s message focuses on harnessing the energy of those challenges and setbacks to find a way to win—not despite adversity, but because of it. Says Erik, “Adversity is the pathway.”
Capturing the lessons he has learned through his barrier-shattering triumphs and crushing failures, and his humanitarian outreach around the world, Erik speaks on the importance of turning into the storm, developing a pioneering mindset, and building a strong “rope team.” Both applicable to business and life, Erik’s message reveals rare insights into the human spirit and provides a powerful take away for those who strive to turn their struggles into greatness.
Shattering Expectations. Erik Weihenmayer inspires audiences to have the vision to dream big, the courage to reach for near impossible goals, and the grit, determination, and ingenuity to transform our lives into something extraordinary. Weihenmayer’s daring adventures have shattered people’s perceptions all over the world about what is humanly possible. As a blind mountain climber, he has faced one of the most arduous tasks man can attempt, with a unique impediment that turned out to be a special gift. He defines vision as “an internal compass guiding us through the storm,” and gives new poignancy to the concept of seeing.
The Only Way To Cross a Glacier Is With a Rope Team. Weihenmayer speaks with authority on the subject of teamwork. His Mt. Everest expedition holds a world record for the most people from one team to stand atop Everest’s peak in a single day. The key to pursuing his endeavors has been his superb ability to combine his strengths and talents with those of the people around him. He speaks to the importance of working as a team. “People might have different responsibilities, different goals, even motives, but you link together behind one vision. The scope and power of that kind of team is unstoppable.”
Pioneering Possibilities. Weihenmayer doesn’t see himself as a risk taker, but as a problem solver and an innovator. He is motivated by a sense of discovery and what is achievable. He charts his plan and moves forward methodically. Along the way, he develops a system of strategies and tools that make his adventure safer, more efficient, and more productive. He illustrates his message with personal anecdotes. One critic told him that ice climbing would be impossible for a blind person. Weihenmayer approached the task from an untried, unique direction. He learned to “see” the face of a rocky surface by feeling through the tips of his tools. He speaks about finding creative ways to cross the blurry lines between what detractors view as impossible, and what we believe is possible in our hearts.
Leadership—Guess Who’s a Better Climber in the Dark? Weihenmayer describes the time he and his partner, a much better climber, were caught on a dangerous rock face at nightfall and without working headlamps. In spite of his fear, Weihenmayer knew this was his time to lead his friend down to safety. He believes the most important aspect of leadership is how we pass it on to others. “Leadership is contagious,” he says, “We pass it from body to body, from life to life, and we give all the people around us the courage to do great things.”
Travels FromColorado Local Fee Range$25,001.00 to $50,000.00 West Coast Fee Range$25,001.00 to $50,000.00 East Coast Fee Range$25,001.00 to $50,000.00
This specific fee falls within this range. Ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees are subject to change without notice. For an exact quote, please contact your Leading Authorities representative.
"What an incredible job you did at our Financial Service Forum. I have been a part of the forum for the last 20 years and cannot remember a better main platform presentation. It was incredible to serve over 900 breakfasts at 6:30 a.m." G. Ronald McDonald, Society of Financial Service Professionals
Best-Selling Author and Inspiration for the Movie Black Hawk Down
An army aviator and the sole survivor of the Black Hawk crash chronicled in the movie Black Hawk Down, Michael Durant turns his experience into lessons of personal and professional growth. An awe-inspiring speaker, Durant describes the power of teamwork, leadership, and change.
Decorated Army Commander and New York Giants Honorary Captain
Colonel Greg Gadson has survived the very worst of war, but this highly decorated American soldier has not been defeated by unfortunate circumstance; instead, his life is a portrait of courage in the face of great adversity.
Adventurer, Storyteller, and Expert on Change
Encourages people to push beyond their self-imposed limitations, be more personally accountable for their actions, and embrace effective teamwork by valuing contributions of others.
Explorer and Author
Presentations combine humor and heart-stopping excitement with practical applications and are supported by superb video footage. Peter Hillary ably connects such dramatic achievements to the challenges faced by individuals and teams striving for excellence, coping with change, and overcoming obstacles in their own fields.
Award-Winning Wall Street Stockbroker, Best-Selling Author, and First Deaf Instrument Rated Pilot
Stephen J. Hopson has been profoundly deaf since birth but that hasn't stopped him! He is a former award-winning Wall Street stockbroker turned transformational speaker, best-selling author, and first deaf instrument rated pilot in the world. As a transformational speaker, Stephen is a warm, charismatic and master storyteller who weaves inspiring anecdotes from his life experiences into the fabric of his keynote presentations to bring home the message that overcoming the impossible really is possible if one has the heart to persevere.
Adventurer, Mountaineer and Personal and Team Performance Expert
One of the world's most respected mountain guides shares his personal adventures in helping others to overcome obstacles and strive for previously unthinkable heights.
Author, Adventurer and Mountain Climber
America's leading high altitude mountaineer, Ed Viesturs has climbed many of the world's most challenging summits. Using tales of his adventures, Viesturs illustrates the importance of teamwork, persistence, and dedication in reaching the top.
Speakers Bureau
Keynote Speakers
Political Speakers
Leadership Speakers
Business Speakers
Inspirational Speakers
Motivational Speakers
Corporate Entertainment
Corporate Speakers
Video production
Event Production
Speakers Bureau FAQs
Public Speakers
Professional Speakers