Motivation & Inspiration
Overcoming Adversity
Overcoming Adversity:
Animal Scientist & Autism Self-Advocate
The most accomplished adult with autism in the world, Grandin inspired the HBO film Temple Grandin (starring Claire Danes). Grandin shares the challenges and successes of her fascinating life.
Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor & Mental Health Advocate
Rebekah Gregory’s life was forever changed due to the bombings at the Boston Marathon on April 15th, 2013. This act of terrorism may have claimed her leg, but it could not claim her spirit.
Inspirational Educator & Author
Erin Gruwell helped students "written off" by the system harness the power of education to graduate high school. Her dedication to her students resulted in the publication of The Freedom Writers Diary.
Parkland Parent & Founder of Orange Ribbons for Jaime
Fred Guttenberg is an activist against gun violence. His 14-year-old daughter Jaime Guttenberg was killed in the Parkland school shooting. Fred and his wife started a nonprofit organization dedicated to Jaime’s life called “Orange Ribbons for Jaime.”
First Blind Contestant & Winner of MasterChef
The season three winner of Gordon Ramsay’s competitive amateur cooking show, MasterChef, Ha is the author of Recipes from My Home Kitchen: Asian and American Comfort Food.
2X Olympic Judo Gold Medalist & MMA Fighter
Kayla Harrison made history as the first American to win two gold medals in Judo. A survivor herself, she founded the Fearless Foundation to help survivors of child sexual abuse through education and sport.
Helping Teams & Individuals Overcome Adversity
Austin Hatch is a walking miracle who survived two plane crashes in the span of 8 years. He launched his entrepreneurial venture Overcome It in 2019 and has since spoken to organizations across the country about his road to recovery.
Former NASA Astronaut & Inspiration for A Million Miles Away
Former NASA engineer Jose Hernandez wanted to fly in space ever since he heard that the first Hispanic-American had been chosen to travel into space. That hard work paid off when Hernandez was selected to begin training as a mission specialist.
Actress
April Hernandez Castillo's dream became a reality when she booked her first commercial as the “Yo girl” in the Visa Check Card spot starring Yao Ming and Yogi Berra. The commercial would air for the Super Bowl and become a sports classic.
Biomechanics Pioneer
After losing his lower legs during a mountaineering accident, Hugh Herr joined MIT’s Biomechatronics group as the director to seek advancements in technologies that accelerate the merging of body and machine.
Former NBA Player / Addiction Recovery Advocate
A hometown basketball legend, Chris Herren realized his dream of playing for the Celtics only to lose it all to addiction. He shares his story in Basketball Junkie & the ESPN documentary Unguarded.
Powerful Mental Health Advocate, Olympic Gold Medalist & WNBA Hall of Famer
Chamique Holdsclaw was the #1 Pick in the 1999 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics. Aside from her outstanding athletic career, Chamique has dedicated her life’s work to mental health and wellness activism.
Former NFL Athlete, Transformative Executive Coach & Award Winning Author
Robert Jackson is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Robert Jackson Consulting, LLC. A highly sought-after keynote speaker, executive leader, relationship coach, and award-winning author, he is known for his guiding philosophy: “For every problem, there is a solution.”
American Gymnast & Entrepreneur
There’s no doubt about it. Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson East is a champion. But it’s about so much more than excelling at her chosen sport of gymnastics.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s Advisor & Speechwriter
An influential confidant of Dr. King, Jones played a pivotal role in drafting the “I Have a Dream” speech. He delivers passionate presentations on the challenges still facing civil rights.
Cognitive Scientist and Humanistic Psychologist & Host: The Psychology Podcast
Renowned humanistic psychologist, Scott Barry Kaufman, explores the depths of human potential by challenging traditional metrics of success.