Dean delivered a fantastic keynote presentation. His stage presence and engagement with the audience was captivating. The way he wove his personal story about paralysis into his message of being a selfless inspiration for others was incredibly powerful and left a lasting impression. While I was genuinely proud of how he handled the presentation, I was also elated with how he raised everyone's energy in the room.
Dean Otto
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Charlotte, NC
Dean Otto
Biography
DEAN OTTO is a speaker, athlete, and former sales executive who transformed a 2% chance of walking again into a powerful message of belief in action. After a life-altering accident left him paralyzed from the waist down, Dean didn’t just recover—he rebuilt. One year later, he ran a half-marathon alongside the man who hit him and the neurosurgeon who helped him heal.
His story has inspired millions—not just because of what happened, but because of how he showed up. Today, Dean blends decades of corporate leadership experience with lived resilience to help teams activate belief, overcome adversity, and nish what matters most.
Dean Otto
Featured Keynote Program
Finish the Ride
The Power of Belief at Work and in Life
If your belief is strong enough, the odds don’t matter.
This isn’t just a comeback story—it’s a masterclass in belief, mindset, and human connection.
One moment can change everything. For Dean, it was a devastating cycling accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down and given a 2% chance of ever walking again. But Dean never placed his hope in statistics—he placed it in belief.
Backed by faith, discipline, and an extraordinary care team, Dean defied the odds. One year later, he ran a half marathon alongside the man who hit him and the surgeon who helped him heal. His story has since been featured on The Ellen Show, TODAY, ABC World News Tonight, and People Magazine—and in his book 2% Chance.
Dean Otto
Featured Book
2% Chance: A Journey In Resilience, Recovery, And Rebirth
by Dean Otto
One devastating accident. A 2 percent chance of ever walking again. Three lives intertwined forever.
Accidents happen. But what if you were involved in an accident so horrific that it left you with a 98 percent chance of permanent paralysis? Would you lose faith? Lose hope? Would you find yourself angry and resentful? Or would you find the courage to forgive? What if you had been the driver of the truck? Or the neurosurgeon faced with putting a man’s life back together as his window of hope to ever walk again rapidly closed?
These three men were faced with such a scenario one steamy Charlotte morning after Dean Otto was accidentally run down by a truck while out for a bike ride. As he lay there broken on Providence Road, his spine shattered, unable to move his lower half, Dean knew his life would be changed forever. But he could never have imagined the journey to come, or the deep bonds he would form with the man who hit him and the doctor who healed him.
Featured on Ellen and the Today show, Dean Otto’s miraculous journey has already inspired millions. This is a story of hope, inspiration, and the power of forgiveness. It’s about the lives of three men becoming forever intertwined because of the choices they made to lean into a single moment of their lives―to allow the best of humanity to shine. And to light the way for others.
Dean Otto
Featured Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to some of the most common questions about booking Dean Otto for your event.
How do I book Dean Otto for my event?
Booking Dean Otto with Premiere Speakers Bureau is a streamlined 4-step process:
- Availability Check: Contact us with your event date and budget to verify if your desired speaker is available.
- Hold Date: We place a temporary "hold" on the speaker's calendar while you finalize internal approval.
- Contracting: We issue a contract outlining the fee, cancellation policy, and event expectations.
- Logistics: Once signed, our event management team handles all travel booking, itinerary, and AV requirements.
Why should I partner with Premiere Speakers Bureau rather than contacting speakers directly?
Partnering with Premiere Speakers Bureau provides a comprehensive safety net for your event that direct booking cannot match. You get the same speaker for the same price, but with a dedicated team with over 30 years of event experience handling contracts, logistics, and are prepared for any emergency. We know what it takes to run an excellent event.
What makes Premiere Speakers Bureau unique compared to other agencies?
Premiere Speakers Bureau distinguishes itself by having over 30 years of experience while partnering with more than 35,000 events. PSB has also built a streamlined, fully online process that makes booking a speaker, handling travel and payments extremely easy for anyone looking to plan a speaker led event.
How does Premiere Speakers Bureau's 'Zero Cost Service' model work?
Premiere Speakers Bureau operates on a 'Zero Cost Service' model for event planners. Our services—including research, booking, and logistics—are always free to the client. The speaker covers our commission from their standard honorarium as payment for our role in marketing and managing their engagements.
How are speaker fees structured, and what is typically included?
A speaker's fee typically covers the keynote presentation, a pre-event planning call, and standard customization. Travel expenses are usually billed separately.
What are the standard policies for speaker travel and expenses?
Travel expenses are negotiated during contracting. We generally recommend a flat travel fee for simplicity, though we also offer line-by-line invoicing when preferred. PSB ensures these expenses adhere to professional standards, and our Event Portal allows for easy tracking and invoicing.
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