W Mitchell: Motivational Speaker
Inspirational keynote speaker W. Mitchell empowers audiences to overcome adversity, take responsibility, and achieve success through resilience, mindset, and real-life lessons from extraordinary challenges.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Survived a severe motorcycle accident and later a paralyzing plane crash
- Former mayor recognized for community and environmental leadership
- Successful businessman and congressional nominee
- International keynote speaker inspiring audiences worldwide
- Formats: Keynote Speaker, Inspirational Speaker
- Audiences: Corporate teams, leadership groups, associations, and organizations seeking inspiration, resilience, and mindset transformation.
- Outcomes:
- Renewed perspective on overcoming adversity and embracing change
- Stronger sense of personal responsibility and accountability
- Motivation to take action and move forward despite challenges
- Travels from: San Francisco, CA
- **Fee range: $10,001 - $20,000
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
IT’S NOT WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU, IT’S WHAT YOU DO ABOUT IT
With warmth and wisdom, W Mitchell recaps the precise moments that instantly erased and rewrote the course of his life. From a fiery motorcycle accident that left him burned over 65% of his body, to the airplane crash that took away his ability to walk, Mitchell steadily rebuilt his life. He learned to work through the painful challenges and the devastating losses. He found new ways of facing everyday challenges with courage, determination, and good humor. This seemingly hopeless story evolved into an amazing life of achievement that has inspired audiences throughout the world.
Mitchell reveals the core beliefs and proven strategies that lead to his personal and professional successes. He proves to audiences that setbacks can be transformed into new starting points and that we all must take responsibility for the changes in our life. Not only will he demonstrate what it takes, but he will provide the necessary tools that can be used to improve the quality of your unique situation.
- Put yourself and others back in charge.
- Be empowered to take action based on Mitchell’s compelling examples.
- Understand that most limitations are self-imposed and it’s time to move past them.
- Learn to take responsibility for change and master adversity.
- Learn to think and act creatively.
- Gain a new perspective on seemingly impossible situations.
- Feel the joy of living at your best regardless of the challenges.
- Experience a renewal of both mind and spirit and be inspired to achieve greatness.
Leading With Courage
The willingness to take responsibility is the mark of a leader. Showing courage is what W Mitchell’s life is all about. By being someone who has not let life’s detours determine his course, Mitchell is highly regarded as a leader in business, government and in non-profits.
He demonstrates by his life and through his conversations with audiences, the power of choosing your responses. People come away with new insights and tools to help lead others.
Talent Short Bio
W. Mitchell is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker whose life story is a powerful testament to resilience, responsibility, and the human spirit. After surviving a devastating motorcycle accident that left him with severe burns over most of his body, followed by a plane crash that resulted in paralysis, Mitchell chose not to be defined by his circumstances.
Instead, he rebuilt his life with determination and purpose, becoming a successful businessman, a mayor known for revitalizing his community, a congressional nominee, and a respected environmental advocate. His journey reflects his core philosophy: it’s not what happens to you, but what you choose to do about it.
Mitchell’s keynote presentations are both deeply moving and highly practical. Through compelling storytelling and authentic humor, he connects with audiences on a human level, challenging them to rethink limitations and take ownership of their lives. His message resonates across industries and audiences, offering a clear framework for navigating change, overcoming setbacks, and moving forward with confidence.
Read Full Bio
W Mitchell once guided passengers up the famous hills of San Francisco, as a strong and entertaining cable-car gripman. Amazingly, the same scenario holds true today! As an award-winning keynote speaker, he now guides audiences uphill and empowers them to take responsibility for life’s inevitable challenges and to embrace the power of taking charge. As W. Mitchell so convincingly states, “It’s not what happens to you. It’s what you do about it.”
Undefeated by a blazing motorcycle accident and then a paralyzing plane crash four years later, W Mitchell learned to take responsibility for the countless changes in his life. Whether coping with devastating burns over 65% of his body or being sentenced to life in a wheelchair, this once robust Marine firmly held on to his feisty nature and quick wit.
It was “his” uphill journey and he was determined to maintain control, cope with the changes, and prosper. Without a doubt, W. Mitchell understands what it takes to rebuild and eventually reach the top. His life clearly illustrates his philosophy — that most limitations are self-imposed.
Step by step, W Mitchell moved forward with his life. He became an internationally acclaimed mayor “who saved a mountain”, a successful businessman who put thousands of people to work, a congressional nominee from Colorado, and a respected environmentalist and conservationist who repeatedly testified before Congress.
His accomplishments have received media recognition in North America on Good Morning America, The Today Show, NBC Nightly News and their counterparts around the world. W. Mitchell has been a radio and television host, a successful author, an award winning international keynote speaker and the subject of a recent television special.
Today, as an international keynote speaker, W. Mitchell captivates and stuns audiences with his story and then calmly empowers them to accept challenges, embrace change and take action – not only at work but in everyday life. His tenacity and credibility are indisputable as he so obviously lives his message.
No one goes away unaffected as W. Mitchell proves that unexpected changes can become exciting new starting points. “Before I was paralyzed there were 10,000 things I could do. Now there are 9,000. I can either dwell on the 1,000 I’ve lost or focus on the 9,000 I have left.”
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Talent FAQ's
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses and other costs
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Additional tips and takeaways
- Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
- There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
- Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
- When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
- Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
- Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
- Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.
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