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Heath Calhoun

Alpine Skier & Veteran of the United States Army

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Heath Calhoun Biography

Providing encouragement and counseling for other amputees has become a serious interest for Heath.

During his initial rehabilitation at Walter Reed, Heath became acquainted with the Wounded Warrior Project. The shared experiences of the groups members proved to be invaluable to him during his recovery and later he wanted to so the same for others.

So he began sharing his experiences, successes, struggles and the unique challenges that amputees face daily. Eventually, the group asked him to be a spokesperson and now he meets with, and counsels the newly injured around the country.

He also became an Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) certified peer visitor. Through this organization he makes himself available to others who have lost limbs and provides emotional and informational support to them.

Additionally, Heath actively works as an advocate for the needs of the wounded soldier.

His most notable accomplishment was helping to get the Wounded Warrior Bill passed through Congress in 2005. Known as traumatic injury protection, the legislation financially assists wounded soldiers and their families during the months, and sometimes years, of grueling rehabilitation.

During his recovery, he was introduced to various adaptive sporting events and he immediately became an enthusiast. It seems that there is not a sport that Heath is not willing to try and, according to many, in which he doesn’t excel.

Just five months after he was injured he attended a Winter Sports Clinic in Aspen, Colorado where he attempted snow skiing for the first time. He initially tried to learn how to snow board but found it very difficult to balance on his prosthetic legs.

A friend encouraged him to try skiing using a mono-ski. After the first day of skiing he was hooked! Heath was awarded the Challenge Aspen Inspiration Award, not just for his athleticism, but awarded to the one person who best embodied the spirit of inspiration on and off the snow.

In the spring of 2005, Heath, another wounded service member and an able bodied individual set out to raise money and awareness for other wounded service members. Their goal was to cycle across the United States. They began in Los Angeles and ended 4200 miles later in Montauk, New York. Since Heath is missing both legs, he used a special hand-cycle and had to use his arms and upper body to pedal the 4200 miles! Their endeavor is documented in the Showtime Original Production “Home Front”.

While Heath was trying to be active again and participate in various athletic events, he still found he was limited by having to use a wheelchair for his mobility.

After leaving Walter Reed, he tried several times to have prosthetic legs made that would allow him to walk again but nothing worked and it was a very painful process for him. It was now two and a half years post injury and he had given up on using prosthetics for walking and accepted that he would have to rely on a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

In June 2006, Heath attended the Amputee Coalition of America national conference in Minneapolis where he was asked to speak to some of the attendees about hand-cycling. Another injured service member had heard about a workshop being given focusing on bilateral above knee amputees and prosthetic solutions.

He contacted Heath the day before and demanded that he attend the workshop in hopes that it would maybe show him that walking was possible with the right equipment and therapy.

The workshop brought together several bilateral above knee amputees that are full-time prosthetics users. This workshop is about exploring possibilities, says moderator Kevin Carroll, MS, CP, FAAOP, Hanger V.P. of Prosthetics. Its a great venue for highlighting improvements, sharing experiences and fine-tuning skills. And for someone like Heath, it can open a door and change a life.

Heath reluctantly attended the workshop as he felt he had exhausted every avenue to allow him to walk again. But when he entered the room, he saw several bilateral above knee amputees walking around with no canes, no crutches, no walkers and no wheelchairs!

This was the first time he had ever seen a bilateral above knee prosthetic user being so independent and it really peaked his interest. As the meeting progressed, Heath witnessed bilateral above knee amputees, running, driving a normal unmodified car, walking down hills, playing golf, swimming and many more daily activities.

He decided at that time to give prosthetics one last shot and contacted the company that was having such great success with this level of amputation. He had no idea that his decision was about to totally change his life forever!

After training in short prosthetic legs for several weeks, he was fitted with new sockets and computerized knees. Several days after being fit, he was up and walking independently, without using canes or crutches. More importantly, he was starting to realize that it might be possible to never have to use a wheelchair again.

His new legs and his newly found mobility energized Heath. Today, he is not only walking, but running, swimming, golfing and even hiking. He has not used a wheelchair once since July 5, 2006, the day he was fit with his prosthetic legs.

In May 2007, Heath was honored by the Wounded Warrior Project at their annual fundraising gala held in New York City. He was awarded the George C. Lang Award for Courage in honor of the amazing achievements he has made since he is totally free of the wheelchair.

Heath enjoys competing on a three man relay team at the Challenged Athletes Triathlon in La Jolla, CA. He does the 1.2 mile ocean swim using a custom pair of swimming prosthetics with adjustable feet to allow him to propel himself in the water. He has also taken up golf since he has been out of the wheelchair. Heath enjoys playing in the annual National Amputee Golf Association national tournament. Golf was great therapy for me to learn how to walk again. The Hanger team took me out to the golf course and their I learned how to walk down steep slopes and balance with both of my knees were bent while swinging the golf club. I use my muscles in my limbs to hold me with the knees bent, it is a lot of fun, said Calhoun.

Using his high tech running legs, he also has competed in the Endeavor Games for Athletes with Physical Disabilities running in the 100 and 200 meter sprint races. An amazing moment came after the 100 meter race at the Endeavor Games. Heath and son Mason were walking together to the start line to prepare for the 200 meter race. His son paused for a moment and said, Hey dad, will you run with me? to which Heath responded, Sure son, let’s run to that second tree and back. They both took off like a shot. What an amazing moment to once again be a dad that is not limited by his tragic injuries he sustained in Iraq.

While his new legs have given him the ability to try many new sports and activities the rewards of being able to walk go beyond athletics. My prosthetic legs give me the option to do things on my own. To go out by myself, be spontaneous and more independent. If I want to take my son Mason to the driving range and hit a bucket of balls, or carry my two daughters around the house, I can just do it. Just knowing that is the best thing.

Heath continues to lead the way and now can drive any vehicle without the need for any modifications or adaptive equipment. He even owns and drives a manual transmission vehicle using his right prosthetic leg to safely go between the gas and brake pedals while the left leg operates the clutch.

Being able to drive any vehicle is something I never thought I would ever be able to do. I can easily put my C-Leg’s in the second mode, a custom setup to allow me to drive with my legs. After I was injured, I was told I would have to use special hand controls to drive. I am glad to say that is not the case at all. Hopefully others with similar injuries to myself will see some of the things I am doing and they will know it is possible for them as well, said Calhoun.

Heath was again recognized by having a NASCAR race named in his honor. The Crown Royal Presents the Heath Calhoun 400 was held in Richmond, VA.

It was an experience that I will never forget. I was introduced to racing by my grandfather when I was a child. It was great that he was able to attend the race with me, my family and friends. It makes me proud that Crown Royal honors our nations military, said Calhoun.

Currently his main focus is to become a better ski racer. Heath is a certified mono-ski instructor and is a member of the U.S. Paralympic Ski team.

Heath earned a spot on the 2010 U.S. Paralympic Ski team and competed in the winter games in Canada. He was also selected by the U.S. Paralympic Team to carry the United States flag and lead the entire team at the Opening Ceremonies.

He continues to dedicate his time to meeting with other wounded service members at military hospitals and events to deliver the message of hope and courage that he lives everyday.

Videos
FAQs
  • How do I book Heath Calhoun to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Heath Calhoun for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Heath Calhoun, 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 Heath Calhoun or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Heath Calhoun

    Speaking fees for Heath Calhoun, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Heath Calhoun are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Heath Calhoun, 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 Heath Calhoun speak about?

  • Where does Heath Calhoun travel from?

    Heath Calhoun generally travels from Nashville, TN, 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.
  • Who is Heath Calhoun’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Heath Calhoun 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 Heath Calhoun 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 Heath Calhoun 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, unbiased 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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This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

Alpine Skier & Veteran of the United States Army

Travels From:
Nashville, TN, USA
Speaking Fee:

Heath Calhoun Biography

Providing encouragement and counseling for other amputees has become a serious interest for Heath.

During his initial rehabilitation at Walter Reed, Heath became acquainted with the Wounded Warrior Project. The shared experiences of the groups members proved to be invaluable to him during his recovery and later he wanted to so the same for others.

So he began sharing his experiences, successes, struggles and the unique challenges that amputees face daily. Eventually, the group asked him to be a spokesperson and now he meets with, and counsels the newly injured around the country.

He also became an Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) certified peer visitor. Through this organization he makes himself available to others who have lost limbs and provides emotional and informational support to them.

Additionally, Heath actively works as an advocate for the needs of the wounded soldier.

His most notable accomplishment was helping to get the Wounded Warrior Bill passed through Congress in 2005. Known as traumatic injury protection, the legislation financially assists wounded soldiers and their families during the months, and sometimes years, of grueling rehabilitation.

During his recovery, he was introduced to various adaptive sporting events and he immediately became an enthusiast. It seems that there is not a sport that Heath is not willing to try and, according to many, in which he doesn’t excel.

Just five months after he was injured he attended a Winter Sports Clinic in Aspen, Colorado where he attempted snow skiing for the first time. He initially tried to learn how to snow board but found it very difficult to balance on his prosthetic legs.

A friend encouraged him to try skiing using a mono-ski. After the first day of skiing he was hooked! Heath was awarded the Challenge Aspen Inspiration Award, not just for his athleticism, but awarded to the one person who best embodied the spirit of inspiration on and off the snow.

In the spring of 2005, Heath, another wounded service member and an able bodied individual set out to raise money and awareness for other wounded service members. Their goal was to cycle across the United States. They began in Los Angeles and ended 4200 miles later in Montauk, New York. Since Heath is missing both legs, he used a special hand-cycle and had to use his arms and upper body to pedal the 4200 miles! Their endeavor is documented in the Showtime Original Production “Home Front”.

While Heath was trying to be active again and participate in various athletic events, he still found he was limited by having to use a wheelchair for his mobility.

After leaving Walter Reed, he tried several times to have prosthetic legs made that would allow him to walk again but nothing worked and it was a very painful process for him. It was now two and a half years post injury and he had given up on using prosthetics for walking and accepted that he would have to rely on a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

In June 2006, Heath attended the Amputee Coalition of America national conference in Minneapolis where he was asked to speak to some of the attendees about hand-cycling. Another injured service member had heard about a workshop being given focusing on bilateral above knee amputees and prosthetic solutions.

He contacted Heath the day before and demanded that he attend the workshop in hopes that it would maybe show him that walking was possible with the right equipment and therapy.

The workshop brought together several bilateral above knee amputees that are full-time prosthetics users. This workshop is about exploring possibilities, says moderator Kevin Carroll, MS, CP, FAAOP, Hanger V.P. of Prosthetics. Its a great venue for highlighting improvements, sharing experiences and fine-tuning skills. And for someone like Heath, it can open a door and change a life.

Heath reluctantly attended the workshop as he felt he had exhausted every avenue to allow him to walk again. But when he entered the room, he saw several bilateral above knee amputees walking around with no canes, no crutches, no walkers and no wheelchairs!

This was the first time he had ever seen a bilateral above knee prosthetic user being so independent and it really peaked his interest. As the meeting progressed, Heath witnessed bilateral above knee amputees, running, driving a normal unmodified car, walking down hills, playing golf, swimming and many more daily activities.

He decided at that time to give prosthetics one last shot and contacted the company that was having such great success with this level of amputation. He had no idea that his decision was about to totally change his life forever!

After training in short prosthetic legs for several weeks, he was fitted with new sockets and computerized knees. Several days after being fit, he was up and walking independently, without using canes or crutches. More importantly, he was starting to realize that it might be possible to never have to use a wheelchair again.

His new legs and his newly found mobility energized Heath. Today, he is not only walking, but running, swimming, golfing and even hiking. He has not used a wheelchair once since July 5, 2006, the day he was fit with his prosthetic legs.

In May 2007, Heath was honored by the Wounded Warrior Project at their annual fundraising gala held in New York City. He was awarded the George C. Lang Award for Courage in honor of the amazing achievements he has made since he is totally free of the wheelchair.

Heath enjoys competing on a three man relay team at the Challenged Athletes Triathlon in La Jolla, CA. He does the 1.2 mile ocean swim using a custom pair of swimming prosthetics with adjustable feet to allow him to propel himself in the water. He has also taken up golf since he has been out of the wheelchair. Heath enjoys playing in the annual National Amputee Golf Association national tournament. Golf was great therapy for me to learn how to walk again. The Hanger team took me out to the golf course and their I learned how to walk down steep slopes and balance with both of my knees were bent while swinging the golf club. I use my muscles in my limbs to hold me with the knees bent, it is a lot of fun, said Calhoun.

Using his high tech running legs, he also has competed in the Endeavor Games for Athletes with Physical Disabilities running in the 100 and 200 meter sprint races. An amazing moment came after the 100 meter race at the Endeavor Games. Heath and son Mason were walking together to the start line to prepare for the 200 meter race. His son paused for a moment and said, Hey dad, will you run with me? to which Heath responded, Sure son, let’s run to that second tree and back. They both took off like a shot. What an amazing moment to once again be a dad that is not limited by his tragic injuries he sustained in Iraq.

While his new legs have given him the ability to try many new sports and activities the rewards of being able to walk go beyond athletics. My prosthetic legs give me the option to do things on my own. To go out by myself, be spontaneous and more independent. If I want to take my son Mason to the driving range and hit a bucket of balls, or carry my two daughters around the house, I can just do it. Just knowing that is the best thing.

Heath continues to lead the way and now can drive any vehicle without the need for any modifications or adaptive equipment. He even owns and drives a manual transmission vehicle using his right prosthetic leg to safely go between the gas and brake pedals while the left leg operates the clutch.

Being able to drive any vehicle is something I never thought I would ever be able to do. I can easily put my C-Leg’s in the second mode, a custom setup to allow me to drive with my legs. After I was injured, I was told I would have to use special hand controls to drive. I am glad to say that is not the case at all. Hopefully others with similar injuries to myself will see some of the things I am doing and they will know it is possible for them as well, said Calhoun.

Heath was again recognized by having a NASCAR race named in his honor. The Crown Royal Presents the Heath Calhoun 400 was held in Richmond, VA.

It was an experience that I will never forget. I was introduced to racing by my grandfather when I was a child. It was great that he was able to attend the race with me, my family and friends. It makes me proud that Crown Royal honors our nations military, said Calhoun.

Currently his main focus is to become a better ski racer. Heath is a certified mono-ski instructor and is a member of the U.S. Paralympic Ski team.

Heath earned a spot on the 2010 U.S. Paralympic Ski team and competed in the winter games in Canada. He was also selected by the U.S. Paralympic Team to carry the United States flag and lead the entire team at the Opening Ceremonies.

He continues to dedicate his time to meeting with other wounded service members at military hospitals and events to deliver the message of hope and courage that he lives everyday.

Heath Calhoun Videos

  • U.S. Paralympian Heath Calhoun - YouTube
  • Heath Calhoun Bilateral Above Knee Amputee Workout - YouTube
  • Staff Sgt. Heath Calhoun profile - YouTube

Speaker Lists Featuring Heath Calhoun

FAQs on booking Heath Calhoun

  • How do I book Heath Calhoun to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Heath Calhoun for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Heath Calhoun, 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 Heath Calhoun or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Heath Calhoun

    Speaking fees for Heath Calhoun, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Heath Calhoun are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Heath Calhoun, 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 Heath Calhoun speak about?

  • Where does Heath Calhoun travel from?

    Heath Calhoun generally travels from Nashville, TN, 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.
  • Who is Heath Calhoun’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Heath Calhoun 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 Heath Calhoun 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 Heath Calhoun 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, unbiased 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.

Heath Calhoun is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Heath Calhoun for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Heath Calhoun generally travels from Nashville, TN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Dave Dravecky, Jim Morris, Vince Papale, Shawn Harper and Vince Poscente. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Heath Calhoun for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Heath Calhoun Speaker Videos

  • U.S. Paralympian Heath Calhoun - YouTube
    Heath Calhoun Bilateral Above Knee Amputee Workout - YouTube
  • Staff Sgt. Heath Calhoun profile - YouTube

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Speakers Similar to Heath Calhoun

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

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