Paralympic Swimming Champion & Disability Empowerment Advocate; Four-Time Paralympic Gold Medalist; Author of "Breaking Free"
McKenzie Coan Biography
McKenzie Coan is recognized as one of the most decorated Paralympic swimmers in American history, having competed in four Paralympic Games and earning four Paralympic gold medals and 10 World Championship titles. Coan lives with osteogenesis imperfecta, a connective tissue disorder commonly associated with brittle bones, and has experienced more than 50 bone fractures. Her introduction to swimming began as aqua therapy at age four, and by eight, she was inspired by the Paralympic Games to pursue competitive swimming. Coan made her first Paralympic team at 16.
Coan has represented Team USA in four Summer Paralympic Games, earning seven Paralympic medals—four gold and three silver. Her performance at the Rio de Janeiro Games included three gold medals in the S7 50m, 100m, and 400m freestyle events, as well as a silver in the women's 4×100m freestyle relay, where she set a new Paralympic record. At the Tokyo Games, she added a gold in the 400m freestyle S7 and a silver in the 100m freestyle S7, and at the Paris Games, she secured a silver medal in the 400m freestyle S7. Beyond the Paralympics, Coan has served as Team USA Captain and claimed 10 World Championship titles in para swimming.
Coan earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Loyola University Maryland, where she competed on the NCAA Division I swimming and diving team and served as a student member of the campus ADA Compliance Committee, advocating for improved campus access and safety for wheelchair users. She is a Juris Doctor candidate, disability rights advocate, and motivational speaker, with a commitment to accessibility and inclusion that extends beyond athletics. Through her foundation Kenzie Kares, Coan promotes disability empowerment and community engagement.
Coan is the author of the memoir "Breaking Free – Shattering Expectations and Thriving with Ambition in Pursuit of Gold," which details her experiences as a Paralympic athlete and her journey living with a genetic condition. Her speaking engagements include serving as Loyola University Maryland Commencement Speaker, TEDxEmory Conference Speaker, and keynote speaker at the United States Embassy in Singapore for the Singapore Disability Sports Council Forum. Coan's presentations focus on disability empowerment, advocacy, and resilience, sharing her perspective on embracing challenges and achieving success in adaptive sports and beyond.
McKenzie Coan Speaking Topics
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McKenzie's Life Perspective
“I will always see my disability as something that happened for me, not something that happened to me”
PERSERVERANCE
McKenzie has broken well over 100 bones in her lifetime and believes each one has only made her stronger.
“Never allow anyone to dictate what you’re capable of”
McKenzie was told as a child that she was too fragile to pursue her dreams. McKenzie believes you should never allow someone to dictate your dreams or capabilities. Where would she be if she had listened to others?
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Balancing Life & Developing Competitive Edge
How can we best cope with the pressures and expectations when it matters most?
And how can that be applied to everyday life?
McKenzie has spent many years balancing her swimming dreams and other life goals. She shares her experiences training full-time with the National Team while balancing full-time division 1 swimming and academics.
McKenzie Coan Videos
McKenzie Coan and Colleen Young | SwimSwam Podcast
McKenzie Coan and Colleen Young Break Down 2021 Paralympic Games on the SwimSwam Podcast.
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How do I book McKenzie Coan to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like McKenzie Coan 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 McKenzie Coan, 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 McKenzie Coan or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for McKenzie Coan
Speaking fees for McKenzie Coan, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book McKenzie Coan are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire McKenzie Coan, 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 McKenzie Coan speak about?
McKenzie Coan is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Athlete, Disability, Inspirational, Olympic Athlete, Overcoming Adversity, Paralympics, Sports, Sports Motivation, Swimming & Diving -
Where does McKenzie Coan travel from?
McKenzie Coan generally travels from Boston, MA, 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 McKenzie Coan’s agent?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like McKenzie Coan 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 McKenzie Coan for your next private or corporate function. -
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McKenzie Coan is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as McKenzie's Life Perspective, Balancing Life & Developing Competitive Edge, Disability Empowerment & Advocacy and Female Empowerment & Leadership. The estimated speaking fee range to book McKenzie Coan for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. McKenzie Coan 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 Jessica Long, Brad Snyder, Rudy Garcia-Tolson, Victoria Arlen and John Register. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling McKenzie Coan for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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