Like a diamond forms under immense pressure, our own character is polished through the challenges we face. These trials, whether personal, societal, or circumstantial, possess the power to transform our weaknesses into strengths. This journey from struggle to strength is a testament to the remarkable potential that is inherent in every individual, and a reminder that even in the face of the darkest trials, the human spirit has the capacity to shine brilliantly.

A person is defined by how they are able to overcome difficulties, and character is built in the life lessons learned from these hardships. These four keynote speakers are an example of how work ethic, unwavering determination, and compassion can enable you to conquer all self-doubt and grow into a stronger, better version of yourself. All four women go beyond simply motivating others to truly inspire audiences to face down even the most strenuous circumstances. Through their remarkable journeys, these women continue to ignite a fire of empowerment, inspiring generations to come.

Robyn Benincasa: Adventure Racer World Champion

Adventure racer and veteran firefighter of San Diego’s first all-women fire crew, Robyn Benincasa, is known for being “all-in” all the time. Benincasa works tirelessly to maintain her physical and mental toughness and prioritized her teammates’ success as much as her own in both of her career paths. She found her fearless passion for adventure racing and endurance sports during her college years, and has since gone on to compete in the world’s most physically and mentally demanding races. From the most extreme landscapes on Earth, Benincasa competed in and won countless intense races in the driest deserts, fastest rivers, and most rural rainforests. Benincasa and her adventuring racing team took home first place in the 2000 Eco-Challenge in Borneo.

In 2007, she was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and was told she may never be able to run again. However, this diagnosis was just another challenge Benincasa would not back down from. After just four months of rehabilitation and a surgery, she triumphantly ran yet another marathon. Today, Benincasa is an expert motivational speaker and the founder of The Project Athena Foundation where she dedicates herself to helping other women revive their athletic dreams, even in the face of medical obstacles. Benincasa applies many of her philosophies to racing and the corporate world, most notably, that a group of ordinary people can accomplish something extraordinary together.

Nicole Malachowski: Survivor and US Air Force Pilot

One of the most impressive pilots the US Air Force has ever seen, Colonel Nicole Malachowski, has been destined to fly her whole life. Malachowski’s flying career started at just 16, when she began pursuing the Junior ROTC Air Force and accruing substantial flight time. Malachowski’s career in USAF was increasingly remarkable as years went on. She faced combat, completed two degrees, and showed true leadership as she bolted up the ranks of a male-dominated industry.
However, her rewarding career was disrupted by a life-threatening tick borne illness: lyme disease. She endured extreme physical and mental challenges that impacted her speech and ability to walk for over nine months. But her mental resilience carried her through this illness and onto the path to recovery.

Since her recovery, Malachowski has stayed true to her unstoppable mentality and used this experience as an opportunity to educate and inspire others. She has gone on to be a White House Fellow, serves on the Board of Directors at the LivLyme Foundation, and is a Patient Advisory Board Member of The Dean Center for Tick Borne Illness. Nicole Malachowski has dedicated much of her life and career to service. She has become a symbol for women everywhere to take risks and push yourself to find your strengths. Malachowski promotes failure and risk as the price of entry for achieving something great and lives by her personal mantra, “nobody wants to lead a scripted life.”

McKenna Reitz: Advocate for Living Authentically

Beloved AP Psychology teacher and coach, McKenna Reitz, is a gifted speaker who refuses to fit inside the rigid box that society attempts to put her in. After the birth of her son, Reitz developed alopecia, an autoimmune disease that caused her to rapidly lose all of hair. After the initial shock of losing her hair, Reitz tried every treatment available and feared how others may react to this new look. Eventually, she found a state of acceptance.

Reitz advocates for waking up each day and refusing to allow conditions that are out of your control define you. Hair does not define who you are. Beauty is subjective. She says that everyone is battling something, so focus on building your character, lean on family and friends in times of struggle, and know that you are enough. Reitz has redefined her relationship with her body and her beauty because she understands that comparison is the thief of joy. She notes that it took time and perspective to embrace her new look, but this condition allowed her to realize her calling to spread her message of self-love to women and children all over the world.

Elizabeth Smart: Abduction Survivor and Advocate

Elizabeth Smart is so much more than an abduction survivor. Her inspirational story of resilience, intelligence, and strength captivated families around the world. On June 5, 2002, 14-year old Smart was abducted from her home in Salt Lake City, Utah. For over nine months, her captors tried to break her spirit and tortured her. Smart struggled tremendously during this time and did not know if she would ever make it back home to her family.

Since her miraculous rescue in 2003, Smart has turned this childhood trauma into her life’s mission. Her recovery did not happen overnight. Now, as an activist, philanthropist, and journalist, Smart has shared her story with a level of transparency and vulnerability that has helped save the lives of thousands of children. Her accomplishments include publishing My Story, a New York Times best-selling novel, to chronicle her experience. Smart and other abduction survivors worked tirelessly to author a survivor’s guide, You’re Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment. This piece is meant to inspire other survivors of abduction and trafficking to find meaning in their life after these events.

Why do we love listening to others tell their stories of resilience? Since humans have been able to communicate, stories have been passed down in generations to share wisdom, ideas and create communities. When life blindsides you with hardship, we turn to others for guidance, strength, and encouragement. It is human nature to lean on each other and learn from each other.

Robyn Benincasa, Nicole Malachowski, McKenna Reitz and Elizabeth Smart are proof that how you handle adversity is far more important than the adversity itself. Bring one of these powerful inspirational speakers to your next event to help your team find their inner strength.