Colin O’Brady is a professional endurance athlete who brings two decades of athleticism, an Ivy-league education, and the life experience of overcoming a devastating accident to prove that anything is possible.
Colin’s most recent feat was becoming the first man to cross Antarctica on a solo, unassisted trek, beating out a British Army Captain after a neck and neck race.
Why Colin?
A two-time world record holder and Yale University graduate, Colin O’Brady has spent the last two decades as an elite endurance athlete. From lying in a hospital bed being told he may never walk again normally to beating the odds and setting two of the most prestigious mountaineering world records on the planet, his motivational journey resonates with a wide range of audiences. Through adventure and entrepreneurship, Colin embodies what it means to overcome obstacles, test limits, dream big, set goals, and never give up.
Last year Colin broke two prestigious world records – conquering the speed records for the Explorers Grand Slam and Seven Summits, a global mountaineering challenge to climb the tallest mountain on every continent including Mt. Everest and skiing the last degree of latitude to the North and South Poles – all in 139 days and 131 days respectively.
Colin’s world record feat captured the attention of CBS Sunday Morning, The Washington Post, Huffington Post, Men’s Journal, Outside Magazine, People.com, and TODAY among many other national media outlets.
And yet, this wasn’t Colin’s hardest challenge to date. In 2008 Colin suffered a tragic accident. He was severely burned in a fire; his injuries covered nearly 25% of his body, primarily damaging his legs and feet. Doctors warned him he might never walk again normally, but Colin was determined to beat the odds. He focused not only on walking again, but set himself a goal: to complete his first triathlon following his recovery. A mere 18-months after his accident while working as a commodities trader, Colin amazed the sporting world when he not only completed his first triathlon, but he placed first overall at the Chicago Triathlon. Colin went on to become a professional triathlete for six years and raced in 25 countries on six continents representing the United States in international triathlon competitions.
Knowing first-hand what it takes to overcome a serious setback, and the grit and perseverance required to achieve peak performance, Colin continues to pursue his passion for pushing his limits. His next athletic pursuit is on the horizon, and his commitment to doing good remains.
Colin uses his public platform for charitable good. His non-profit Beyond 7/2 aims to inspire kids and their communities to dream big and set goals, while promoting the importance of an active, healthy lifestyle to achieve happiness and success.
