John Register

Inspirational Speaker, Trainer & Coach

John Register

Inspirational Speaker, Trainer & Coach

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Biography

John Register is a two-time Paralympian, Paralympic Games Silver Medalist, Persian Gulf War veteran, and TEDx Motivational Speaker. He embraced a “new normal mindset” in becoming an amputee following a misstep over a hurdle while training for the 1996 Olympic Games, after participation in two consecutive Olympic trials.

An Oak Park, Ill. native, Register discovered how to “amputate his fear of disability” and founded the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Military Sport Program in the early 2000s. He launched a book titled: 10 Stories to Impact Any Leader: Journal Your Way to Leadership Success, as business leaders return to work with their staff amid stressful circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic and the recent unrest in our urban cities.

Register teaches business professionals through his “Hurdling Adversity” speeches and podcasts to “amputate fear and embrace their new normal,” as they discover “stories within themselves.” He finds that “it is the personal stories that inspire teams more profoundly with greater impact.”

Register is a four-time All-American graduate of University of Arkansas. He served six years in the U.S. Arm —including in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and in active-duty with the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program—winning nine gold medals in the Armed Services Competition and two World Military Championships.

Register had his left leg amputated after a misstep over a hurdle changed his life. Register hyperextended his knee and severed the popliteal artery. He started swimming to aid in his recovery, made the U.S. Paralympic Team in 1996, and later won a silver medal in the long jump—as he set an American record—and sprinted to fifth in the 100 meters and 200 meters at the U.S. Paralympic Games in Sydney.

Register resides in Colorado Springs, CO with his wife Alice. The couple have three children - John Jr., Ashley, and Ronald.

Speaker Videos

The Other Side of Fear: John Register Speaker Demo Reel

Speech Topics

Amputate to Amplify: Transform Adversity into Advantage

It seems as if there are so many reports that stress, burnout, and isolation have become the hidden adversaries of progress; how do we cut through the noise and transform adversity into our greatest advantage? This question lies at the heart of an epidemic plaguing leaders and teams in today’s high-stakes business environment. Despite efforts to bridge the gap, a profound perception divide persists, underscoring a critical disconnect between executive actions and employee realities.

Enter “Amputate to Amplify: Transform Adversity Into Advantage,” a keynote designed to address this chasm and provide a potent solution. Come on a journey with award-winning keynote speaker John Register, CSP, who embodies resilience, transformation, and triumph. This presentation is a masterclass redefining the narrative of mental preparation and fortitude in the face of burnout, exhaustion, and extreme overwhelm.

Champions Mindset: Olympic Lessons for Business Success

Elite sports are a high-stakes world. Athletes are battling opponents and contending with the rigorous demands of mental preparation. This grueling journey involves overcoming isolation, loneliness, and the ever-looming specter of burnout. Imagine the relentless pursuit of excellence, where the thin line between triumph and defeat is physical prowess and robust mental fortitude. The path to the podium is fraught with challenges that test every fiber of an athlete’s being, requiring physical endurance and a resilient mindset equipped with strategies for prevention, reset, and recovery.

Introducing “Champions Mindset: Olympic Lessons for Business Success,” a program where the gritty reality of athletic preparation meets the competitive business world. Led by keynote speaker John Register, a decorated athlete with an illustrious career spanning Olympic trials, All-American honors, and Paralympic victories, as well as corporate leadership expertise as a CEO of a multimillion-dollar non-profit organization, this session bridges the gap between the athletic arena and business success.

Bank Your Bottom Line: The Business Case for People with Disabilities in the Workplace

In an era where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are at the forefront of corporate agendas, there exists a pivotal yet often overlooked opportunity that champions social justice and significantly enhances business performance. This untapped potential lies within the disability community, a segment of the workforce that, despite possessing immense talent and determination, remains underrepresented and undervalued. John Register’s keynote, “Bank Your Bottom Line: The Business Case for People with Disabilities in the Workplace,” illuminates this path, marrying moral imperative with strategic business advantage.

Misconceptions and missed opportunities mar the narrative surrounding employment for people with disabilities. With an unemployment rate that starkly contrasts with that of the non-disabled population, the disparity not only highlights a social equity issue but also signals a vast reservoir of untapped potential within our labor market. This gap represents not a challenge but an opportunity for businesses to lead with innovation and inclusivity.