Biography

At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, John Naber captured four Gold Medals, one Silver and broke four World Records in swimming. His World marks in the 100 and 200 meter backstroke lasted an amazing seven years after his retirement. In 1984 he carried the Olympic Flag into the Opening Ceremonies of the Los Angeles Games and was elected into the United States Olympic Committee Hall of Fame. As a sports commentator, John has served as play-by-play host for over 30 different Olympic sports. Along with his individual goal-setting methods, John uses his experience as an Olympic athlete and his observations as a sports announcer to illustrate the process of seeing dreams come true.

Currently, John serves on the board of directors of the US Olympic Committee.

For over a quarter century, John Naber has delighted audiences with his stories of ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary results in the area of life that is most important to them. Standing ovations attest to his ability to customize his remarks with humor, personal anecdotes and “Power Paragraphs” appropriate for each occasion. Naber consistently receives “gold medal reviews” from each of his clients.

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Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

Pursuing Victory with Honor

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The Gold Medal Process: Eight Steps to Go from Dreams to a Winning Reality

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Eureka: How Innovation Changes the Olympics and Everything Else

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Awaken the Olympian Within: Tap the Competitor Inside You!

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Testimonials

I congratulate you on the extraordinary speech you gave at our recent meeting. I have never heard a motivational speaker who incorporated the meeting's objectives and major emphasis points into the message as effectively as you do.
– Jim Westbury, Producer - DISNEY BUSINESS PRODUCTIONS
You really made a big hit with everyone by referencing specific situations and challenges we face at retail into your presentation. Reps commented to me later that your comments were right on target and encouraged them to work hard and reach their goals.
– John Diehl, Director of Retail Service - MATTEL, INC.
Your message was timely, clear, and delivered with the energy and enthusiasm of a champion. Many of the attendees have told me that they were personally and professionally challenged by your message.
– Kevin Tripp, Executive Vice President an - AMERICAN DRUG STORES (Savon & Osco Drug)
. . . your presentation drew a direct line from your own athletic achievements to the goals our partners could achieve in their client service and business development efforts.
– Thomas M., Chairman - Thompson Coburn, LLP
It’s been about a month since you spoke to our group, and everyday, I still hear people talking about your presentation and your book Awaken the Olympian Within. I think that’s a true testament to the powerful and motivational message that you delivered. I was most impressed with your ability to mold your presentation to match our current business issues, concerns and trends. Several comments from my group are paraphrased by ‘How did he know so much about Phoenix Contact?’. You did a masterful job.
– Scott McLendon, Director of Sales - PHOENIX CONTACT
We’ve had what I’d describe as ‘rave reviews’ about the meeting; something I’ve not experienced in my working career! I know we’ll call on you again in the future.
– Robert L. Wuench, Executive Vice President - MITSUBISHI CATERPILLAR FORKLIFT AMERICA, INC

Booksby John Naber

Olympic Trivia Challenge: 100 Questions and the Remarkable Stories Behind Them

Eureka!: How Innovation Changes the Olympic Games (and everything else)

Awaken the Olympian Within: Stories from America's Greatest Olympic Motivators

Blog Posts

How a Simple Apology Can Spark Healing and Mental Health Conversations

Learn how a heartfelt apology shared by Johnny Crowder can help you break stigma and ignite life-changing conversations about mental health and self-compassion.

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An Astronaut’s Guide on Leadership and Innovation Lessons on Earth

Explore how former NASA astronaut Dr. Leroy Chiao’s experiences in space unlock insights on leadership, innovation, and resilience for teams on Earth.

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The Future of Event Keynotes: Personalization, AI, and Interactive Storytelling

Find out how event personalization, AI-driven insights, and interactive storytelling are revolutionizing keynote speeches with business futurist Greg Verdino.

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The Power of Play: Why Entertainment Is Essential for Engagement

“Entertainment is the emotional glue that connects people to ideas.”—Robert McKee, storytelling expert There’s a shift that happens the moment someone laughs. Shoulders loosen. The room lightens. The noise of the outside world fades just...

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Designing Events That Spark Lasting Connections

Discover Wendy Porter’s proven WPE Planning Process for crafting live, virtual, and hybrid events that foster genuine connections, boost engagement, and drive ROI.

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The Best Diversity and Inclusion Speakers

Why are diversity and inclusion speakers some of the most transformative voices on stage? Because inclusion is no longer a box to check; it’s a culture to create. From boardrooms to classrooms, arenas to virtual...

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Blog Posts

 

How a Simple Apology Can Spark Healing and Mental Health Conversations

Imagine if a single, mental health–focused apology could dismantle stigma, validate someone’s pain, and launch...

Read More

An Astronaut’s Guide on Leadership and Innovation Lessons on Earth

In the boundless vacuum of space, leaders face challenges that dwarf anything encountered on Earth....

Read More

The Future of Event Keynotes: Personalization, AI, and Interactive Storytelling

Imagine a keynote at your next event that feels designed just for your audience—where every...

Read More

The Power of Play: Why Entertainment Is Essential for Engagement

“Entertainment is the emotional glue that connects people to ideas.”—Robert McKee, storytelling expert There’s a...

Read More

Designing Events That Spark Lasting Connections

Imagine stepping into an event where every detail is designed to foster genuine human connection—from...

Read More

The Best Diversity and Inclusion Speakers

Why are diversity and inclusion speakers some of the most transformative voices on stage? Because...

Read More