In April 2004, Melissa Stockwell became the first U.S. woman to lose a limb in active combat when an IED exploded during her daily convoy in Baghdad, Iraq. She has since gone on to become a two-time Paralympian, culminating in a bronze medal in Paratriathlon at Rio 2016. And it all started with a choice.
At first glance, Melissa Stockwell may appear to be the quintessential Mid-western All-American girl, but she is far more. She is an American war hero who has triumphed over personal tragedy to achieve greatness and World Champion status, and she has dedicated her life to chasing remarkable accomplishments while giving back to others, particularly those who face challenges similar to hers.
In 2002, Melissa graduated from the University of Colorado and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. In March 2004, she deployed to Baghdad, Iraq. Just three weeks later, a blast from a roadside bomb struck Melissa’s Humvee, causing the loss of her left leg above the knee. After enduring numerous infections and surgeries, Melissa was medically retired from the Army. She is the first female soldier ever to lose a limb in active combat and has been awarded both The Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
Following Melissa Stockwell’s accident, sport became the road to recovery for Melissa. In April of 2008, she became the first Iraqi War Veteran to qualify for the Beijing Paralympics. She competed in three swimming events and was honored by her fellow Team USA athletes to be selected to carry the American flag in the closing ceremony. After Beijing, Melissa turned to the sport of Paratriathlon and is now a three-time World Champion. She was named USA Triathlon’s female Paratriathlete of the Year for two consecutive years and was twice nominated for an ESPY award.
On September 11, 2016, at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Melissa Stockwell raced in honor of her fellow soldiers and their families who had sacrificed to serve and protect America. After a grueling race, the day ended on the podium as the newly crowned Paralympic Bronze Medalist.
Contact us for Melissa Stockwell’s fees and availability.
Uncover expert insights from economic futurist Andrew Busch on using AI to transform your career and drive innovation in an ever-changing world.
Read MoreGreat teams aren’t built on talent alone—they’re built on trust, authenticity, and human connections. Learn more in our podcast episode with Mike Robbins.
Read MoreEmbrace creativity, progress, and bold risk-taking to unlock innovation and empower personal growth in this week's newsletter.
Read MoreIn this episode of The Keynote Curators Podcast, keynote speaker Natalie Nixon discusses her transformative approach to creative thinking in the workplace.
Read MoreLearn why progress, not perfection, is the key to success through empowering insights on resilience, positivity, and personal growth.
Read MoreExecutive coach and keynote speaker Amy Eliza Wong shares how she empowers leaders to transform everyday interactions into trust-building, impactful moments.
Read MoreWe’ll connect so we understand your needs to curate a selection of great speakers.
We’ll manage all the details so you will be confident with your choice.
Inform & educate your participants to ideas that transform their work & personal life.
What if your career could take off simply by exploring the latest AI tools? In...
Read MoreGreat teams aren’t built on talent alone—they’re built on trust, authenticity, and strong human connections....
Read More"Creativity is intelligence having fun." – Albert Einstein Somewhere along the way, many of us...
Read MoreCreative thinking isn’t just an extra skill—it’s the ultimate competitive edge. In today’s hyper-competitive business...
Read MoreI used to think success meant having it all figured out. That if I just...
Read MoreWhat makes a leader truly exceptional beyond simply completing daily tasks? In a world where...
Read More