Li Cunxin's (Lee Schwin Sing) journey is simply remarkable. He was born into utter poverty in Mao's communist China, and, at a very young age, he was selected to train in Madame Mao's Beijing Dance Academy. So began Li's journey.
The inspirational story of Li's life is recounted in his memoir Mao's Last Dancer which quickly rose to No. 1 on the Australian Non-Fiction Best-Seller List. It went on to become an international bestseller. It's in the 51st reprint and is now a featured film.
All he had was a flimsy pocketknife, but it worked. Aron Ralston will share his harrowing survival story and the leadership lessons learned in his recent experience of beating unbeatable odds. Millions of Americans have been inspired by his story and his book, which was on the New York Times bestseller list for four months,continues to get rave reviews.
Find out how many corporations and organizations around the world are inspiring their clients and employees through Aron's story.
Aron's incredible story is the basis for the upcoming film "127 Hours" starring James Franco.
In 1976, Vince Papale’s life changed. Philadelphia Eagles' first year head coach Dick Vermeil invited some locals to an open tryout for the team. Some thought it was nothing more than a publicity stunt. At the time, Vince was a school teacher and part-time bartender, and was encouraged by some family and friends to try out. He ran a 4.5 40-yard dash, a world-class time! Coach Vermeil offered Vince a contract on the spot, but this 30-year-old walk-on still had to make the team. Vince overcame tremendous odds to become the oldest rookie in the history of the NFL.
In 2006, Vince’s life changed again. His football story was the inspiration for the Disney movie "INVINCIBLE." That movie has once again encouraged Vince to reinvent himself into one of the country’s top motivational speakers.
The epic story of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger will forever be known as one of the greatest moments in sports history.
The son of an oil refinery worker and third of fourteen children, Rudy Ruettiger chose resiliency and strength over discouragement and despair. Armed with a fierce determination, Rudy was able to achieve a lifelong dream - to attend Notre Dame University and play football for the Fighting Irish. As fans cheered his name, he sacked the quarterback in the twenty-seven seconds of the only play of his college football career! The stadium was electrified, and he was carried off the field on the shoulders of his teammates.
Keni Thomas, Bronze Star for Valor recipient, is an engaging speaker whose story captivates audiences from beginning to end. The highly successful movie "Black Hawk Down" is based on his Army company’s mission in Mogadishu, Somalia. In addition to speaking, Thomas is a national recording artist with two critically acclaimed projects.
Keni Thomas engages audiences from beginning to end with his captivating saga. Drawn from his experiences in Mogodishu, Somalia, Thomas' presentations stress the importance of leadership, teamwork and the importance of training. His message of "Train as you fight - Fight as you train" emphasizes continued improvement and training as vital steps to success in battle and in life.
Jim Morris' Cinderella story is testimony to the power of dreams and their ability to inspire and transform human life. His story is the subject of the blockbuster film from Walt Disney, "The Rookie," starring Dennis Quaid.
Originally a top prospect, Jim Morris's career in baseball was derailed by injuries. He got married, raised a family and eventually became a high school baseball coach. At the age of 35, Jim made a bet with his struggling high school baseball team: If they won the district championship, he would go try out for a major league team. Miraculously, his team won the championship and Jim went to a tryout. Three months later, Jim realized his long-lost dream of becoming a major league player when he struck out All Star Royce Clayton in his first major league appearance.
The inspirational story of Devon Harris' personal triumph over adversity has been watched by millions in the Disney hit movie, "Cool Runnings". Chronicling his journey from the slums of Kingston, Jamaica to the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, England, the amazing story behind Jamaica's first Winter Olympic team continues to captivate and challenge audiences around the globe.
The unbelievable story remains remarkable - a band of misfit Jamaican athletes unite to form the country's first bobsled team to compete in the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. Although the movie captured the heart and experiences of the team, the personal story of Devon Harris is itself a tale fit for Hollywood. Devon refused to accept the limitations placed on him by birth and society and chose to live a life free of the word "impossible."
Mike Eruzione served as the enthusiastic captain that led the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team to its gold medal victory. He scored the winning goal against the Russians in the second-to-last game—the goal and game that stunned the world.
He was a member of the United States National Team in 1976. After graduation, he played for two years with the Toledo Gold Diggers of the International Hockey League, maintaining his amateur status. There, he was voted the McKenzie Award Winner. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding American-born hockey player in the League.
The following season, Mike Eruzione was chosen to join the U.S. Olympic Team as the left wing. He was elected captain by his teammates.