Overcoming Adversity Speakers
Resilience is easier to believe when it comes from someone who has lived it. These speakers share how they got through injury, loss and long odds, including a story adapted into the film Invincible, an amputee and former NFL captain and a Navy bomb disposal diver.
Overcoming Adversity Speakers available to book
Showing 1–24 of 64 overcoming adversity speakers
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Booking guide
How to choose and book an overcoming adversity speaker
What overcoming adversity speakers bring to your event
An overcoming adversity keynote shows your audience what resilience looks like in practice. The strongest speakers do not stop at the setback. They show the choices that got them through it and how any team can use them.
J.R. Martinez, an Army veteran and burn survivor, and Rocky Bleier, a four-time Super Bowl champion and Purple Heart recipient, speak about recovering from combat injuries. Vince Papale, whose story inspired Disney’s Invincible, and Rudy Ruettiger, subject of the movie Rudy, speak about beating the odds. Jim Abbott, who pitched in the major leagues, Kerri Walsh Jennings, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, Cory Richards and Nicole Malachowski, the first woman Thunderbird pilot, bring stories of risk and recovery.
How to choose the right overcoming adversity speaker
Start with the change in mindset you want, then narrow the list with four questions:
- Kind of adversity. Injury, combat, illness, career setbacks and failure each resonate with different audiences. Match the story to yours.
- Message. Resilience, grit, recovery, change and mental strength are different talks. Pick the one you need.
- Audience and format. Sales kickoffs, healthcare events, veterans events and leadership summits call for different tones. Many speakers also offer fireside chats and Q&A.
- Budget and logistics. Compare the fee ranges and travel locations on each card, and check whether a virtual keynote fits your event.
Booking an overcoming adversity speaker
Fees for the overcoming adversity speakers on this page range from about $12,500 to $165,000, depending on demand, date, location and format. Travel is usually additional for in-person events.
Open a speaker’s profile and select Check Availability to send your date, location and event details. A Mollie Plotkin Group agent confirms availability, the fee and travel, and handles contracts and logistics through to the event.
Overcoming adversity speaker FAQs
How much does it cost to hire an overcoming adversity speaker?
Fees on this page range from about $12,500 to $165,000. The fee depends on the speaker’s demand, your date, the event location and whether the keynote is in person or virtual. Each card shows the current fee range where it is published.
How far in advance should we book?
As early as possible. In-demand speakers commit to dates months ahead, and booking early gives you more choice and more time for travel planning and a prep call.
Can these speakers present virtually?
Many can. Use the In Person or Virtual filter to see who offers virtual keynotes, and check the profile for the virtual fee, which is often lower than the in-person fee.
Will the speaker tailor the keynote to our audience?
Ask when you check availability. Many speakers hold a planning call to learn about your audience and goals and adjust their stories and examples to fit.
What is the difference between an overcoming adversity speaker and a resilience speaker?
Overcoming adversity speakers tell the story of a specific setback and how they came through it. Resilience speakers often teach the skills of staying strong under pressure. Many do both.
Didn’t find the right speaker?
Tell us about your event and our agents will build a custom shortlist that fits your audience, date and budget.