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:
  1. Unlock the power of trust and teamwork to achieve ambitious goals
  2. Build resilience by reframing obstacles into opportunities
  3. Champion diversity and inclusion as a path to stronger organizations
Reviews: (0 reviews)
  • Travels from: Park City, Utah
  • **Fee range: $10,001 - $20,000

Talent Services

Keynote Topics:

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.

Danelle Umstead is an extraordinary individual, a beacon of inspiration whose journey transcends sports and embodies the resilience of the human spirit. As a top inspirational keynote speaker and three-time Paralympic bronze medalist, Danelle has not only conquered the slopes but has also conquered the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide.
 
Alongside her husband and guide, Rob, Danelle etched their names in history at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympic Games as the pioneering husband and wife visually impaired ski race team to compete and medal for Team USA. Their remarkable achievement saw them clinch Bronze Medals in both the downhill and super combined events, catapulting them into the annals of sporting greatness.

Their dominance extended beyond Vancouver, culminating in the overall and super G World Cup titles by season’s end.

Danelle Umstead’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination. Despite facing the challenges of visual impairment, Danelle refused to let her condition define her capabilities. With an indomitable spirit and unwavering resolve, she embarked on a remarkable journey in the world of skiing, defying odds and shattering stereotypes along the way.

Guided by her husband, Rob, Danelle honed her skills on the slopes, mastering the art of adaptive skiing with unparalleled precision and grace. Danelle’s expertise extends far beyond the realm of sports. As a sought-after keynote speaker, she shares her riveting story of triumph over adversity, inspiring audiences to embrace change, overcome obstacles, and unleash their full potential.
 
Drawing upon her personal experiences, Danelle delivers powerful messages of resilience, determination, and the importance of teamwork. Her dynamic presentations captivate audiences of all backgrounds, leaving a lasting impression that resonates long after she steps off the stage. Beyond her athletic achievements, Danelle is a passionate advocate for inclusivity and empowerment.
 
Through her work, she strives to break down barriers and create a more inclusive society where individuals of all abilities can thrive. Whether on the slopes or behind the podium, Danelle’s unwavering commitment to excellence serves as a guiding light for others to follow.
 
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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.

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

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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Talent FAQ's

Yes, often Rob joins her on stage to share their unique teamwork dynamic.

Her story illustrates leadership, trust, and performance under pressure—universal themes in business and life.

Absolutely, her journey resonates strongly with students, athletes, and young leaders.

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