Josh Sundquist
Paralympian. Cancer Survivor. Halloween Enthusiast. Comedian.
Josh Sundquist is a bestselling author, motivational speaker, and Paralympic ski racer. He’s the author of three books. His videos on the internet have over 200 million views. Josh is a former Paralympic ski racer and a current member of the U.S. Amputee Soccer Team.
One More Thing, One More Time (1mt1mt)
When Josh was training for the Paralympics, his motto was 1mt1mt—one more thing, one more time. What’s the 1mt1mt you could be doing on a daily basis to get closer to the future you are training for?
Sometimes the path changes and we have to choose a new uniform
Josh had to give up his childhood dream of playing for the local travel soccer team. But as a result, he discovered something even better: The dream of a Paralympic uniform. When we accept change—in our lives, our workplace, and our industry—we create the space necessary for new growth.
You only strike out when you quit
Josh went up to bat in a softball game a month after his amputation. He got three strikes in a row. But his friends let him keep swinging. It took thirteen to get a hit. That game was a lot like life because in most endeavors, you only strike out when you quit. How many strikes are you willing to take?
Find your Larry
A turning point for nine-year-old Josh was meeting an amputee athlete named Larry. Twenty years later, they’re still friends. Last year Larry made the Guinness Book of World Records for completing the fastest marathon on crutches. We all run faster if we have the help of a mentor who has already crossed the finish line we’re aiming for. Who’s your Larry?
Leadership is putting yourself in their boot
A ski instructor named Mark taught Josh to ski. Mark had two legs, but he took off a boot and balanced on
a single ski to give Josh an example to follow. Whether you are a business leader, a community leader, or a
student leader, this a perfect picture of effective leadership. Put yourself in their boot. And leave a trail
they can follow.
The question is not whether you will fall down but how fast you will get back up
In his first ski race, Josh fell. Five times. In sports, in life, in business, the principle is the same—you will fall.
The question is, how fast can you get back up? How quickly can you learn from a mistake and then recover
by implementing that new knowledge?
When life gives you lemons, make Halloween costumes
We all have problems. We all have adversity. But sometimes within those situations, we can find a bit of
humor, and that can make the challenges a little easier to endure. (Check the blog section for pictures of
Josh’s incredible Halloween costumes)
Stay connected to your opening ceremony
In 2002, Josh watched the Paralympic Opening Ceremony in Salt Lake City. That experience as a spectator motivated him to train for the next four years so he could be a participant in the 2006 ceremonies. What’s your opening ceremony? What was the original vision that led you to your career, organization, or cause? Stay connected to that image. It’s the fuel-source for your journey.
Shoe-swap
Josh has an amputee friend named Stephen—aka his solemate—who has the same shoe size but is missing
the opposite leg. They get together regularly to swap shoes. Similarly, everyone benefits when teams
collaborate, swapping ideas and resources, and when we recognize and celebrate the things that make us
different from one another.
“Josh is one of those rare, gifted speakers you come across only so often. Over the course of his session, he’ll make you laugh out loud and fill you with raw emotion, all while teaching you vital lessons in empathy, gratitude and resilience. No matter the group, Josh’s message will have a lasting, positive impact with actionable takeaways. We’re so lucky to have had a chance to hear from him!”
“I’ve had the pleasure of hearing Josh Sundquist speak to our Walmart leaders twice. His first speech was so moving that we hired him to come back a second time! By spending time with our leaders before his speech, Josh artfully made a connection between the Walmart story and his own. We care about people and so does Josh – his passion for sharing his story and inspiring others is a true gift.”
“Josh’s story entertained us, touched our hearts, and left us with inspiring ideas to ponder and discuss. He strengthened our connection to our mission and affirmed the impact we make on our customers, leaving our people motivated to grow and ready to adapt in the coming year. His speech was a highlight of our conference!”
“What a privilege to hear Josh’s story. I loved how he shared with us his experiences, desire to succeed, and zest for life. He inspires people to never give up and believe in their dreams.”
