Jessica Buchanan

Change Strategist & Best-Selling Author

Jessica Buchanan

Change Strategist & Best-Selling Author

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Biography

On October 25, 2011, while on a routine field mission in Somalia working as the Education Advisor for her non-governmental organization, Jessica was abducted at gunpoint and held for ransom by a group of Somali pirates for 93 days. Forced to live outdoors in deplorable conditions, starved, and terrorized by more than two dozen gangsters, Jessica’s health deteriorated until, by order of President Obama, she was rescued by the elite SEAL Team VI on January 25, 2012.

Jessica’s ordeal is detailed in her New York Times bestselling memoir, Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six. Her story became the most highly viewed 60 Minutes episode to air, and she has been recognized by Newsweek as one of the “150 Women Who Will Shake the World.”

Today, Jessica’s work centers on the transformative message that survival is not the end of the story — it is the beginning. Through her platform, How to Survive Survival, she teaches individuals and organizations how to turn life’s most difficult moments into catalysts for meaning, contribution, and radical personal change. Her TEDx Pearl Street talk, “Change is Your Proof of Life,” continues to serve as the cornerstone of her mission: to help others reclaim agency in the aftermath of crisis.

Jessica is the author of multiple books, including her latest release, How to Survive Survival: A Guide for Turning Life’s Hardest Moments Into Meaningful Contribution for the World. She is also the host of the How to Survive Survival podcast, where she explores what it truly means not just to endure, but to rise, rebuild, and reimagine a life after the unthinkable. When she’s not writing or speaking, Jessica is traveling the world with her Swedish husband and two “half Vikings.” She aims to lead a life shaped by curiosity, culture, and a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.

Speaker Videos

TEDx: Change is Your Proof of Life

The Rescue of Jessica Buchanan | 60 Minutes

Sizzle Reel

Navy Seal Foundation Speech

National Day of Courage

Inside the SEAL Team Rescue Mission

See Fewer Videos

Speech Topics

Impossible Odds: A Story of Strength & Survival

Audiences of all types looking to be inspired and motivated to face the everyday and extraordinary challenges of their lives with grace, tenacity and the ability to move forward.

The audience will leave with:

Feelings of inspiration and a renewed perspective showing them that they have what it takes to persevere through obstacles, no matter how impossible they may seem in the present
Specific tools Jessica used during captivity, that you can employ in your every day life, that inspire gratitude and a willingness
A poignant reminder that no matter how alone we may feel, we have not been forgotten

Change is Your Proof of Life

Audiences who may be facing corporate or personal life changes and the challenges that arise when change has been thrust upon you.

The Audience will leave with:

Renewed mindset on how to collaborate with change in their lives
Tools to empower them to make change work for them, not against them
Practical steps for reclaiming control in important areas of life when things feel like they are spinning out of control
A patriotic reminder of what it means to be an American

Deserts to Mountaintops

This keynote is geared specifically to those audiences looking to walk in greater alignment with themselves, and for those who are ready to start listening to their own voice and hone their intuition.

The audience will leave with:

Tools for honing their intuition in every area of their lives
Real life examples that drive home the life and death situation that not listening to their intuition can cause
Exercises that will bring them into greater self-awareness and alignment into what they want for their future
Feelings of Empowerment that will bring them to decisions more quickly, ultimately getting them to their next steps in an effective and efficient way

Kidnappings, Ransoms & the Security Sector

This keynote is for the audience who works specifically in the security space. With Jessica’s unique background in the INGO (International Non-Governmental Organizational) space combined with her professional training as a teacher, Jessica shares lessons learned from before, during, and after her kidnapping experience to enable aid organizations and companies of all sizes and sectors to learn from her kidnapping experience as both a cautionary tale and a story of survival success.

The audience will leave with:

Practical takeaways and lessons learned from the unique perspective of a former hostage
An unforgettable illustration of the importance of an organization’s Duty of Care
A renewed sense of purpose as to their WHY supporting their mission
A commitment to their own personal security, and listening to their gut
An actual security checklist they may use prior to visiting project locations at home and abroad

Testimonials

"Jessica Buchanan is a wonderful ambassador for our Navy SEAL Foundation. During her life and death struggle in an austere environment, she never quit. Like the U.S. Navy SEALs who came to her rescue, Jessica’s faith in herself and her loved ones triumphed over evil in the most daunting of circumstances. She speaks from the heart, and offers an articulate, inspirational message of hope and courage. Jessica Buchanan’s humanitarian work, then and now, continues to make a positive difference in the world."

- Rear Admiral Garry J. Bonnelli, U.S. Navy

"Thank you for participating as a guest speaker at our Navy SEAL Tribute event. I have never seen a room filled with hundreds of people who were so simply put, spellbound. Your dedication and love for each other, your courage to survive given such impossible odds and your strength to share your story with such dignity and grace was inspirational to all who attended."

- Navy SEAL Tribute Chairman, President Kenmark/Half Moon Bay Golf Resort

"The presentation was fantastic. Jess (and Erik) were very engaging and their story is nothing short of amazing."

- VP Specialty Underwriting, HCC Specialty

"We were so impressed by the perseverance and faith you demonstrated in overcoming such a significant ordeal. You have an important message that carries hope and grace from your hearts that is inspiration and needs to be heard across this earth.—Anita and Roger Bollier, Southeast Family Office Forum The event was a true success! Jessica and Erik are lovely and everyone fell in love with them. What a story…."

- Office of the Pres. & CEO, GARDAWORLD

"Can I tell you, we absolutely loved Jessica. She was such an amazing speaker who held the entire audience in her hand. Aside from the professional she was, she too was very personable. We all felt such a connection with her and were extremely proud for Lamar State College-Orange to bring in such a dynamic speaker who also is an amazing humanitarian.—Phyllis Ford, Lamar State College Jessica was the very best! Her gripping story kept the ACE Summit audience hanging on every word. Beyond her story is a great person who will provide a rich experience for all who come in contact with her. It was an honor to meet and become friends with Jessica."

- CEO, Bluegrass Business Media, ACE Summit EXPO

"Jessica was an EXCELLENT guest speaker for our spouse's breakfast event at the Broadmoor. I was fortunate to meet with her personally before the event and she shared so much about her life, both before and after such a harrowing experience. I was moved to tears when I read her book "IMPOSSIBLE ODDS", and I don't think there was a dry eye in the ballroom as she shared her experience with all of us. She graciously allowed questions from the audience, and everyone I spoke to afterwards were very moved by her story and her ability to relive that nightmare."

- Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association

"At DaVita we think about ourselves as being a Community first and a Company second. We take this very seriously. Decisions we make for our teammates (employees) are based around the thinking; “What would a community do?” We further believe we have a responsibility to affect the communities we live and work in as well in a productive way. By taking this active role, we talk about the effect it creates as sending ripples beyond our community and impacting human beings well outside our company. I think that is what Jessica does when she shares her story. Her story, one of a humanitarian focused on helping others and then inexplicably finding herself suddenly in an unbelievably awful situation. She then summons up courage, resourcefulness and the unwillingness to give in. Her gift in telling it is the raw emotion she is willing to bring you in to. Jessica's humility shines through as she tells it and draws you further and further in. Our audience of 100 senior leaders and their spouses were mesmerized. They could not stop talking about the emotional impact it had on them. Her story gave them pause to reflect on all they have and to cherish it, and not forget the fragility that may lie beneath it. So while we all feel for her and would never wish this to happen to anyone, by Jessica being willing to share her story she creates a beautiful example of what it means to send ripples outside of her community and favorably impact the lives of other human beings. Thank you Jessica."

- WISDOM, DaVita

"Jessica was a fantastic speaker, I know she touched so many in our audience yesterday. Many of our guests came up to me after her presentation and raved. It was an honor to have Jessica tell her story. I will be forever touched her courage and dignity."

- Director, SIGINT Systems

"It was a wonderful day!! I hear nothing but great things from attendees yesterday about Jessica- Everyone loved having her here!!"

- WISE Conference, Houston