Chess Prodigy & Martial Arts World Champion; Author of "The Art of Learning"; Performance Psychology Expert
Josh Waitzkin Biography
Joshua Waitzkin is a multi-disciplinary achiever known for his accomplishments as a chess prodigy, martial arts world champion, and author. Waitzkin began competing in U.S. scholastic chess at age nine, becoming an eight-time national champion. He is the only individual to have won the National Primary, Elementary, Junior High School, High School, U.S. Cadet, and U.S. Junior Closed chess championships. At age 11, Waitzkin was one of two children to draw with World Champion Garry Kasparov in a simultaneous exhibition against 59 young players. He earned the title of National Master at 13 and became an International Master at 16.
Paramount Pictures' film "Searching for Bobby Fischer" is based on the book "Searching for Bobby Fischer: The Father of a Prodigy Observes the World of Chess" by Fred Waitzkin, Joshua Waitzkin's father. Waitzkin appears in a cameo role in the film. After his early chess career, Waitzkin shifted focus to the martial art of tai chi, winning the Middleweight World Championship title in Fixed Step Push Hands and becoming Middleweight World Co-Champion in Moving Step Push Hands at the Chung Hwa Cup International Tai Chi Chuan Championships in Taiwan. He is also recognized as the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under nine-time world champion Marcelo Garcia.
Waitzkin authored "The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance," sharing insights from his experiences in chess and tai chi. The book explores principles of learning, performance psychology, and personal growth, and has been referenced by athletes, traders, and creatives. Waitzkin also wrote "Attacking Chess," published when he was 18. He has contributed to the development and served as spokesperson for Chessmaster, a leading computer chess program.
Through his nonprofit foundation, The Art of Learning Project, Waitzkin works to advance education and performance psychology. He consults internationally on topics including the learning process, creativity, and mental performance in business and finance. Waitzkin's career highlights the universality and transferability of mastery principles across disciplines.
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What topics does Josh Waitzkin speak about?
Josh Waitzkin is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Disruptive Thinking, Education, Martial Arts, Mindset, Motivational, Non-Fiction Authors, Peak Performance, Personal Growth, Thought Leadership -
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Josh Waitzkin is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Josh Waitzkin for your event is available upon request. Josh Waitzkin generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are John Register, Dr. Michael Time, Shawn Achor, Tim Grover and Eduardo Briceño. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Josh Waitzkin for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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