Resilience Expert & Firefighter; U.S. Air Force Veteran; Guinness World Record Holder; Author of "Fireman Rob"

Madison, WI, USA
Live Event: $5,000 - $10,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info

Robert Verhelst Biography

Robert Verhelst, known professionally as Fireman Rob, is a career firefighter, U.S. Air Force veteran, Guinness World Record holder, author, and keynote speaker specializing in mental health advocacy and resilience training. Verhelst has served with the Madison, Wisconsin Fire Department for more than two decades, where he has responded to emergencies and made critical decisions under pressure. His career took a pivotal turn when he traveled to New York City to assist with search and recovery operations at the World Trade Center following the September 11 attacks, an experience that shaped his approach to mental health and leadership.

Verhelst is recognized in the endurance sports community for completing the 26.2-mile run portion of Ironman triathlons in full firefighter gear, including helmet, bunker pants, jacket, and air pack, weighing 50 pounds. He has completed 23 full Ironman and 29 half Ironman triathlons in this gear, covering more than 1,000 miles. Verhelst holds the Guinness World Record for the most Ironman 70.3 triathlons completed in a single year and for the longest distance run in firefighter gear. His achievements have been acknowledged by Triathlon Magazine and HITS Triathlon. He has also appeared on Discovery Channel's "Ultimate Ninja Challenge."

Verhelst has spoken publicly about his experiences with combat-related PTSD, drawing from his military service and work at Ground Zero. Through endurance sports and advocacy, he has developed a platform focused on mental health, emotional intelligence, and resilience, particularly for first responders. Verhelst is a Certified Ironman University Coach and a certified advocate for emotional intelligence, providing training for individuals and organizations on overcoming adversity through mindset and purpose.

He is the author of "Fireman Rob: Your Strength Is In Your Passion" and "Forged in the Fires: The Seven Catalysts to Ignite Your Possible, Accelerate Your Potential & Extricate Your Best Life." Verhelst also hosts the "Forged in the Fires" podcast, where he discusses strategies for building resilience and mental strength. His keynote presentations have reached audiences from Fortune-level corporations to educational institutions.

Verhelst founded the Fireman Rob Foundation, a nonprofit organization that delivers Gund Teddy Bears to children in hospitals, shelters, and foster care worldwide. The foundation has distributed more than 9,000 bears to children in need. Through his work in firefighting, endurance sports, mental health advocacy, and philanthropy, Verhelst emphasizes the importance of purpose and mental strength in overcoming challenges.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/01/2026.

Robert Verhelst Speaking Topics

  • Resilient Leadership Mindset

    Is it my choice to decide my future? Do I have to live by the aspects of other people’s ideas? The Resilient Mindset is about your journey. It is about trust in leading yourself down a path that others may say is not right. Yet, being courageous is not just running into the fires. It’s understanding the fires and using them to your advantage. Success isn’t happiness, success is value. Don’t you want to stretch the limits of possible in your own life? I have the catalysts to ignite a spark in you that you can translate into your fire. Life doesn’t get easier, you will just get Stronger when you find live with your resilient mindset. TAKEAWAYS FROM FIREMAN ROB’S KEYNOTE & WORKSHOP: How to Develop a Resilient Mindset How To Ignite Your Fire with the 7 Catalysts How To Use a Mentally Strong Mindset to Lead How to Empower Courage to be You.

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  • What are the speaker fees for Robert Verhelst

    Speaking fees for Robert Verhelst, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Robert Verhelst are under $10,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Robert Verhelst, 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.
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    Robert Verhelst generally travels from Madison, WI, 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.
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Robert Verhelst is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Resilient Leadership Mindset. The estimated speaking fee range to book Robert Verhelst for your event is available upon request. Robert Verhelst generally travels from Madison, WI, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Rocky Bleier, Robert Pizzini, Lonnie Bedwell, Sammy Farrens and Brent Gleeson. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Robert Verhelst for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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