Dick Beardsley

Prescription Drug Addiction Survivor, Record Breaking Marathon Runner & Author

Dick Beardsley

Prescription Drug Addiction Survivor, Record Breaking Marathon Runner & Author

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Biography

Dick Beardsley is among the world’s most respected and captivating motivational and inspirational speakers. He is the author of the internationally bestselling autobiography Staying the Course: A Runner's Toughest Race and the central figure of the acclaimed book Duel in the Sun: The Story of Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America's Greatest Marathon.

Dick has delivered keynote addresses at Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, conferences, conventions, corporate events, fundraisers, galas, sporting events, prisons, schools, and drug treatment centers, to name just a few. Wherever there’s a need for motivation, inspiration, and hope, Dick has been there. He has spoken to groups around the globe, from intimate audiences of five to gatherings of 15,000.

Dick Beardsley’s faith is at the core of who he is. With an extraordinary gift for connecting deeply with his audience, he leads people through a journey filled with laughter, reflection, and a profound appreciation for life’s challenges and triumphs. In his talks, Dick shares his exhilarating highs, harrowing lows, and ultimately, his powerful journey from despair to redemption. Speaking directly from the heart, Dick inspires with his authenticity and resilience.

One of Dick’s most remarkable qualities is his ability to see the positive in every situation, even amidst tremendous personal trials. This perspective has not only helped him overcome incredible challenges but has also shaped him into an inspiring figure for everyone who hears him speak.

Dick’s message of perseverance and courage resonates with audiences, encouraging them to find strength and take the next step, even when the path seems impossible. Attendees will leave feeling empowered, inspired, and ready to face life’s challenges with renewed hope. Dick brings his listeners through moments of joy, sorrow, adversity, and triumph, leaving them with insights into what it takes to achieve greatness.

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 record and the American record.

The story of Dick'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. Dick is a true survivor. Having looked death straight in the eyes, numerous times, Dick's life is a story of hope and redemption.

After retiring from competitive running, Dick Beardsley endured a series of near-fatal accidents that led to a challenging battle with a narcotic addiction which included taking 80 – 90 Percocet, Valium and Demerol, a day. His journey of resilience and recovery resonates deeply with anyone who has faced daunting obstacles, pursued seemingly impossible goals, or overcome personal tragedy.

In October 2015, Dick experienced another profound loss when his beloved 31-year-old son, Andrew, an Iraq War veteran, tragically died by suicide. This heartbreak challenged Dick on the deepest personal level, compelling him to once again draw on his inner strength and faith to find a way forward.

Yet, with unwavering faith and determination, he continues to share his journey, spreading a message of hope and resilience.

Dick’s story goes beyond his legendary running career; it’s a story of survival, hope and triumph over life’s darkest moments that captivates audiences. He openly shares the highs and lows, the struggles and victories, reminding his audience that no roadblock or setback is insurmountable. His journey offers not only motivation but a powerful sense of hope, leaving listeners inspired to believe in their own strength and courage to take the next step, even when it feels impossible. Dick’s talk will leave the audience empowered to face life’s challenges and filled with hope for the journey ahead.

Speaker Videos

Duel in the Sun

Fine Hygienic Holdings - Dubai

World Class Marathon Runner, Motivational Speaker, Addiction Dependency Survivor

Dick Beardsley

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Speech Topics

Overcoming Adversity

Organizations, much like life, experience their share of highs and lows. There’s nothing more disheartening than seeing an organization soar to its peak only to crash to its lowest point. Dick knows this feeling firsthand. From being a world-class athlete at the height of his career to facing the depths of addiction, he has lived through the extreme highs and lows. In a deeply personal and powerful way, Dick shares his journey of resilience, offering insight into how to rise from the valley and climb back to greatness.

What Does It Takes to Be World Class?

Dick was ranked among the top 5 marathoners in the world and claimed victory in some of the most prestigious races. He competed alongside world record holders and consistently outpaced them. With firsthand experience in reaching the pinnacle of athletic performance, Dick understands the simple yet powerful principles of what it takes to be world-class. These same principles that drive success in sports are equally applicable in life and business.

Never Give Up Hope

Whether Dick is sharing his journey from the bottom of the running world to becoming a world-class athlete, recounting the challenges of overcoming a devastating addiction to narcotic painkillers, or speaking about the heartbreaking loss of his beloved son, Andy, his message will leave your audience deeply moved. Attendees will walk away inspired and empowered to confront their own challenges with courage, and motivated to rise up no matter how many times life knocks them down.

How to Take on Goliath by Being Your Best

Has your organization faced challenges beyond your control? Many of us are exhausted by the relentless obstacles of COVID, economic struggles, and global unrest. In the 1982 Boston Marathon, Dick Beardsley took on the world record holder and the undefeated "King," Alberto Salazar. From the grueling training to the incredible finish, Dick shares powerful lessons on how to confront life's "Goliaths." Through his journey, you’ll learn how to strive for excellence and turn it into a reality.

Staying the Course

Dick will share his remarkable journey with your clients, leaving them inspired and empowered to believe that anything is possible, no matter the obstacles or self-doubt they may face. With his message of perseverance and courage, your clients will discover the strength to take the next step, even when they feel they can’t go on. They will walk away with renewed self-belief, ready to embrace life’s challenges, no matter how overwhelming. Through laughter, tears, and raw emotion, Dick will guide your listeners from the highest peaks to the deepest valleys and back again. They will experience his incredible journey through moments of triumph, profound struggle, and ultimately, the transformative light of hope and redemption.

Testimonials

"Dick Beardsley came out to speak at the Society of American Florists' Annual Convention. Dick's moving stories of his drive to become a world-class runner to his battle with Alberto Salazar in 1983 to his epic struggle to overcome drug addiction are almost beyond belief. You think to yourself “It’s a wonder he’s still alive.” But then you’re so thankful he is because his message -- delivered in his down-to-earth, easy-going style -- is heartfelt, pure and, above all, incredibly inspiring."

- Chief Operating Officer Society of American Florists

“Dick’s talk at my Senior Leaders Conference was a big success! His life story of overcoming extreme challenges, not just once but multiple times, was truly inspirational and left a very positive impression. Dick shared his experiences with a speaking style that was down-to-earth, humorous, touching, inspiring and engaging. His talk motivated us to believe that if Dick could survive, endure, and thrive then we can conquer any of our own personal challenges. I will not forget the lessons Dick shared.”

- Vice President, GE Capital Retail Finance

"Dick was our featured speaker at our recent appreciation luncheon. Our appreciation luncheon includes our staff, customers, suppliers, professional services and non-profits. Everyone that I spoke to was absolutely blown away how Dick was able to persevere through all of the things that have come at him in his life. He is a master story teller. Everyone was focused on Dick as he told the story of his life. We all left that luncheon inspired and motivated to be a better person. I have never heard a better speaker then Dick. He combines inspiration, drama and humor in such a way that it touches the heart of every listener."

- President of King Solutions

"I have heard Bill Clinton, Lance Armstrong, and even the Dalai Lama speak. None of them meant as much to me as hearing Dick speak. His message of hope and redemption is moving and stays with you forever."

- New Balance

“Dick came to speak at the Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge Annual Banquet and Silent Auction. His message was very impactful and inspiring, not only for our men in the program, also for everyone in attendance. Addiction can rear its ugly head in many people’s lives, and Dick explained how it has affected his life and how he was able to work through it. We were all blessed to meet and hear his story.”

- Development Director, MN Adult and Teen Challenge – Northland Campus

"Dick is an inspiring and eloquent speaker who mixes humor, personal anecdotes and factual material in an entertaining and highly motivating talk. He is versatile and has a range of delivery styles that match the audience. His life story as an athlete, a personality and a recovering addict is riveting and instructional. I highly recommend Dick as a motivational speaker to everyone from kids to retirees. His life story is authentic and relatable."

- CEO Conley Sports Productions, LLC

“My sincerest thanks to Dick for speaking to the Running Buddies group at the Duluth YMCA! The speech was incredible. He engaged the youth from start to finish while sharing an invaluable message of perseverance and personal responsibility. I was touched and inspired by his genuine warmth. I aspire to follow his lead and radiate a calm, contagious positivity.”

- Running Buddies Coordinator, True North AmeriCorps Member

"I had Dick speak to my Procter and Gamble teams in Geneva in 2005. Having brought in a range of top-rated speakers over the years, I can say unequivocally that Dick is absolutely one of the finest speakers I have ever witnessed. His story of personal excellence, of falling, and redemption is uplifting and simply breathtaking. His personable style, his humility and honesty, and his ability to weave a wonderful story ensures he leaves an audience deeply impacted and spellbound. I would highly recommend Dick to any professional organization. His message is NOT a running message. It is a story of the power of the human spirit."

- CEO Fine Hygienic Holding

"Dick spoke at our annual Dairy Summit. His story had the hundreds of attendees of the edge of their seat. Dick spoke to facing life's challenges head on and dealing with adversity in a positive way. Dick's openness and transparency of his own struggles and personal battles sets an example for all of us to strive to pursue the best of our God given talents. Dick was a "featured speaker favorite" for many of us who have been long time attendees of the Dairy Summit."

- Center for Dairy Excellence