Book Kelly for your school or event
U.S. Olympian speaker
At the age of six, Kelly knew she wanted to be an Olympian. However, she could never have predicted the challenges she would face to get there.
Kelly defied all odds to become a U.S. Olympian. Today, her story of achievement inspires others to persevere, dream big, and succeed.
Choosing the "Comeback"
Despite having a learning disability as a student, facing obstacles in her skating career, and nearly losing her entire foot on the ice in a double compound fracture, Kelly found a way to come back each time - earning her the nickname, “The Comeback Kid.”
By 2014, against the odds, she achieved her dream as a long track speed skater for the U.S. Olympic Team.
Kelly's presentation
Choosing the "Comeback" teaches students the “how” of success, no matter what obstacles they may face. Students will learn the skills and mindset it takes to be resilient, navigate challenges with strength, and achieve their own goals. Further, Kelly’s story inspires students to persevere and dream big.
*This keynote is fully customizable for professional and corporate audiences!
Motivation, hope, and encouragement
Tips to maintain a positive mindset
How to see opportunities versus limitations
Perseverance and the power of choices
Kelly has an impactful story to share
Most popular audiences
- Middle/High Schools
- Colleges/Universities
- Student Athletes
- Educators
- Conferences and Event
Additional topics
- Motivation for Athletes
- Special Education
- Growing Up Without a Parent
- Women/Girls’ Empowerment
- Custom Talks by Request
What clients say
When I met Kelly she was a 7 th grader in my special education language arts classroom. I was her teacher and specifically helped her with her reading and writing disability. I remember being impressed when she told me that she wanted to skate in the Olympics one day!
While most students have hefty but unrealistic goals at that age, I could tell that Kelly was exceptional. She was sweet, shy and embarrassed of her disability, yet showed the confidence that told me her goals were possible! Kelly absolutely knew how to work hard at what she wanted!
While Kelly worked hard with her skating coaches, she worked equally as hard with her academics and made solid improvements that year.
Kelly and I have remained friends ever since that 7th grade year, and I have been privileged to watch my student preserver, overcoming enormous adversity as an athlete; physically overcoming a potentially career ending injury, and also as a person with a learning disability.
It was an honor having one of my students represent our country on the 2014 US Olympic Team, but by far one of the most rewarding moments of my teaching career, was watching Kelly be the keynote speaker and deliver one of the most powerful, inspiring speeches, I have ever heard at her high school’s 2014 graduation. The topic: “Always believe in yourself “.
It is a point of pride as her teacher, watching Kelly re-purposing her motivation from skating to speaking in order inspire young people, and positively impact the world. Kelly’s message of overcoming challenges truly makes her a “Comeback Kid”!