Did you know that American companies lose between $960 billion and $1.2 trillion in productivity each year due to employee disengagement? 

Building an event around a big goal—and providing a keynote speaker catalyst to get the team fired up to execute—is one of the best ways to set your organization up for success heading into the second half of the year. Here’s a list of fantastic motivational speakers to inspire your team's success. 

INSPIRE SUCCESS WITH THESE MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS

• Katie Ledecky, 10x Olympic Medalist, 15x World Champion, 14x World Record Breaker
• Sekou Andrews, The World’s Leading Poetic Voice and expert on innovation, change, customer experience, and collaboration
• Sarah Robb O'Hagan, Former CEO of Flywheel Sports, Former President of Equinox Fitness, and Former President of Gatorade 
• Hakeem Oluseyi, NASA Astrophysicist and author of the upcoming book Hacking the Stars: My Unlikely Journey Through Space and Time
• Ben Saunders, World-record breaking polar explorer and repeat TED speaker
• Sebastian Terry, Author, TV Host, and Founder of 100 Things Philanthropic Movement
• Cal Ripken, Jr., Legendary "Iron Man" of Baseball
• Bert Jacobs, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Optimist of "Life is Good"
• Dakota Meyer, Medal of Honor Recipient & New York Times Best-Selling Author of Into the Fire
• Major Lisa Jaster: First female Army Reserve Ranger and peak performance expert, who graduated Ranger School at 37 (the average trainee is 23) and lives by the motto “There is no quitting”
• Carla Harris, Vice Chairman, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley
• Molly Fletcher: Pioneering sports agent and CEO, the “female Jerry Maguire” according to CNN, who talks about finding your competitive edge in order to unleash your potential

Keep reading for more information about each speaker and their inspirational presentations:

KATIE LEDECKY

10x Olympic Medalist, 15x World Champion, 14x World Record Breaker

Having won 10 overall Olympic medals and 15 world championship titles, as well as broken 14 world records,  Katie Ledecky is an undeniable "G.O.A.T." From underdog to champion, her story inspires audiences to go for the gold as they work toward extraordinary goals. In her talks, Ledecky draws from her personal journey to share insights on developing a winner's mentality while showing discipline, finding balance, and swimming past adversity to achieve peak performance. 

SEKOU ANDREWS

The World’s Leading Poetic Voice and expert on innovation, change, customer experience, and collaboration

Sekou is the world’s leading Poetic Voice: a presenter/performer who is disrupting the speaking industry in unprecedented ways. His dynamic blend of strategic storytelling, business insight, spoken word, theater and comedy turns events into experiences that are energizing and packed with real takeaways. Embodying innovation on stage, he gives audiences permission to pursue bold, new ideas, and makes meeting planners heroes in the process. 

SARAH ROBB O'HAGAN

Former CEO of Flywheel Sports, Former President of Equinox Fitness, and Former President of Gatorade 

Sarah Robb O’Hagan became one of the most powerful and successful women in sports. But, in her late 20s, she was fired twice—back to back. High-energy and known for shaking up conferences with her motivational messaging, Sarah shares stories from her own life to illustrate why turning failure into fuel for success is the most powerful skill to have in business and in life. Plus, she touches on why taking risks and “crashing” more is what led to her vital personal development. 

HAKEEM OLUSEYI

NASA Astrophysicist and author of the upcoming book, Hacking the Stars: My Unlikely Journey Through Space and Time

Born into deep poverty in Mississippi, Dr. Oluseyi grew up in some of the roughest neighborhoods in the country. He realized a love of science and space at a young age and, despite near constant discouragement, went on to obtain three degrees, 12 patents for inventions in modern computer chips, and to work on Nobel Prize-winning research projects. Funny, warm, honest, and inspiring, Hakeem moves audiences to never give up. 

BEN SAUNDERS

World-record breaking polar explorer and repeat TED speaker

Ben is a three-time TED speaker and the only person ever successfully complete the 1,800-mile trek unsupported from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back. Charming and witty, Ben’s stories of excruciating physical endurance, run-ins with polar bears, and pushing past doubt move audiences to push themselves and rethink their abilities. 

SEBASTIAN TERRY

Author, TV Host, and Founder of 100 Things Philanthropic Movement

Known worldwide for pursuing an incredible list of 100 Things that he wants to achieve before he dies, Sebastian Terry’s story is surprisingly not about a bucket list. It’s about something more far reaching; permission, choice, growth, and connection.

CAL RIPKEN, JR.

Legendary "Iron Man" of Baseball

One of the true legends of baseball, "Iron Man" Cal Ripken, Jr. broke several professional records during his 21 seasons, but none is as sacred as his consecutive-games-played record. Shattering Lou Gehrig's streak of 2,131 games by more than 500, Ripken displayed perseverance, endurance, and an everyday work ethic that endeared him to fans, transformed him into a national icon, and some argue, even saved baseball at its darkest moment.

BERT JACOBS

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Optimist of "Life is Good"

Bert Jacobs is the co-founder and CEO (Chief Executive Optimist) of Life is Good, which spreads the power of optimism through inspiring art, a passionate community, and groundbreaking non-profit work. Bert and his brother John launched their business with $78 in their pockets, selling T-shirts in the streets of Boston and at college dorms up and down the East Coast. Today, Life is Good is a $100 million positive lifestyle brand sold by over 2,000 retailers across the US and Canada.

DAKOTA MEYER

Medal of Honor Recipient & New York Times Best-Selling Author of Into the Fire

Sergeant Dakota L. Meyer is a United States Marine Corps veteran and recipient of the military’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor. He is the New York Times best-selling author of the book, Into the Fire: A Firsthand Account of the Most Extraordinary Battle in the Afghan War. Meyer earned his medal for his actions during the Battle of Ganjigal, which was part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He is the first living Marine to have received the medal since 1973 and one of the youngest. Humble and propelled by a respect for his fallen comrades, Meyer insists that he is not a hero, and that any Marine would do the same thing. 

MAJOR LISA JASTER

Army Ranger, Leadership and Peak Performance Expert

Army Lieutenant Colonel Lisa Jaster is a soldier, an engineer, a wife and mother, and a trailblazer. One of only three women to graduate from the first integrated United States Army Ranger program—one of the most difficult combat training courses in the world—Lisa was the first female Army Reserve officer to become a Ranger. She completed the training, which 36 percent of male and female students fail within the first four days, after refusing to succumb to exhaustion and repeatedly “recycling” through, or retrying, several phases of the multi-locational course. Lisa endured the training, which takes a minimum of 61 days and includes up to 20 hours of training per day alongside a strict diet, for a grueling six months. She graduated at age 37, while the average trainee age is 23.

CARLA HARRIS

Vice Chairman, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley 

Carla is one of the most infectious and charismatic speakers we’ve had in the office in recent memory. The first African-American to join Morgan Stanley’s management committee, she embodies a “do whatever it takes, no excuses” persona. She talks about thriving in the seat you sit in or aspire to sit in, maximizing success by figuring out what is valued in your organization or industry, why authenticity is a secret weapon, and why you’ve got to get comfortable taking risks.

MOLLY FLETCHER

Pioneering Female Sports Agent and CEO

Molly Fletcher is a trailblazer in every sense of the word—a rare talent of business wisdom, relationship brilliance, and unwavering optimism. As a CEO, she shares her unconventional and unique techniques that made her one of the first female sports agents in the high stakes, big ego world of professional sports, and now a successful entrepreneur.

BOOK A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER TODAY!

Are you interested in bringing one of these top motivational speakers to the stage of your next event?

Looking for someone to get your team excited for a big undertaking at one of your upcoming meetings? Please let us know!

Contact our team to find out more about unbelievable individuals, to check out their speaking fees and availability, or to book any of these speakers to speak at your next event or conference.

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