John Register


LEADERSHIP SPEAKER • JOHN REGISTER

Impacting and inspiring the audience to take action.

Hall of Fame Speaker •  Top 50 global leadership speaker  • CSP

Based in: 🇺🇸

Speaker Fee: Contact for fee

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About John

John Register failed to clear a hurdle as he trained for the Olympic Games—a move that led to a tragic accident and altered his life forever. He shifted his focus and embraced a “new normal mindset.” The decorated Persian Gulf War combat U.S. Army veteran world champion became a two-time Paralympic Games Silver Medalist, professional speaker, and global influencer.

Register “amputated his fears” and founded the U.S. Olympic Committee Paralympic Military Sports Program. He authored 10 Stories to Impact Any Leader: Journal Your Way to Leadership Success in Spring 2020 and works with business leaders to hurdle adversity, amputate fear, and embrace a new normal mindset to win life's medals.
The artificial leg he used to win the silver medal is displayed in the Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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Adversity to Advantage

The Power Playbook for Navigating High-Stakes Change Session Description: Today's leaders are under constant pressure, facing unpredictable market shifts, mounting stress, and an environment where change is the only constant. The challenges of uncertainty, volatility, and isolation are wearing down teams, making it harder to innovate and adapt. Enter "Accelerate Adversity to Advantage: The Power Playbook for Navigating High-Stakes Change a keynote designed to address this chasm and provide a potent solution. Come on a journey with award-winning keynote speaker John Register, CSP, who embodies resilience, transformation, and triumph.

This presentation is a masterclass redefining the narrative of mental preparation and fortitude in the face of burnout, exhaustion, and extreme overwhelm. John provides the tools to transform these obstacles into stepping stones for growth. His keynote cuts through the noise, bridging the disconnect between leadership decisions and employees' realities. By reimagining adversity as an opportunity rather than a setback, leaders can quickly see strategies that help them survive disruption and thrive.

This keynote is all about building resilience, driving transformation, and confidently embracing what comes next. John Register's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From an Olympic-class hurdler and Army combat veteran to becoming a Paralympic silver medalist following a life-altering amputation, John's narrative is a testament to the indomitable spirit of human will. His keynote draws from this wellspring of personal challenge and triumph, offering an actionable blueprint for navigating the tumultuous waters of uncertainty, stress, and anxiety. Through a compelling three-stage process—The Reckoning, the Revision, and the Renewal—John lays out a roadmap for embracing adversity as a catalyst for acknowledging our prior state, honoring our present situation, and committing to growth through innovation and adaptation.

His approach dismantles the barriers of fear and resistance, urging leaders and employees alike to adopt a "new normal mindset" that views change as an invaluable opportunity for growth. Session Outcomes: Develop a "New Normal Mindset": Participants will gain insights into embracing change as a cornerstone for personal and professional development, armed with the tools to turn the tides of uncertainty to their advantage. Transform Adversity into Advantage: Through the three-stage process of reckoning, revision, and renewal, attendees will learn to reframe challenges as opportunities, fostering a culture of agility, innovation, and success. Build Resilience and Perseverance: The keynote emphasizes the power of resilience—the courage to seek help—and perseverance as vital components for overcoming obstacles and achieving enduring success. Book John for your next event and empower your team with the resilience, strategy, and vision to turn adversarial tides into advantageous winds. Let's accelerate adversity to advantage and transform your hardest battles into your most defining victories.

Champions Mindset

Olympic Lessons for Business Success Session Description Elite sports are a high-stakes world. Athletes are battling opponents and contending with the rigorous demands of mental preparation. This grueling journey involves overcoming isolation, loneliness, and the ever-looming specter of burnout. Imagine the relentless pursuit of excellence, where the thin line between triumph and defeat is physical prowess and robust mental fortitude.

The path to the podium is fraught with challenges that test every fiber of an athlete's being, requiring physical endurance and a resilient mindset equipped with strategies for prevention, reset, and recovery. Introducing "Champions Mindset: Olympic Lessons for Business Success," a program where the gritty reality of athletic preparation meets the competitive business world. Led by keynote speaker John Register, a decorated athlete with an illustrious career spanning Olympic trials, All-American honors, and Paralympic victories, as well as corporate leadership expertise as a CEO of a multimillion-dollar non-profit organization, this session bridges the gap between the athletic arena and business success.

John leverages his unique journey from Olympic hopeful to Paralympic medalist to corporate turnaround expert to shed light on the indispensable value of a preventive maintenance plan. Athletes, much like business leaders, must navigate the challenges of isolation and burnout with a steadfast recovery and refueling strategy. This program is designed to impart these critical lessons, translating elite sports' discipline, resilience, and recovery tactics into actionable strategies for business excellence. Outcomes: Analyze: Delve into the athlete's journey, dissecting the mental and physical strategies culminating in podium finishes. Apply these insights to fortify your business culture and sales systems.

Identify: Uncover and address the disruptions that veer your business off course. Learn to anticipate and mitigate these disturbances to stay on the growth path. Discover: Gain a competitive edge by embracing the concept of "plus one days" - a training philosophy that champions incremental improvement for sustained success. Implement: Extract and apply the distilled wisdom from Olympic and Paralympic journeys to elevate your company's performance, fostering a culture of resilience and achievement. Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to harness the Champions Mindset. By embracing the lessons from the pinnacle of athletic achievement, you can elevate your business strategies, drive growth, and achieve your own version of gold. Book John Register now and transform the way you approach business success. Let's embark on this journey together, where resilience meets excellence and challenges pave the way for triumph.

Awards & Publications

BOOKS PUBLISHED

CSP, CPAE, Top 50 Global Speaker, Author, Silver Medalist, Standing Exhibit at the USOPM

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Council of Peers Award for Excellence (CPAE) by the National Speakers Association
  • Certifed Speaking Professional (CSP) by the National Speakers Association (Only 11% of global speakers have this designation.
  • Paralympic Silver Medalist (PLY)
  • Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame
  • Arkansas Track and Field Sports Hall of Fame
  • Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame
  • Oak Park and River Forest Tradition of Excellence Recipient
  • Founder Paralympic Military Sports Program
  • U.S. Department of State Speaker Program Ambassador
  • Contributing writing for Diversability and U.S. Veterans Magazine
  • Author of 10 Power Stories to Impact Any Leader: Journal Your Way to Leadership Success
  • Two Time Olympic trials qualifier
  • Three Time All American Track and Field Athlete

More About John

John Register is a force of nature and a recent Hall of Fame Speaker recognized by the National Speakers Association. He is renowned for his expertise in helping companies embrace change amidst disruption and uncertainty. John ignites a fire in the hearts of his audience. When you book John, you bring in a change catalyst with lived experience who will challenge your audience to think bigger, push harder, and transform their setbacks into powerful comebacks.
His "Amputate to Elevate" model, praised by leadership teams like Vail Resorts, Socure, Coca-Cola, and Deloitte, provides actionable insights tailored to each business's unique needs. John's engaging storytelling and ability to weave his journey into growth-focused agendas leave leaders with practical strategies they can implement immediately. He deeply connects to business needs, ensuring his message aligns with organizational goals. Attendees leave inspired and equipped to drive growth, calling his sessions the highlight of their event.

Transforming Adversity into Advantage for Your Business
In today’s unpredictable business world, resilience isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. John Register is the right choice when you’re looking to bring in a speaker who can genuinely inspire and equip your team to tackle challenges head-on.
John’s Quest: John’s mission is straightforward yet powerful: to help people turn their most challenging moments into their biggest opportunities. He’s been through it all—losing his leg in a life-changing accident, fighting back to win a Paralympic silver medal, and dedicating his life to helping others do the same. Now, he’s trying to share those lessons with your team.

Why Choose John? John doesn’t just speak from theory; he speaks from experience. He knows what it’s like to face overwhelming obstacles and emerge stronger on the other side. His talks aren’t just motivational—they’re actionable. John challenges your team to shift their mindset, encouraging them to see setbacks as setups for success. And he doesn’t stop there—he gives them a clear, proven process to move forward, no matter the challenges.

John Mitigates Risk
As a keynote speaker, John mitigates risk for event planners and business professionals by ensuring high audience engagement and satisfaction, backed by a proven track record. Here’s the proof:
Extensive Positive Feedback: The following data, with 8,287 responses from attendees, shows that John consistently delivers impactful sessions. This large sample size provides a reliable indicator that he can effectively connect with diverse audiences.
High-Value Perception: 99% of attendees find his sessions valuable. This means that John’s content resonates deeply, providing actionable insights that attendees can apply immediately. For event planners, this ensures that their investment in John’s speaking services pays off by delivering high-quality, relevant content that attendees appreciate.
Strong Reattend Rate: The 97% reattend rate indicates that almost everyone who hears John speak wants to experience his presentations again. This level of satisfaction reduces the risk of negative feedback and enhances the reputation of the event or organization hosting him.
In-Person Experience: With 94% of his talks delivered in person, John has significant experience engaging live audiences. This experience is crucial for event planners to ensure their audience remains captivated and engaged throughout the event.
Top Attributes: John’s top attributes—97% Engaging, 98% Inspiring, 95% Actionable, 96% Interactive, and 95% Relevant—demonstrate his ability to deliver a well-rounded presentation that not only inspires but also provides practical takeaways. This makes him a safe choice for event planners needing a speaker capable of delivering motivation and concrete value.
The Impact: Bringing John into your organization is more than a feel-good moment. It’s about instilling a mindset of resilience and adaptability that sticks. Your team will leave with tangible tools to transform adversity into advantage, helping your business survive and thrive in the face of change.
If you want a speaker who can truly connect with your team and drive lasting impact, John Register is the one who can make it happen.

Riches, Rags, and Riches: The Ultimate Comeback Story
From the pinnacle of being a world-class athlete and decorated combat veteran, John’s life took a sharp turn after his accident. But this isn’t a loss story—it’s about one of the greatest comebacks you’ll ever hear. John fought back to normalcy and greatness, winning a silver medal at the Paralympic Games. His journey proves that no matter how far you fall, with the right mindset and relentless effort, you can climb back to the top—and beyond. Your audience will walk away believing in their power to turn tragedy into triumph.

The Voyage and Return: Building a Legacy That Lasts
John didn’t just conquer his challenges—he made it his mission to help others do the same. By founding the United States Olympic Committee’s Paralympic Military Sports Program, John has given countless wounded veterans a new lease on life through the power of sport. His message to your audience is clear: True success isn’t just about what you achieve for yourself; it’s about how you lift others along the way. He’ll inspire them to think beyond personal success and build a lasting legacy.

John was an outstanding keynote speaker at our Statewide Substance Use Disorder Conference. Despite the sudden shift to a digital format due to COVID-19, he adapted seamlessly, delivering an inspiring, engaging, and highly effective presentation. His enthusiasm, expertise, and ability to connect with our audience were truly exceptional.

Insightful and dynamic, John Register captivated our Extended Leadership Meeting with humor and enthusiasm, transforming the atmosphere from 'business as usual' to a 'new normal.' Sharing his journey of overcoming challenges, he inspired us to aim high, rethink our mental models, and take charge of our leadership growth. Our audience was truly empowered and loved him!

We were honored to have John Register as our keynote speaker for Disability Employment Awareness Month at Southwest Airlines! John shared his powerful story, challenged us to rethink opportunities for employing People with Disabilities, and inspired mindset shifts to advance inclusion. A true expert in disability change management, John received outstanding feedback, with 85% of employees rating his keynote as "outstanding" and 100% finding it valuable. His passion and insights are helping drive our vision of a more inclusive world.

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