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

Dick Beardsley

Motivational Speaker, Suicide Survivor of Loss, Farm Accident Survivor, Prescription Drug Addiction Survivor, Famous 1982 Boston Marathon Runner, Author, Fishing Guide & Innkeeper

REQUEST BOOKING INFORMATION

Dick Beardsley Biography

Dick Beardsley is one of the world’s most extraordinary, well respected, and compelling motivational / inspirational keynote speakers. Beardsley's inspirational international best selling autobiography Staying the Course, A Runners Toughest Race and the subject of the best selling book Duel in the Sun: The Story of Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America's Greatest Marathon.

Beardsley has been the keynote speaker at Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, conferences, conventions, corporate events, fundraisers, galas, sporting events, prisons, schools and drug treatment centers, to name a few. Anywhere motivation, inspiration and hope is needed. Beardsley has spoken to countless number of groups all over the world, ranging in size from 5 people to 15,000 people.

He has a gift of making people laugh, cry and most importantly, think and appreciate life to the fullest, despite any ups and downs that may come along. Your clients will be walked through his exciting highs and his dark valley of despair and through the anguish to that great light of hope and redemption. Beardsley's talks are directly from his heart and are highly inspirational.

One of Beardsley’s greatest strengths is his ability to look on the positive side of life. It has allowed him to overcome multitudes of personal tragedy and helped him become the person he is today. Beardsley is a great source of inspiration to all of those who hear him speak.

With perseverance and courage, your clients will know they can take the next step when they don’t think that they can or have it in them. They will leave with the ability to believe in themselves and embrace life’s challenges, not matter how daunting. They will leave inspired and full of hope. He will bring your listeners to laughter, tears, the pinnacle, the bottom, and back up again. Beardsley can communicate to your audience on what it takes to become world class.

For a brief moment in the early '80s Dick Beardsley became the most famous runner / athlete in the world - by losing a race. In the 1982 Boston Marathon, Beardsley, foiled by a motorcycle that cut him off near the end, finished two seconds behind Alberto Salazar in a contest often called one of the most memorable in marathon history. It was the closest finish ever at the world's premier marathon, and both runners broke the course and the American records.

After retiring from running, Beardsley had a series of near fatal accidents that left him addicted to pain killers. His story of overcoming extreme obstacles speaks to anyone who loves competition, who has survived catastrophe, or who has pursued a seemingly impossible goal.

In October of 2015, Beardsley's beloved 31-year-old son Andrew, a veteran of the war in Iraq, died by suicide, another heart-wrenching blow that challenged Beardsley in a deeply personal way. This tragic loss has once again forced Beardsley to call on his inner strength and faith and continue his positive path through his life. Of all the difficulties in life, Beardsley admits this loss has, by far, been the most difficult to overcome.

Beardsley will share his life with you. You will leave his talk knowing that anything is possible, despite any roadblocks or doubts. With perseverance and courage, you will know that you can take the next step when you don’t think that you can or have it in you. You will leave with the ability to believe in yourself. You will leave with hope.

The story of Beardsley's running career alone is the stuff of legends, but it is the story that comes after that draws people in and keeps them listening. Beardsley is a true survivor. Having looked death in the eye numerous times, Beardsley's life is a story of hope and redemption.

Speaking Topics
  • STAYING THE COURSE

    Dick will share his life with your clients and they will leave knowing that anything is possible, despite any roadblocks or doubts. With perseverance and courage, your clients will know they can take the next step when they don’t think that they can or have it in them. They will leave with the ability to believe in themselves and embrace life’s challenges, not matter how daunting. They will leave inspired and he will bring your listeners to laughter, tears, the pinnacle, the bottom, and back up again. They will be walked through his exciting highs and his dark valley of despair and through the anguish to that great light of hope and redemption.

  • NEVER GIVE UP HOPE

    Whether Dick is talking about his world class running career or series of numerous accidents, where he started at the very bottom of the running world to becoming a world class athlete or he’s talking about the beginnings of his horrific addiction to narcotic pain medicines, your clients will leave the event a changed person. They will be encouraged and inspired to face their own demons with courage and to continue getting up no matter how many times life may knock you down.

  • WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE WORLD CLASS?

    Dick was ranked as one of the top 5 marathoners on the world. He won some of the world’s most prestigious races. He ran world record holders into the ground. Dick knows the simple truths of what it takes to be world class and be the best that can be. The same principles that apply in sports apply as well in life and business.

  • HOW TO TAKE ON GOLIATH BY BEING YOUR BEST

    Many young organizations are faced with the daunting challenge of taking on, in the marketplace, market leading brands and companies, that have decades of success and pedigree. This is exactly what Dick faced in the 1982 Boston Marathon by taking on the world record holder and never before challenged, the “King” Alberto Salazar. Starting with training, both mentally and physical, to the starting line and to the brink in this unbelievable finish, Dick shares the underlying learnings of how to take on the “Goliaths” in life and give them a run for their money. Dick will show you how to reach for excellence and make it a reality.

  • OVERCOMING ADVERSITY

    Organizations reflect life. It can be a series of ups and downs. Nothing can be more demotivating than an organization that reaches the greatest of highs and then falls to the lowest of lows. Dick personally knows in an incredibly powerful way how this feels and how to climb back up to greatness again, going from world class athlete at the top of his field to confessed drug addict, falling to the depth of the valley. Dick shares in a personal and poignant way how to get back to the top of the mountain again.

Videos
Books
Staying The Course: A Runner's Toughest Race

Staying The Course: A Runner's Toughest Race

FAQs
  • How do I book Dick Beardsley to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Dick Beardsley 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 Dick Beardsley, 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 Dick Beardsley or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Dick Beardsley

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

    Dick Beardsley is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Health and Wellness, Motivation, Peak Performance, Personal Growth, Sports, Virtual Speakers.
  • Where does Dick Beardsley travel from?

    Dick Beardsley generally travels from Bemidji, MN, 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 Dick Beardsley’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Dick Beardsley 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 Dick Beardsley 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 Dick Beardsley 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.
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.

Motivational Speaker, Suicide Survivor of Loss, Farm Accident Survivor, Prescription Drug Addiction Survivor, Famous 1982 Boston Marathon Runner, Author, Fishing Guide & Innkeeper

Travels From:
Bemidji, MN, USA
Speaking Fee:

Dick Beardsley Biography

Dick Beardsley is one of the world’s most extraordinary, well respected, and compelling motivational / inspirational keynote speakers. Beardsley's inspirational international best selling autobiography Staying the Course, A Runners Toughest Race and the subject of the best selling book Duel in the Sun: The Story of Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America's Greatest Marathon.

Beardsley has been the keynote speaker at Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, conferences, conventions, corporate events, fundraisers, galas, sporting events, prisons, schools and drug treatment centers, to name a few. Anywhere motivation, inspiration and hope is needed. Beardsley has spoken to countless number of groups all over the world, ranging in size from 5 people to 15,000 people.

He has a gift of making people laugh, cry and most importantly, think and appreciate life to the fullest, despite any ups and downs that may come along. Your clients will be walked through his exciting highs and his dark valley of despair and through the anguish to that great light of hope and redemption. Beardsley's talks are directly from his heart and are highly inspirational.

One of Beardsley’s greatest strengths is his ability to look on the positive side of life. It has allowed him to overcome multitudes of personal tragedy and helped him become the person he is today. Beardsley is a great source of inspiration to all of those who hear him speak.

With perseverance and courage, your clients will know they can take the next step when they don’t think that they can or have it in them. They will leave with the ability to believe in themselves and embrace life’s challenges, not matter how daunting. They will leave inspired and full of hope. He will bring your listeners to laughter, tears, the pinnacle, the bottom, and back up again. Beardsley can communicate to your audience on what it takes to become world class.

For a brief moment in the early '80s Dick Beardsley became the most famous runner / athlete in the world - by losing a race. In the 1982 Boston Marathon, Beardsley, foiled by a motorcycle that cut him off near the end, finished two seconds behind Alberto Salazar in a contest often called one of the most memorable in marathon history. It was the closest finish ever at the world's premier marathon, and both runners broke the course and the American records.

After retiring from running, Beardsley had a series of near fatal accidents that left him addicted to pain killers. His story of overcoming extreme obstacles speaks to anyone who loves competition, who has survived catastrophe, or who has pursued a seemingly impossible goal.

In October of 2015, Beardsley's beloved 31-year-old son Andrew, a veteran of the war in Iraq, died by suicide, another heart-wrenching blow that challenged Beardsley in a deeply personal way. This tragic loss has once again forced Beardsley to call on his inner strength and faith and continue his positive path through his life. Of all the difficulties in life, Beardsley admits this loss has, by far, been the most difficult to overcome.

Beardsley will share his life with you. You will leave his talk knowing that anything is possible, despite any roadblocks or doubts. With perseverance and courage, you will know that you can take the next step when you don’t think that you can or have it in you. You will leave with the ability to believe in yourself. You will leave with hope.

The story of Beardsley's running career alone is the stuff of legends, but it is the story that comes after that draws people in and keeps them listening. Beardsley is a true survivor. Having looked death in the eye numerous times, Beardsley's life is a story of hope and redemption.

Dick Beardsley Speaking Topics

  • STAYING THE COURSE

    Dick will share his life with your clients and they will leave knowing that anything is possible, despite any roadblocks or doubts. With perseverance and courage, your clients will know they can take the next step when they don’t think that they can or have it in them. They will leave with the ability to believe in themselves and embrace life’s challenges, not matter how daunting. They will leave inspired and he will bring your listeners to laughter, tears, the pinnacle, the bottom, and back up again. They will be walked through his exciting highs and his dark valley of despair and through the anguish to that great light of hope and redemption.

  • NEVER GIVE UP HOPE

    Whether Dick is talking about his world class running career or series of numerous accidents, where he started at the very bottom of the running world to becoming a world class athlete or he’s talking about the beginnings of his horrific addiction to narcotic pain medicines, your clients will leave the event a changed person. They will be encouraged and inspired to face their own demons with courage and to continue getting up no matter how many times life may knock you down.

  • WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE WORLD CLASS?

    Dick was ranked as one of the top 5 marathoners on the world. He won some of the world’s most prestigious races. He ran world record holders into the ground. Dick knows the simple truths of what it takes to be world class and be the best that can be. The same principles that apply in sports apply as well in life and business.

  • HOW TO TAKE ON GOLIATH BY BEING YOUR BEST

    Many young organizations are faced with the daunting challenge of taking on, in the marketplace, market leading brands and companies, that have decades of success and pedigree. This is exactly what Dick faced in the 1982 Boston Marathon by taking on the world record holder and never before challenged, the “King” Alberto Salazar. Starting with training, both mentally and physical, to the starting line and to the brink in this unbelievable finish, Dick shares the underlying learnings of how to take on the “Goliaths” in life and give them a run for their money. Dick will show you how to reach for excellence and make it a reality.

  • OVERCOMING ADVERSITY

    Organizations reflect life. It can be a series of ups and downs. Nothing can be more demotivating than an organization that reaches the greatest of highs and then falls to the lowest of lows. Dick personally knows in an incredibly powerful way how this feels and how to climb back up to greatness again, going from world class athlete at the top of his field to confessed drug addict, falling to the depth of the valley. Dick shares in a personal and poignant way how to get back to the top of the mountain again.

Dick Beardsley Videos

  • Dick Beardsley: World Class Marathon Runner, Motivational ...

Dick Beardsley Books

FAQs on booking Dick Beardsley

  • How do I book Dick Beardsley to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Dick Beardsley 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 Dick Beardsley, 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 Dick Beardsley or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Dick Beardsley

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

    Dick Beardsley is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Health and Wellness, Motivation, Peak Performance, Personal Growth, Sports, Virtual Speakers.
  • Where does Dick Beardsley travel from?

    Dick Beardsley generally travels from Bemidji, MN, 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 Dick Beardsley’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Dick Beardsley 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 Dick Beardsley 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 Dick Beardsley 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.

Dick Beardsley is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as STAYING THE COURSE, NEVER GIVE UP HOPE, WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE WORLD CLASS?, HOW TO TAKE ON GOLIATH BY BEING YOUR BEST and OVERCOMING ADVERSITY. The estimated speaking fee range to book Dick Beardsley for your event is available upon request. Dick Beardsley generally travels from Bemidji, MN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Vince Papale, Kyle Maynard, Rocky Bleier, Jim Abbott and JP Pawliw-Fry. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Dick Beardsley for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Dick Beardsley Speaking Topics

  • STAYING THE COURSE

    Dick will share his life with your clients and they will leave knowing that anything is possible, despite any roadblocks or doubts. With perseverance and courage, your clients will know they can take the next step when they don’t think that they can or have it in them. They will leave with the ability to believe in themselves and embrace life’s challenges, not matter how daunting. They will leave inspired and he will bring your listeners to laughter, tears, the pinnacle, the bottom, and back up again. They will be walked through his exciting highs and his dark valley of despair and through the anguish to that great light of hope and redemption.

  • NEVER GIVE UP HOPE

    Whether Dick is talking about his world class running career or series of numerous accidents, where he started at the very bottom of the running world to becoming a world class athlete or he’s talking about the beginnings of his horrific addiction to narcotic pain medicines, your clients will leave the event a changed person. They will be encouraged and inspired to face their own demons with courage and to continue getting up no matter how many times life may knock you down.

  • WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE WORLD CLASS?

    Dick was ranked as one of the top 5 marathoners on the world. He won some of the world’s most prestigious races. He ran world record holders into the ground. Dick knows the simple truths of what it takes to be world class and be the best that can be. The same principles that apply in sports apply as well in life and business.

  • HOW TO TAKE ON GOLIATH BY BEING YOUR BEST

    Many young organizations are faced with the daunting challenge of taking on, in the marketplace, market leading brands and companies, that have decades of success and pedigree. This is exactly what Dick faced in the 1982 Boston Marathon by taking on the world record holder and never before challenged, the “King” Alberto Salazar. Starting with training, both mentally and physical, to the starting line and to the brink in this unbelievable finish, Dick shares the underlying learnings of how to take on the “Goliaths” in life and give them a run for their money. Dick will show you how to reach for excellence and make it a reality.

  • OVERCOMING ADVERSITY

    Organizations reflect life. It can be a series of ups and downs. Nothing can be more demotivating than an organization that reaches the greatest of highs and then falls to the lowest of lows. Dick personally knows in an incredibly powerful way how this feels and how to climb back up to greatness again, going from world class athlete at the top of his field to confessed drug addict, falling to the depth of the valley. Dick shares in a personal and poignant way how to get back to the top of the mountain again.

Dick Beardsley Speaker Videos

  • Dick Beardsley: World Class Marathon Runner, Motivational ...

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 Dick Beardsley

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