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Home / Speaker list / Overcoming Adversity Speakers

Overcoming Adversity Speakers

Inspire your audience with stories of facing adversity, hardship and motivation. Our resilient speakers have overcome difficult times and have gone on to become Paralympic Medalists, reach the summit of Mount Everest and become leading astrophysicists. Their moving stories will prove to embolden your audience and leave them with a can-do attitude. The adversity speakers listed below have faced many challenges and adversities throughout their life and are now able to share those experiences with their audiences through inspirational speeches.

Let us know if you are interested in one of our speakers for your event.

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Dr. Hakeem M. Oluseyi, Astrophysicist, Educator, Humanitarian, and TED Fellow

Hakeem Oluseyi

Astrophysicist, Space Science Education Lead for NASA, & Inspirational...

Fees
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Hakeem Oluseyi

Dr. Hakeem Olyuseyi, author of a highly-anticipated upcoming memoir, The Stars in My Soul: My Unlikely Journey through Space and Time, is an internationally-recognized astrophysicist, science TV personality, and global education advocate who has had a long, distinguished career in academia and scientific research. Currently, he is stationed at NASA Headquarters, where he serves as an Astrophysicist and Space Science Education Lead for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. A former TED fellow, Dr. Oluseyi holds three degrees, eight US patents, four EU patents, and co-hosts several shows on Science Channel and Discovery International, including Outrageous Acts of Science, How the Universe Works, Space's Deepest Secrets, Strange Evidence, You Have Been Warned, and Strip the Cosmos. Dr. Oluseyi's success is even more impressive given his incredible personal background and story. Motivating audiences globally with his message of persevering past naysayers, self-doubt, and overcoming adversity, he is exclusively represented by Leading Authorities.
Topics & Types
Diversity & InclusionFuture TrendsInspiration & MotivationTechnologyOvercoming AdversityDisruptionTED SpeakersAfrican American SpeakersAuthors
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Kristin-Beck

Kristin Beck

Former Navy SEAL & Civil Rights Activist

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Asia: $20,001 - $35,000*
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Kristin Beck

Kristin Beck, born Christopher Beck is known to be the first female Navy SEAL. She distinguished herself in 20 years of exceptionally meritorious service with Special Operations Forces in the SEAL teams. Now a civil rights activist, she gives speeches and lectures at various events around the country sharing her story about overcoming adversity.
Topics & Types
Diversity & InclusionCorporate Social Responsibility Inspiration & MotivationLeadershipTeamworkOvercoming AdversityMilitary LeadersFemale Speakers
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Erik Weihenmayer

World-Class Blind Adventurer

Fees
  • Local: $55,001 - $75,000*
  • US East: $55,001 - $75,000*
  • US West: $55,001 - $75,000*
  • Europe: $75,001 and up*
  • Asia: $75,001 and up*
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Erik Weihenmayer

Erik Weihenmayer is a world-class adventurer, the first blind man to summit Mount Everest, and one of only 150 mountaineers to climb the Seven Summits. His latest and most demanding adventure is kayaking the 277 miles of the Grand Canyon. One of the most exciting and well-known athletes in the world, he never let his lack of vision interfere with his quality of life. Weihenmayer’s feats have earned him incredible press coverage and dozens of awards. He is also the author of two books and addresses leadership, teamwork, overcoming adversity, motivation, and inspiration.
Topics & Types
AdventureInnovationInspiration & MotivationLeadershipPeak PerformanceTeamworkOvercoming AdversityRisk-TakersAthletes & CommentatorsAuthors
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Rob Jones, Retired Marine Sergeant, Paralympic Bronze Medalist, & Endurance Athlete

Rob Jones

Retired Marine Sergeant, Paralympic Bronze Medalist, & Endurance Athlete

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • Europe: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • Asia: $10,001 - $20,000*
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Rob Jones

Retired Marine Sergeant and Paralympic Bronze Medalist, Rob Jones’ life is synonymous with resilience and overcoming adversity. In 2010, he was struck and injured by a land mine, resulting in a double above-the-knee leg amputation. Despite the injury, Rob’s incredible spirit remained intact. He went on to win bronze in the 2012 Paralympics, place fourth in the 2013 World Rowing Championships, and bike across the country for charity in 2015. In the fall of 2017, Rob completed a month long, back-to-back marathon challenge, running 31 marathons in 31 days in 31 different major cities. The incredible undertaking raised awareness and funds for wounded veteran charities.
Topics & Types
Inspiration & MotivationPeak PerformanceTeamworkOvercoming AdversityAthletes & CommentatorsMilitary Leaders
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Chris Gardner

Inspiration for the Film, The Pursuit of Happyness

Fees
  • Local: $55,001 - $75,000*
  • US East: $55,001 - $75,000*
  • US West: $55,001 - $75,000*
  • Europe: $75,001 and up*
  • Asia: $75,001 and up*
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Chris Gardner

Chris Gardner is the owner and CEO of Gardner Rich LLC. Conquering grave challenges to become a successful entrepreneur, Gardner is an avid motivational and inspirational speaker, addressing the keys to overcoming adversity and breaking cycles. He is great for groups looking for a speaker who has “walked the walk” and accomplished things that no one else thought they would be able to do. He is also a passionate philanthropist whose work has been recognized by many esteemed organizations and discusses commitment and fatherhood.
Topics & Types
Diversity & InclusionInspiration & MotivationOvercoming AdversityRisk-TakersBusiness Leaders From Major BrandsAfrican American SpeakersAuthors
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Shon Hopwood

Shon Hopwood

Associate Law Professor at Georgetown University Law Center, Criminal...

Fees
  • Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
  • Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
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Shon Hopwood

Shon Hopwood is an Associate Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center, where he is an expert on federal courts, criminal procedure (including federal sentencing), and prisoners’ rights. Shon’s unusual legal journey began not at law school, but federal prison, where he learned to write briefs for other prisoners. Shon’s incredible story of second chances and overcoming adversity has been featured in the The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, NPR, and most recently, on 60 Minutes. He is the author of the memoir Law Man: My Story of Robbing Banks, Winning Supreme Cases and Finding Redemption, and an advocate for criminal justice reform.
Topics & Types
Inspiration & MotivationLaw & Legal AffairsOvercoming AdversityTurnaround
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Amy Purdy

2018 Paralympic Silver Medalist & 2014 Paralympic Bronze Medalist and...

Fees
  • Local: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • Europe: Please Inquire
  • Asia: Please Inquire
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Amy Purdy

Amy Purdy had a typical childhood until losing her legs at 19 as a result of Meningitis, which has led to an adulthood of extraordinary accomplishments. Amy is the top ranked adaptive snowboarder in the US, a three-time World Cup Para-Snowboard winner, the 2014 Paralympic Bronze Medalist, and the 2018 Paralympic Silver Medalist. She is the co-founder of Adaptive Action Sports (AAS), a non-profit organization which helps disabled youth, young adults, and wounded veterans get involved with action sports, and the author of the New York Times best-selling book, On My Own Two Feet. Amy has evolved into a powerful inspirational and adversity speaker who has been seen by millions of people and invited to share her story to audiences around the world.

Topics & Types
Corporate Social Responsibility Inspiration & MotivationPeak PerformanceOvercoming AdversityAthletes & CommentatorsTED SpeakersFemale Speakers
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Lisa Jaster

Army Ranger, Leadership and Peak Performance Expert
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Lisa Jaster

Lisa Jaster is one of only three women to graduate from the first integrated United States Army Ranger program, which is one of the most difficult combat training courses in the world, and she was the first female Army Reserve officer to become a Ranger. Lisa continues to demonstrate that barriers are meant to be broken and exemplifies how resilience and hard work are absolutely essential to achieving your goals. Filled with humorous stories and moving anecdotes, her talks leave audiences inspired to push past adversity no matter the cost and better their lives.
Topics & Types
Inspiration & MotivationLeadershipPeak PerformanceRelationship BuildingOvercoming AdversityDecision MakingRisk-TakersAthletes & CommentatorsMilitary LeadersFemale Speakers
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Ben Saunders, World Record-Breaking Polar Explorer

Ben Saunders

Record-Breaking Explorer & Repeat TED Speaker

Fees
  • US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
  • Europe: $10,001 - $20,000*
  • Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
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Ben Saunders

Polar explorer, TED speaker, and record-breaking long-distance skier Ben Saunders fuses the spirit of adventure with impressive technical ingenuity. He has five North Pole expeditions under his belt and is best known for leading one of the most ambitious expeditions in a century. Humble and self-effacing, he is an explorer of limits and his message is one of inspiration, empowerment, and overcoming adversity. He explores the dichotomy between ideas and action and urges audiences to consider carefully how to spend the “tiny amount of time we each have on this planet.”
Topics & Types
AdventureInnovationInspiration & MotivationPeak PerformanceTeamworkOvercoming AdversityRisk-TakersAthletes & CommentatorsTED Speakers
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Learn More About Overcoming Adversity With Our Resilient Speakers

Allow your audience to connect with one of our resilient speakers over their emotional stories about their journey to reaching success. They will be able to convey a strong message to your audience and impart the importance of perseverance and amount of hard work required to accomplish challenging goals.

Our resilience speakers include lawyers whose story began in federal prison, a former marine who became a Paralympic Medalist and record-breaking polar explorers. Their tenacious spirit and incredible stories for staying motivated will surely make yours an unforgettable event.

At Leading Authorities speakers bureau, our team of seasoned meeting industry experts will be able to help you find the ideal speaker or speakers who will be able to most closely relate to your specific audience and align with the overall message, goal, and objective set forth for your event or conference. We will also take your budget, theme, topic, goals, and more into consideration when creating a customized list of speaker recommendations just for you.

For more information on booking one of these accomplished speakers for your next meeting or event, contact our team! 

To get in touch with us immediately, you can also fill out the form below, email us at Contact@lauthorities.com, start a live chat with a member of our team online, or call us at 1-800-SPEAKER.

If you are looking for a specific speaker not listed above, please contact our team as we specialize in placing hard-to-find and in-demand keynote speakers from all around the world, which may not be listed on our website for various reasons.