Top-Rated Speakers Bureau and Entertainment Booking Agency for Corporate Meetings and Business Events. Book an AAE Speaker Today.
Top-Rated Speakers Bureau and Entertainment Booking Agency for Corporate Meetings and Business Events. Book an AAE Speaker Today.
Click to Open Search Bar

Kyle Garlett

Cancer Survivor, Heart Transplant Recipient & Motivational Speaker

REQUEST BOOKING INFORMATION

Kyle Garlett Biography

On October 10, 2009, Kyle Garlett became the first heart transplant recipient ever to compete in the world's most famous endurance challenge, the Ironman World Championship held annually in Kona, Hawaii. Not only was it a history-making day for Garlett, it was also the exact three-year anniversary of his heart transplant, a surgery that was required after a bone marrow transplant in 1995 – one of his four different battles with cancer – irreparably damaged his heart.

On September 26, 1989, Garlett was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. The then 18-year old high school senior would spend every afternoon for the next five months going to the doctor after school for daily radiation treatments.

In 1991, after almost 16 months of remission, his cancer returned. Six months of a grueling seven-drug course of chemotherapy followed and again, victory was achieved through remission. But in late 1994 another swollen lymph node appeared, and another bout with the Hodgkin's ensued. This time intense chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant was the chosen course of therapy. It worked. The Hodgkin's disease was finally defeated, but the severity of the treatments left Garlett with a damaged heart, and later, in 1997, a frightening secondary diagnosis of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Against the odds, and after three more years of debilitating chemotherapy, Garlett emerged from his battle with leukemia (his fourth battle overall) finally cancer-free.

In 2000 he finished his final cancer treatment, but he was far from healthy. The heart damage sustained in 1995 (chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy was the diagnosis) was deteriorating further. And in 2001 he was placed on the heart transplant waiting list and implanted with a lifesaving pacemaker. October 10, 2006, after five and a half long years of anxiously waiting on the list, he got the life-giving call. Garlett had his new heart, and new life to live.

Once he received his new heart, Garlett took up the sport of triathlon, crossing his first finish line just 11 months later. Now, following a return trip to Kona in 2010 and a date with the Ironman course in Tempe, Arizona, in November 2011, he is powered by the most famous heart among all triathletes.

Speaking Topics
  • Surviving Patienthood

    With more than 54 total months spent in treatment for cancer, including radiation, chemotherapy, and a bone marrow transplant, and with more than 11 years under his belt as a cardiomyopathy patient before finally undergoing a heart transplant, much of Garlett's life has been viewed from inside a hospital bed. With a unique perspective born from years of experience with numerous doctors, nurses, hospital staff, admission specialists, and others, few people can speak from a patient's perspective with more authority than Garlett.

  • Live Each Day as if It's Your First

    Some people say that the secret to a happy is life is to live each day as if it might be your last. Garlett understands their well-meaning inclination, but thinks this "last day on Earth" sentiment somewhat misses the mark. He believes that it is best to live each day as if it's your first. Don't let anything grow stale. Nothing becomes mundane. Remember the first time you saw the sunset over the Pacific Ocean? Recapture that feeling the next time you see it. Don't grow bored with relationships. Instead treat them as new. Everything should be as exciting and special and memorable as it was at the beginning. Live each and every day as if it's your first.

  • Accepting What Life Brings

    Garlett's life has taken many unplanned turns down paths he never imagined, and for quite awhile he held onto the "what ifs" of unrealized dreams. But instead of mourning the loss of opportunities taken away by cancer, he realizes that happiness and fulfillment come from letting go of the life you thought you wanted and embracing the challenges and possibilities of the actual life you're living. His attitude on life is the very essence of a successful motivational speaker.

  • Facing Obstacles with Determination & Wisdom

    It would have been so easy for Garlett to give up his struggle years ago. Yet even when the fight seemed fruitless he never gave into the fear. He defied the odds, stared death in the face, and now lives a full, productive and, most importantly, very happy life. If you are looking for an inspirational and motivational speaker that is unforgettable, you have to hear Garlett talk about the will to live.

  • Victory Over Adversity

    Nothing is quite as devastating as a cancer diagnosis. And Garlett has experienced that life-altering experience on four separate occasions. He has survived radiation, chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, two joint replacements, and a finally a heart transplant. You might say he got his PhD in overcoming life's adversities, which is the baseline for his life as a motivational speaker.

FAQs
  • HOW TO BOOK Kyle Garlett?

    Our booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure talent like Kyle Garlett for both live and virtual events for over 15 years. The team at All American Entertainment represents and listens to the needs of organizations and corporations seeking to hire keynote speakers, celebrities or entertainers for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment. Fill out a booking request form for Kyle Garlett, 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 pricing information and check availability for Kyle Garlett or any other celebrity of your choice.
  • HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BOOK Kyle Garlett?

    Speaking fees for Kyle Garlett, or any other keynote speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The amount that Kyle Garlett charges to speak often varies according to the circumstances, including their schedule, market conditions, length of presentation, and the location of the event. The speaker fees listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only. In some cases, the actual quote may be above or below the stated range. For the most current fee to hire Kyle Garlett, please fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak with an experienced booking agent.
  • WHO IS THE AGENT FOR Kyle Garlett?

    All American Entertainment has successfully secured celebrity talent like Kyle Garlett for clients worldwide for more than 15 years. As a full-service talent 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. Fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Kyle Garlett for your next private or corporate function.
  • WHAT IS A FULL-SERVICE TALENT BOOKING AGENCY?

    All American Speakers is a "buyers agent" and exclusively represents talent buyers, meeting planners and event professionals, who are looking to secure celebrities and speakers for personal appearances, speaking engagements, corporate entertainment, public relations campaigns, commercials, or endorsements. We do not exclusively represent Kyle Garlett or claim ourselves as the exclusive booking agency, business manager, publicist, speakers bureau or management for Kyle Garlett or any other speaker or celebrity on this website. For more information on how we work and what makes us unique, please read the AAE Advantage.
Check Availability

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.

Users also viewed these speakers:

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.

Cancer Survivor, Heart Transplant Recipient & Motivational Speaker

Travels From:
Speaking Fee:

Kyle Garlett Biography

On October 10, 2009, Kyle Garlett became the first heart transplant recipient ever to compete in the world's most famous endurance challenge, the Ironman World Championship held annually in Kona, Hawaii. Not only was it a history-making day for Garlett, it was also the exact three-year anniversary of his heart transplant, a surgery that was required after a bone marrow transplant in 1995 – one of his four different battles with cancer – irreparably damaged his heart.

On September 26, 1989, Garlett was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. The then 18-year old high school senior would spend every afternoon for the next five months going to the doctor after school for daily radiation treatments.

In 1991, after almost 16 months of remission, his cancer returned. Six months of a grueling seven-drug course of chemotherapy followed and again, victory was achieved through remission. But in late 1994 another swollen lymph node appeared, and another bout with the Hodgkin's ensued. This time intense chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant was the chosen course of therapy. It worked. The Hodgkin's disease was finally defeated, but the severity of the treatments left Garlett with a damaged heart, and later, in 1997, a frightening secondary diagnosis of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Against the odds, and after three more years of debilitating chemotherapy, Garlett emerged from his battle with leukemia (his fourth battle overall) finally cancer-free.

In 2000 he finished his final cancer treatment, but he was far from healthy. The heart damage sustained in 1995 (chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy was the diagnosis) was deteriorating further. And in 2001 he was placed on the heart transplant waiting list and implanted with a lifesaving pacemaker. October 10, 2006, after five and a half long years of anxiously waiting on the list, he got the life-giving call. Garlett had his new heart, and new life to live.

Once he received his new heart, Garlett took up the sport of triathlon, crossing his first finish line just 11 months later. Now, following a return trip to Kona in 2010 and a date with the Ironman course in Tempe, Arizona, in November 2011, he is powered by the most famous heart among all triathletes.

Kyle Garlett Speaking Topics

  • Surviving Patienthood

    With more than 54 total months spent in treatment for cancer, including radiation, chemotherapy, and a bone marrow transplant, and with more than 11 years under his belt as a cardiomyopathy patient before finally undergoing a heart transplant, much of Garlett's life has been viewed from inside a hospital bed. With a unique perspective born from years of experience with numerous doctors, nurses, hospital staff, admission specialists, and others, few people can speak from a patient's perspective with more authority than Garlett.

  • Live Each Day as if It's Your First

    Some people say that the secret to a happy is life is to live each day as if it might be your last. Garlett understands their well-meaning inclination, but thinks this "last day on Earth" sentiment somewhat misses the mark. He believes that it is best to live each day as if it's your first. Don't let anything grow stale. Nothing becomes mundane. Remember the first time you saw the sunset over the Pacific Ocean? Recapture that feeling the next time you see it. Don't grow bored with relationships. Instead treat them as new. Everything should be as exciting and special and memorable as it was at the beginning. Live each and every day as if it's your first.

  • Accepting What Life Brings

    Garlett's life has taken many unplanned turns down paths he never imagined, and for quite awhile he held onto the "what ifs" of unrealized dreams. But instead of mourning the loss of opportunities taken away by cancer, he realizes that happiness and fulfillment come from letting go of the life you thought you wanted and embracing the challenges and possibilities of the actual life you're living. His attitude on life is the very essence of a successful motivational speaker.

  • Facing Obstacles with Determination & Wisdom

    It would have been so easy for Garlett to give up his struggle years ago. Yet even when the fight seemed fruitless he never gave into the fear. He defied the odds, stared death in the face, and now lives a full, productive and, most importantly, very happy life. If you are looking for an inspirational and motivational speaker that is unforgettable, you have to hear Garlett talk about the will to live.

  • Victory Over Adversity

    Nothing is quite as devastating as a cancer diagnosis. And Garlett has experienced that life-altering experience on four separate occasions. He has survived radiation, chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, two joint replacements, and a finally a heart transplant. You might say he got his PhD in overcoming life's adversities, which is the baseline for his life as a motivational speaker.

FAQs on booking Kyle Garlett

  • How to book Kyle Garlett?

    Our booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure talent like Kyle Garlett for both live and virtual events for over 20 years. The team at All American Entertainment represents and listens to the needs of organizations and corporations seeking to hire keynote speakers, celebrities or entertainers for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment. Fill out a booking request form for Kyle Garlett, 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 pricing information and check availability for Kyle Garlett or any other celebrity of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Kyle Garlett?

    Speaking fees for Kyle Garlett, or any other keynote speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The amount that Kyle Garlett charges to speak often varies according to the circumstances, including their schedule, market conditions, length of presentation, and the location of the event. The speaker fees listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only. In some cases, the actual quote may be above or below the stated range. For the most current fee to hire Kyle Garlett, please fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak with an experienced booking agent.
  • Who is the agent for Kyle Garlett?

    All American Entertainment has successfully secured celebrity talent like Kyle Garlett for clients worldwide for more than 20 years. As a full-service talent 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. Fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Kyle Garlett for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service talent booking agency?

    All American Speakers is a "buyers agent" and exclusively represents talent buyers, meeting planners and event professionals, who are looking to secure celebrities and speakers for personal appearances, speaking engagements, corporate entertainment, public relations campaigns, commercials, or endorsements. We do not exclusively represent Kyle Garlett or claim ourselves as the exclusive booking agency, business manager, publicist, speakers bureau or management for Kyle Garlett or any other speaker or celebrity on this website. For more information on how we work and what makes us unique, please read the AAE Advantage.

Kyle Garlett is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Surviving Patienthood, Live Each Day as if It's Your First, Accepting What Life Brings, Facing Obstacles with Determination & Wisdom and Victory Over Adversity. The estimated speaking fee range to book Kyle Garlett for your event is available upon request. Kyle Garlett generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Vince Papale, Terry Francona, Mike Ditka, JP Pawliw-Fry and Brian Kenny. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Kyle Garlett for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Kyle Garlett Speaking Topics

  • Surviving Patienthood

    With more than 54 total months spent in treatment for cancer, including radiation, chemotherapy, and a bone marrow transplant, and with more than 11 years under his belt as a cardiomyopathy patient before finally undergoing a heart transplant, much of Garlett's life has been viewed from inside a hospital bed. With a unique perspective born from years of experience with numerous doctors, nurses, hospital staff, admission specialists, and others, few people can speak from a patient's perspective with more authority than Garlett.

  • Live Each Day as if It's Your First

    Some people say that the secret to a happy is life is to live each day as if it might be your last. Garlett understands their well-meaning inclination, but thinks this "last day on Earth" sentiment somewhat misses the mark. He believes that it is best to live each day as if it's your first. Don't let anything grow stale. Nothing becomes mundane. Remember the first time you saw the sunset over the Pacific Ocean? Recapture that feeling the next time you see it. Don't grow bored with relationships. Instead treat them as new. Everything should be as exciting and special and memorable as it was at the beginning. Live each and every day as if it's your first.

  • Accepting What Life Brings

    Garlett's life has taken many unplanned turns down paths he never imagined, and for quite awhile he held onto the "what ifs" of unrealized dreams. But instead of mourning the loss of opportunities taken away by cancer, he realizes that happiness and fulfillment come from letting go of the life you thought you wanted and embracing the challenges and possibilities of the actual life you're living. His attitude on life is the very essence of a successful motivational speaker.

  • Facing Obstacles with Determination & Wisdom

    It would have been so easy for Garlett to give up his struggle years ago. Yet even when the fight seemed fruitless he never gave into the fear. He defied the odds, stared death in the face, and now lives a full, productive and, most importantly, very happy life. If you are looking for an inspirational and motivational speaker that is unforgettable, you have to hear Garlett talk about the will to live.

  • Victory Over Adversity

    Nothing is quite as devastating as a cancer diagnosis. And Garlett has experienced that life-altering experience on four separate occasions. He has survived radiation, chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, two joint replacements, and a finally a heart transplant. You might say he got his PhD in overcoming life's adversities, which is the baseline for his life as a motivational speaker.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.

  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

Speakers Similar to Kyle Garlett

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.

TOP