Mallory Weggemann

Mallory Weggemann

Keynote Speaker: 2020 & 2012 Paralympic Gold Medalist, NBC Sports Winter Paralympics Correspondent, Author, & Equality Activist

Mallory Weggemann Biography

Mallory Weggemann, a Paralympic swimmer, has been involved in competitive swimming since the age of seven. In 2008, a series of epidural injections intended to treat back pain caused by postherpetic neuralgia instead resulted in the complete loss of movement from her abdomen down, making Weggemann a paraplegic.

Three months after her injury at the age of 18, Weggemann chose to return to the pool. Her older sister found an article about the Paralympic Swimming Trials at the University of Minnesota, and with the encouragement of her family, Weggemann attended the meet as a spectator. Still adjusting to her new disability, Weggemann found her love for swimming unchanged.

In less than a year and a half, Weggemann began breaking world records, starting with the 2009 Can Am Speedo Para Swim Meet. Over the next four years, she broke 34 American Records and 15 World Records in the S7 classification and became a twelve-time World Champion. She won multiple gold medals at the IPC Swimming World Championships and a gold and bronze medal at the controversially reclassified S8 category during the 2012 London Paralympic Games. Weggemann's gold medal race in the S8 50-meter freestyle event, set in a new Paralympic record time, was one of the most memorable moments of the 2012 Games and captured the attention of audiences worldwide.

After the London 2012 Games, Weggemann launched a successful career as a motivational speaker while continuing her swimming training. Despite sustaining permanent nerve damage to her left arm in 2014, which threatened her athletic journey, Weggemann fought back with the support of her coach, Steve Van Dyne. She trained for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and represented the United States at the delayed 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, where she won several medals and broke two records. Weggemann has been named to represent the United States at the 2022 World Para Swimming Championships.

Alongside her swimming achievements, Weggemann has been honored with the World Disabled Swimmer of the Year award in 2009 and 2010 and the USA Swimming Disabled Swimmer of the Year award in 2009, 2010, and 2011. She also won the Best Female Athlete with a Disability ESPY Award in 2011. In a significant personal achievement, Weggemann regained the ability to "walk" for the first time in nearly six years with the help of customized leg braces and forearm crutches. Currently residing in Eagan, Minnesota, Weggemann continues to inspire others through her public speaking engagements and her TEDx talk, "Triumph over Tragedy."

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Mallory Weggemann and other top speakers and celebrities.

Mallory Weggemann Speaking Topics

Everything Happens for a Reason

In this touching and poignant presentation, Mallory Weggemann recounts the day she became paralyzed, her initial struggles to cope with her new condition, and how she soon realized she now had a platform to raise awareness for swimmers with disabilities. Weggemann shares moving anecdotes from her personal journal, including how she changed the life of a young girl who was also paralyzed - an incident that allowed her to fully understand why "everything happens for a reason."

Baby Steps: An Intimate Discussion on the Basic Forms of Leadership

Mallory Weggemann breaks down the pillars of leadership into a more simplistic form—baby steps. As she insists that the only way to take a daunting task, a looming challenge, a seemingly unsurmountable obstacle and conquer it is through baby steps themselves. In October 2008, Mallory found her own personal life was focused on change. Through her journey and self-reflection, she discovered that one of the greatest qualities leaders can present is the ability to adapt to change. Mallory’s story appeals to anyone seeking a genuine and, at times, raw examination of one young woman’s journey through grief to the top of the Paralympic medal platform, from being confined to a chair to learning to walk again. Even though her spine will never heal, her spirit is active, captivating and unstoppable.

“You’re the Best, You Can Make a Difference and You Can Change the World”

The phrase spoken to Mallory Weggemann and her sisters by her father every night before they went to bed is something which Mallory lives by every day. Mallory emphasizes that everyone goes through struggles and everyone has some sort of “disability,” some of them just not as obvious as hers. Yet, everyone has the ability to overcome their “disabilities” and make a difference (big or small) in the world. With her unique ability to speak to a packed house, and yet make every individual feel as if they are involved in a personal conversation, Mallory presented a challenge to her audience while speaking at the United Nations in September 2013: “Live your life with passion, with heart, free of fear, hate and judgment, be courageous, and know that in any given moment you can make a difference and you can change the world by your simple actions.”

Personal Story: Everything Happens for a Reason (includes moving anecdotes from personal journals)

Mallory Weggemann discusses the day she became paralyzed back in January 2008, and her initial struggles to cope with the fact that everything she knew for nearly 19 years of her life changed in literally the blink of an eye. After months of self-reflection, Mallory slowly started to find her own answers to her number one question—why? It slowly became very evident to her that everything happens for a reason and she shares this very rare emotional journey with the audience by sharing her personal journals from throughout each of her experiences. Mallory’s story sends the audience through their own self-reflection as she challenges everyone to realize their own journey and insists that no odds are too large to overcome.

Paralympic Athlete

Mallory Weggemann Videos

Paralympic star Mallory Weggemann walks for second time
Triumph over tragedy: Mallory Weggemann at TEDxUNPlaza
Mallory Weggemann - "Against All Odds - The Journey of New Mobility"

How do I book Mallory Weggemann to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Mallory Weggemann 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 Mallory Weggemann, 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 Mallory Weggemann or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Mallory Weggemann for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Mallory Weggemann, 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 Mallory Weggemann, 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 Mallory Weggemann speak about?

Mallory Weggemann is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Sports Motivation, Inspirational, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Ethics & Integrity, Health, Motivational, Athlete, Sports, Disability, Leadership, Paralympics, Christian and Sports Coaching.

Where does Mallory Weggemann travel from?

Mallory Weggemann generally travels from Minneapolis, MN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Mallory Weggemann?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Mallory Weggemann 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 Mallory Weggemann 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 Mallory Weggemann 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.


Mallory Weggemann is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Sports Motivation, Inspirational and Teamwork & Teambuilding. Please contact us for live or virtual event fee details. Mallory Weggemann generally travels from Minneapolis, MN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jim Morris, Vince Papale and Janet Evans. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Mallory Weggemann for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/10/2024.

Mallory Weggemann Speaking Topics

  • Everything Happens for a Reason

    In this touching and poignant presentation, Mallory Weggemann recounts the day she became paralyzed, her initial struggles to cope with her new condition, and how she soon realized she now had a platform to raise awareness for swimmers with disabilities. Weggemann shares moving anecdotes from her personal journal, including how she changed the life of a young girl who was also paralyzed - an incident that allowed her to fully understand why "everything happens for a reason."

  • Baby Steps: An Intimate Discussion on the Basic Forms of Leadership

    Mallory Weggemann breaks down the pillars of leadership into a more simplistic form—baby steps. As she insists that the only way to take a daunting task, a looming challenge, a seemingly unsurmountable obstacle and conquer it is through baby steps themselves. In October 2008, Mallory found her own personal life was focused on change. Through her journey and self-reflection, she discovered that one of the greatest qualities leaders can present is the ability to adapt to change. Mallory’s story appeals to anyone seeking a genuine and, at times, raw examination of one young woman’s journey through grief to the top of the Paralympic medal platform, from being confined to a chair to learning to walk again. Even though her spine will never heal, her spirit is active, captivating and unstoppable.

  • “You’re the Best, You Can Make a Difference and You Can Change the World”

    The phrase spoken to Mallory Weggemann and her sisters by her father every night before they went to bed is something which Mallory lives by every day. Mallory emphasizes that everyone goes through struggles and everyone has some sort of “disability,” some of them just not as obvious as hers. Yet, everyone has the ability to overcome their “disabilities” and make a difference (big or small) in the world. With her unique ability to speak to a packed house, and yet make every individual feel as if they are involved in a personal conversation, Mallory presented a challenge to her audience while speaking at the United Nations in September 2013: “Live your life with passion, with heart, free of fear, hate and judgment, be courageous, and know that in any given moment you can make a difference and you can change the world by your simple actions.”

  • Personal Story: Everything Happens for a Reason (includes moving anecdotes from personal journals)

    Mallory Weggemann discusses the day she became paralyzed back in January 2008, and her initial struggles to cope with the fact that everything she knew for nearly 19 years of her life changed in literally the blink of an eye. After months of self-reflection, Mallory slowly started to find her own answers to her number one question—why? It slowly became very evident to her that everything happens for a reason and she shares this very rare emotional journey with the audience by sharing her personal journals from throughout each of her experiences. Mallory’s story sends the audience through their own self-reflection as she challenges everyone to realize their own journey and insists that no odds are too large to overcome.

  • Paralympic Athlete

Mallory Weggemann Videos

Paralympic star Mallory Weggemann walks for second time
Triumph over tragedy: Mallory Weggemann at TEDxUNPlaza
Mallory Weggemann - "Against All Odds - The Journey of New Mobility"
  • How do I book Mallory Weggemann to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Mallory Weggemann 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 Mallory Weggemann, 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 Mallory Weggemann or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Mallory Weggemann for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Mallory Weggemann, 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 Mallory Weggemann, 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 Mallory Weggemann speak about?

    Mallory Weggemann is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Sports Motivation, Inspirational, Teamwork & Teambuilding, Ethics & Integrity, Health, Motivational, Athlete, Sports, Disability, Leadership, Paralympics, Christian and Sports Coaching.
  • Where does Mallory Weggemann travel from?

    Mallory Weggemann generally travels from Minneapolis, MN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Mallory Weggemann?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Mallory Weggemann 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 Mallory Weggemann 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 Mallory Weggemann 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.
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