Climber, Best Known for Being the First to Free Climb to the Summit of Yosemite's El Capitan & Subject of "The Dawn Wall"

Tahoe City, CA, USA

Tommy Caldwell Biography

Tommy Caldwell is a master climber. Accomplished in sport, traditional, big wall first ascents, and speed records, there is nothing he can’t do. He is internationally recognized for completing the first-ever free climb of the Dawn Wall, a monumental achievement that has been widely celebrated through Caldwell’s films, speaking engagements, and writing.

Born and raised in Colorado’s mountain culture, Caldwell climbed his first peak at the age of three. From an early age, he was taught by his father – a bodybuilding mountain guide – to embrace fear and transform it into inspiration.

Fear and inspiration are central pillars of what makes Caldwell, Caldwell. In 2000, 20-year-old Caldwell and three fellow climbers embarked on an expedition through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. There, they were taken hostage, resulting in what would become the fight – and the climb – of a lifetime. After surviving for six days with little food and water, Caldwell and the group narrowly escaped, running ten miles to the nearest military outpost.

Shortly after Kyrgyzstan, Caldwell faced a daunting new challenge when a table saw accident resulted in the loss of his index finger. Once again, the athlete had a choice: to push forward or to accept defeat. He persevered.

In 2003, Caldwell completed the first ascent of Flex Luthor, (the only proposed 15a on U.S. soil), an accomplishment that would not be repeated for another 20 years. In 2004, he made the third and fourth free ascents of El Capitan’s The Nose. El Cap would quickly become the defining mountain of Caldwell’s career. Most notably, in 2015, Caldwell and his climbing partner Kevin Jorgeson completed the first-ever free climb of The Dawn Wall. The 19-day ascent received worldwide praise and attention (over 34 billion media impressions), including recognition from President Barack Obama. The journey was chronicled in the documentary "The Dawn Wall" and in Caldwell’s 2017 memoir "The Push: A Climber’s Journey of Endurance, Risk, and Going Beyond Limits."

In 2024, Caldwell and fellow climber Alex Honnold reunited to achieve a groundbreaking feat by completing the first-ever single-day traverse of all five peaks of Alaska’s formidable “Devil’s Thumb.” Their epic journey, which began with a 2,600-mile bike ride to the mountain’s base, is chronicled in the documentary "The Devil’s Climb."

Caldwell’s achievements have been recognized far and wide. He was the 2014 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and a finalist for the 2017 Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature. Beyond climbing, advocacy is a central part of Caldwell’s work. He has spoken to Congress and testified for the Senate in support of several pieces of climate legislation. Caldwell fights for the world and the people he believes in in everything he does.

In 2015, National Geographic dubbed Caldwell “arguably the best all-around rock climber on the planet.” He continues to prove them right.

BOOK Tommy Caldwell

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 11/12/2025.

Tommy Caldwell Speaking Topics

  • Tommy Caldwell’s speaking sessions are a masterclass in perseverance.

    Drawing from his life experiences, he demonstrates how facing adversity head-on can unlock the capacity for meaningful change, as learned in the Dawn Wall. Tommy’s belief in the power of passion to fuel extraordinary achievements is contagious, inspiring audiences to rise to their own challenges, no matter how daunting.

Tommy Caldwell Videos

Tommy Caldwell Speaker Reel

Tommy Caldwell Speaker Reel

Get to Know Tommy

Blister Speaker Series: Tommy Caldwell

Blister Speaker Series: Tommy Caldwell

At Western Colorado University, we talked to Tommy Caldwell about speed climbing & setting the speed record on the Nose with Alex Honnold; strength...

The Push: A Climber's Journey of Endurance | Talks at Google

The Push: A Climber's Journey of Endurance | Talks at Google

Tommy is one of the world’s greatest athletes, best known for the odds-defying feat of free-climbing the 3,000-foot Dawn Wall on El Capitan. But...

  • How do I book Tommy Caldwell to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Tommy Caldwell

    Speaking fees for Tommy Caldwell, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Tommy Caldwell are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Tommy Caldwell, click the Check Availability 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 Tommy Caldwell speak about?

    Tommy Caldwell is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Adventure, Adventure, Athlete, Climbing, Extreme Sports, Motivational, Sports
  • Where does Tommy Caldwell travel from?

    Tommy Caldwell generally travels from Tahoe City, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Tommy Caldwell 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 Availability 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 Tommy Caldwell for your next private or corporate function.
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Tommy Caldwell is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Tommy Caldwell’s speaking sessions are a masterclass in perseverance.. The estimated speaking fee range to book Tommy Caldwell for your event is $30,000 - $50,000. Tommy Caldwell generally travels from Tahoe City, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Conrad Anker, Jim Davidson, Alex Honnold, Jimmy Chin and Emily Harrington. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Tommy Caldwell for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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