My role is to break those glass ceilings so it's easier for everybody to be the people they want to be.
Australian of the Year 2022, Dylan Alcott AO, is one of the countries most successful and well recognised Paralympians.
In 2021 he became the only male in any form of tennis to win the 'Golden Slam', winning the Australian, French, Wimbledon and US Open Championships, together with his gold medal from the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
At the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, Dylan Alcott became one of only a few athletes to win two gold medals in two different sports across two different Olympic or Paralympic Games. Dylan won yet another gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic games making him the greatest player in wheelchair tennis history.
At the age of 17, Dylan became the youngest ever wheelchair basketball gold medallist at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, and after gold at the 2010 World Championships, and silver at the London 2012 games, decided to switch sports to wheelchair tennis. In addition to his incredible successes at the Rio Olympics, Dylan Alcott has also won and incredible 15 grand slam singles titles to date, including his second consecutive French Open and Wimbledon titles and the last seven Australian Open titles.
Current Work:
Dylan's achievements are not only restricted to the sporting field. In 2017, Dylan created the Dylan Alcott Foundation, a foundation to help young people who are struggling to come to terms with their disabilities. The foundation aims to improve quality of life through mentoring, scholarships and grants which assists individuals to be involved in education and sport. Dylan is also an entrepreneur, and is the co- founder of Get Skilled Access, a training provider educating corporates and governments on how to better understand and treat customers with disabilities. He was also nominated for 2017 Young Australian of the Year.
Dylan is a keen philanthropist, and broke the world record playing wheelchair tennis for 24 consecutive hours non-stop, setting the new world record and raising an incredible $100,000 for two charities.
Dylan's true passion is his work as a motivational speaker, and through his inspirational storytelling, he is continually trying to alter and change the way people with disabilities are perceived in the wider community. He works as a keynote corporate speaker, bringing disability awareness to schools. He also works extensively in the Australian media landscape, regularly making appearances on Channel Ten's The Project and Channel 7 Sports, and is a former Triple J Radio host.
In 2018, Dylan published his autobiography, Able - Gold Medals, Grand Slams and Smashing Glass Ceilings. He is also the founder of Able Foods, a purpose-led business providing great quality food and opportunities for people with disability to lead healthier and happier lives.
In 2019 Dylan was the Australian Logies 2019 Graham Kennedy Most Popular New Talent Award winner and in 2020, won the Governor's Award Victorian Male Athlete of the Year - Frank Wilkes Award. And if that's not enough, Dylan Alcott was awarded 2022 Victoria Australian of the Year. Not bad!
Talking Points
Winning Beyond The Court: The Power of Authenticity, Vulnerability & Perspective
In this inspiring, hilarious and down-to-earth keynote, Paralympian and 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott takes audiences far beyond the world of elite sport. With trademark honesty, humour and heart, Dylan shares the powerful lessons learned from a life spent challenging expectations—on the court, in theWinning Beyond The Court: The Power of Authenticity, Vulnerability & Perspective
media, and as a passionate advocate for inclusion.
Through stories that are equal parts vulnerable and uplifting, Dylan explores how authenticity can become a superpower, how embracing vulnerability builds genuine connection, and how reframing challenges can create unexpected strength. He invites audiences to see adversity not as a barrier, but as a catalyst for growth, perspective and purpose.
Perfect for organisations seeking to inspire resilience, empower teams, and spark meaningful culture change, this keynote leaves audiences energised, grounded, and equipped with practical tools to “win” in their own lives—long after the final point is played.
From Wheelchair to World Stage – A Story of Grit & Growth
In this powerful and uplifting keynote, Paralympic gold medallist, media personality and disability advocate Dylan Alcott takes audiences on an unforgettable journey from his early years navigating life in a wheelchair to becoming one of Australia’s most influential voices on the global stage.From Wheelchair to World Stage – A Story of Grit & Growth
With his trademark authenticity, humour and unfiltered honesty, Dylan shares the defining moments that shaped his resilience—overcoming challenges, breaking barriers, and his disability shaped him into the
person he is today. He reveals the mindset shifts that fuelled his growth, the grit it took to push through setbacks, and the purpose that now drives his mission to create a more inclusive world.
More than a story of sporting triumph, this keynote is a testament to the strength that comes from embracing who you are, backing yourself, and turning obstacles into opportunities. Audiences walk away
inspired, energised, and equipped with a deeper understanding of what true growth looks like—on and off the world stage.
The Power of Inclusion – The 13 Trillion Dollar Market You Are Currently Missing Out On
Prepare to rethink everything you thought you knew about inclusion.The Power of Inclusion – The 13 Trillion Dollar Market You Are Currently Missing Out On
In this powerful and energising keynote, Dylan Alcott draws on his lived experience as a Paralympic gold medallist, tennis champion, media personality and lifelong advocate to reveal the untapped potential of one of the world’s largest and most overlooked communities: people with disability.
With over 1.3 billion people globally living with disability—and more than 2.3 billion when you include parents, partners, friends and carers—this is not a niche group. It is a global economic force representing more than $13 trillion in annual disposable income. Yet organisations continue to miss out by failing to design workplaces, products, services and marketing communications that include them.
Through candid storytelling, sharp humour, and evidence-based insights, Dylan explores:
- How his experiences in elite sport and everyday life highlight both the barriers and the opportunities that come with disability.
- Why disability inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s one of the smartest business decisions a company can make.
- The social and economic benefits that organisations unlock when they embrace
accessibility, representation, and universal design.
- Practical ways to shift from awareness to action, building cultures where everyone can
thrive.
Dylan’s message is clear: inclusion isn’t a cost. It’s a competitive advantage—and the organisations that get this right will shape the future.
Get ready to be challenged, inspired, and empowered to create change
Video
The Truth About Growing Up Disabled | Dylan Alcott | TEDxYouth@Sydney
Dylan Alcott wasn't always a Paralympic champion. He grew up disabled, but it might not be what you think. In this engaging and funny talk, Dylan tells us what it's really like growing up with a disability. Dylan Alcott OAM is a Paralympic gold medalist, World Champion, Grand Slam champion and world record holder for both wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis. In 2008, Dylan won Gold at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic games at the age of 17, the youngest ever winner of a wheelchair basketball gold medal. In 2013, Dylan switched sports to wheelchair tennis, and in 2015 won his first grand slam title at the Australian Open. Dylan was born with a large tumor wrapped around his spinal cord, leaving him a paraplegic. He is a keen advocate for people with disabilities, and is an ambassador for the charities Starlight Foundation and Variety which help change the lives of kids with disabilities across the country. Dylan is also a music enthusiast, and is well known for his wheelchair crowdsurfing at music festivals.Dylan Alcott on the secret to his success - both on and off the tennis court | One Plus One
Dylan Alcott has done it all. He's a six time Australian Open Champion, won gold in wheelchair basketball at the Paralympics, hosts a radio show, won a Logie, and even started his own music festival. He speaks to fellow Paralympian Kurt Fearnley about his passion for sport, where he gets his drive from, and why he wants to be a role model for kids with a disability.Dylan was and absolute professional, he was engaging and adapted to the online setting so well. ... keep reading RMIT University
Dylan was amazing. His presentation connected with the audience, it was raw, real and wonderfully motivational. Delegates were engaged as they were taken on his journey; they laughed and cried but overall they were inspired.
Dylan was a truly engaging speaker that held the audience's attention for every moment that he was on stage. His messaging and delivery was such that those of all ages and backgrounds could take something away from the life affirming messages he spoke about.
Dylan was a great drawcard for my event and delivered on his promise on the night. He is a passionate, inspirational and humorous speaker that easily connects with the audience. Dylan genuinely engaged with other members of the panel and was respectful to their viewpoints. Off stage, Dylan was a pleasure to deal with; he was professional, punctual and down to earth. I would highly recommend booking Dylan for any public engagement.
Dylan was amazing. He immediately engaged with the audience and took them on an entertaining and enlightening journey through his life experiences. Importantly, he was able to relate the key messages back to the audience which was mostly small business owners.
He is the best speaker on the circuit. Warm, funny, inspiring, clever.
Dylan Alcott was brilliant! His story telling skills engage the entire audience and he also engaged with the team members that joined us virtually. Dylan was able to keep the entire team engaged with his story, his humour and his ability to educate us all. He was definitely a stand out for our team event and we all left his session better informed and with a sense of being able to make a difference. We can't wait to have him back one day!?
Dylan Alcott's presentation was absolutely engaging, his story was powerful, filled with emotion and plenty of laughs. We've had such wonderful feedback from staff with some messages coming through to advise that its already supported an environment where staff feel confident to talk about their disability to their managers.
Dylan Alcott was as personable, funny, and inviting online as I'm sure he would be in person. He engaged our senior students continually throughout his presentation, which can be difficult when presenting virtually. He clearly loves what he does. ?
Latest News
What Sydney and Melbourne Revealed About the Future of Business Events
Neale Daniher: A Legacy That Will Outlast The Beast
Three Stories, One Expert: What Dr Zac Seidler's Week in the Media Tells Us About Men Right Now
