
For your March meeting in Park City, you mentioned wanting a speaker who can bring a championship mentality—ideally from an Olympic-level performer—and show how they eliminate the noise to achieve greatness, then translate that directly into how a company can drive exceptional, sustained growth.
With that in mind, I curated speakers who don’t just have an inspiring athletic story—they each deliver a clear performance framework your team can apply in a business setting: how to stay focused when priorities compete, how to build elite habits that compound, and how to align teams around “standards” that produce winning results.
Below are several strong options.
Johnny Quinn is a U.S. Olympian in bobsled and a former professional football player—one of only three athletes in history to compete in both the NFL and the Winter Olympics. His journey from repeated rejection in professional football to representing Team USA on the Olympic stage is a powerful case study in discipline, readiness, and elite performance under pressure.
Johnny is the author of PUSH: Breaking Through the Barriers and the creator of the P.U.S.H. framework, a practical system that helps teams stay focused, adaptable, and prepared for opportunity before it arrives. His work has been featured by ESPN, CNN, ABC, FOX, NBC, TIME, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal.
Known for his high-energy delivery and tactical insights, Johnny works with organizations across industries to translate Olympic-level habits—focus, resilience, teamwork, and execution—into everyday business performance. He lives in Texas with his wife and two children and is widely regarded as one of the most effective Olympian speakers bridging sport and business.

Speaker Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80gnSPnq9B8&t=69s
Gravity Speakers Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/johnny-quinn
Speaker Website - https://www.johnnyquinnusa.com/
Johnny is the cleanest match to your “Olympian mindset → business growth” brief. His story is not about motivation alone—it’s about staying ready, eliminating distractions, and executing when opportunity appears. The same discipline required to compete at the Olympic level becomes a practical roadmap for organizations navigating market pressure, competing priorities, and the need for consistent performance.
Every high-achieving team faces unexpected moments that test everything they’ve got—their discipline, their focus, and their self-belief. When the stakes are high and the outcome uncertain, how do you not just survive the season, but stay ready for what’s next?
From NFL locker rooms to the Olympic starting line, Johnny Quinn learned that readiness isn’t luck. It’s built through the right mindset and daily disciplines that prepare you for opportunity before it even arrives at your door.
In this relatable and instantly applicable talk, he reveals the P.U.S.H. framework that turns great teams into unstoppable ultra performers.
AUDIENCES LEARN HOW TO:
"Johnny delivered an amazing presentation at our hybrid Annual Awards Gala which completely captivated both in-person and virtual audiences! We had rave reviews from attendees and a constant stream of positive comments in the virtual platform chat during Johnny’s presentation. Johnny not only has a unique story to tell, but he delivers it in a way to keep you completely engaged–hanging onto each word as his story and message unfolds. Johnny is a wonderful professional to work with and will deliver 100% on your expectations!" -Juli Richards, Executive Director, Murphy Chamber of Commerce
"Each year our 500+ membership gears up for the year with a banquet including dinner, business awards, entertainment, scholarship recognitions and a motivational keynote speech for the event finale. Johnny was absolutely fabulous and exceeded our expectations! The crowd was engaged during the entire message as Johnny genuinely delivered with passion and high energy! The JQ team was personable and easy to collaborate with during the planning of our event's logistics. The event audience included industries from staffing levels of 1 to 1,500 employees, and all guests were beyond impressed as Johnny was able to relate to everyone in the room. He was intentional with his time spent kindly autographing his book for attendees at the conclusion of our program. We highly recommend Johnny Quinn as a keynote speaker for any size or type of organization!" - Alissa Cady, Executive Director - Greater Hewitt COC
Leslie Maxie is a 1988 U.S. Olympian and the Founder of Maxie Media Group, where she has built a career advising leaders and organizations that operate under visibility, expectation, and pressure. Her professional journey spans elite competition, journalism, and strategic advisory work—an uncommon combination that positions her to speak not only about individual high performance, but about how performance becomes sustainable through standards, culture, and clarity.
After competing for Team USA, Leslie became a media professional and interviewer of high-profile figures across sports and entertainment, giving her a front-row seat to how top performers think, prepare, and communicate. Over time, she transitioned into advisory work, supporting executives and organizations with leadership presence, strategic communication, and performance under pressure—work that demands composure, precision, and the ability to make complex moments simple.
On stage, Leslie’s value is in helping organizations “operationalize” the Olympic mindset. She doesn’t treat excellence as hype; she treats it as a system: standards, decision discipline, and cultural expectations that make execution repeatable. For Ford, she’s a strong fit when the goal is to connect championship mentality to how leaders build an environment where teams perform consistently and growth becomes a predictable output of the culture.
Speaker Reel - https://vimeo.com/880607820?fl=pl&fe=sh
Gravity Speakers Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/leslie-maxie
Speaker Website - https://maxiemediagroup.com/
As an international keynote speaker, Leslie discusses how to achieve excellence in any field. A record-holding track & field Olympian, Maxie shows how that mindset propelled her through the rest of her career! Leslie uses this “Olympic Mindset” framework to train audiences around the globe, helping them to achieve their full potential.
"I always knew you were the perfect person to host this series, but last night it became crystal clear why that is so. Thank you for the professionalism, intelligence, compassion and grace you brought to the conversation. We were blessed to have you on our stage. I look forward to many more special evenings." - David DiCerto, Director of Programming, Sheen Center
Angela Gargano is a keynote speaker, six-time American Ninja Warrior competitor, Miss Fitness America, and former biochemist turned performance coach. Her work is rooted in the intersection of high-performance athletics and human behavior—making her particularly effective for organizations looking to translate “mindset” into execution without turning it into cliché.
Angela’s turning point came when she tore her ACL live on national television. Instead of treating that as an ending, she used it to rebuild her identity and approach to performance—ultimately creating the RIGHT™ Framework, a system designed to help people navigate uncertainty, break through hesitation and perfectionism, and take aligned action even when conditions aren’t ideal. She later built a successful coaching business rooted in resilience, adaptability, and action.
For Ford, Angela’s distinct contribution is her focus on the internal noise that derails execution: fear of getting it wrong, overthinking, avoidance, and burnout patterns that quietly reduce velocity. Her talks blend science-informed thinking with high-energy storytelling and practical application, positioning her as a strong option when Ford wants an action bias and immediate “Monday-ready” takeaways.
Speaker Reel - https://vimeo.com/1151658606?fl=pl&fe=vl
Gravity Speakers Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/angela-gargano
Speaker Website - https://www.angela-gargano.com/
What if, instead of focusing on what could go wrong, you started asking: What if it all goes right?
Angela Gargano teaches individuals and teams how to shift from hesitation to high performance using her RIGHT Framework:
This proven system empowers people to navigate uncertainty, embrace change/failures, build resilience, and take bold action—even before they feel ready.
Instead of being paralyzed by worst-case scenario thinking, they gain the tools to adapt, innovate, and turn challenges into opportunities. By focusing on what’s possible, rather than what’s preventable, they unlock a mindset that fuels growth, confidence, and long-term success.
The result? Stronger leadership, greater adaptability, and the ability to take decisive action—again and again.
This keynote is more than just motivation—it’s a battle-tested strategy for resilience, leadership, and achieving impossible goals.
When most people stop, you will keep going, growing, and leading.
“Angela is an innovative content creator who knows her audience inside and out. Her passionate dedication shines through in everything she does, and it’s always a rewarding experience to collaborate with her as we create fun and informative content for our Women’s Health platforms. I would thoroughly recommend working with Angela in any capacity.” - Amanda Lucci, Audience Engagement Manager, Women's Health Magazine
"Angela sure knows how to engage, entertain and inspire an audience! We invited her to come speak at our 2022 Women in Leadership Conference by EmpowHer and she brought the HEAT! Over 150 women were amazed by her story and ability to provide actionable steps that related to their lives. Since the event we have gotten countless positive feedback asking for her to come back. I would recommend Angela 1000x over to be a speaker. She not only provided valuable content but also helped us grow as a company." - Sam Conway, Founders, Konnecther Community for Female Entrepreneurs
Chris Bertish is a globally recognized big-wave surfer, Mavericks champion, Guinness World Record holder, best-selling author, and extreme endurance pioneer. He is best known for completing a 4,660-mile solo, unsupported stand-up paddle crossing of the Atlantic Ocean—an achievement that demanded long-term focus, psychological endurance, and disciplined execution through unpredictable conditions.
Chris’s work sits at the intersection of performance and purpose. Beyond sport, he is an award-winning filmmaker, philanthropist, conservationist, and business leader whose projects have raised money and awareness for humanitarian and environmental causes. His recognition as a Genius 100 Global Visionary reinforces the broader influence of his achievements and mission.
For Ford, Chris is a compelling choice when the organization wants a keynote that expands what leaders believe is possible, while grounding the message in preparation, discipline, and consistent execution. His story is not about adrenaline—it’s about sustained focus over time, the ability to eliminate noise when conditions are chaotic, and what happens when a team commits “all in” to a goal that demands excellence.


Speaker Video - https://vimeo.com/723858135?fl=pl&fe=sh
Gravity Speakers Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/chris-bertish
Speaker Website - https://chrisbertish.com/
A talk about what it takes to succeed in anything- a project, a start up, a goal.. going “All In!” is not just a phrase, it’s a philosophy. A code for achieving anything against all odds, when everything is on the line and success is the only option.
What it takes, from mindset and attitude, the planning and preparation of your team, and the resilience needed to achieve anything, even the seemingly impossible!
Chris rides waves the size of four-story buildings for fun. He won the Maverick’s Big Wave International surfing event in the biggest waves ever recorded in the history of the sport.
He holds the South African Open Ocean Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) 24-hour Distance World Record.
Chris is living proof that if you truly believe in something, set your sights on your goal – no matter how big – if you work hard at it, stay focused and never give up, you can achieve anything.
The Maverick’s Big Wave Story tells the tale of how a regular working guy from South Africa manages to get halfway around the globe to win the prestigious Maverick’s competition (TITANS OF MAVERICKS), the world’s premiere, high adrenaline, big wave surfing event, overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles along the way, against all odds.
“He's an expert on shifting his comfort zone, and it's clear through his public speaking that he is right in his comfort zone. He teaches on finding your greatest potential, and coming from such a legend as Chris, I was left feeling empowered to evaluate where in my life I could more intentionally "dial it up" and follow my passions. If there's ever an attitude for gratitude that should be shared on a big stage (or virtual event), then Chris' story is one for the records. This was one of our most successful talks at Salesforce.” - Kelly Cowden - Industry Events & Sponsors, Salesforce
“Everyone is just raving about your talk. Your story is truly outstanding and is told with humility, insight and humour, which is woven into a spellbinding narrative. As a motivational talk, I cannot fault it!” - Paul Boynton, Alternative Investments
Justin Wren is a former professional MMA fighter, humanitarian leader, and the Founder & CEO of Fight For The Forgotten (FFTF). Known in the ring as “The Big Pygmy,” Justin’s journey to elite performance was forged through adversity from an early age. Mercilessly bullied as a child, he transformed himself physically and mentally into a champion fighter, ultimately competing on some of the biggest stages in mixed martial arts.
Yet at the height of his athletic success, Justin found himself internally broken—battling chronic injuries, painkiller addiction, depression, and ultimately attempting suicide. Though he was winning professionally, he questioned whether his accomplishments truly mattered. That internal reckoning led him to one of the most remote places on earth, living among the Mbuti Pygmy people in the Congo Basin rainforest—some of the most marginalized communities in the world.
That experience fundamentally reshaped Justin’s definition of greatness. He returned to competition with purpose and founded Fight For The Forgotten, an organization that has since provided more than 52,000 people with access to clean drinking water, replanted thousands of trees, secured land ownership for indigenous communities, and helped 1,800 individuals escape slavery. What began as personal redemption evolved into a global impact platform grounded in focus, accountability, and disciplined action.
Today, Justin speaks to organizations around the world about ultimate focus, resilience, and purpose-driven performance. His message resonates powerfully with leaders and teams navigating pressure, uncertainty, and distraction—helping them understand how eliminating internal and external noise allows individuals and organizations to perform at their best and create impact that lasts.

Speaker Reel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb4TPSZS4zY
Gravity Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/justin-wren
Website: https://www.justinwrenspeaks.com/
A once prominent UFC fighter, Justin emerged from a near death experience, found purpose through service to others, and now stands as a force for good on the international humanitarian stage. The visionary Founder and CEO of Fight For The Forgotten, his organization has provided life-changing clean water, housing, healthcare, land ownership and freedom from slavery for thousands of the world’s most disadvantaged people.
In his inspiring keynote, From the Ring to the Rainforest: Leadership Principles from an Ultimate Fighter’s Remarkable Journey, he unveils the rollercoaster of his life – from headlining MMA (UFC) fights in front of capacity crowds in Las Vegas, to plummeting into the abyss of addiction, and ultimately, to his extraordinary redemption deep in the jungles of Africa helping those most in need. With raw vulnerability and emotion, he narrates how one flawed man, grappling with his own insignificance, discovered the power to create change, one person, one life, at a time.
People leave Justin’s presentation revived in the belief that their own work matters. Their personal individual efforts can create meaningful impact. No matter your place on the corporate ladder, everyone’s effort matters in the mission of the company or organization. He is not asking the audience to pursue a life of service, not at all, that is his calling. Instead, he reminds people that you are never out of the fight, you can always get back up, and that big impact can occur one drop at a time.
Audiences travel with Justin to the remote Congo Basin Rain Forest for a rare insider’s view of the Mbuti Pygmy people, where they laugh, cry, and stand up and cheer as they bear witness to an improbable yet profoundly inspiring tale of redemption – a testament to the enduring power of second chances.
Depending on the company or industry he is speaking to, the purpose of the event, and a client’s specific requests, Justin will frame two or three other key takeaway messages into his presentation around the themes of:
In Justin’s breakout keynote, he shares his personal story from humble beginnings in rural Texas and a childhood shaped by relentless bullying. He eventually rose to mixed martial arts stardom, fighting in front of thousands in person and millions around the world, only to lose it all to drugs and depression. But he fought back again, first on behalf of other victims of bullying, and later, through an almost unbelievable turn of events, on behalf of the Pygmy people of the Congo and Uganda. A three-time survivor of malaria, Justin has fought opponents both large and small throughout his life, and along the way he has evolved into astonishing force for good in the world.
Justin takes audiences through an exploration of the power of service, the profound difference we can make in the lives of others, and the ripple effect that extends far beyond what we can imagine – including the transformation that occurs within ourselves when we choose to live purposefully and serve selflessly. He also unravels the secrets of the Overcomer’s mindset, the unyielding spirit that separates the victors from the defeated. Audiences will learn how to transform pain into fuel, setbacks into comebacks, and doubts into unwavering belief—in order to overcome obstacles and win this fight called life.
“Justin’s message of perseverance, fighting for what you believe in & incredible resilience was truly a game changer for our program, our founders, and for me personally. No matter the industry or where you are in life, everyone can learn from this incredible human. I cannot recommend Justin highly enough. 10/10!” - Daniel Weigand, Cofounder, Draper Inc.
“I didn’t expect an MMA Fighter to have me in tears. I guarantee every human will leave changed for the better having heard The Big Pygmy’s talk.” - Jason Cox, YPO President
“He’s changed my spectrum, my spectrum of what’s possible.” - Joe Rogan, Comedian & Podcast Host