John Register

John Register is a two-time Paralympian, Paralympic Games Silver Medalist, Persian Gulf War veteran, and recognized authority in leadership and resilience on the global speaking circuit. After high school, Register earned a scholarship to the University of Arkansas, where he became a four-time All-American in NCAA long jump, 55-meter high hurdles, and the 4x400-meter relay teams. Upon earning a Bachelor of Arts in communications, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving for six years as a Desert Shield and Desert Storm veteran. Register participated in the Army's World Class Athlete Program, winning nine gold medals in the Armed Services Competition and two World Military Championships. He qualified for the Olympic trials in the 110-meter hurdles and again for the 400-meter hurdles, positioning him for Olympic competition until a training accident altered his path.

Register suffered an injury that resulted in the amputation of his left leg. A faulty landing hyper-extended his left knee, severing the popliteal artery. Attempts to reconstruct the artery were unsuccessful, leading to amputation to avoid permanent wheelchair use. After 18 months of rehabilitation and training, Register qualified for and joined the Paralympic Team as a swimmer, competing in the games in Atlanta, Georgia. While at the Athlete Village, he observed athletes with one leg running on the track, which inspired him to pursue track and field at the Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

Two years after his first run with an artificial leg, Register earned the Silver Medal in the long jump at the Paralympic Games and set the American long jump record with a distance of 5.41 meters (17.8 feet). He also placed fifth in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. Register became the first American Paralympian to jump over five meters on an artificial limb. Off the track, he accepted a position with the United States Olympic Committee and founded the USOC Paralympic Military Program, which uses sports to assist in the recovery of wounded, ill, or injured service members. This program has impacted thousands in creating their new normal and inspired the creation of the Department of Defense's Warrior Games and Prince Harry's Invictus Games.

Register's influence extends beyond athletics and veteran advocacy. As CEO of the Amputee Coalition and a member of the National Board of Directors, he championed employment equity, access, and empowerment for individuals with disabilities. He was appointed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as one of eight members to advise on foreign policy issues regarding disability, continuing in this capacity under Secretary Hillary Clinton. Register received the Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award for distinguished achievement by a person with a disability. He has been featured on television shows such as "Morning Blend" with Soledad O'Brien, "It's a Miracle" with Richard Thomas, "The Weekend Today Show," and "The Edge" with Paula Zahn.

Register is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker whose proprietary frameworks, including the "Amputate to Elevate" model and the Re³ Resilience Action Model, translate his experiences into actionable leadership strategies. He has been inducted into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame and named one of the Top 50 Global Leadership Speakers by Real Leaders Magazine. Register shares his insights on leadership and overcoming adversity in his book, "10 Stories to Impact Any Leader: Journal Your Way to Leadership Success." His client list includes organizations such as Southwest Airlines, Coca-Cola, Deloitte, Frito Lay, NASA, US Bank, Gilead Sciences, Infiniti, New York Life, Trane Technologies, and Lexus. Register addresses C-suite executives, veterans, and youth, emphasizing that adversity can serve as a launching pad for growth and achievement.