Josh Sundquist: Motivational Paralympian
Paralympian, cancer survivor, and bestselling author who transforms adversity into unforgettable lessons on resilience, creativity, and courage.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Childhood cancer to Paralympian
- 1+ billion viral views
- Emmy-winning Apple TV+ show
- Formats: Keynote talks, motivational sessions, leadership conferences, virtual events
- Audiences: Corporates, educators, healthcare, youth organizations, associations
- Outcomes:
- Rekindle adaptability through humor and self-belief.
- Build resilience by celebrating incremental progress.
- Bring empathy to leadership through lived vulnerability.
- Travels from: Santa Monica, CA
- **Fee range: On Request
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
1MT1MT: ONE MORE THING, ONE MORE TIME
Josh shares how his training motto—One More Thing, One More Time—carried him from cancer and amputation to Paralympic skiing, bestselling books, and Apple TV+. It’s a hilarious, heart-wrenching, and surprisingly practical exploration of what it means to be—and to thrive as—a human.
Part masterclass in resilience, part strategy session, Josh blends comedy, storytelling, and interactive moments to deliver a powerful message about “adaptive resilience” in the face of challenge. Josh delivers an unforgettable experience that will leave your audiences gasping for air—from laughter, from awe, from the sheer audacity of hope. Your team will be uplifted by hard-won insight and empowering humor. They will go home feeling connected to deep wells of inner courage, ready to conquer their own mountains.
Talent Short Bio
Josh Sundquist is a Paralympian, bestselling author, Emmy-winning Apple TV+ storyteller, and electrifying motivational speaker. At the age of nine, he lost his left leg to cancer, yet persisted to become a member of the U.S. Paralympic ski team. His best-selling memoir, Just Don’t Fall, and his memoir-based Apple TV+ series Best Foot Forward, chronicle his extraordinary journey with heart, humor, and humility.
Josh’s viral storytelling backed by over a billion views across platforms melds stand-up comedy with poignant reflection, earning him recognition as a leader in adaptive resilience. Over the years, he has addressed audiences ranging from The White House and Fortune 500 companies to schools, delivering customized keynotes under his mantra “1MT1MT” (One More Thing, One More Time). He delivers with warmth, laughter, and clarity, showing how courage and humor can transform adversity into opportunity.
Read Full Bio
Josh Sundquist is a Paralympian, bestselling author, and Emmy-winning Apple TV+ storyteller whose videos have generated over one billion video views. He inspires audiences to live by his mantra 1MT1MT (One More Thing, One More Time).
Your attendees will leave energized and equipped to:
- Foster forward-thinking amid market volatility
- Rebound from disappointment
- Do 1MT1MT to embrace transformation
- Keep a growth mindset—and a sense of humor
Josh collaborates closely with your planning team to customize each keynote to your audience, event theme, and company culture. He blends clean stand-up comedy with soulful storytelling and research-backed takeaways. Hilarious audience interactions are punctuated by moments of profound reflection. It’s a roller-coaster experience of laughter, insight, and inspiration.
Audiences leave with renewed resolve to overcome both personal and professional challenges. They gain a fresh perspective on grit, gratitude, and potential. Josh Sundquist’s message of 1MT1MT becomes a lasting internal mantra. Months and even years later, attendees quote the keynote and apply its lessons with their teams. It’s an experience they’ll never forget.
View All Speakers and follow us on Twitter
Talent Videos
Josh Sundquist – Motivational Keynote Highlights
Josh delivers a dynamic mix of humor and inspiration, weaving personal stories, resilience frameworks, and audience laughter into a keynote that sticks.
Video Summary & Key Moments
- Humor & Creativity: Shares inventive Halloween costumes, proving that constraints spark creativity rather than limit it.
- Resilience Mantra: Introduces his motto 1MT1MT (“one more thing, one more time”), encouraging audiences to keep pushing beyond setbacks.
- Olympic Dream: Recounts his journey from amputation at nine years old to marching in the Paralympic Games wearing the red, white, and blue of Team USA.
- Facing Change: Redefines setbacks as opportunities, framing them as “adaptive resilience.”
- Humor About Hair Loss: Lightens the room with jokes about aging and hair loss, tying it back to gratitude for survival and growth.
- Key Challenge: Encourages people to tackle their hardest tasks first—“worst first”—to build strength and momentum.
- AI & Humanity: Explains how technology (like his AI-controlled leg) makes him more human, not less, because it makes him a better father.
- Representation: Shares the importance of visibility for people with disabilities—being the role model he never had as a child.
- Final Inspiration: Reflects on his childhood amputation and the advice he’d give his 9-year-old self: “No matter how many times you fall down, just keep getting back up.”
Key Moments
0:00 – 1:15: Creative Halloween costumes as a metaphor for reframing constraints
1:20 – 3:00: The 1MT1MT motto and Paralympic journey
3:05 – 5:30: Adaptive resilience + “worst first” principle
5:35 – 7:30: Humor about aging, hair loss, and gratitude for survival
7:35 – 9:00: Technology & AI leg → how tools enhance humanity
9:05 – 10:30: Representation and pride in being “the same sort of different”
10:35 – End: Emotional closing: advice to his younger self + audience testimonials
Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry
No reviews available for this post.
Talent Resources
Download Talent Files
Download Talent Files
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
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Deposits and securing a booking
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
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.
Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!
You may be interested in...
- (23)
- Featured
Sebastian Thrun is working, through robotics and artificial intelligence, to change the way we understand the world. Formally a fully tenured professor at Stanford, Sebastian Thrun left in 2007 to become a Vice-President and Fellow at Google. He founded Google[x], Google’s hardware innovation shop, to create a factory for moonshots. It generated Google self-driving cars, Google […]
- Travels from: San Francisco, CA
- Artificial Intelligence
- (62)
- (3)
Michael McQueen is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker and expert in navigating change, recognized for his powerful insights on future trends and innovation. With over two decades of experience in helping organizations and leaders stay ahead of disruption, Michael has earned a reputation for delivering dynamic, research-backed strategies that drive resilience and adaptability. His best-selling […]
- Travels from: Sydney, NSW
- Leadership Speakers
- (25)
Kay Firth-Butterfield is an expert in artificial intelligence (AI) ethics and governance, championing the responsible development and deployment of technology. As the CEO of Good Tech Advisory LLC, she leverages her extensive legal and academic background to guide organizations toward ethical AI practices. Her leadership in this domain earned her a spot among TIME’s 100 […]
- Travels from: Various Cities
- Artificial Intelligence
- (22)
- (2)
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, innovation and expertise are paramount. Dr. Daniel Kraft stands at the forefront of this dynamic field as a Stanford and Harvard-trained physician-scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, and innovator. With over 25 years of experience in clinical practice, biomedical research, and healthcare innovation, Dr. Kraft has made significant contributions to the advancement […]
- Travels from: Stanford, CA
- Futurists Speakers
- (47)
Dr. Andrew Ng is a luminary in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), renowned for his groundbreaking work and visionary leadership. As the founder of DeepLearning.AI, he has spearheaded numerous initiatives to democratize AI education and make advanced AI techniques accessible to a global audience. His role as the Founder and CEO of Landing AI […]
- Travels from: Palo Alto, CA
- Artificial Intelligence
- (40)
Charmaine Yee is a highly sought-after virtual event host and emcee in Singapore. Versatile – she is fluent in both English and conversational Mandarin, and professional, Charmaine brings high energy and lively wit to every virtual event she hosts. From facilitating live and virtual panel discussions and in-person or virtual corporate events to award ceremonies […]
- Travels from: Singapore
- Event Emcee
- (11)
As a premier entertainment company, Spanish Webs Cirque Mirage takes pride in introducing the captivating artistry of Spanish Web Performers to elevate your corporate events to new heights. The Enchantment of Spanish Web Performance: Spanish Webs Cirque Mirage, a breathtaking aerial art form, takes center stage in our corporate event performances. Imagine skilled performers suspended […]
- Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
- Speciality Acts
- (18)
Daymond John has come a long way from turning a $40 budget into FUBU, a $6 billion fashion game-changer. Throughout his career, Daymond has continued to be an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. He is not only a pioneer in the fashion industry but a Shark on the 4-time Emmy Award winning Shark […]
- Travels from: New York, NY
- Leadership Speakers
Disclaimer
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
Fee Range Information
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
