Resilience Advocate & Triathlete; COVID-19 Survivor Known for ESPN+ Documentary "The Long Haul"; TEDx Speaker

Moncton, Canada

Ben O'Donnell Biography

Ben O'Donnell is a keynote speaker, triathlete, and resilience advocate whose survival story gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. While training for his second Ironman triathlon, O'Donnell contracted COVID-19 during a business trip. After spending nine days at home before Minnesota could test for the virus, he was admitted directly to the ICU, becoming the first critical case of COVID-19 in Minnesota and the first person in North America to survive COVID-19 while requiring ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) support. With his lungs filled with fluid and a 50 percent chance of survival, O'Donnell spent a month in intensive care before regaining consciousness and returning home, still severely debilitated.

Discharged with a walker and supplemental oxygen, O'Donnell continued to train for an Ironman triathlon. Fourteen months after coming off ECMO life support, he completed Ironman Tulsa. He took extensive measures to keep his family safe while training for a race that many considered unattainable, using the goal to demonstrate his recovery from the coronavirus. After finishing the race, O'Donnell presented his Ironman Tulsa finisher medal to the caregivers at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center.

O'Donnell's journey is chronicled in "The Long Haul," a documentary directed by Scott Harves that premiered at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival and received recognition at the Crown Point International Film Festival. The documentary is also available on ESPN+. In addition to the film, O'Donnell delivered a TEDx talk at TEDxMinneapolis, sharing his experience as one of the first critical COVID-19 cases in North America.

O'Donnell is a keynote speaker focusing on healthcare, business, and coaching, helping audiences address challenges and build resilience. He adapts the messaging of his story to fit the needs of clients and has spoken to a congressional subcommittee on overcoming vaccine hesitancy. O'Donnell also raises funds for the Ironman Foundation's IRONAID program, supporting nonprofit organizations affected by the pandemic. He continues to pursue endurance sports, including a journey to the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, demonstrating ongoing commitment to resilience and recovery after surviving a severe medical crisis.

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

Ben O'Donnell Speaking Topics

  • Motivation: Don't Stop, Don't Quit, Keep Moving Forward

    Ben uses his story of recovery to guide and motivate you through your journey. His story starts in an ICU bed suffering from COVID-19. He was on a ventilator and ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation). His journey took him to an Ironman finish line just 14 months later. His determination and grit are infectious as he takes you on a journey of not just recovery, but self reflection and triumph.

    Success is not a single event, and progress is made slowly. It is about the little things we do every day that help us towards our better tomorrow. Just don't stop, don't quit, keep moving forward.

  • Work/Life Balance: Lessons Learned from the ICU Bed

    Ben had a very successful professional career. He worked as an executive for more than one Fortune 500 company before he was 37. He climbed the corporate ladder with the best of them. Then, when he was forced to reflect on his life and career from his ICU bed, he found the things that mattered in his life and career.

    Ben takes you through this thought process and how he found the items that truly mattered in life and work. He wants you to learn from his experience. He talks about how the village and people that you surround yourself with are so much more important than that title and compensation you receive. He is not blind to the monetary needs to survive in the world, but rather looks at how you can balance the financial need with the personal fulfillment we all need.

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Ben O'Donnell Videos

From COVID ICU to Ironman finish line | Ben O'Donnell | TEDx

From COVID ICU to Ironman finish line | Ben O'Donnell | TEDx

By now, most of the world’s population has experienced COVID-19 firsthand and knows how arduous the journey to health can be. For Ben O’Donnell,...

SportsCenter Featured: The Long Haul

SportsCenter Featured: The Long Haul

38-year-old Ben O’Donnell arrived in a hospital’s emergency room on March 9th 2020, where he became the first critical COVID patient in the state...

  • How do I book Ben O'Donnell to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Ben O'Donnell

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  • What topics does Ben O'Donnell speak about?

    Ben O'Donnell is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Athlete, Leadership, Motivational, Overcoming Adversity, Peak Performance, Public Health, Resilience, Sports, Storytelling, Work-Life Balance
  • Where does Ben O'Donnell travel from?

    Ben O'Donnell generally travels from Moncton, Canada, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Ben O'Donnell is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Motivation: Don't Stop, Don't Quit, Keep Moving Forward, Work/Life Balance: Lessons Learned from the ICU Bed and Compassionate Leadership: People First Leadership in the Modern Workplace . The estimated speaking fee range to book Ben O'Donnell for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Ben O'Donnell generally travels from Moncton, Canada and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Webb Simpson, Allison Massari, Vince Papale, Jim Morris and Rocky Bleier. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Ben O'Donnell for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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