Diana Nyad

Diana Nyad

Keynote Speaker: World Champion Swimmer & First Person to Swim from Cuba to Florida; Author, Sports Journalist & Broadcaster; Co-Founder, BravaBody & EverWalk

Diana Nyad Biography

Diana Nyad, an author, journalist, motivational speaker, and long-distance swimmer achieved a significant milestone on September 2, 2013, when she swam from Cuba to Florida, becoming the first person to accomplish this feat. Her record-breaking swim spanned 110.86 miles and took 52 hours, 54 minutes, and 18 seconds to complete.

Nyad has been a prominent sports journalist for over thirty years, contributing to National Public Radio, The New York Times, and other publications. She became a nationwide sensation in 1975 when she swam 28 miles around the island of Manhattan in just under 8 hours, breaking a 48-year-old record. She has authored four books, including "Other Shores," "Basic Training for Women," "Boss of Me: The Keyshawn Johnson Story," and "Find a Way," which received global acclaim.

In addition to her writing and swimming accomplishments, Nyad is known for her captivating public speaking abilities. She has filled theater seats with her one-woman play, “The Swimmer,” at the renowned off-Broadway Minetta Lane Theater. She also co-founded BravaBody, a company providing online exercise advice to women over 40. She reached a broader audience as the host of the public radio program "The Savvy Traveler" from 2001 to 2004 and as a contributor to shows like "CBS News Sunday Morning" and "Dancing with the Stars."

Nyad's life and achievements have inspired many, including filmmakers. Her 2013 feat and partnership with Bonnie Stoll were dramatized in the 2023 film "Nyad," which starred Annette Bening in the lead role. Bening's portrayal of Nyad earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Nyad's swim was also the subject of a short documentary, "Diana," by WIGS in 2012.

Nyad has continued to inspire and motivate many through her nationwide walking initiative, EverWalk, which she launched along with her friend and Cuba Swim expedition leader, Bonnie Stoll. EverWalk aims to encourage Americans to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle. This initiative subsequently launched OceansCommit, which aims to reduce single-use plastic by hosting walks along shorelines.

Nyad's contributions to the world of sports and her perseverance have been recognized with several accolades. She has been inducted into the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame and the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, among other Halls of Fame, and received the first ESPN Sports Science Newton Award and the L.A. Sports Council's Athlete of the Year award.

Today, Nyad continues to be an influential figure, using her platform to advocate for LGBTQ rights, having openly shared her sexual orientation and experiences with childhood sexual abuse. She has also used her experiences to support victims of Hurricane Sandy, raising funds through her "Swim for Relief" event in 2013.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Diana Nyad and other top speakers and celebrities.

Diana Nyad Speaking Topics

What Swimming 110 Miles in Shark-Infested Waters Taught Me About Teamwork

At the age of 64, Diana Nyad emerged onto the sands of Key West after swimming from Cuba to Florida in an epic feat of both endurance and human will.

From the dedicated crew who navigated the waters to the expert nutritionists who fueled her body to the motivational coaches who kept her spirits high, Diana credits her success to the unwavering synergy of her team.

In this conversation, Diana shares powerful examples of teamwork from her years-long pursuit of this goal while also discussing how to assemble a high-performance team and how to face challenges with a resilient mindset.

Never, Ever Give Up

At age 60, having not swum a stroke in decades, Hall of Fame swimmer Diana Nyad began planning for her white whale of distance swims: the 110-mile ocean crossing between Cuba and Florida. She’d tried it once, in her 20s, and severe jellyfish attacks had defeated her then. With a new commitment to her vision, she attempted it again and accomplished this incredible feat 30 years after she failed to complete it before.

In this moving conversation, Diana shows us that it is never too late to chase our dreams and shares the key steps we all need to take in order to accomplish our goals, no matter how big.

Diana Nyad Videos

NYAD | Official Trailer | Netflix
Diana Nyad | The High-Performance Teamwork That Helped Her Make History

How do I book Diana Nyad to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Diana Nyad for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Diana Nyad, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Diana Nyad or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Diana Nyad for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Diana Nyad, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire Diana Nyad, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Diana Nyad speak about?

Diana Nyad is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Christian Athletes, Inspirational, Sports Motivation, Swimming & Diving, Adventure, Personal Growth, Health, Athlete, Motivational, Storytelling, Women's Health, Healthcare, TED, Fitness, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Authors, College, Commencement, Women, Literary, Sports, Female Leadership, Influential Women, Business, Women's History Month, Christian and Overcoming Adversity.

Where does Diana Nyad travel from?

Diana Nyad generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Diana Nyad?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Diana Nyad for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Diana Nyad for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Diana Nyad or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Diana Nyad is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Christian Athletes, Inspirational and Sports Motivation. Please contact us for live or virtual event fee details. Diana Nyad generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Bethany Hamilton, Lisa Leslie and Shannon Miller. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Diana Nyad for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/09/2024.

Diana Nyad Speaking Topics

  • What Swimming 110 Miles in Shark-Infested Waters Taught Me About Teamwork

    At the age of 64, Diana Nyad emerged onto the sands of Key West after swimming from Cuba to Florida in an epic feat of both endurance and human will.

    From the dedicated crew who navigated the waters to the expert nutritionists who fueled her body to the motivational coaches who kept her spirits high, Diana credits her success to the unwavering synergy of her team.

    In this conversation, Diana shares powerful examples of teamwork from her years-long pursuit of this goal while also discussing how to assemble a high-performance team and how to face challenges with a resilient mindset.

  • Never, Ever Give Up

    At age 60, having not swum a stroke in decades, Hall of Fame swimmer Diana Nyad began planning for her white whale of distance swims: the 110-mile ocean crossing between Cuba and Florida. She’d tried it once, in her 20s, and severe jellyfish attacks had defeated her then. With a new commitment to her vision, she attempted it again and accomplished this incredible feat 30 years after she failed to complete it before.

    In this moving conversation, Diana shows us that it is never too late to chase our dreams and shares the key steps we all need to take in order to accomplish our goals, no matter how big.

Diana Nyad Videos

NYAD | Official Trailer | Netflix
Diana Nyad | The High-Performance Teamwork That Helped Her Make History

Diana Nyad Reviews

  • LifeSOULutions That Work, LLC - Oct 27 2021

  • Brave Thinking Institute - Jun 15 2021

  • “Diana was fantastic and truly one of the most dynamic and energizing people I’ve ever met. Her almost 90-minute presentation was awesome and there was, of course, a rousing and heartfelt standing ovation. No surprise there! We had a long line for the book signing as well! What a remarkable person!!"”
    University of California, Santa Barbara - Dec 09 2015

  • I literally went through a roller coaster of emotions listening to her speak. In my opinion, she is the most inspirational speaker I've ever listened to. Also as we all know there are 2 parts to a speech, content and delivery. She nailed both!
    Bank of America - Jun 23 2015

  • Huge standing ovation when she walked onto the stage! Diana was warm, engaging and so darn funny! The audience loved her, and she had them in the palm of her hand every step of the way.
    SCA Americas - Sep 05 2014

Diana Nyad News

  • How do I book Diana Nyad to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Diana Nyad for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Diana Nyad, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Diana Nyad or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Diana Nyad for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Diana Nyad, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire Diana Nyad, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Diana Nyad speak about?

  • Where does Diana Nyad travel from?

    Diana Nyad generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Diana Nyad?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Diana Nyad for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Diana Nyad for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Diana Nyad or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
BOOKING INFORMATION REQUEST
DIANA NYAD

We are happy to assist you with your interest in booking a speaker or celebrity for your event, your organization, and the type of talent you would like to secure, and an agent will be in touch shortly.

Fill out the form below to or call us at 1-800-698-2536 if need immediate assistance.

Tell us about your event!

We respond to most inquiries within 4 hours. Under special circumstances, it may take up to 24 hours.


This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.