Looking for some inspirational quotes to start off your #MotivationMonday Twitter post? We have quotes from 25 fresh, active, and accomplished motivational speakers. From CEOs and television executives to legendary sports stars and celebrities, these quotes will bring a spark of life to your day, and your social media feed.
We have gathered the most insightful quotes from popular motivational speakers that are currently leading the industry. In addition, we’ve included some context for each quote so that you can get the most out of their meaning. Find out why Fortune 500 companies hire these professional motivational speakers to launch their events and enjoy their powerful messages.
Quotes from Motivational Speakers for Women’s Empowerment
When we selected our quotes from top motivational speakers, it was the outstanding executives, CEO’s and astronauts that made the list:
Keren Elazari
Keren Elazari
Keren Elazari is an international security analyst and founder of Israel’s largest security community event. Many respect Elazari as the leading voice for women in cybersecurity.
The quote we have chosen to represent Elazari displays her philosophy of hard work and determination, not only in a male-dominated field, but in the unforgiving arena of cyber warfare. Cybersecurity experts need to stay vigilant, up-to-date, and communicative in order to thrive.
Margaret Hoelzer
The thing about plateaus is that it can be hard to realize that you’re on one.
Margaret Hoelzer
Margaret Hoelzer is a three-time Olympic medalist, award winning public speaker and Childrens’ Advocate.
In 2008, after competing in her second Olympic Games and breaking a World Record, Margaret revealed to the world that she had been sexually abused as a child.
She was one of the first professional athletes to speak out about her experience with sexual abuse and is currently a spokesperson for the National Children’s Advocacy Center.
Margaret Hoelzer is proof that if you put your mind to it, anything is possible. Overcoming sexual abuse as a child, Hoelzer rose to the top in her sport of swimming and continues to excel as an internationally recognized motivational speaker and advocate.
Tara Schuster
Rejection makes success all the sweeter.
Tara Schuster
Tara Schuster previously served as VP of talent and development at Comedy Central. She was the executive in charge of critically acclaimed shows such as the Emmy Award-winning Key & Peele.
Today, Tara Schuster is best known as the author of the best-selling Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies and her forthcoming book Glow in the F*cking Dark. Schuster has become a trailblazing voice in health, wellness, and motivation.
Leslie Maxie
Excellence is not an accident.
Leslie Maxie
Leslie Maxie is an Olympian, former ESPN sportscaster, and highly in-demand international keynote speaker.
“Excellence is not an Accident” is Leslie Maxie’s motto which she’s held close her entire life. At just 9 years old, Leslie Maxie interviewed the legendary athlete Jesse Owens. At this moment, Leslie realized her passion for sports journalism and athleticism. Through trial and error, intense training, and an unrelenting passion for excellence, Maxie would qualify for the 1988 Olympics.
Following her athletic career, Leslie led an accomplished career as a sportscaster for ESPN, Fox Sports, and NBC.
Yvonne Cagle
What’s your moonshot?
Yvonne Cagle
Yvonne Cagle is a United States NASA astronaut and retired Airforce Colonel. Today, she is an advocate for sustainable energies, green initiatives, and disaster preparedness.
Many interviewers ask Yvonne Cagle, “When will we send a manned mission to Mars?” In an interview with Sports Business Journal, Cagle insists that we will be visiting Mars in 2035. However, to aim for Mars, we first aim for Pluto.
She told the Sports Business Journal reporter, “That’s our Moonshot. What’s your Moonshot?”
Jade McCarthy
Every day is a new beginning.
Jade McCarthy
Jade McCarthy is an Emmy award-winning journalist, and host of the Sports Spectrum podcast Transformed.
Since 2012, Jade McCarthy had been an anchor for ESPN and their SportsCenter program. However, in 2017, ESPN announced sweeping layoffs of their on-air personalities. Just before McCarthy was to go live on air, she received the news that she would be let go.
Jade McCarthy views this moment as a turning point in her life, and more importantly, as transformational. She is now a weekly host on SiriusXM NFL Radio and her own podcast. With her new career, she can focus more on her faith and family.
Today, Jade McCarthy is a media consultant and motivational speaker. She speaks on disruption and faith-based perseverance.
Sarah Rob O’Hagan
My wrong moves are what led me to my best right moves.
Sarah Rob O’Hagan
Named one of Forbes’ “Most Powerful Women in Sports,” Sarah Rob O’Hagan is a corporate executive, activist, and entrepreneur. Using branding and digital content. O’Hagan revitalized Gatorade and Equinox for the 2010s.
She is also active in the political sphere, having served on Hillary Clinton’s US State Department Council to Empower Women and Girls through Sports.
This quote from motivational speaker Sarah Rob O’Hagan highlights her career and reveals the origin of her passion for speaking. When O’Hagan was being introduced for one of her earliest speeches, the host read out a long list of her achievements. However, O’Hagan felt that it was her failures that guided her to success the most.
Lisa Kohn
I’m not failing, even when I feel bad.
Lisa Kohn
Lisa Kohn is an executive coach and author who shares her lived experience as a former cult member and survivor. Kohn was raised by her mother in the “Moonies” cult, officially known as The Unification Church.
Today, Lisa is a leadership consultant and executive coach who also speaks on women’s empowerment in their personal and professional lives.
The quote we have selected from Kohn demonstrates her values of self-compassion. In order to learn, grow, and move forward from her experiences, she had to stop blaming herself. This is a lesson that anyone can take into their own lives as we are all faced with failure and challenges every day.
Quotes from Motivational Speakers & Athletes
These are quotes from motivational speakers that have led accomplished careers in professional sports. From NFL Legends to Magicians and Olympians, the world of sports unites a diverse group of motivational speakers.
Marcus Allen
You need people who see you and want your success as much as you want theirs.
Marcus Allen
Strong leadership is at the core of Marcus Allen’s philosophy for success. As the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence, a former professional basketball player, and serial entrepreneur, Marcus Allen prides himself the most for being an authentic leader.
In December of 2022, Marcus Allen climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters. This experience inspired his latest keynotes, which he will be presenting to the Philadelphia Society for Human Resource Management and the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce in 2023.
Kevin Reilly
You can’t choose what happens to you, but you can choose to tackle life each and every day.
Kevin Reilly
Former Philadelphia Eagle, sportscaster, and corporate executive Kevin Reilly is the oldest living survivor of a rare cancer-like disease called a Desmoid tumor. Following the amputation of his left arm, shoulder, and four ribs, Reilly had to retire from the NFL.
Reilly learned how to “tackle life” with his new disability, returning to his family and corporate life. Seemingly insurmountable challenges and struggles met with Kevin Reilly along his journey. Today, he speaks on how faith, family, and fortitude kept his head in the game, and allowed him to live a prosperous life.
Meb Keflezighi
There are more races lost than won, but you learn from them.
Meb Keflezighi
Meb Keflezighi is a U.S. Olympic Medalist and Etrian-born All-American athlete. He is the face of leading brands such as Sketchers, Oakley, and Sony.
Keflezighi broke into American popular culture in 2014 after becoming the first American man to win the Boston Marathon since 1983. Keflezighi had already been an accomplished American athlete. He won the silver medal in the 2004 Olympic games for marathon running.
His story embodies the American Dream, having become a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1998 after his family fled war in their home nation of Eritrea.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services recognized Keflezighi as an Outstanding American by Choice.
Vince Papale
We all have the potential to do something extraordinary, do the impossible, do the unthinkable and maybe have that dream come true.
Vince Papale
Papale is the legendary professional football player who made the Philadelphia Eagles team at the age of 30 in 1976. He was the oldest rookie ever in the history of the NFL to have not played football in college.
Mark Wahlberg would portray Papale in Walt Disney Pictures’ Invincible in 2006, solidifying that Papale is a household name across the country.
Papale zeroes in on the potential that we all have for greatness. However, in his motivational speeches, he emphasizes that potential is worthless unless acted upon.
Jon Dorenbos
Life is magic.
Jon Dorenbos
Jon Dorenbos is a former NFL player, finalist on America’s Got Talent, a regular on the Ellen Show, and a world-class motivational speaker.
Following the tragic death of his mother, Jon Dorenbos lived with a foster family, and soon, with his aunt. At just 12 years old, Dorenbos was searching for meaning in his life.
Jon’s journey to the NFL and a career as a celebrity magician is detailed in his book “Life is Magic.” In it, Dorenbos draws a road map for how to shut down your inner self doubt. Even at his darkest times, he learned lessons of love and forgiveness.
Quotes from Motivational Speakers for Corporate Audiences
These entertaining, enterprising, and energetic motivational speakers are hired by Fortune 500 companies to motivate their sales teams and crush their goals for the next quarter. We selected quotes from motivational speakers for corporate audiences that are perfect for company Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter feeds.
Gregory Offner
Gregory Offner
Internationally sought-after keynote speaker and thought leader on the topics of performance, disruption and creativity, Gregory Offner has led sales teams and marketing efforts for some of the most influential companies on the planet.
Offner holds professional designations in Lean/SixSigma, Risk Management, Organizational Leadership, and Positive Psychology. Furthermore, Greg was named Speaker of the Year 2021-2022 by Meeting Planners INternational, Greater New York Chapter.
The quote we have selected for Offner is but one of his insights into operations and sales. A salesman can only keep in touch with so many leads and connections. It is much better to narrow their focus on a small amount of hot leads than thousands of cold ones.
Jay Shetty
You’re not going to master the rest of your life in one day. Don’t stress. Master the day. Make this a daily reminder.
Jay Shetty
As one of the most booked keynote speakers in the world, Jay Shetty’s insight is highly sought after. His book Think Like a Monk is a #1 Amazon bestseller, and he is the host of the #1 Health Podcast in the world.
His insight comes from his time spent as a monk. Yes, at 24, Jay Shetty gave up his fast-paced urban lifestyle to live as a monk in India. However, after three years of meditation and sleeping on bare floors, Shetty realized his life had a different calling. He returned home to an 80-hour work week and crushing dept. But from those depths, he built an empire.
Robert Paylor
Whether our challenges are visible or not, the approach to overcoming adversity is universal.
Rob Paylor
Robert Paylor’s journey is best summed up by the phrase he uses most, “Paralyzed to Powerful.” In 2017, while playing in the Collegiate Rugby National Championship, Robert Paylor broke his neck, changing his life in an instant.
Through intense physical therapy, and an unrelenting will, Robert Paylor is able to walk again.
Sports Illustrated featured Paylor walking across the stage at his graduation ceremony for the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.
Today, Robert Paylor is a motivational speaker, hired by companies such as Samsung and Intel to deliver keynotes and tell his inspirational story.
Mel Robbins
If you change the way you think, you’ll change your life.
Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins is a former lawyer, CNN correspondent, and reality TV host. In addition, she is one of the most booked motivational speakers in the world.
She began her professional career as a criminal defense attorney, and would go on to host A&E’s Monster In-Laws and FOX’s Someone’s Gotta Go.
Robbins’ keynote speaking career was launched by her TEDx talk, Stop Saying You’re Fine: Discover a More Powerful You. From that moment, she had started a movement, becoming one of the most booked speakers of all time.
Errol Doebler
Doing things “right” is not the same as not making mistakes.
Errol Doebler
Errol Doebler has a career of 20 combined years as a Navy SEAL and FBI Special Agent. His experiences make him the ultimate executive coach, keynote speaker, and cyber security expert.
This quote from motivational speaker Errol Eobler captures the key to growing from your mistakes and ultimately finding success.
We are often told that making mistakes is the “right” thing if we want to eventually succeed. However, one must be aware of their mistakes, make the proper adjustments, and apologize.
Emily Harrington
Learn how to sit with your fear, and work with it, and use it as a strength
Emily Harrington
Emily Harrington is a world-renowned, 5-time US National Champion rock climber. She proudly stands as an outspoken woman in the sport of rock climbing while making international achievements.
Harrington is also a motivational speaker, and was recently featured in HBO’s Edge of The Earth.
This quote from motivational speaker Emily Harrington is taken from her landmark TEDx talk “Finding Fear.”
Simon T. Bailey
We are all born brilliant, but over our lives, that brilliance is buried by people,
Simon T Bailey
circumstances, and experiences
Simon T. Bailey is one of the most-booked, most-prolific, and most-trusted keynote speakers of the year. As the former Sales Director of the Walt Disney Company Disney Institute, his expertise is highly-sought after by Fortune 500 companies.
In addition, he has worked with over 2,000 companies in 50 different companies to bring excellence to their culture and sales teams.
This quote from Simon T. Bailey is about his philosophy of self-actualizing the individual to create a stronger team and overall organization.
Matt Newman
“We Learn the Greatest Lessons in Life at the Deepest and Darkest of Times”
Matt Newman
Matt Newman is a top salesman in wholesale financial services who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 39. Like all catastrophic events, a diagnosis of grade-three astrocytoma can not be directly accounted for, but their impact can be mitigated with planning and a positive attitude.
Matt Newman’s experience with financial planning, personal fitness, and mental fortitude helped him take ownership of his life as a cancer survivor.
With his motivational speaking, he leads sales teams, financial advisors, and organizations through his philosophy of risk management and motivation. He emphasizes that sales and referrals can be boosted by making deeper connections with clients.
Jon Cooper
Be better than the next guy. That’s what you have to do. You have to challenge yourself.
Jon Cooper
Widely considered to be one of the best coaches in the NHL, Jon Cooper has led the Tampa Bay Lighting to 8 playoff appearances, 6 conference finals, 3 consecutive Stanley Cup appearances and back-to-back Stanley cup victories.
We chose this quote from Jon Cooper because it demonstrates his storied life and career. Before coaching in the NHL, Cooper served as a public defender for 11 years. He knows the power of setting goals, and challenging yourself.
Scott Hamilton
Failure is something with only one ingredient, information, nothing more.
Scott Hamilton
Scott Hamilton is an Olympic Gold Medalist, best-selling author, cancer survivor, and most recognized male figure skating star in the world.
As with the previous Olympians on our list, this quote exemplifies the unwavering spirit of Olympic athletes.
When faced with failure, Scott Hamilton knows that he can’t dwell on his defeat and other factors that are out of his control. Having beaten cancer four times in his life, Hamilton knows never to lose focus, or more importantly, hope.
John Foley
John Foley
John Foley is a former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels. His motivational speeches trigger his audiences to take action and rethink what they believe is possible. Some of John’s audiences include Microsoft, Cisco, Merril Lynch, and Million Dollar Round Table.
Foley’s insight comes from his consistent performance in extreme, high-stakes environments; like flying at speeds exceeding 500 miles per hour in formations as close as 18 inches apart.
The quote we have selected from John Foley is about finding the silver lining in a poor situation, and exemplifies one of his key values: gratitude.
Annika Sorenstam
“There are no shortcuts to success”
Annika Sorenstam
Annika Sorenstam is widely considered one of the greatest golfers of all time. She is an LPGA and World Golf hall of famer, as well as an 8-time player of the year with 90 worldwide tournament wins.
Today, she is an international motivational speaker and the leader of her ANNIKA brand for course design and high-end golf apparel. She also created the ANNIKA Foundation, providing golf opportunities for junior, collegiate, and professional golfers. In addition, the ANNIKA foundation teaches young people the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle.
In an interview with America’s Women Magazine, Annika Sorenstam claimed that “there is no shortcut to success,” as she built a career as an international athlete before starting her own brand.
Hire Your Choice of These Motivational Speakers
Thank you for reading our list of quotes from these excellent motivational speakers. Please contact the Mollie Plotkin Group to inquire about the availability of any of the above speakers.
We hope that these motivational quotes will inspire you to start a new project or finish up some long-standing items on your to-do list.
