Chris Waddell
13X Paralympic Medalist, Motivational Speaker
13X Paralympic Medalist, named by the Dalai Lama as an Unsung Hero of Compassion, Chris Waddell holds the most medals of any male mono skier in Paralympic history and was the first ambassador of the International Paralympic Committee.
Meet Chris Waddell
Chris Waddell is a Paralympic & US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame inductee. He holds the most medals of any male mono skier in Paralympic history. Waddell is best known for his activism, philanthropy, and keynote speaking, and was honored by the Dalai Lama as an Unsung Hero of Compassion. Chris Waddell speaks on the topics of embracing struggle, overcoming adversity, and creating change.
As a highly sought-after keynote speaker, Chris Waddell helps audiences become champions of their businesses, their worlds, and themselves. His message resonates with all audiences, from Fortune 500 companies to non-profits. He inspires audiences to consider how seemingly ordinary people can achieve the impossible.
Chris Waddell is available to be booked for corporate and private events. He is also well-known for his keynote and motivational speaking. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to inquire about Chris Waddell’s fees.
Want to book Chris Waddell for an event?
Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at (215) 995-0905 to book Chris Waddell for corporate or private events, keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances. Our agency will work directly with your organization and our keynote speakers to create an unforgettable event.
The Mollie Plotkin Group is the leading keynote speakers agency and entertainment bureau bringing excitement to audiences, clients, and employees. We represent subject-matter experts in every possible field, so whether we’re your partner in creating a memorable meeting, or your meeting planner’s secret weapon in securing the perfect keynote speaker, we’re in this with you.
Biography
Chris Waddell was a promising skier when an accident paralyzed him from the waist down. However, Waddell was determined to get back on the slopes. Only a year after his accident, Waddell began monoskiing. Within three years, Waddell earned a spot on the US Disabled Ski Team. The rest is history. Waddell would become the most decorated male skier of Paralympics.
Chris Waddell’s Awards and Honors
Chris Waddell earned the following awards and honors throughout his Paralympic career:
- Thirteen Paralympic Medals
- Paralympic Hall of Fame Inductee
- World Champion in Winter & Summer Sports
- US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame
Waddell’s paralympic career is unprecedented. Additionally, many of his greatest accomplishments still stand unmatched to this day. He holds the most Paralympic medals of any male monoskier. Furthermore, Waddell set a T53 world record time for distance in 2004.
First Nearly Unassisted Paraplegic to Summit Mt Kilimanjaro
Chris Waddell attempted to become the first unassisted paraplegic to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro. He sought to give others the courage to confront their fears to live to the fullest. He expressed “Having a disability shouldn’t limit anyone’s expectations,” to Forbes.
While Waddell required his team to carry him up a boulder field, he did not see the adventure as a failure. He no longer sought to be a superhero, but an honest man. Following his climb, Waddell sought to become a keynote speaker, inspiring thousands across the globe.
How to Hire Chris Waddell
To hire Chris Waddell for an event, contact the Mollie Plotkin Group with the proposed event date, location, audience size, event format and program goals. Chris Waddell is available for corporate events, conferences, leadership meetings, private events, workshops, fireside chats and virtual programs.
After receiving your request, a Mollie Plotkin Group booking agent will review Chris Waddell’s availability, discuss the event details and get back to you within 48 hours with next steps for securing Chris Waddell for your program.
Chris Waddell Booking Fee
The cost to book Chris Waddell depends on the event date, location, format, audience size and scope of the appearance. Chris Waddell’s speaking fee starts at $15,000. Speaking fees may vary for keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, private events, corporate meetings and virtual programs.
For the most accurate Chris Waddell booking fee, contact the Mollie Plotkin Group with your event details. Our team will help confirm availability, pricing and the best format for your event.
Speaking Topics & Programs
The Power of Change
Create a Culture of Change in Your Organization
We have 2 diametrically opposed desires: security and growth. If we stop growing, learning and dreaming, we’re essentially dead. Our greatest moments, when we look back, are when we changed for the better. Organizations hire Chris Waddell to create a culture of change through:
- Creating Opportunities to Learn From Each Other
- Pursuing a Common Summit
- Fail, Revise, and Adapt
Achieve Your Goals
Lessons in Confidence & Achievement from a 13x Paralympic Medalist
How often do we try, fail, and say that something is “impossible”? Well, it’s true until someone else does it. Why couldn’t you?
Chris Waddell investigates his past as an unrivaled Paralympic athlete and how competition led him to depression. He didn’t want to be caught up in “passion,” but he cut himself off from the trigger to his greatest power, optimism.
In this keynote speech, Chris Waddell covers the core principles of achieving your goals:
- Make a Goal Bigger Than Yourself
- Learn the Triggers to Your Best Self
- Build Confidence: Knowing You Can Adapt
Organizations hire Chris Waddell for team-building events and motivational speeches.
Embrace the Struggle
The Story of Traumatic Injury to Paralympic Legend
No matter how smart, rich, strong, or educated we are, we all struggle. Death, divorce, bankruptcy, and addiction; all force us to question our entire lives.
Chris Waddell knows the struggle of traumatic injury. However, what is more damaging is the struggle of complacency, indecision, and insecurity.
Chris Waddell learned to embrace the struggle, and now he misses the struggle more than his medals. The struggle was his connection to his world, friends, and colleagues.
In this keynote speech, Chris Waddell covers how to embrace the struggle:
- Be the Underdog
- Control Your Reactions
- Connect with Your Colleagues