Danelle Umstead: Blind Paralympian
Danelle Umstead is a three-time Paralympic bronze medalist and one of the most inspiring figures in adaptive sports.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Three-time Paralympic bronze medalist, alpine skiing
- First husband-and-wife visually impaired ski team to medal for Team USA
- World Cup Overall and Super-G Champion
- Competed on Dancing With the Stars (Season 27)
- Advocate for disability inclusion and accessibility
- Formats: Keynote speaker (45–60 min), panelist, interactive workshops, corporate inspiration sessions
- Audiences: Corporate teams, leadership conferences, associations, educators, non-profits
- Outcomes:
- Unlock the power of trust and teamwork to achieve ambitious goals
- Build resilience by reframing obstacles into opportunities
- Champion diversity and inclusion as a path to stronger organizations
- Travels from: Park City, UT
- **Fee range: $10,001 - $20,000
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
HOW TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE EVERY DAY
Danelle travels the world with her husband, Rob, as a ski racing team and motivational speaker. In her speech, How to do the Impossible Every Day, she reveals the 4 secrets to leading and empowering teams to overcome obstacles and go for the gold.
Talent Short Bio
Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition, Danelle refused to let blindness define her. She and Rob have competed at the highest levels of international ski racing, medaling at the Paralympic Games and capturing multiple World Cup titles.
Off the slopes, Danelle is a sought-after keynote speaker who shares her story of resilience, teamwork, and determination. Her presentations empower audiences to embrace challenges, lead with courage, and create more inclusive environments.
Read Full Bio
Talent Videos
Meet Danelle Umstead – Paralympic Alpine Ski Racer
Danelle Umstead shares how trust, vision, and resilience drive her journey as a blind Paralympic ski racer.
Video Summary & Key Moments
In this short feature, Danelle Umstead introduces herself as a Paralympic alpine ski racer. She describes her limited vision, seeing only bright lights and contrasting colors when conditions align. Her husband and guide, Rob, skis ahead in bright clothing so she can detect his outline as they race down the slopes together.
Danelle shares her mindset at the start of each run: trust in training, let go, and focus only on the bond between her and Rob. The clip underscores the essence of her journey—courage, teamwork, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Key Moments
00:00 – Danelle introduces herself as a Paralympic alpine ski racer
00:07 – Explanation of her visual impairment
00:20 – Rob describes his guiding role with high-visibility clothing
00:32 – Danelle shares her mental focus at the race start: trust and let go
00:45 – Closing reflection on skiing as one with her guide
Danelle Umstead, Three Time U.S. Paralympic Medalist
A 1:46 emotional short that shows how Danelle Umstead skis the world by sound, guided by her husband Rob, turning loss into freedom and high-performance teamwork.
Video Summary & Key Moments
This 1 minute 46 second film is a poetic portrait of Paralympic alpine skier Danelle Umstead. She explains that sound is how she experiences the world: it paints a picture, gives rhythm, and guides her down the mountain. Danelle describes losing her mother, her usable vision, and her will to live, and then discovering an unexpected freedom when she first skied. Her husband and guide Rob provides vocal commands that direct her racing line.
The piece intercuts brief audio cues of Rob shouting prompts and the announcer calling Danelle at the finish, culminating in the sound of the national anthem. The final moments frame skiing as a shared dance between Danelle and Rob and as “the sound of living the impossible.” The film emphasizes trust, sensory adaptation, resilience, and the emotional payoff of elite performance.
Key Moments
00:00 Opening line: “Sound is how I see the world.”
00:08 Sound as a sensory map: painting, rhythm, and guidance.
00:20 Contrast: Danelle does not see the slopes the way others do.
00:28 Racing audio: Rob calls commands “Up! Move!” and guides her down.
00:38 First-time memory: fear after losing her mom and vision.
00:50 Turning point: discovering freedom and joy on skis.
01:05 Intimate view of the partnership: “He’s my husband… my everything.”
01:18 Finish-line moment: announcer calls Danelle and Rob; crowd and anthem.
01:36 Closing line: hearing those sounds is “the sound of living the impossible.”
First Person: Blind Skier's Quest for Gold
A 1:56 first-person profile of Paralympic alpine skier Danelle Umstead describing how skiing, trust, and adaptive communication rebuilt her life and aim for gold.
Video Summary & Key Moments
Danelle Umstead introduces herself as a Paralympic alpine ski racer who competes with her husband as guide. She explains her visual impairment, retinitis pigmentosa, and how she can perceive shapes only at very short distances. After losing her mother and much of her vision, Danelle says she lost her will to live—until she tried skiing. The film captures the immediate freedom she felt on her first run with her father guiding her, a moment that reignited purpose and joy.
Danelle then demonstrates the helmet communication system (Cardo) they use: two speakers, a microphone, and a Bluetooth pack that lets Rob give live instructions. She describes the minimal, high-trust commands they use—essentially wait or go—and how that teamwork pushes them to pursue gold rather than bronze. The piece closes on a determined note: they are training toward the 2014 Sochi Paralympics with gold as the goal.
Key Moments
00:00 Opening: Danelle identifies as a Paralympic alpine ski racer.
00:10 Explains visual impairment caused by retinitis pigmentosa; limited usable sight.
00:24 Personal low point: losing her mother, vision, and will to live.
00:36 Turning point: first run with her father guiding—instant freedom and joy.
00:52 Description of equipment: Cardo helmet comms, speakers, microphone, Bluetooth battery pack.
01:06 How the guide-athlete communication works: Rob gives concise commands; Danelle trusts and responds.
01:22 Mindset: pushing for speed and performance together; trust as the foundation.
01:36 Closing ambition: aiming for gold at the 2014 Sochi Paralympics.
01:52 End.
Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry
No reviews available for this post.
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)
Victoria Arlen’s life story is one of remarkable resilience and triumph over adversity. At the tender age of eleven, her world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with two rare conditions, Transverse Myelitis and Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis. This devastating diagnosis robbed Victoria of her ability to speak, eat, walk, and move, plunging her […]
- Travels from: Boston, MA
- Inspirational Speakers
- (14)
- (7)
Lolita Taub is not your typical venture capitalist. With a mission deeply rooted in community empowerment and a career spanning 15 years within the heart of Silicon Valley, she has emerged as a pivotal figure in the startup ecosystem. As a General Partner at Ganas Ventures, Lolita channels her expertise into investing in pre-seed and […]
- Travels from: San Diego, CA
- Hispanic Speakers
- (17)
Ilya Sutskever is a world-renowned thought leader in artificial intelligence, respected for his pioneering contributions to computer vision, machine translation, and robotics. As Co-founder and Chief Scientist at OpenAI, he has been instrumental in the development of transformative technologies including ChatGPT, GPT-4, and DALL·E 2. Ilya’s early breakthroughs — notably co-inventing DeepMind’s AlphaGo and Google Brain’s TensorFlow — have […]
- Travels from: San Francisco, CA
- Artificial Intelligence
- (15)
Born in his native Scotland, Jordan Campbell excels in engaging audiences in a professional & interactive fashion – in Atlanta & across the USA. An award-winning Event & TV Host, Emcee & Auctioneer, Jordan loves to connect with guests in a professional & lively fashion. Having spoken in front of the British Royal Family & […]
- Travels from: Atlanta, GA
- Event Emcee
- (7)
Sean Patrick, affectionately referred to as SP, is a name synonymous with excellence in event hosting and entertainment. With a career spanning years, SP has established himself as the go-to emcee for corporate events, conferences, and conventions across the nation. His magnetic stage presence, coupled with an unparalleled ability to engage audiences, has made him […]
- Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
- Event Emcee
- (25)
- (3)
Jeanne Bliss is a transformative force in customer experience, renowned for her ability to guide organizations toward becoming their best selves. With a clear and actionable framework, she helps businesses build lasting, meaningful connections with their customers. Over her decades-long career, Jeanne has pioneered the path of customer loyalty and experience, showing companies how to […]
- Travels from: Seattle, WA
- Customer Experience
- (56)
For the more than over 50 million Hispanics in the United States, Julie Stav is not only a financial expert and educator, she is considered by many as a leader and inspirational role model, creating a following that now wishes to emulate her image and success. With a revolutionary multi-media communications platform, Julie inspires and […]
- Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
- Hispanic Speakers
- (42)
- (1)
Jamie Hess brings a fresh, engaging perspective to keynote speaking, combining her background as a top PR pro with her dynamic personal storytelling. Known for her gratitude framework, Gratitudeology™, Jamie empowers audiences to shift mindsets, boost performance, and deepen their sense of purpose. She also dives into branding with her talk The Magnetic Rebrand, helping […]
- Travels from: New York, NY
- Branding 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.
