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Born without legs below his knees, Patrick “Blake” Leeper has never been one for excuses. He has defied the odds and won countless titles as a Paralympic runner.
Now, he shares his personal yet inspiring story with all audiences. Taking them through every twist and turn, this articulate young man will have everyone on the edge of their seat, leaving the event with a sense of confidence and the determination to never give up.
Patrick “Blake” Leeper has faced insurmountable obstacles as a paraplegic athlete. However, he has never let his physical disabilities stop him from following his dreams. Leeper uses his life and the lessons learned as the guideline to teach audiences to find the positive abilities in their seemingly negative disabilities.
Whether the wall in front of you is physical or emotional, this speech provides practical advice to push forward as well as motivation to challenge yourself to overcome any barrier you may face.
Born without legs due to a congenital defect, Blake Leeper has redefined what is possible as an athlete and human being. From running his first steps on prosthetic blades to becoming one of the fastest men in the world, Blake’s story is one of grit, resilience, and radical belief in possibility.
Nicknamed the “Blade Runner,” he is an eight-time Paralympic medalist, a world record holder, and a Team USA sprinter who has competed against able-bodied Olympians at the highest levels. His life mission extends beyond the track: to inspire individuals, teams, and organizations to see challenges not as setbacks, but as stepping stones to greatness.
Blake’s keynote talks are raw, funny, and deeply moving, taking audiences inside his journey of overcoming self-doubt, embracing adversity, and relentlessly pursuing dreams once thought impossible.
Blake Leeper is not just a decorated Paralympian he is a force of nature defying expectations and redefining the limits of human potential. As an eight-time international medalist in Paralympic Track and Field, Blake has captured global attention not only for his remarkable athletic prowess but for his unrelenting spirit. He made history in June 2018 when, racing against able-bodied runners, he set a new world record in the 400 meters with a stunning time of 44.42 seconds, the fastest ever by an amputee.
Born without legs below the knee, Blake Leeper’s story is one of transformation, resilience, and triumph. His journey from adversity to athletic excellence positions him as an inspirational speaker who ignites hope, perseverance, and belief in others. On stage, he channels the same energy that propels him down the track leaving audiences energized, empowered, and ready to overcome their own limitations.
Blake Leeper’s credibility as a speaker stems from more than just his world-class achievements. With three American records and a Paralympic legacy to his name, he stands as a symbol of excellence, not only in sports but in mindset and human capability. His presence in the world of elite athletics underscores his unwavering dedication, mental discipline, and ability to perform under pressure qualities that translate seamlessly into his keynote themes of resilience, motivation, and breaking barriers.
Blake Leeper’s story is unique yet universally resonant. From facing discrimination in his pursuit to compete alongside able-bodied athletes to confronting the internal battles of identity and purpose, he offers deeply personal insights that strike a chord with corporate teams, educational institutions, and community organizations alike. His storytelling is raw and authentic, balancing humor and heartbreak in a way that builds connection and fosters change.
He has been featured in major media outlets such as ESPN, NBC, and the New York Times, and has spoken at Fortune 500 companies, global conferences, and top universities. Blake shares his experiences with an open heart, reminding audiences that their challenges do not define them, their response does.
As a keynote speaker, Blake Leeper doesn’t just inspire; he equips. His insights into perseverance, goal-setting, mental toughness, and inclusive excellence offer tools and strategies that attendees can apply immediately. Whether he’s addressing C-suite executives, aspiring athletes, or young leaders, his message remains clear: success is not about circumstance it’s about choice and mindset.
Patrick “Blake” Leeper is a world record holder, Paralympic medalist, and transformational speaker who brings electrifying energy and deep humanity to every stage. Through his record-breaking performances and heartfelt storytelling, he shows us what’s possible when determination meets purpose. His compelling keynote topics, resilience, overcoming adversity, and championing inclusivity resonate powerfully across industries and age groups.
Blake’s story reminds us that limitations are often illusions, and with the right mindset, anything is possible. For events seeking an unforgettable speaker who can inspire, educate, and truly move an audience, Blake Leeper is the definition of excellence in motion.
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Born without legs, Blake Leeper reveals how nerves, Paralympic breakthroughs, and a mindset of deserving turned adversity into fuel, proving resilience transforms limits into strength.
Blake opens with humor, admitting his nerves at the start of one of his biggest races. He recalls the mindset shift that carried him: “If I fight for something, if I sacrifice for something, then I deserve it.”
Born in Kingsport, Tennessee without legs, Blake faced early predictions that he would never walk or run. But his spirit and hunger to play sports led him to basketball, baseball, and eventually track after watching the Paralympics on TV.
In 2010 he received his first running blades, and by 2011 he was competing at the World Championships. Just a year later, he tied Oscar Pistorius’ world record, making him one of the fastest sprinters in the world.
He describes his first Paralympic Games in London, recalling the stress and the thrill of winning a medal by just three hundredths of a second.
Blake’s message is clear: “My adversity is my unfair advantage.” On the toughest days, when he struggles even to walk, he reminds himself that the same boy once told he’d never walk became one of the fastest men alive.
0:15 – Nervous before race, mindset shift: “I deserve this.”
1:10 – Born without legs, early challenges.
2:25 – Discovery of Paralympics on TV, inspiration moment.
3:05 – First time on running blades, feeling of freedom.
4:00 – Rapid rise: from first run to world championships in just 3 years.
5:00 – London Paralympics race, photo-finish medal.
6:10 – Adversity as unfair advantage.
7:00 – Tapping into pain and struggle as a source of strength.
Blake Leeper shares a raw and passionate message on purpose, faith, and leaving a legacy reminding us to embrace each moment and pursue greatness fearlessly.
I am put on this earth for a reason. God put me on this earth for a reason. So whatever I go through, that means I’m going through it for a purpose.
For me to walk into my calling, I have to embrace it, accept it, and try not to fear anything.
If today was your last day forget everything else, forget the sunlight left what would you spend today thinking about?
We only get one chance at life to do whatever we’re going to do, to lay our foundation, to make our mark. Losses will come, people will doubt, but whatever legacy you can leave leave your legacy.
Everything is a new day. Every moment is a new moment.
So now, you’ve got to go on and show out. Five minutes ago is gone. What matters is now.
Because I’m pissed off for greatness.
And if you’re pissed off for greatness, that means you’ll never settle for mediocrity. It means you can reach the stars, and maybe, just maybe go into space.
0:10 – “I am put on this earth for a reason…”
0:35 – What would you do if today was your last?
1:02 – Legacy and making your mark.
1:25 – “Every moment is a new moment.”
1:50 – Blake declares: “I’m pissed off for greatness.”
Blake Leeper shares his journey from being born without legs to winning Paralympic medals, teaching us to shift from “Why me?” to “Why not me?”
Blake opens by asking: “Why not me? I’m meant for this. I’m strong enough. I’m smart enough.”
Born with a congenital birth defect, doctors told his parents he would never walk. As a child, he longed to hit a home run to prove himself, but after his prosthetic leg fell off mid-game, disappointment and anger led him to question: “Why me?”
Instead of staying in blame, he shifted to “Why not me?” Taking responsibility became his superpower. This mindset carried him to the Paralympic Games, where he won bronze in the 200m in London (2012), making his family and especially his grandfather immensely proud.
Despite setbacks with multiple silver medals, Blake pushed forward, eventually winning gold and breaking a world record in the 4x100m relay. His mother always reminded him: “Yes, you have two disabilities. But you also have thousands of abilities.”
Blake closes with a message: life is 10% what you’re dealt and 90% how you deal with it. His challenge to the audience: “What is your why? If I was born without legs and can run, imagine what you can do with your life.”
0:15 – “Why not me? I’m meant for this.”
1:05 – Childhood story: baseball, home run, leg falls off.
3:25 – The mindset shift: “Why not me?”
5:05 – London 2012 Paralympics, bronze medal, emotional family moment.
8:20 – Winning gold and breaking a world record in relay.
10:15 – Mother’s wisdom: disabilities vs. thousands of abilities.
12:00 – Life is 10% what happens, 90% how you respond.
13:05 – Final challenge: “What is your why?”
A: Blake competes at the highest levels of sport without legs, proving that limits exist only in the mind.
A: Leadership conferences, corporate kick-offs, universities, DEI initiatives, and motivational summits.
A: “Your adversity is your unfair advantage.”
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