Biography

Molly Bloom is an inspirational keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and bestselling author of Molly’s Game. She is best known for her memoir, Molly’s Game, which was adapted into an award-winning film of the same name by Aaron Sorkin. Bloom’s memoir chronicles her journey from college student to LA waitress to building and operating the largest and most notorious private poker game in the world. Her games featured hundreds of millions of dollars and players like Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, A-Rod, and Ben Affleck.

Bloom began her career as a world-class skier. While training as a pre-teen she was diagnosed with severe scoliosis and had to undergo surgery that the doctors said would end her athletic career. A year later, fully recovered, she was back on the slopes. She later joined the U.S. Ski Team and at 21 years old was ranked No. 3 in North America in moguls, but her Olympic dreams would go unrealized as she left the team to pursue other projects. This led her to what she thought would be a year sabbatical in LA.

Bloom was finishing her degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado – Boulder, and was in the process of applying to top tier Law Schools, when her assistant job turned her into an accidental entrepreneur, running one of  the most exclusive, high-stakes underground poker games in the world, pulling in as much as $4 million per year. What happened next is where her story truly begins.

The film Molly’s Game, written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, stars Jessica Chastain (as Molly), Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, Brian d’Arcy James, and Chris O’Dowd. Bloom has appeared on numerous shows and in media outlets such as Ellen, Vice, The Los Angeles Times, NPR, Vulture, and has been asked to speak at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women, for companies like Blackrock Financial, SiriusXM Radio, and delivered the 2018 commencement speech at Colorado State University.

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Molly's Game: The True Story of the Woman Behind the Most Exclusive, High-Stakes Underground Poker Game in the World

What’s it like to run an exclusive poker game for the rich and famous? Molly Bloom went from Olympic-level skier who didn’t know a thing about poker or Hollywood to building and operating the largest and most notorious private poker game in the world. In this motivational talk, Bloom will show the sales and marketing skills she used to attract hundreds of millions of dollars to the game and spark the interest of players like Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, A-Rod, and Ben Affleck. Audiences will get the inside story not shown in the film as Bloom shares true-life tales of her experience.

Engage, connect and level up with Affective Presence

In an age where technology often overshadows genuine connection, it’s increasingly more important to connect and engage effectively with people for work, family and in everyday life. Affective Presence is a groundbreaking science that has the power to transform our interactions. This isn’t about mastering complex social cues or changing your personality. It’s about leveraging a measurable aspect of how we affect others emotionally to enhance our professional and personal lives. Affective Presence demystifies the art of connection, revealing simple behaviors that foster positive impacts, making it accessible to everyone. It’s a tool that simplifies the complex web of human interaction, focusing on what truly matters.

As someone who has navigated paths with slim odds of success, Molly Bloom attributes her achievements significantly to practicing Affective Presence–not only shaping her professional journey but also deepening her personal connections in a world craving authenticity. This science isn’t just about thriving in the business or personal realms; it’s about combating the epidemic of loneliness by fostering genuine connections.

Join Molly in exploring how Affective Presence can revolutionize our approach to interaction, making the art of genuine connection not just an aspiration but a reality for all. Let’s unlock the potential to not only succeed but to foster a world rich in meaningful, positive connections.

Defying the Odds: Molly Bloom's Odyssey of Adversity, Reinvention, and Triumph

Molly Bloom is a testament to unwavering resilience and transformative reinvention. From her early days as a competitive skier facing a life-altering diagnosis at age 12, to her defiance of medical advice to pursue her Olympic dreams, Molly’s journey embodies the essence of overcoming adversity.

Venturing into uncharted territory during a gap year in Los Angeles, Molly stumbled into the clandestine world of high-stakes poker, where she ascended to become at age 25, the mastermind of the most exclusive games frequented by A-list celebrities, politicians, and elite figures. However, her trajectory was not without its pitfalls, as she grappled with the dark underbelly of greed and deception, leading to a fateful encounter with the FBI and a pivotal decision that would redefine her legacy.

Through the lens of Molly’s extraordinary life, uncover the essential pillars of success amidst insurmountable odds. Drawing on principles of growth mindset and fear mastery, delve into the science-backed strategies that empowered Molly to navigate uncharted waters with courage and conviction. From cultivating resilience and accountability to forging meaningful connections and honing problem-solving skills, Molly’s saga offers invaluable insights for personal and professional growth.

Join Molly on a transformative journey of self-discovery and redemption, as she navigates setbacks and challenges with unwavering tenacity and moral clarity. Through her example, discover the profound impact of self-belief, emotional intelligence, and ethical fortitude in shaping a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Embark on a narrative rich with wisdom, inspiration, and practical takeaways, as Molly Bloom’s indomitable spirit serves as a guiding light for those striving to surmount obstacles, embrace change, and forge their own path to success against all odds.

Make Every Customer Feel like a High Roller

Molly Bloom didn’t know a thing about running a poker business when she was asked to set up the most exclusive high stakes poker game in Hollywood. She was faced with the daunting question: how do you create an experience that will keep the rich and famous coming back when they can go anywhere to play poker? Molly found if she built a unique customer culture, not only would players come back, the game would become so exclusive that everyone would want to be a part of it. In this exciting and informative talk, Bloom shows how she created an experience like no other for her players and how you can apply the same principles for creating an exclusive experience for your customers.

Testimonials

Molly is awesome! Period. I have heard many private speakers and she set the bar very high for future events. Our event exceeded expectations on every level. The only negative: no one wanted to leave. Every single attendee, without exception, called or emailed me the next day with sincere and genuine praise for Molly. Her insights from how to deal with adversity to optimizing risk management blew everyone away.
– RON SANTELLA - CEO / Teramo Advisors
Molly’s story of success, despair, and re-invention is equal parts insightful and captivating. Her journey is incredible on its own, but watching Molly deliver it with such power and authenticity transformed a large, chatty audience into a room of utter silence. Molly Bloom shattered our expectations and we highly recommend her as a speaking resource.
– BLACKSTONE ENTREPRENEURIAL NETWORK
I like to give the audience what Lily Tomlin calls the ‘goosebump experience,’ and that experience Molly is what I felt the first time I met you. I was so completely knocked out by your quiet sense of integrity, by your brilliance, by your sly sense of humor…and by the fact that I knew that you would be able to give the audience the ‘goosebump experience.’ There is no better delivery system ever invented for an idea than a story.
– AARON SORKIN - DIRECTOR
In my 15 years here, she’s one of the best speakers we’ve ever had. Her authenticity and connection made all the difference.
– KEVIN ARONSON - Pharmaceutical Company

Booksby Molly Bloom

Molly's Game

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Blog Posts

 

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When we step into a truly well-designed event, every detail—from the moment we first click...

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Life’s only constant is change—and keynote speaker April Rinne helps us not just cope but...

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

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