Booking the perfect speaker often comes down to one thing: timing. We keep track of exciting speaker updates so that you can anticipate the latest trends, topics, and rising stars to bring to your next event.
From gravity-defying athletes and championship leaders to cultural icons and trailblazing pioneers, these speakers are making headlines across sports, activism, exploration, and entertainment. Here’s a look at six trending speakers who are capturing attention and inspiring audiences this month.
1. Alex Honnold makes history with a record-breaking free solo climb
World-renowned climber Alex Honnold stunned audiences once again in 2026 when he completed the tallest buildering free solo climb in history by ascending Taipei 101 without ropes or safety equipment. The daring feat was streamed live in “Skyscraper Live,” drawing global attention and further cementing Honnold’s reputation as one of the most fearless athletes of all time.
Honnold first rose to international fame after becoming the first person to free solo El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a climb immortalized in the Academy Award-winning documentary “Free Solo.” Beyond his record-setting ascents, he is a thoughtful storyteller, author of “Alone on the Wall,” and co-host of the podcast “Climbing Gold,” where he shares the history and psychology behind legendary climbs. Off the wall, Honnold is a dedicated environmental advocate and founder of the Honnold Foundation, which supports solar energy projects around the world and proves his impact reaches far beyond the vertical.
2. Fernando Mendoza caps a historic season with a national championship
College football star Fernando Mendoza closed out a legendary 2025 season by leading Indiana to its first national championship in program history, just weeks after becoming the school’s first-ever Heisman Trophy winner. The championship victory solidified Mendoza’s status as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks of his generation.
After beginning his collegiate career at the University of California, Berkeley, Mendoza transferred to Indiana in late 2024 and quickly transformed the Hoosiers into a powerhouse. Known for his precision, poise, and leadership, he posted a career completion rate of 68 percent with more than 6,600 passing yards and 54 touchdowns. A graduate of Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, Mendoza combines elite athletic performance with academic excellence, making him a compelling voice on leadership, discipline, and high-performance culture.
3. Elizabeth Smart revisits her story in a powerful new Netflix documentary
Elizabeth Smart’s new Netflix documentary, “Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart,” premiered earlier this month and quickly became one of the platform’s most-watched releases. Told in Smart’s own words, the film revisits her 2002 abduction and nine-month captivity while focusing on survival, recovery, and the lifelong impact of trauma.
Since her rescue, Smart has transformed her experience into a mission of advocacy and education. Founder of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, she has worked closely with lawmakers, law enforcement, and survivors to advance child safety legislation and recovery resources. A New York Times bestselling author of “My Story” and her newest book, “Where There’s Hope,” Smart continues to inspire audiences with a message rooted in resilience, empowerment, and the belief that healing is possible after unimaginable hardship.
4. Jim Craig reflects on the legacy of the “Miracle on Ice”
Olympic hockey legend Jim Craig is once again in the spotlight with the release of the Netflix documentary “Miracle: The Boys of ’80,” now streaming nationwide. The film revisits the historic 1980 Olympic gold medal victory, widely regarded as the greatest moment in American sports history, with Craig offering personal reflections on the team’s journey and impact.
Best known as the goaltender who anchored the U.S. team’s improbable win, Craig later turned his Olympic success into a powerful business and leadership career. A sought-after speaker and founder of Gold Medal Strategies, he has spent decades helping organizations build winning cultures through teamwork, accountability, and belief. His books, including “Gold Medal Strategies” and “We Win!,” translate the lessons of elite sports into practical frameworks for business and life.
5. Jane Fonda stars in a new environmental documentary
Legendary actor and activist Jane Fonda stars in the new Greenpeace-produced documentary “Gaslit,” premiering February 5. The film follows Fonda on a road trip through Texas and the Gulf Coast, spotlighting communities impacted by liquefied natural gas expansion and exposing decades of environmental deception by the fossil fuel industry.
A two-time Academy Award winner and lifelong advocate for social justice, Fonda has spent more than five decades using her platform to champion women’s rights, climate action, and political accountability. In recent years, she has led the Fire Drill Fridays movement and launched the Jane Fonda Climate PAC, continuing to mobilize grassroots action nationwide. Whether on screen or on stage, Fonda remains a fearless voice for change and a powerful presence for audiences seeking urgency and inspiration around the climate crisis.
6. Sunita Williams retires after a trailblazing NASA career
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams officially retired in December, closing the chapter on an extraordinary 27-year career with the agency. A veteran of multiple space missions, Williams holds the record for the most spacewalk time by a woman, with more than 60 hours spent outside the International Space Station.
Selected as an astronaut in 1998, Williams flew aboard Expeditions 14/15 and 32/33, commanded the ISS, and played a pivotal role in Boeing’s Starliner program. Known for her endurance and resilience, she famously completed the Boston Marathon on a treadmill while orbiting Earth. As a retired U.S. Navy captain and engineering leader, Williams now brings her experience in extreme environments, leadership under pressure, and teamwork to audiences eager to learn what it takes to perform at the highest level.
If you’re interested in learning more about booking one of these speakers or exploring other ideas, AAE Speakers is here to help. Contact us today to get started.
