Patrick J. Sweeney II Biography

Patrick J. Sweeney II is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, entrepreneur, and recognized authority on the science and psychology of fear, belief, and human performance. Sweeney has served as CEO for five companies and has built a career at the intersection of neuroscience, athletics, and high-stakes adventure. He holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School and has founded and led multiple technology companies, holds seven patents, produced award-winning adventure documentary films, and is an angel investor in more than 30 start-ups.

Sweeney's journey from a self-described coward to a world-record-breaking adventurer began after a significant health crisis. Following a diagnosis of a rare form of leukemia, Sweeney overcame the disease and shifted his focus to understanding the neuroscience behind personal transformation. He interviewed dozens of neuroscientists, which inspired his mission to help others move from fear-based to confident and courageous living.

This mission led to his Wall Street Journal bestselling book, "Fear is Fuel: The Surprising Power to Help You Find Purpose, Passion, and Performance." In "Fear is Fuel," Sweeney translates scientific research into practical, accessible stories. He has also authored "Founder's Creed," which explores the factors behind high-performing teams and organizational growth, emphasizing conviction, alignment, and execution under pressure.

Sweeney's athletic and adventure achievements include finishing second in the Olympic trials for rowing the single scull and winning international races. He won the Race Across America and became the first person to attempt cycling the seven summits, holding a world record for cycling to Everest Base Camp and Mount Elbrus. Sweeney is a licensed commercial pilot and competes in aerobatics.

Known as the "Fear Guru" for his work with CEOs, athletes, Navy SEALs, and corporations, Sweeney combines scientific insight with practical experience. He delivers keynote speeches to thousands annually, focusing on leadership, business growth, and overcoming fear. Sweeney has appeared on CNN, Bloomberg, CNBC, New York Times, Boston Globe, and other major outlets, and lectures at universities including Harvard Business School and the University of Virginia.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/30/2026.

Patrick J. Sweeney II Speaking Topics

  • THE NEUROSCIENCE BEHIND WINNING SALES ORGANIZATIONS

    The top 1% of sales organizations have leaders who intuitively understand the neuroscience behind getting a team to consistently outperform their capabilities. Those leaders have found it through trial and error. There's a better way. Neuroscience. The reason why buyers sign a contract has more to do with parts of the brain you've probably never heard of but need to know

    • the Amygdala, The WOrking Memory, the Limbic System, the sgACC. In one of the most engaging and entertaining keynote speeches Patrick Sweeney, the Fear Guru, will distill the neuroscience down to five actionable steps that should be at the heart of any high performing sales organization.

    If you want to blow out your numbers, and fill up your funnel hire Patrick at your sales kick-off meeting and learn from his six years of neuroscience research with the top three dozen brian scientists in the world. If you're happy with the status quo, ignore the neuroscience and keep going with the trial and error.

  • CREATING A CULTURE OF COURAGE

    What holds most people back from their full potential isn't lack of skill or lack of will, it's fear. The human brain is designed primarily for survival. That architecture interferes with our happiness, success and fulfillment in all walks of life. In fact, conferences usually present a great opportunity to learn new and exciting strategies, ones that could dramatically change businesses and lives, yet only a fraction of attendees implement those ideas. What is holding them back? Many leaders fear failure or are afraid of changing the status quo and rocking the boat. Stagnant leaders live in a fearful culture where employees do things because "that's the way it's always been done" or because they fear losing their jobs. In this riveting presentation, Patrick will explain why we get stuck in a prison of less-than-peak performance. Then he will give you tangible neuroscience techniques to take home and increase your success, power and happiness.

    Imagine finishing second in the US Olympic trials in rowing, when you could have been a gold medalist, or raising almost $30 million and creating the first cloud computing company only to have your venture capitalist make all the money when it was sold, and worst of all needing six cocktails just to get on a plane for a business trip, or not going at all.

    Fear locked Patrick Sweeney in a prison of constant suffering until he met with the ultimate terror

    • the diagnosis of a rare form of leukemia and a slim chance of survival. After beating the disease thanks to talented doctors, cutting edge mental techniques learned at the Olympic training center, and the grace of God, his whole life changed. He took flying lessons, started a new company sold it for millions, and then started another. He's now living the life of his dreams setting world records, adventuring across the globe, mentoring top CEOs, and inspiring audiences worldwide.PJS Speaking TEDx Google

    Patrick's mission is to teach millions of people the superpower of courage. For his upcoming book Fear as Fuel he interviewed more than 30 neuroscientists and psychologists for the newest investigations on how the brain functions and the secrets of overcoming our fear-based survival instincts. Patrick translates a vast continuum of scientific research into practical tactics on how to live to your fullest potential, create super-successful businesses, fulfilling relationships and raise courageous happy children. Using fear as fuel you'll begin to confidently make the best decisions of your life and unleash a new level of power. His talk gives you a sneak peak of what is sure to be a best seller. That's why he's called the Fear Guru!

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Patrick J. Sweeney II Videos

SWEENEY Keynote Demo Reel 2025

SWEENEY Keynote Demo Reel 2025

Award winning keynote speaker Patrick Sweeney has motivated and inspired audiences around the globe. With more than 500 keynote speeches to his...

How to use fear as fuel | Patrick Sweeney | TEDxPearlStreet

How to use fear as fuel | Patrick Sweeney | TEDxPearlStreet

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of neuroplasticity. We've flagged this talk because it falls...

3 Strategies for Peak Performance Under Pressure - Patrick Sweeney

3 Strategies for Peak Performance Under Pressure - Patrick Sweeney

If you want to perform your best under pressure, here are three easy and scientifically proven strategies to help you give your best when it's all on...

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Patrick J. Sweeney II is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as THE NEUROSCIENCE BEHIND WINNING SALES ORGANIZATIONS, CREATING A CULTURE OF COURAGE, VIRTUAL: FINDING COURAGE FROM FACTS NOT FEAR HOW TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING, VIRTUAL: COURAGE TO LEAD THROUGH FEAR AND ANXIETY DURING CORONAVIRUS - FRAMEWORK TO TAKE CONTROL and USING FEAR AS FUEL - SKYROCKET YOUR POTENTIAL FOR SUCCESS. The estimated speaking fee range to book Patrick J. Sweeney II for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. Patrick J. Sweeney II generally travels from Boston, MA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Josh Linkner, John "GUCCI" Foley, Robyn Benincasa, Adam Markel and Erica Dhawan. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Patrick J. Sweeney II for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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