John Register

Paralympic Silver Medalist, Resilience Architect & CEO, Amputee Coalition (Former)

John Register

Paralympic Silver Medalist, Resilience Architect & CEO, Amputee Coalition (Former)

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Biography

John Register transforms adversity into advantage. A decorated U.S. Army veteran, two-time Olympic Trials qualifier, and Paralympic silver medalist, John’s career spans elite athletics, military service, and national leadership in disability advocacy. Following a service-related injury that led to the amputation of his left leg, John chose to “amputate fear” and pursue a path that would elevate not just himself, but thousands of others navigating change.

He went on to found the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Paralympic Military Sports Program—now a cornerstone of veteran rehabilitation through sport. As CEO of the Amputee Coalition and a member of the National Board of Directors, he championed employment equity, access, and empowerment for individuals with disabilities. His innovative framework, the Re³ Resilience Action Model™—Reckoning, Revision, and Renewal—guides leaders across industries in navigating disruption with purpose and power.

John’s work has impacted executive teams at Vail Resorts, Deloitte, Socure, Coca-Cola, and federal leadership cohorts nationwide. As a CSP® and National Speakers Association Hall of Fame inductee, he’s trusted for his authenticity, insight, and ability to connect deeply across the human experience. Today, he serves as a citizen diplomat for the U.S. Department of State and a leading voice in workforce transformation and disability inclusion.

John holds a BA from the University of Arkansas and is an alum of the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program. He resides in Colorado Springs with his wife, Alice. When not on stage or coaching executives, he’s mentoring leaders, writing his next book, or traveling the world to inspire change—one elevated mindset at a time.

Speaker Videos

The Other Side of Fear: John Register Speaker Demo Reel

Speech Topics

Amputate to Amplify: Transform Adversity into Advantage

It seems as if there are so many reports that stress, burnout, and isolation have become the hidden adversaries of progress; how do we cut through the noise and transform adversity into our greatest advantage? This question lies at the heart of an epidemic plaguing leaders and teams in today’s high-stakes business environment. Despite efforts to bridge the gap, a profound perception divide persists, underscoring a critical disconnect between executive actions and employee realities.

Enter “Amputate to Amplify: Transform Adversity Into Advantage,” a keynote designed to address this chasm and provide a potent solution. Come on a journey with award-winning keynote speaker John Register, CSP, who embodies resilience, transformation, and triumph. This presentation is a masterclass redefining the narrative of mental preparation and fortitude in the face of burnout, exhaustion, and extreme overwhelm.

Champions Mindset: Olympic Lessons for Business Success

Elite sports are a high-stakes world. Athletes are battling opponents and contending with the rigorous demands of mental preparation. This grueling journey involves overcoming isolation, loneliness, and the ever-looming specter of burnout. Imagine the relentless pursuit of excellence, where the thin line between triumph and defeat is physical prowess and robust mental fortitude. The path to the podium is fraught with challenges that test every fiber of an athlete’s being, requiring physical endurance and a resilient mindset equipped with strategies for prevention, reset, and recovery.

Introducing “Champions Mindset: Olympic Lessons for Business Success,” a program where the gritty reality of athletic preparation meets the competitive business world. Led by keynote speaker John Register, a decorated athlete with an illustrious career spanning Olympic trials, All-American honors, and Paralympic victories, as well as corporate leadership expertise as a CEO of a multimillion-dollar non-profit organization, this session bridges the gap between the athletic arena and business success.

Bank Your Bottom Line: The Business Case for People with Disabilities in the Workplace

In an era where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are at the forefront of corporate agendas, there exists a pivotal yet often overlooked opportunity that champions social justice and significantly enhances business performance. This untapped potential lies within the disability community, a segment of the workforce that, despite possessing immense talent and determination, remains underrepresented and undervalued. John Register’s keynote, “Bank Your Bottom Line: The Business Case for People with Disabilities in the Workplace,” illuminates this path, marrying moral imperative with strategic business advantage.

Misconceptions and missed opportunities mar the narrative surrounding employment for people with disabilities. With an unemployment rate that starkly contrasts with that of the non-disabled population, the disparity not only highlights a social equity issue but also signals a vast reservoir of untapped potential within our labor market. This gap represents not a challenge but an opportunity for businesses to lead with innovation and inclusivity.