Diana Nyad: Inspirational Speaker

  • Diana Nyad is the first person to successfully complete the 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida without the protection of a shark cage.
  • She achieved this feat at age 64 — making 5 attempts over 30 years to finish the world record-breaking route.
  • Her incredible journey led her to be inducted into the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame.
  • From the stage, Diana’s message of determination, perseverance, and “finding a way” to overcome seemingly impossible challenges resonates with audiences at every level across the world.

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, California, United States
  • **Fee range: On Request

Keynote Topics

At the age of 64, Diana Nyad emerged onto the sands of Key West after swimming from Cuba to Florida in an epic feat of both endurance and human will. 

From the dedicated crew who navigated the waters to the expert nutritionists who fueled her body to the motivational coaches who kept her spirits high, Diana credits her success to the unwavering synergy of her team.

In this conversation, Diana shares powerful examples of teamwork from her years-long pursuit of this goal while also discussing how to assemble a high-performance team and how to face challenges with a resilient mindset.

At age 60, having not swum a stroke in decades, Hall of Fame swimmer Diana Nyad began planning for her white whale of distance swims: the 110-mile ocean crossing between Cuba and Florida.

She’d tried it once, in her 20s, and severe jellyfish attacks had defeated her then. With a new commitment to her vision, she attempted it again and accomplished this incredible feat 30 years after she failed to complete it before.

In this moving conversation, Diana shows us that it is never too late to chase our dreams and shares the key steps we all need to take in order to accomplish our goals, no matter how big.

Diana Nyad, a name synonymous with unyielding determination and indomitable spirit, is a true embodiment of the human potential to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. Her remarkable journey to become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage is a testament to her unshakable resolve, resilience, and a lifelong commitment to […]

Diana Nyad, a name synonymous with unyielding determination and indomitable spirit, is a true embodiment of the human potential to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Her remarkable journey to become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage is a testament to her unshakable resolve, resilience, and a lifelong commitment to pushing the boundaries of what the human body can achieve.

Diana Nyad’s early life was marked by a passion for swimming. At the age of 10, she began competitive swimming and quickly distinguished herself as a talented and driven athlete. Her love for the water was nurtured by her parents, who saw her potential and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. Nyad’s early experiences in the pool laid the foundation for her future accomplishments as a long-distance swimmer.

In her teenage years, Nyad’s talent continued to shine, and she competed at the national level in the United States. She became the national champion in the 200-meter backstroke, and her achievements in the pool were indicative of her extraordinary endurance and love for the water. However, as Nyad approached adulthood, she began to feel a desire to explore more than just the confines of a swimming pool. This restlessness led her to embark on a new adventure that would eventually become her life’s defining journey.

Diana Nyad’s ambitious dreams extended beyond the confines of competitive swimming. In her early 20s, she decided to explore long-distance open water swimming, a grueling and demanding discipline that required an entirely different set of skills and mindset. Her transition from the controlled environment of a pool to the unpredictable and often perilous waters of the open sea marked a pivotal moment in her life.

25 million people worldwide rooted for Diana Nyad as she reached the Florida shore, at long last achieving her 35-year-old quest of becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida.

Speaking the words “Never Ever Give Up” to the wildly cheering crowd on a Key West beach on September 2, 2013, Diana demonstrated to the world the power of the human spirit.

Diana’s amazing record:  110.86 miles in 52 hours, 54 minutes, 18 seconds.

A prominent sports journalist, filing over thirty years for National Public Radio, The New York Times, and others, Diana has earned her place as one of our compelling storytellers. Her memoir, Find a Way, has earned worldwide praise. Her groundbreaking OpEd piece on her childhood sexual abuse for The New York Times drew a passionate response from around the world.

Also a uniquely entertaining and inspiring public speaker, Diana Nyad has now fulfilled another lifelong dream, bringing her performance of her play “The Swimmer” to the storied off-Broadway Minetta Lane Theater. The show played to sold-out crowds in September 2019.

Diana’s best friend and Cuba Swim expedition leader Bonnie Stoll have further collaborated with their nationwide walking initiative EverWalk, sparking America to become a nation of walkers.

And EverWalk in turn has recently launched yet another initiative, Oceans Commit, hosting walks along our shorelines, asking individuals and businesses to reduce single-use plastic.

Diana Nyad has been inducted into the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame, the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, among other Halls of Fame, and awards of distinction.

President Obama invited Diana to congratulate her in the Oval Office and then asked her to accompany him on his peace visit to Havana in 2014.

Oprah Winfrey chose Diana’s interview for her SuperSoul Sunday broadcast to be the first to extend to two hours.

View All Speakers and follow us on Twitter

Diana Nyad | Inspirational Speakers

Videos

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speaker Contact Form

Enquiry Form

In order to view the below you must be logged in.

  • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
  • Gallery Images
  • High Resolution Images
  • PDF Files
  • Books and Magazine Links
  • Music List
  • Podcast Shows
  • Courses
  • + more

You may be interested in...

  • (24)
Scott Augenbaum

Scott Augenbaum is a distinguished cybersecurity expert and keynote speaker, renowned for his practical insights on preventing cybercrime. With over three decades of experience in the FBI’s Cyber Division, Scott has investigated some of the most complex and high-profile cyberattacks in the U.S., giving him a unique perspective on the threats facing organizations today. His […]

  • Travels from: Franklin, TN
  • Cybersecurity Speakers
  • (36)

Polly LaBarre helps leaders make sense of and creatively respond to the forces buffeting their organizations. A bestselling author, speaker, and thinker who’s advised top global organizations, Polly’s mission for the past 20 years has been to make every kind of organization fundamentally more resilient, innovative and inspiring. Her insights embolden and equip leaders at […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Communication Speakers
  • (29)

Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.) defies stereotypes. Yes, she was a jet fighter pilot, but if you think you know her based on that, you’d be wrong. A leader, a combat veteran, the first woman pilot on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, a White House Fellow, and an inductee into both the National Women’s Hall […]

  • Travels from: Washington, DC
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (15)
Jerry Rice

Jerry Rice is widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver in NFL history and one of the most accomplished athletes of all time. As a three-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer, Rice has demonstrated an unparalleled work ethic, determination, and commitment to excellence. His inspiring journey from a small-town upbringing to becoming a […]

  • Travels from: San Francisco, CA
  • Sporting Speakers
  • (28)
Felice Garcia

Felice Garcia, renowned for her Carrie Underwood tribute in Las Vegas, has graced stages from Broadway to international waters, with a career highlight of entertaining U.S. troops in the Middle East. Felice Garcia is well known for her jaw-dropping Carrie performances in Las Vegas where she performed as Carrie with the American Superstars production at […]

  • Travels from: Las Vegas, NV
  • Singers
  • (32)
Ruben Gonzalez

A seemingly “ordinary guy,” Ruben Gonzalez wasn’t a gifted athlete. He didn’t take up the sport of luge until he was 21. Against all odds, four years later he was competing in the Winter Olympics. At the age of 47 he was racing against 20-year-olds in the Vancouver Winter Olympics! Ruben speaks from Olympic experience. […]

  • Travels from: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Motivational Speakers
  • (36)

Molly Bloom is an inspirational keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and bestselling author of “Molly’s Game“ (2014). She is best known for her memoir, “Molly’s Game,” which was adapted into an award-winning film of the same name by Aaron Sorkin. Bloom’s memoir chronicles her journey from college student to LA waitress to building and operating the largest […]

  • Travels from: Denver, CO
  • Inspirational Speakers
  • (23)
DJ Vinyl Dave

DJ Vinyl Dave a.k.a “The Rage King” is known for headlining some of the biggest venues in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and Orange County to date. Hailing from Los Angeles, CA Vinyl Dave began his DJ career with the Legendary Crew: Generation X. Vinyl Dave¹s popularity grew quickly because of his electrifying energy behind the turntables, […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Mobile DJ
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel