Scott Hamilton

Olympic Gold Medal-Winning Skater & Television Personality

Scott Hamilton

Olympic Gold Medal-Winning Skater & Television Personality

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Biography

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of his 1984 Olympic gold medal win, Scott Hamilton turned his podium into 40 years of impact. Scott is one of the most popular figure skating stars in the world, and the voice of authority on figure skating in the U.S., in addition to being a motivational speaker, television broadcaster, best-selling author, humanitarian, cancer survivor and eternal optimist. His motto is: “The only disability in life is a bad attitude.

In 1984, Scott captured the attention of the world with his Olympic Gold medal performances in Sarajevo and since has shared his love and enthusiasm for the sport as an analyst/commentator, performer, producer and best-selling author (Fritzy Finds a Hat, 2020, Finish First: Winning Changes Everything, 2018, The Great Eight, 2009 and Landing It, 1999). Scott further inspires others as a speaker, humanitarian, and as a cancer and pituitary brain tumor survivor.

After losing his mother to cancer, then becoming survivor himself, Scott turned activist, launching the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation (Cancer Alliance for Research, Education and Survivorship). He founded several education and survivorship programs including Chemocare.com and the 4th Angel Mentoring Program. In addition to those programs, Scott wrote Fritzy Finds A Hat to help ease the conversation with children about cancer, with proceeds benefitting the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation. Events such as Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer and An Evening with Scott Hamilton & Friends galas fund research into treatments that beat the cancer while sparing the patient.

He is also the founder of the Scott Hamilton Skating Academy at the Ford Ice Centers in Antioch and Bellevue, TN, where he may frequently be found and sharing his love of skating, coaching Learn to Skate students and supporting the work of athletes in the SHARP 4 Sports: Specialized High Aptitude Resource Program under the Skating Academy umbrella, to build elite figure skating in Nashville.

In what little free time remains, Scott can be found on the golf course and enjoys spending time with his wife Tracie and their four children - at their home in Nashville, Tennessee.

Speaker Videos

Sizzle Reel

The Power of a Healthy Esteem

Speech Topics

Finish First

For Scott, finishing first is not about stepping on other people to get to the top. It’s not about winning at all costs or forsaking who you are to be the best. It’s about deciding what success looks like to you and going for it with all you have.

“You do not have to be the greatest to finish first. You only have to be the best you’ve ever been. You have to be better than you were yesterday,” Scott writes in his new book, Finish First. Winning isn’t a bad thing. It’s a great thing. Winning empowers you to hold your head up and keep going. It changes what you think you can and can’t do. Stringing together wins over time — no matter how small — creates longevity, which Scott believes is one of the greatest indicators of success.

In this speech, Scott will share what it’s like to live a life focused on winning — not for self-glorification, but to impact the world for the better. It’s never too late to pursue greatness, no matter the setbacks you’ve experienced throughout your life. “The only disability in life is a bad attitude” is the mantra Scott lives by, and through this speech, he will help business leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, parents and students alike to adopt the same mindset so they, too, can finish first.”

Live Your Days

Do you ever feel over whelmed? Not sure of your next steps? Facing work, life, health challenges? We all do! How we choose to frame those challenges is what makes all the difference!

We live in a world of hustle, distraction, and busyness. Each day is race - we go, move, do, and push forward. Often without knowing what we’re really trying to accomplish.

In this speech, Scott shares how he has reframed his own career and life challenges, including a “habit of collecting life threatening illnesses”, with the mindset to live his days, fully.

Live Your Days is a call to presentness. To not letting day after day pass by, just going through the checklist of life. It’s about putting down your phone to enjoy the people God has given you. It’s a challenge to decide what living means to you.

Scott’s Live Your Days speech is a call to live, truly live, each day. It’s a challenge, but one that resets each morning. It is simple, but not easy. And ultimately, it guides the choices that make each day matter.

And days that matter turn into extraordinary lives.

Undefeated : How To Keep Fighting When The World Says ‘Quit

Any one of the challenges presented to Scott Hamilton during his lifetime could’ve been enough to knock him out of the ring if he let it. But Scott continually chooses to get up, dust himself off and keep going. That’s what he believes is true greatness — the courage to continue taking one small, intentional step after another even when everything around him seems to be saying “quit.”

Being undefeated doesn’t mean you don’t struggle or even lose ground at times. It means you keep going, refusing to settle for anything less than excellence regardless of the obstacles in the way. Scott has faced childhood illness, a cancer diagnosis and three pituitary brain tumors, and the uphill climb of chasing his dreams all the way to the Olympics, but he has never given up.

Now, he’s passionate about helping others find that same tenacity and voracity of spirit that has fueled him to deeper faith and even greater success.

In this speech, Scott will share a glimpse into what it’s like to keep pressing on when it seems like the logical choice is to throw in the towel, encouraging his audience that they, too, can be undefeated.

Unquenchable

Scott Hamilton has walked through some of life’s highest highs and lowest lows, from achieving a gold medal at the Olympics to fighting childhood illness, a cancer diagnosis and three pituitary brain tumors over the years. But Scott knows a life well lived is not defined by what knocks you down but how you get back up. He is passionate about encouraging others to get back up and pursue all life has to offer, believing strongly that every person is capable of making a positive impact.

“Unrealized potential is some of the greatest pain in the world,” Scott writes in his new book, Finish First. The world-renowned ice skater, philanthropist and author describes success as knowing who you are and going after greatness with an unquenchable spirit. Scott didn’t let the Olympics serve as his finale. He kept going, overcoming setbacks and pursuing opportunities day after day that use his talents, experience and hard work to influence others for the better.

Through this speech, Scott will give people dedicated to inspiring and serving others the opportunity to be inspired themselves, encouraging them to be unquenchable in their journey toward becoming the person they have purposed themselves to be.

Testimonials

"Scott was absolutely great! He was fabulous! We received wonderful feedback from so many guests as they were leaving our Luncheon, as well as today. He is, of course, so easy and authentic to be with. We loved his delivery and his message. He definitely inspired good feeling here!"

- Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Association

"Scott’s presentation skills are superb. He made you laugh. He made you cry. And most importantly, he made you realize just how lucky you are and the meaning of hard work. In polling our attendees, they said he was the best keynote we have ever had. Thank you, Scott Hamilton. You are the MAN!"

- Community Oncology Conference

"We wanted to thank you and Scott again for everything! As a celebration, we already knew that the evening was going to be wonderful, but Scott’s inspiring words, effervescent personality, and relatability truly made the night magical. The response from the attendees has been overwhelming. Even this morning, our colleagues were gathered around the coffee machine excitedly chatting about Scott’s remarks."

- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

"Scott was fabulous! We were absolutely overjoyed-just thrilled and would recommend him to anyone! The keynote was so good- he told a beautiful story that was so real and had people laughing and crying- He is so approachable and got people going-and bidding-and he was a part of the evening. We brought in 300 books and only had 20 books left! 1200 women fell in love with Scott…."

- Memorial Hermann Hospital The Woodlands’

"Scott Hamilton was the best speaker that we have had to date. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive by everyone in attendance. He is so inspiring and his message was the perfect mix of mission, humor and storytelling."

- Mary Kenealy Events for Tidewell Hospice Luncheon

"It was a real honor to have Scott on today. The feedback from his discussion from the moment we concluded the session has been not just positive ... but overwhelmingly enthusiastically positive!"

- CEO, Guidehouse, Inc.

"Scott Hamilton is one of the finest human beings I have had the privilege to spend time with and work with. At our Christian Athlete and Coach of the Year Banquet, he spoke with passion and transparency while sharing his heart, his faith and his life! The room was filled with tears, laughter and applause as he connected with everyone at our Banquet making them feel special!"

- Area Director, South Central MO FCA

"Thank you for all of your work to make the Rehab Summit a memorable experience for all involved last month. I can honestly say that you’re the first speaker to tell me that you were there to make my job easier! Many thanks for your generosity with your time and vulnerability in your talk. It made an impact as you can see by the comments included in the evaluation report."

- Corporate Meeting Manager, PESI, Inc.

"Scott’s appearance at our company pep rally was just what we hoped for. He tailored his talk to meet our needs, and the presentation he gave was perfect. Our associates were energized by his message and his positive outlook. And they were thrilled to have an Olympic champion in their presence. We appreciate Scott’s flexibility in working with us, and we look forward to working with him again!"

- Chairman and CEO, Third Federal Savings & Loan

"Scott Hamilton’s celebrity is only surpassed by his kindness and ability to connect with audiences. A seasoned communicator, Scott’s self-deprecating style, vulnerability and stage presence has the power to move, evoke smiles and most importantly — pulls audiences forward into their seats and towards something that matters. And working with Scott is a joy since he is collaborative, focused and motivated."

- Partner, Director Innovation Strategy, VML

"We laughed. We cried. We left inspired. Mr. Scott Hamilton may be known for his Olympic gold medals, but he spoke to our group of educators as a parent with a child who needed extra academic support. Through his own story of challenge and triumph, we were reminded of how important it is for young people to have champions in their lives."

- Director, TN Department of Education Extended Learning Programs

"Scott Hamilton was absolutely outstanding last night at our event. He was one of the best speakers we have had over a 15 year period. He knocked the cover off the ball. A+++++++"

- Great Point Partners, LLC

"I couldn't have asked it to go any better. He was engaging, passionate about the Lord, and told his story with encouragement even through all the difficulties he had."

- Christ Community Church

"He had the people asking for more."

- Director, Communication Business Partner, CardinalHealth

"Just a note to let you know that Scott KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK last night!!!!!!!!!! He had the audience laughing and crying all at the same time – including me. He got a standing ovation. He was gracious and agile and real - and we could not have asked for a more inspirational way to end the day. We are grateful."

- Vice President, Conference Services, Premier Inc.

"Scott Hamilton was such an entertaining and uplifting speaker. We were incredibly blessed to have him speak at our Children’s Hope Award Dinner tonight. Thank you, Scott, for sharing your heart and your personal story with us. You touched every person in the room tonight. May the Lord continue to use you to bless others."

- Audience Member

"Anyone who has the pleasure to meet or work with Scott Hamilton should consider themselves incredibly lucky. He is one of the most positive and inspiring people I’ve ever met and working with him and his team on the redesign and relaunch of the CARES Foundation website was such a pleasure filled with strong communication and good energy.

Experiencing Scott speak in front of VML’s Kansas City headquarters was remarkable and such a gift. He carries himself with such poise – and evokes enthusiasm, passion and a rate connection with the crowd that leaves people feeling inspired and wanting more."

- Supervisor, Client Engagement, VML

"Scott Hamilton - a gentle soul with a powerful message of hope, endurance, faith and ultimately survivorship. One of the nation’s most adored athletes will bring your audience to their feet with his honest and heartfelt delivery of overcoming great obstacles. While his medals are many, his story and second act in life are his greatest achievements. Scott delivers a dynamic call to action to his audience and challenges each person to embrace their obstacles as a way of redirection and change for their life - and he does it all in the way we know Scott Hamilton best – truly Olympic winning style."

- Co-Founder, Women Survivors Alliance & SURVIVORville