Cam Calkoen

Cam Calkoen is a New Zealand-based Certified Professional Speaker known for his work in motivational speaking, disability advocacy, and social entrepreneurship. Born with cerebral palsy, Calkoen was told his greatest challenges would be walking and speaking. Despite these predictions, he became an athletic gold medalist, a charitable fundraiser, a social entrepreneur, and a globally recognized keynote speaker.

As a competitive athlete, Calkoen was a full-time competitor in his teens, aspiring to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the Paralympics. He won gold medals and ranked among the top 10 athletes worldwide in the T36 category for athletes with cerebral palsy. After winning championships in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, he extended his efforts internationally, working in Japan and contributing to projects such as building a tuberculosis ward and a library in Vanuatu. His athletic career laid the foundation for his transition into professional speaking.

Calkoen's journey into public speaking began when he was invited to share his story at a school in Sweden. Despite initial apprehension about his speech, he received a standing ovation. He is represented by a leading speakers bureau in Australasia and is among their most frequently booked speakers. Calkoen has delivered keynote addresses across New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Europe, and the Pacific, working with organizations including Toyota, AMP, Heineken, McDonald's, KPMG, and Microsoft. He has also presented a TEDx talk, "Live for Awesome," at TEDxQueenstown.

Beyond his speaking career, Calkoen has demonstrated a commitment to community impact. At age 21, he became one of the youngest recipients of a Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary, an honor he has received twice, for his role in establishing the YES Disability Resource Centre as the leader of a $4 million project. He founded the Carabiner Mentoring program, connecting his network with young disabled individuals to help them achieve their goals. Calkoen was also a finalist in the Kiwibank Young New Zealander of the Year Awards and has been named New Zealand Speaker of the Year.

Calkoen's keynote, "Turning Rejection into Affection," details his experiences raising $4 million for community projects, building a successful speaking business, and climbing Kilimanjaro. He also hosts the podcast "Awesomeness with Cam Calkoen," where he discusses how he transformed perceived weaknesses into strengths and opportunities for global travel. Calkoen addresses corporate teams, students, and conference audiences, focusing on motivational strategies, overcoming adversity, and the power of resilience.