W Mitchell: Motivational Speaker

  • It’s Not What Happens To You… It’s What You Do About It: This powerful message is at the heart of Mitchell’s speeches.
  • Overcame Extreme Adversity: W. Mitchell is a true testament to resilience. After surviving two life-altering accidents—a motorcycle crash that left him severely burned and a plane crash that left him paralyzed—Mitchell turned his challenges into incredible life lessons.
  • Proven Leadership: A successful businessman and leader, Mitchell helped shape the economic landscape of his community. He played a key role in reviving a struggling town in Colorado, and his career spans ventures in both business and public service. 
  • Global Speaker: W. Mitchell has spoken to audiences in over 30 countries, inspiring people from all walks of life to take control of their future and lead with resilience. His unique blend of personal stories and actionable insights has earned him a place among the most sought-after keynote speakers worldwide.

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: San Francisco, California, United States
  • **Fee range: $10,001 - $20,000

Keynote Topics

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.

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.

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 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.

W Mitchell | Inspirational Speaker

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.”

W Mitchell shares his unforgettable story and proven strategies with corporations and associations throughout the world…in North and South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. W. Mitchell has met with presidents and prime ministers, CEOs, managers, and workers with a message filled with warmth, good humor and wisdom.

People leave inspired and encouraged to take action regardless of the obstacles! Imagine the impact of these same words on your organization as W. Mitchell eloquently and compassionately guides each person “uphill” through their challenges.

View All Speakers and follow us on Twitter

Videos

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speaker Contact Form

Enquiry Form

In order to view the below you must be logged in.

  • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
  • Gallery Images
  • High Resolution Images
  • PDF Files
  • Books and Magazine Links
  • Music List
  • Podcast Shows
  • Courses
  • + more

You may be interested in...

  • (39)
  • (4)
Eric O’Neill - Eric O Neill

Eric O Neill is a renowned cybersecurity expert, former FBI counterintelligence operative, attorney, and entrepreneur dedicated to protecting organizations against the ever-evolving threat of cybercrime. With a career that blends real-world espionage with cutting-edge cybersecurity strategies, O’Neill’s expertise is unmatched in identifying and neutralizing threats before they strike. As the founder of The Georgetown Group […]

  • Travels from: Washington, DC
  • Cybersecurity Speakers
  • (37)
Paula Stone Williams

Dr. Paula Stone Williams is an advocate and renowned globally for her tireless work in championing gender equity, LGBTQ rights, and religious tolerance. As a transgender woman, Paula brings a unique and invaluable perspective to her endeavors, shedding light on the profound disparities inherent in societal structures. A dynamic keynote speaker, Paula’s story of transition […]

  • Travels from: Denver, CO
  • LGBTQ Speakers
  • (11)

Dr. Omékongo Dibinga is the UPstander. His life’s mission is to inspire all across the globe to take a stand when they witness an injustice, no matter how small or large. He is a motivational speaker, trilingual poet, TV talk show host, rapper, and professor of cross-cultural communication at American University. His Urban Music Award […]

  • Travels from: Washington, DC
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (32)

As an inclusive Workplace Wellness Advocate, Vivian Acquah advises managers on how to keep their team members engaged, energized, and safe in a sustainable, long-term way. A clear Workplace Wellness strategy & implementation will fix your hidden cost drains and missed opportunity cost because it will improve talent retention, engagement, employer branding, and connection with […]

  • Travels from: Amsterdam, NL
  • Workplace Wellness
  • (10)
Ryan Estis

Ryan Estis understands the pulse of modern business like few others can. With 15 years of experience as an ad agency executive, he’s been at the helm of steering companies towards unparalleled success. Now, as the founder of his own research and learning organization, Ryan has become a beacon of insight, guiding businesses through the […]

  • Travels from: Saint Paul, MN
  • Sales Speakers
  • (150)
Alencia Johnson

Alencia Johnson is a dynamic voice in social justice and culture change, with over a decade of experience at the forefront of activism, politics, corporate strategy, and entertainment. A trailblazer in integrating these cultural cornerstones, Alencia has built a reputation as a transformational leader who drives action through storytelling and advocacy. From campaign stages to […]

  • Travels from: Washington, DC
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (29)
  • (6)
Charlie Rocket Jabaley

Charlie “Rocket” Jabaley is a Grammy-winning music mogul and Emmy-winning Nike athlete whose journey from the pinnacle of the entertainment industry to becoming a health and fitness icon is nothing short of extraordinary. Diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor while managing some of the world’s biggest music acts, Charlie was forced to reevaluate his life. […]

  • Travels from: Malibu, CA
  • Inspirational Speakers
  • (9)
Justin Forsett

Justin Forsett’s journey in the NFL is one of the most inspiring stories in sports. Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2008, Forsett defied the odds to have a successful nine-year career in the league. Despite being considered undersized for a running back, his determination, work ethic, and undeniable talent led him to play for […]

  • Travels from: Dallas, TX
  • Motivational Speakers
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel