From the Only Survivor of ATPL & Locked-In Syndrome to Co-Creator of the Award-Winning Blink Podcast (Best of 2025); Advocate & Innovator
Jake Haendel Biography
Jake Haendel is the only known survivor of stage four Acute Toxic Progressive Leukoencephalopathy—a rare and typically fatal brain disease that left him fully locked-in: conscious but unable to move, speak, or breathe on his own.
Since his extraordinary recovery in 2021, Haendel has become a powerful voice in mental health, disability advocacy, and resilience.
He is the co-creator of the viral podcast "Blink"—consistently a Top 10 Podcast and one of Apple Podcasts’ Best of 2025—and the co-founder of Ahoi, a tech startup focused on accessibility innovation. Blending lived experience with raw insight, Haendel offers a rare perspective on trauma, addiction, recovery, and the human condition that few in the world can match.
Haendel’s reflective storytelling explores the lessons learned and the profound shift in perspective gained from surviving the impossible. His goal is not just to inspire, but to challenge audiences to reevaluate how they’re living—offering a window into a mindset forged through trauma, so others might access it without having to experience it themselves.
In addition to his keynote storytelling, Haendel regularly delivers focused talks for clinical and academic audiences—covering topics such as speech therapy, occupational and physical therapy, ICU care, and treating patients with nonverbal or altered consciousness. He also speaks candidly about substance use disorder and its lasting impact.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Jake Haendel and other top speakers and celebrities.
Jake Haendel Speaking Topics
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Medical & Clinical Care
Covert consciousness, neurology, ICU care, and working with nonverbal patients.
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Rehabilitation & Therapy
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy from a lived experience perspective.
Jake Haendel Videos
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How do I book Jake Haendel to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Jake Haendel 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 Jake Haendel, 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 Jake Haendel or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Jake Haendel
Speaking fees for Jake Haendel, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Jake Haendel are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jake Haendel, 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 Jake Haendel speak about?
Jake Haendel is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Addiction & Recovery, Disability, Entrepreneurship, Inspirational, Mental Health, Overcoming Adversity, Podcast Host, Resilience, Technology -
Where does Jake Haendel travel from?
Jake Haendel 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 Jake Haendel’s agent?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Jake Haendel 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 Jake Haendel 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 Jake Haendel 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.
Jake Haendel is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Medical & Clinical Care, Rehabilitation & Therapy, Disability & Resilience, Addiction & Recovery and Perspective & Gratitude. The estimated speaking fee range to book Jake Haendel for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Jake Haendel 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 Dr. Michael Time, Maja Kazazic, Rebekah Gregory, Jaco van Gass and Casey Adams. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Jake Haendel for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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