Top 10 Motivational Speakers to Inspire Your Next Event

September 09, 2025

Brian Lord

President

Finding the right motivational speaker can change the trajectory of a conference, corporate retreat or fundraising gala. Whether your goal is to energize a sales team, inspire leaders to take action or remind attendees that it’s possible to overcome adversity, the voices you bring to the stage matter. Below are ten of the most compelling inspirational speakers working today. Each has a unique story and message, and all are available for booking through Premiere Speakers Bureau. Read on to discover which storyteller might light up your next event.

John O’Leary

As a child, John O’Leary survived a fire that burned over 90 percent of his body and left him with less than a one percent chance of survival. His astonishing recovery and the lessons he learned along the way inspired his parents’ book Overwhelming Odds and eventually his own bestseller On Fire. Today John speaks at more than a hundred events a year, weaving humor and vulnerability into a message about choosing courage and gratitude. He also hosts the “Live Inspired” podcast and is the author of In Awe, a call to rediscover childlike wonder. If your audience needs a powerful reminder that adversity can forge purpose, John’s story will resonate.

Ryan Leak

Entrepreneur and leadership coach Ryan Leak is known for turning setbacks into stepping stones. As CEO of a Dallas based leadership development firm, Ryan and his team train over 30,000 leaders every year. His books—including the USA Today bestseller Chasing Failure, the Wall Street Journal bestseller Leveling Up, and his newest release How to Work with Complicated People—help people reframe failure as part of growth. He first made headlines with a viral story in which he proposed and surprised his fiancée with a wedding on the same day, but what keeps audiences engaged is his accessible coaching style and humor. If you want your team to embrace innovation and resilience, Ryan’s message delivers.

Jon Acuff

Jon Acuff has built a career helping people finish what they start. The New York Times bestselling author of ten books—including All It Takes Is a Goal, Finish and Soundtracks—Jon combines research based insights with stand up caliber storytelling. As one of INC Magazine’s Top 100 Leadership Speakers, he has shared the stage with icons such as Dolly Parton and has addressed audiences at FedEx, Microsoft, Chick fil A and dozens of universities. Expect humor, practical strategies for overcoming procrastination and an honest look at the “broken soundtracks” (negative mental loops) that hold people back.

Liz Bohannon

Workplace connection expert Liz Bohannon believes you don’t find your village—you build it. A Top 1% VC backed female founder and bestselling author of Beginner’s Pluck, Liz teaches leaders how to design companies that elevate human connection and unleash teams to reach their full potential. Her Community Quotient™ framework offers a fresh approach to organizational design and has earned recognition from Forbes (Top 20 Public Speaker), B Corp (Best in the World in Building Community) and Bloomberg Businessweek. If you want to foster authentic community and collaboration in your workplace, Liz delivers actionable tactics with heart.

Dr. Damon Friedman

Retired Air Force lieutenant colonel Dr. Damon Friedman spent two decades in special operations, earning three Bronze Stars (one with Valor) and leading elite warriors in Iraq and Afghanistan. He went on to found SOF Missions, a nonprofit that empowers veterans through a holistic approach to wellness. Damon has produced the award winning film Surrender Only to ONE and written the book Igniting Movements, and he now chairs the Veteran Service Alliance while hosting his own podcast. His talks blend electrifying combat stories with lessons on purpose, resilience and faith—a perfect fit for audiences seeking leadership under pressure.

Rebekah Gregory

Rebekah Gregory was standing near the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon when a bomb changed her life forever. After losing her left leg and undergoing dozens of surgeries, she emerged as a symbol of hope and resilience. Today she advocates for trauma survivors through her Rebekah’s Angels Foundation and shares how vulnerability and humor can turn pain into purpose. Her bestselling memoir Taking My Life Back and her engaging keynotes remind audiences that adversity doesn’t define us—it refines us.

Daymond John

Best known as the founder of the streetwear empire FUBU and a long time investor on ABC’s Shark Tank, Daymond John is entrepreneurship personified. He started FUBU with a $100,000 mortgage on his mother’s house and built it into a global lifestyle brand with billions in sales. President Obama later named him a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship. Daymond has won numerous marketing awards and was ranked among Real Leaders’ top keynote speakers for 2024. His six books—including The Power of Broke, Rise and Grind and the children’s book Little Daymond Learns to Earn—offer practical tools for goal setting and brand building. Book him if you’re looking for a high energy session on entrepreneurship, hustle and the “S.H.A.R.K” principles.

Emmitt Smith

A cornerstone of the Dallas Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty, Emmitt Smith is the NFL’s all time leading rusher and a three time Super Bowl champion. Drafted in 1990, he became the first running back to record 11 consecutive seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards and later surpassed Walter Payton’s career rushing record. Emmitt was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010 and selected to the NFL 100 All Time Team. Off the field he has become a successful real estate developer, won season 3 of Dancing With the Stars and authored the book Game On, which shares principles that helped him succeed on and off the field. His keynotes focus on teamwork, perseverance and translating athletic discipline into business success.

Kurt Warner

Before he became a Super Bowl champion, Kurt Warner was stocking grocery shelves and playing in the Arena Football League. Undrafted, he led the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl victory, earning Super Bowl MVP honors, and was named NFL MVP in back to back seasons. He and his wife Brenda founded the First Things First Foundation and later opened Treasure House, a supportive living community for adults with disabilities. His philanthropic work earned him the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award and the Bart Starr Award, and his inspiring life story was adapted into the 2021 film American Underdog. For audiences seeking lessons in perseverance, faith and service, Kurt offers a compelling narrative.

Jocko Willink

Retired Navy SEAL commander Jocko Willink is the co author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Extreme Ownership and co founder of the leadership consultancy Echelon Front. During his 20 year military career he rose from enlisted SEAL to commanding SEAL Team Three’s Task Unit Bruiser, the most decorated special operations unit of the Iraq War. Jocko later developed leadership training for all West Coast SEAL teams and was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star. Since retiring in 2010 he has taught the “laws of combat” to corporate and athletic teams around the world, emphasizing discipline, decentralized command and taking ownership of outcomes. His intense yet practical approach equips leaders to operate under pressure and win.

Ready to take the next step? Each of these speakers offers a unique combination of storytelling, expertise, and actionable insights. If one of them sounds like the right fit for your next conference, visit Premiere Speakers Bureau to check availability and start planning an unforgettable experience.