When the going gets tough, the tough get going. This is all well and good, but this old hat doesn’t make any mention of how far a little tact and courtesy can go when it comes to performing best under pressure. Pure grit is not enough when it comes to a team pushing through an obstacle, and team members must know how to blend resilience with grace to tackle the challenges at hand without bruised egos and burnout.

The speakers highlighted below are preeminent experts in this art. Athletes, educators, and business moguls, their shared experiences give each of them a unique perspective into the necessary balance between building resilience and maintaining positivity and authenticity. 

Financial empowerment thought leader and preeminent venture capitalist Rashaun Williams has a stellar track record of investments, Wall Street experience, and a passion for financial empowerment. From humble beginnings in an impoverished neighborhood to his role as a guest investor on Shark Tank and partner in the Atlanta Falcons, his practical insights and candor inspire audiences to harness their struggles and use them to fuel personal growth.  

Paralympian and performance expert John Register is known for his ability to make the impossible and reality. Recognized as a Top Global Leadership Speaker, the veteran and paralympic silver medalist is living proof that adversity can be transformed into advantage, and then triumph. 

Bestselling author, high-stakes poker mogul and reinvention expert Molly Bloom’s story is all about defying the odds, powering through adversity, and redefining success. With setbacks from Olympic-level skiing career ending injuries to FBI raids, her indomitability and authentic presence inspire her audiences to forge their own paths.

Mike Abrashoff is a transformational leader and performance expert often called upon by organizations seeking to achieve sustained breakthrough performance. A former US Naval Commander, he turned one of the poorest ranked ships in the Pacific Fleet into the best ship in the entire Navy in only 12 months. With an incremental approach to change that can be applied at every level of a business, he creates cultures of trust and ingenuity.

Leadership coach and bestselling author Natalie Fikes is a champion for accountability and empowered growth. Dedicated to giving others the tools they need to overcome difficult circumstances, she is lauded for her ability to help others excel and make leaps and bounds in their professional and personal lives.

The visionary behind the iconic Apple Stores, Ron Johnson is regarded as one of the most prolific and influential retailers of the last 30 years. A game-changing innovator who was given only 2 years to turn the concept of an in-person Apple store into a success, he creates cultures of kindness and trust that empower team members to do their absolute best.

Chaunté Lowe is hailed as the embodiment of perseverance and strength. A 4-time Olympian and 12-time US National Champion athlete famous for training for the 20202 Olympics while undergoing treatment for breast cancer, her blend of positivity, adaptability and grit is nigh legendary, making her a highly demanded speaker.

33 year NASA veteran and turnaround leader Gregory Robinson is best-known for his role in transforming the James Webb Space Telescope from a billions of dollars over budget nightmare to one of the organization’s crowning achievements. With a soft-spoken management style and a keen understanding of the power of team work, his blend of expertise and calm have earned him numerous accolades.

Mike Eruzione is hailed as a miracle worker for his work as captain of the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team in their gold medal victory over the Soviet Union’s reigning six-year streak champions. An athlete, speaker and leader, his authenticity and incredible work ethic have stunned audiences around the world.

Sally Dominguez is an educator and resilience expert focused on sustainable transformation and driving impactful change. A futurist and optimist who believes in human potential, she has worked with NASA and SONY, and is a faculty member at Singularity University. As a mindset and purpose specialist, her methods have been adopted by Abbott, Honeywell, Citi, and Stanford.

Ready to find your perfect mix of grace and grit? Reach out to us at info@bigspeak.com to be matched with the perfect speaking partner.