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Inspiring Overcoming Adversity Speakers to Transform Your Journey

Life is full of unexpected turns, and at times, the road ahead feels impossible to climb. You may face setbacks that shake your confidence or challenges that test your limits. In those very moments, your true strength is revealed. Connor Fields knows what it means to overcome adversity. As an Olympic champion with a powerful story, he brings an authentic message of resilience that speaks straight to the heart. His journey proves that adversity can become the turning point to success. Secure Connor Fields for your next event and give your audience the inspiration to rise and succeed.

Contact Connor Today

How Overcoming Adversity Speakers Can Transform Your Event

When you invite overcoming adversity keynote speakers to your event, you remind your audience that challenges are not the end of the story. Connor Fields shares a message that combines resilience and motivation with the transformative power of perspective.

As an inspirational speaker, he teaches that success isn’t about perfection, but about preparation and persistence. Your audience members walk away with renewed energy to face their own struggles and the courage to keep moving forward. As a keynote speaker, Connor provides a shift in mindset that changes how your audience views their own lives.

A 2024 study published in Psychology Research and Behavior Management found that optimism, hope, and support systems are some of the most powerful tools people can use to overcome adversity. The research showed that these qualities help you recover faster after setbacks and prepare you to face future challenges with greater strength.

That’s exactly what Connor Fields delivers through his motivational speaking.

He doesn’t just share his story of surviving a life-threatening Olympic crash; he shows your audience how to apply the same resilience strategies in their own lives.

Let’s do this!
Why Connor

Connor Fields’ Powerful Story of Overcoming Adversity

Connor’s journey is the heart of what overcoming adversity means. You see his highlight reel as the first American BMX rider to win Olympic Gold, yet his story goes far deeper than medals.

At the Tokyo 2020 Games, Connor entered as one of the top competitors in the world. During the semifinal run, he crashed at full speed and suffered life-threatening injuries. He sustained broken ribs, a collapsed lung, torn ligaments in his shoulder and bicep, brain swelling, and multiple brain hemorrhages. For a moment, it looked impossible that he would even survive, as this was an ordeal not many people could overcome.

Adversity speakers often talk about challenges, but Connor lived them in the most painful way. His powerful story of recovery included relearning to speak clearly, rebuilding memory, regaining balance, and slowly returning to life. He teaches that overcoming adversity is about facing your fears with courage.

Your audience connects with Connor’s honesty. He admits that he felt anxiety stepping back onto a bike for the first time. He explains how it took vision and resilience to overcome fear and focus on the joy of riding again. His journey is one of the most authentic examples of how impossible odds can be overcome.

Who Can Benefit from an In-Person Adversity Speaker

Adversity touches everyone in different ways. You may carry personal struggles or fears that feel impossible to overcome. An adversity speaker gives you perspective and the reminder that resilience is within reach.

An overcoming adversity speaker can reach you at any stage of life. You may be a cancer survivor learning to believe in yourself again, a mother carrying heavy responsibilities, or someone healing after domestic violence. You may even be a philanthropist who pours into others yet struggles to find strength for yourself, or an artist searching for hope through creativity. Hearing a powerful story of resilience helps you see that courage and hope are possible.

Adversity speakers also inspire you in schools and college settings, where pressure and uncertainty can feel overwhelming. Their stories remind you that even when the path seems impossible, resilience and vision can carry you forward.

When you listen to Connor Fields, you don’t just hear about BMX racing. You learn leadership lessons that apply to teams and organizations of every kind.

He explains how preparation leads to success and how resilience shapes culture. For your audience members, these lessons are not abstract theories; they’re lived experiences from someone who reached the highest level of competition and overcame everything he faced.

As a founder, president, entrepreneur, or director, you face challenges that demand clarity and leadership. An adversity speaker helps you guide your teams with confidence and shows you how to lead with focus. Attendees walk away with lasting lessons on leadership and talent that they can apply immediately.

No matter where you come from or what obstacles you face, the message of an adversity speaker reaches you with clarity and hope. Connor Fields offers you the quality reminder that adversity can be faced and overcome with resilience.

His journey shows you that fear is not the end of the road — it’s the beginning of strength and the path to growth and success.

Why Organizations Book Connor Fields as a Keynote Speaker

When your organization invests in a speaker, you expect more than entertainment. You want someone who can inspire real change and give your audience the motivation to act.

This is where Connor Fields delivers.

🏁 A Transformative Experience for Every Audience

Executives describe his talks as transformative, and teams leave feeling stronger and more capable of handling challenges. Attendees remember his message long after the event ends because his story is grounded in real adversity. He doesn’t speak in abstract terms; he shares what it feels like to face fear and then rise again with resilience.

🎯 Strategies That Translate Beyond Sports

Connor offers strategies you can apply to your daily life. He explains how to set goals with clarity and how to stay focused when distractions threaten your progress. He shows you what it takes to prepare for defining moments so that when they arrive, you are ready. His keynotes provide practical tools that lead to success in leadership and in the workplace.

🎤 Lasting Impact for Your Organization

The true value of Connor’s message is in the impact it leaves behind. Your audience will carry forward the lessons of resilience and preparation into their roles. His ability to connect through authentic storytelling ensures that your investment will build stronger teams and a culture that thrives on resilience.

If you’re looking for an adversity speaker who leaves a lasting impression, Connor can help. He will remind your attendees that leadership is not about never falling. It’s about how you rise and how you create a vision that inspires courage in your team.

What to Expect

Connor’s Motivational Speaker Keynotes

Connor offers keynote speakers experiences that are tailored to inspire and educate. His most requested talk, Gold Medal Moments, teaches you how to prepare for the defining moments of life. He explains how vision and talent combine with resilience to create opportunities that once seemed impossible.

In person, Connor is known for creating connections. Audience members leave with a clear reminder that success is about what you do after the setback.

Organizations describe his events as a catalyst for culture change. Leaders take away insights about preparation, and teams gain motivation to perform under pressure. Individuals feel inspired to carry it into every corner of life. The talks themselves are memorable, but the impact lasts far beyond the moment.

Now What?

Connor shares what it looks like to pick yourself back up when life takes an unexpected turn. Whether it’s a career shift, a personal setback, or a major transition, he gives you the mindset and tools to believe in your own ability and move forward with purpose and confidence.

  • Clear Goal Setting Strategies
  • Lean Into Resilience
  • Sustain Success
  • Keep Failure in Perspective

Gold Medal Moments

Connor brings you inside the mind of an Olympian preparing for the biggest day of his life. This talk is all about staying grounded, focused, and ready when it matters most—something most people can relate to.

  • Intentional Preparation
  • Implement Proven Olympic Strategies
  • Handle the Moment

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Building Resilience in Life and Leadership

Connor’s journey demonstrates that resilience is not a trait you are born with. It’s a skill you build through repeated choices to get up again. He tells you that leadership is not measured by easy days. It’s measured by how you overcome adversity and create vision even when fear lingers.

When you invite him as a motivational speaker, you’re offering your audience more than a story. You’re showing them how to face their own lives with courage and hope. You’re giving them the tools to overcome challenges and the inspiration to create their success.

Adversity will always be part of life. You cannot avoid it, but you can overcome it. Connor’s powerful story proves that even when the impossible happens, you can find a way forward.

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Get in Touch with Connor Fields Today

Now is the moment to give your audience more than inspiration. You can give them a living example of resilience and the strength it takes to rise after being knocked down. Connor Fields is not just an Olympic Gold Medalist. He’s one of the most impactful overcoming adversity speakers in the world, and his journey from triumph to tragedy to recovery is a powerful story your audience will never forget.

If your goal is to create an event that leaves a lasting impression, Connor brings exactly what you need. His leadership lessons are born from lived experience, and his message of resilience speaks directly to the challenges your people face every day.

Give your audience a motivational speaker who embodies the transformative power of hope and vision. Get in touch with us today to bring Connor Fields to your stage and inspire your organization to overcome adversity and achieve success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Executives look for speakers who can inspire action and create measurable impact. Connor Fields offers more than motivation. He shares leadership lessons from his journey as an Olympic champion who faced adversity and rebuilt. His story shows leaders and teams how resilience and preparation can transform challenges into growth.

Attendees describe Connor’s talks as unforgettable because his story is authentic and inspiring. He openly shares the fear he felt returning to the bike after a life-threatening crash, and he explains how talent combined with resilience helped him push forward. By connecting vulnerability with strength, he ensures your audience members leave with practical lessons and renewed confidence to face their challenges.

The quality of Connor’s message comes from lived experience. He’s not sharing theory but real lessons that he led himself through on the way to Olympic success. His keynote presentations weave together focus and leadership in a way that your organization can apply immediately. Audiences value the clarity and honesty he brings to every talk.

Connor Fields is an award-winning athlete who became the first American BMX rider to win Olympic Gold. His journey from a college rider at UNLV to an Olympic champion shows what true talent and resilience can achieve. When he speaks, he brings the same mindset that led him to victory, offering leadership lessons and inspiration that leave a lasting impact on every audience.

Sources:

Egan, L. A., Park, H. R. P., Lam, J., & Gatt, J. M. (2024). Resilience to Stress and Adversity: A Narrative Review of the Role of Positive Affect. Psychology research and behavior management, 17, 2011–2038. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S391403

Testimonials

It’s unbelievable how much life experience that Connor has gained at such a young age. His story is one of commitment, determination, and grit. Instead of focusing on what happened to him, he chooses to focus on what to do with it. He has turned it into a message of appreciation for life. He touched our group in an amazing way and we are so happy he was able to participate in our annual Leadership Summit. Thank you Connor!

Belinda Stafford

Human Resource Business Partner
East Kentucky Power Cooperative
We were extremely pleased with Connor Fields’ presentation at our recent Level Up 2025 Conference. His session was both inspiring and motivating, and he managed to capture and hold the attention of over 200 employees throughout his presentation. Connor’s message tied in perfectly with our training themes and truly resonated with our audience. The feedback we received from our post-conference survey reflected just how much of an impact he made. Connor also received the highest positive score of all speakers and activities at our event this year. Leading up to the conference, Connor was exceptionally professional and easy to work with. He was responsive, accommodating, and genuinely invested in making his session a success. His positive energy, professionalism, and relatability made the entire experience a pleasure. We would highly recommend Connor Fields for any conference, training, or speaking engagement. He’s engaging, professional, and delivers a message that truly connects with his audience.
Adam Buffington

Adam Buffington

Training Manager
Clark County Credit Union
Connor taught us in his keynote presentation that grit and determination to reach for and achieve your goal is so very worth it. Our conference was in Colorado Springs and the additional experience with him in tow at the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum was icing on the cake and then some. Hire this guy people. He is so worth it. Very motivational. Congratulations Connor for forging onward and not stopping at the “Now what?”.
Lynda colucci

Lynda Colucci

Executive Director
A/E Pronet
We invited Connor to be our keynote speaker for our regional leadership retreat. As part of a large healthcare system, our audience consisted of 300 healthcare leaders. We selected Connor not only for his impressive accomplishments as an Olympic athlete but also for his inspiring patient story. Connor’s keynote was a tremendous success, leaving our leadership teams to ponder questions, ‘What do you do after you succeed?’, ‘What do you do after you fail?’, and ‘What do you do after everything falls apart?’. What truly elevated his keynote from good to great was the time Connor invested in tailoring his presentation to our unique needs. He also joined us for dinner the night before, where he socialized with our team. This amplified his keynote and fostered a personal connection with the audience, making the entire experience much more personal.
Nicholas Testa

Nicholas Testa, MD

Chief Medical Officer
CommonSpirit Health, California Region
Connor was amazing as an inspiring and energizing start on our Employee Conference. We had nearly 200 team members from different countries around Caribbean & Central America completely engaged on his story. It has the perfect balance on discipline, hard work, emotions, and resilience. What a way to connect with our “hunger for growth” and “accountability” topics! Connor was always so open to work with us, adjust some parts of the speech so we could easily connect with the messages on our convention, and happy to answer all the questions that the team eagerly brought!

Bea Sosa Marante

Head of Governance & Internal Controls
Diageo
Connor Fields, Olympic gold medalist, inspired over 1,800 administrators at our annual kickoff with a powerful message about resilience, determination, and the importance of never giving up. His story reminded us that success comes from hard work, setting goals, and pushing through adversity. It was an energizing way to launch the new school year.

Dr. Bradley Keating

Assistant Superintendent, Community Partnerships and Government Relations
Clark County School District
Connor Fields delivered an unforgettable keynote that left our senior leadership team inspired, energized, and respectfully humbled. His story of perseverance, mental toughness, and overcoming adversity resonated far beyond the track. Connor has a natural ability to connect with people —sharing not just his victories, but also the challenges and setbacks that shaped him into the champion and person he is today. His message about resilience, preparation, and recovery struck a powerful chord with our team. Whether you’re leading a business, chasing personal goals, or navigating uncertainty, Connor’s insights are universally relevant and incredibly motivating. We were honored to host him and would highly recommend Connor Fields to any organization seeking a world-class speaker who combines authenticity with purpose and determination to pursue excellence and never settle!
Vicki Banks, MSL, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CPSP

Vicki Banks, MSL, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CPSP

Chief HR Officer
The Biltmore Company
Connor Fields delivered one of the most impactful keynotes in NAPS history. His message of perseverance, mental toughness, and resilience—rooted in both his journey to Olympic gold and his courageous recovery from a life-threatening accident—resonated deeply with our attendees. Beyond his achievements, Connor was down-to-earth, relatable, and a true professional. He inspired us not only with his words, but with his character. I would highly recommend him as a keynote speaker for any organization seeking to motivate and uplift their audience.
Trinette Cunningham

Trinette R. Cunningham

President
NAPS
I have worked with many athletes and speakers in the past, and Connor was outstanding. He came prepared, was flexible, and was an all-around professional.
Ray+Monks

Ray Monks

Boon Supply
Connor is a spectacular speaker. He framed his inspirational story within the featured subjects of our conference in a way that reached every person in the room. It was an honor to have him with us and I highly recommend him for anyone seeking to learn more about navigating risk, team building, leadership, and more!
Brett+Abarbanel

Brett Abarbanel

Executive Director
UNLV International Gaming Institute
Your ability to connect in an organized and organic manner was both enlightening and thought-provoking. Your anecdotes and real-life examples added a personal touch that resonated deeply with the audience. It was evident that your dedication to your goals shines through in every word you shared.
Jennifer

Jennifer Reynolds

CRME
The Industrial
I found out about Connor and his speaking engagements through a hospitality event my Wife attended in Las Vegas. His presentation was inspirational and moving, and even humorous at times. I am thankful that he is using his experiences to inspire others. He was a hit in the recovery community.
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Rev. Russ Smethers

Lead Pastor
Foundation For Recovery
Connor’s story telling ability connected his real-life experience to the business owners and leaders in the room.
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Sonia Petkewich

Catalyst Mastermind Collaborative
I have never seen every single member of our team so captivated, intrigued, and hanging on the edge of their seats. During his talk, people were laughing, in tears, motivated, and educated – there is nothing more you can ask for! Connor is a champion on the largest stage in sports, and he made every single person feel like they know now what it takes to be a champion in their own lives, and in our business!
Blake+Wynn

Blake Wynn

Founder & CEO
Celebrity Poker Tour
I had the good fortune to work with Connor Fields as our keynote speaker for an event in Downtown, Las Vegas. If this were a yelp review he would have 5- stars across the board, and the comment would read “Strongly recommend.
Nick+Libonati

Nick Libonati

MGM Resorts International
Connor Fields delivered an inspiring keynote at the Special Olympics Northern California Summer Games, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and the true meaning of success beyond medals. His message resonated deeply, encouraging athletes to always strive for their best and to cherish the camaraderie of their teams. His passion for supporting Special Olympics athletes was evident in every word, leaving a lasting impact on everyone present.
Mei

Mei Lin Domanski

Marketing Coordinator
Special Olympics
Today I heard Connor Fields deliver the very best speech I have ever heard in person – and as an academic, I have been listening to talks for three decades. Moving, motivating, and smart – in a way that no other speaker is. Nobody at our event left unchanged – in fact, they all left happily and forever changed.
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Bo Jason Berhard, Ph. D

Vice President Economic Development
UNR/UNLV
I highly recommend Connor Fields as a speaker for your event. His powerful message of perseverance and the significance of each decision deeply resonated with our educators and staff. Connor’s engaging delivery and inspiring insights motivated our team to strive for excellence and reinforce their commitment to student success.
Rodney

Rodney Saunders

Executive Director
Doral Charter Academy
Having Connor speak to us was incredible. He has a special ability to inspire those he speaks to while igniting within them a greater perspective on their lives.
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Ben Ferney

Weber State Board of Trustees Weber State Board of Trustees
Connor Fields has been an incredible speaker at both our flagship and regional events, and I can’t recommend him enough. His story is truly inspiring, motivating our audience and earning standing ovations every time he speaks for us. His presence always leaves a lasting impression. Not only is Connor an engaging and impactful speaker, but he is also a joy to work with, bringing a professional, approachable attitude that makes collaboration easy.
tina

Tina Poisl

Senior Director of Event Content
Inman
Connor Fields delivered an unforgettable keynote at our conference, inspiring nearly 3,000 real estate professionals with his powerful story of resilience, perseverance, and the mindset of a champion. His ability to connect with the audience—sharing both his triumphs and challenges—left a lasting impact, earning him a well-deserved standing ovation.
emily

Emily Paquette

CEO
Inman
Connor is a mix of when real world talent, meets uncompromised dedication to his craft. We had the pleasure of him speaking to our select group of top sales people. The feedback was outstanding. His experience with failure, adversity, and success is Unparalleled. Failure is apart of everything great Entrepreneurs and salesmen go through, but so is success.
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Will Hickey

YEG Pro Realty
WOW! Connor got us fired up and moved us all emotionally. Our team was glued to their seats as we listened to the details of his journey to understand how to be the best in the world. We got to see behind the curtain on what it really takes to be a high performance individual.
Jeff

Jeff Quinton

CEO
The Quinton Group
It was right up our alley, as far as our messaging to our sales team. Mental preparation and being present are so important to us in our business, and his message was perfect and we feel so blessed to have had him! 1000% I would recommend hiring him. Great speaker, great message, everybody can identify with what he has to say and he is a first class guy.
Rich+hoffman

Rich Hoffman

Senior Vice President
Flagstar Bank
Connors’ uplifting message of hope and determination inspired my team to embrace the moment and reflect on their “why.” It was an honor to have him share his story and empower us to reach our full potential. I highly recommend inviting Connor as a guest speaker for your next event.
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Tiphanie McNiff

Director
The Raiderettes
Connor Fields delivered an unforgettable keynote at our 2025 annual Symposium, speaking to an audience of over 1,000 sports tourism professionals. His ability to tailor his Olympic journey and messaging specifically to our industry was exceptional—authentic, relevant, and deeply inspiring. Attendees raved about the presentation in our post-event survey, with Connor receiving some of the highest ratings we’ve ever seen. His story and delivery were not only impactful, but truly aligned with the spirit and purpose of our event.
JD

John David

President & CEO
Sports Events & Tourism Association
Connor Fields brought incredible energy and delivered a truly heartfelt message that captured everyone in the audience. The highs and lows of his career are remarkable and he presents his complete story in such an engaging way. His lasting message of perseverance and positivity were very impactful, inspiring everyone to go for their own GOLD. I highly recommend choosing him for your next speaking engagement.
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Ben Snyder

Executive Director
Grand Junction Sports Commission
Connor was the perfect closing keynote for our Ohio Parks and Recreation Association conference. He delivered an inspiring and engaging address which completely mesmerized our more than 800 attendees. He was easy to work with and we highly recommend him.

Woody Woodward

Executive Director
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association
From the very first contact I had with Connor, it was easy to tell how much he genuinely cared about his message and inspiring people. He spent time ahead of the conference to understand our culture and our people and then customized the message to make it impactful for the audience. The keynote speech was the highlight of our conference and added tremendous value for our attendees.
nrian

Brian Rowley

American Public Works Association
Our goals for the company moving into 2024 include setting and achieving goals and analyzing risk before starting any job or task. Your presentation effectively set the tone for our two day meeting. Sharing your goal setting and training process was exactly what our team needed. Our employees deal daily with eliminating risk as they perform work, again your story hit a home run. Thanks for sharing your story with us as we set productive goals for 2024.
lamar

LaMar Martin

Safety Manager
Holcim Group