Adam Rippon

Olympic Medalist, Figure Skater, On-Air Host & LGBTQ+ Activist

Adam Rippon

Olympic Medalist, Figure Skater, On-Air Host & LGBTQ+ Activist

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Biography

Artist. Athlete. Activist. Adam Rippon is a combination of all three. One of the most dramatic figure skaters on the planet, Adam won the hearts of America and the world at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Known for his refreshing candor and wit, his rise to fame on the global stage has provided him with a platform to speak out in support of LGBTQIA+ rights and the freedom to be oneself. His passion and charm have made him an inspiration to young and old alike, and he has quickly become a role model and icon to millions.

He has been named to the TIME 100 List of Most Influential People, Adweek’s 100 Most Creative, Forbes 30 Under 30, Bleacher Report’s Power 50: 2018’s Most Influential People in Sports Culture, and OUT magazine’s Power 50: The Most Influential Voices in LGBTQ America.

He has been honored by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) with its Visibility Award and has been recognized by the Matthew Shepard Foundation and the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus.

The oldest of six children from Scranton, Pennsylvania, Adam didn’t come from a super-wealthy family or area. Elite skating programs were nowhere to be found, so he had to travel to train and came home on a bus on the weekends. Despite the challenges, he rose through the skating ranks—claiming the World Junior title twice before winning the U.S. men’s title in 2016. He was named to his first Olympic team in 2018 at the age of 28. Adam also made the bold decision to come out publicly in October 2015, which led him to become the first openly gay athlete to medal for the United States in the Winter Olympic competition.

He has been featured on the covers of The New York Times Style section, ESPN’s Body Issue, The Washington Post Magazine, The Guardian’s G2 and OUT magazine, and celebrated in the pages of InStyle, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, People, Harper’s Bazaar, Paper, Elle, Cosmopolitan and many more.

He has worked as a special correspondent for ABC on both Good Morning America and Nightline, including meeting with LGBTQ youth in Laramie, Wyoming for a feature that was nominated for a GLAAD Award. He made his live theater debut in the fall of 2018 in a benefit reading of The Laramie Project. He was a judge on the premiere season of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) Juniors, after having won the DWTS: Athletes Mirrorball Trophy in 2018, and has appeared on Will & Grace and in Taylor Swift’s “You Need to Calm Down” video.

His memoir, Beautiful on the Outside, was published in 2019 to rave reviews. He has hosted two seasons of Break the Ice with Adam Rippon, a weekly celebrity interview show on the ice which airs on his YouTube channel. He can currently be seen on Messyness, a comedy clip series spinoff of Ridiculousness that airs on MTV, and hosted Talkin’ Tokyo, an original daily Twitter show from the Tokyo Olympics, for NBC.

Drawing on his experiences as an Olympic athlete, public figure and outspoken advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, Rippon speaks with audiences about resilience, authenticity, mental health, and the courage to live openly and unapologetically. With humor and honesty, he shares lessons from elite sports and life in the spotlight while encouraging others to embrace their individuality. Adam Rippon works in partnership with APB Speakers for speaking engagements worldwide.

Speaker Videos

Adam Rippon Keynote | 2018 Out & Equal Workplace Summit

Adam Rippon Receives HRC Visibility Award, Presented by Gus Kenworthy

Adam Rippon Won An Olympic Medal And Lost A Shirt Button

Speech Topics

Winning in the Game of Life

In this inspiring and entertaining keynote, Adam Rippon shares the remarkable journey that took him from a young skater chasing a dream to the Olympic podium. With humor, honesty, and his signature quick wit, Rippon reflects on the highs and lows of elite competition and the lessons he learned about resilience, self-belief, and perseverance along the way. He reveals how embracing authenticity and trusting your own potential can turn setbacks into stepping stones. Through personal stories from his Olympic journey, Rippon reminds audiences that success is not just about winning medals but about showing up as your true self and refusing to give up.

Audiences will learn:

How resilience and perseverance can turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.
Why authenticity and self-confidence are essential to achieving personal and professional success.
How embracing challenges and setbacks can help unlock your full potential.

My Journey: Making Mental Health a Priority

In this honest and inspiring keynote, Adam Rippon reflects on the personal and professional struggles that shaped his path to the Olympic podium. Competing in one of the most demanding sports in the world, Rippon faced setbacks, self-doubt, and moments where he questioned whether he could continue. Yet by learning to prioritize his mental health, redefine success, and quiet negative self-talk, he ultimately helped lead Team USA to a bronze medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics at an age many considered too late for the sport. Through powerful storytelling and practical insight, Rippon shows how mental resilience and self-compassion can transform setbacks into breakthroughs. His message reminds audiences that true success begins with taking care of your mind as much as your ambition.

Audiences will learn:

Why prioritizing mental health is essential to achieving long-term success and wellbeing.
How redefining what “winning” means can unlock confidence and resilience.
Practical ways to overcome negative self-talk and build a healthier mindset.

The Champion Mindset: Speaking Up for Those Not Being Heard

In this powerful and personal keynote, Adam Rippon shares how finding his voice transformed both his life and his platform. Growing up in a small town where he often felt like he didn’t belong, Rippon struggled for years with identity and self-acceptance before ultimately becoming the first openly gay American Winter Olympian to win a medal. Through humor, honesty, and powerful storytelling, he reflects on the journey from silence to advocacy and why using your voice matters. Today, Rippon uses his visibility to champion equality, civil liberties, and the importance of civic engagement. His message reminds audiences that the greatest victories are not just won in arenas or on podiums, but in the courage to stand up for yourself and others.

Audiences will learn:

How embracing your authentic self can unlock confidence, purpose, and leadership.
Why sharing your story can empower others who may feel unseen or unheard.
How individuals can use their voice and platform to advocate for fairness, dignity, and positive change.

It’s Never Too Late: Redefining Yourself

In this candid and humorous keynote, Adam Rippon shares how he reinvented himself beyond the Olympic spotlight and built a career that reflects his evolving passions and personality. Known for his wit and authenticity, Rippon reflects on the discipline that helped him succeed as an Olympian and how those same habits allowed him to pursue new goals in entertainment, storytelling, and comedy. Through personal stories and plenty of laughter, he reminds audiences that reinvention is not reserved for a select few. Whether starting over, pivoting careers, or chasing a long-delayed dream, Rippon shows that success is about knowing what you want, committing to the work, and surrounding yourself with the right support.

Audiences will learn:

How clarity of purpose can help guide bold career and life reinventions.
Why discipline and work ethic are key to turning new ambitions into reality.
How building the right support system can help overcome fear and unlock new opportunities.