Every world-first begins with a decision to do what others say can’t be done.
Jay Stevens is a world-first paraplegic ultramarathon walker whose achievements redefine the limits of human resilience and performance. After a helicopter crash left him paralysed from the waist down, Jay was told he would never walk again. Refusing to accept that future, he rebuilt his identity step by step, driven by an uncompromising mindset: “You’ve got to want it.”
Jay has since accomplished extraordinary milestones — each a world first by a paraplegic athlete — including:
- Walking to Mt Everest Base Camp, without a wheelchair
- Completing the 78km Bondi to Manly Ultramarathon, non-stop
- Preparing for the 2026 UTMB, one of the most demanding ultramarathons in the world
In addition to his athletic achievements, Jay brings a background as a highly awarded sales professional with strong commercial and management experience, enabling him to connect powerfully with corporate audiences navigating pressure, targets, and transformation.
Jay’s keynote is a compelling blend of lived experience, resilience theory, and high-performance strategy. He equips audiences with practical insights for navigating pressure, change, and organisational complexity — demonstrating how resourcefulness, commitment, and innovative problem-solving can turn the impossible into the achievable.
Authentic, engaging, and deeply impactful, Jay challenges teams to rethink their limits and empowers leaders to drive performance through adversity. His story is not simply inspirational — it is a blueprint for operating with discipline, courage, and conviction in the moments that matter most.
Talking Points
The Power of Relentless Forward Momentum
Jay shares his world-first journey from paralysis to trekking to Everest Base Camp and completing the Bondi to Manly Ultramarathon. Audiences learn how to cultivate determination, maintain momentum under pressure, and turn setbacks into breakthroughs, applying these principles to leadership, teams, and high-stakes business environments.
The Power of Relentless Forward Momentum
Resilience in Motion: Leading Through Adversity
Drawing on his personal experiences and professional background, Jay teaches practical strategies for building resilient teams and leaders. Participants explore how to adapt to uncertainty, overcome challenges, and create a culture of perseverance and high performance.
Resilience in Motion: Leading Through Adversity
Adaptive Decision-Making Under Pressure
Jay demonstrates how elite athletes and leaders make critical decisions when stakes are high. Through his lived experience and lessons recovering from being told he would never walk again, Jay gives audiences actionable tools to respond effectively to change, manage risk, and drive results in dynamic business situations.
Adaptive Decision-Making Under Pressure
Peak Performance: Mindset, Grit, and Execution
Combining his athletic and commercial experience, Jay reveals the habits, strategies, and mindset that enable sustained high performance. Leaders and teams learn how to translate focus, discipline, and resilience into measurable outcomes, whether in business, sales, or organisational performance.
Peak Performance: Mindset, Grit, and Execution
We were fortunate enough to have Jay speak at our Company Launch meeting last week in Sydney. He was given a standing ovation on the night but the lasting and profound impact that a number o ... keep reading Enovis Australia
Mars Wrigley had the honour of having Jay join our recent Sales and Marketing conference to share his incredible story with our Associates, compelling, authentic and spellbinding. Strong messaging on resilience and team work told in a compassionate way resonated for the team both personally and professionally....I can't recommend Jay enough and he's a bloody great bloke!
It was an absolute privilege to have Jay Stevens address the Amex team. Jay is an authentic, engaging and inspiring public speaker. His raw story of tragedy, resilience and positivity is a journey which would benefit any team seeking connectivity, purpose and the leadership skills to take on adversity and thrive. I wholeheartedly endorse Jay Stevens to anyone considering a wellbeing or motivational speaker for any corporate, sporting or community engagement.
Myself and the OneMD were truly privileged to have Jay speak at our mid-year kick off conference and to sum his talk up in one word - INSPIRATIONAL! Jay's resilience, attitude, grit and determination in the face of adversity is nothing but remarkable, and hearing his story truly inspired our team. It showed them that, no matter what challenges you may face in life and in the professional setting, anything is possible with the right mindset - The Power of Potential indeed! Thank you Jay and to anyone else looking for a keynote speaker for your organisation - get him booked - you will not regret it!
We were honoured to have Jay at our kick off meeting this year. His history of resilience and determination has been an incredible inspiration for our sales team and I would definitely recommend to any medical device rep to listen to his story.
I had the privilege of engaging Jay for a recent keynote session to my staff. Jay has a rare ability to blend personal storytelling with powerful insights, and the topic of growth and resilience in the face of change could not have been more timely or impactful. Through compelling anecdotes and practical strategies, Jay shared invaluable lessons on navigating difficult circumstances, staying focused in the face of uncertainty, and embracing change as an opportunity for growth. Jays approach was not only motivational but also grounded in actionable advice that I and many others in the room could immediately apply to both our personal and professional lives. What sets Jay apart is his authentic, engaging style that resonates deeply with audiences of all backgrounds. He has a unique gift for making complex concepts relatable and offering insights into challenges we may face. If you're looking for a speaker who will not only inspire but also provide real takeaways on resilience, navigating change, and overcoming adversity, I highly recommend engaging Jay.
Jay recently spoke to our students about his inspiring life journey and his remarkable experience climbing to Everest Base Camp. His story of resilience, persistence, and strength captivated the audience, leaving a profound impact on our students. Jay’s ability to share the challenges he faced and the determination that propelled him forward resonated deeply with all. His narrative was not only engaging but also served as a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. Students left with a greater sense of purpose and motivation to pursue their own goals, no matter how daunting they may seem. Jay’s authentic approach and relatable insights encouraged our young learners to embrace challenges and develop a resilient mindset. I recommend Jay for any opportunity to inspire and empower others through his remarkable story. His ability to connect with students and ignite their passion for personal growth is truly commendable.
Jay’s journey is one of pure grit and determination and there can be many parallels drawn and valuable lessons learnt from his story into our own professional and personal lives. Would highly recommend Jay as a speaker for your next team event.
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