"The Best Motivational Speaker We’ve Ever Had"- Lexis Nexis

Aron delivers customized presentations about his canyon entrapment and self-rescue that remind audiences of their indomitable resolve to overcome their own “boulders”.

Corporate, Trade & University Engagements

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Past Clients / Biography

Past Clients

Goldman, Sachs and Co. (x3)

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Wells Fargo (x4)

UBS

General Electric

American Express

Hewlett Packard

Microsoft (x2)

Intel
Barracuda Networks
LexisNexis

Siemens

Young Presidents Organizations (x8)

Allianz (x2)

ING

MetLife

Liberty Mutual

John Hancock

Nationwide

Transamerica

Century 21

RE/MAX

Coldwell Banker

Sotheby's International Realty
ConAgra
Brunswick Corporation
Massage Envy
Shaklee Corporation
NuSkin International
Express Clothing
Turner Broadcasting
Swift Transportation
Freightliner Trucks
National Automobile Dealers Association
National Association of Home Builders
Schering Plough
McKesson Healthcare

Saatchi and Saatchi

Universal McCann

Tudor Investments
Fortress Investments
U.S. Air Force Academy

Penn State University

The Ohio State University

University of Arkansas

University of Missouri

Louisiana State University

University of Wisconsin

Duke University

Marquette University

University of Texas

Auburn University

Carnegie Mellon University

Washington and Lee University
University of Colorado
Rowan University
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Biography

Growing up in Ohio and Indiana before moving to Colorado with his family in 1987, Aron Ralston had little exposure to the wild outdoors. But by the time he hiked into a remote area of Utah’s canyon country in April of 2003, he was an experienced outdoorsman out for a walk in the park. Seven miles into the canyon that day, Aron accidentally dislodged a boulder that crushed and pinned his right hand. After six days of entrapment alone, he freed himself with a cheap multi-tool knife and hiked to a miraculous rescue. Since his amputation, Aron has written an internationally bestselling book, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, spoken to hundreds of audiences around the world, and interviewed with Tom Brokaw, David Letterman, and Jay Leno. With new prosthetic arms that he designed, Aron returned to his outdoor passions: he finished climbing Colorado’s 59 “Fourteeners,” in winter, solo; he’s skied from the summit of Denali, North America’s highest mountain; and, he’s led a rafting expedition through the Grand Canyon. Today, Aron lives in Boulder, Colorado, where he advocates for wilderness protection, and where, in February 2010, he embarked on his biggest adventure yet: raising his toddler son, Leo. 127 Hours, the major-motion-picture adaptation of his book, directed by Danny Boyle and starring James Franco, was nominated for 6 Oscars. Aron’s only disappointment was that the soundtrack didn’t have enough songs by his favorite band, Phish.

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    I received more positive comments on Aron Ralston’s keynote address than any we have had in more than 15 years.  This was the most inspirational talk we have had…

     

    - Dr. Spencer Thornton, Vice President, Hawaiian Eye Foundation

    Hawaiian Eye (Ophthalmology Conference)

  • Aron has an amazing story and he tells it well….I don’t believe I have ever heard such silence from the audience as when he was speaking,

    - Judy Marshall, Manager of Conference Services, ASHRAE

    American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

  • I’ve been doing these types of meetings for 25 years, and Aron’s presentation was hands-down the best I’ve ever seen!

    - Charlie Young, Vice President of Corporate Marketing

    Zimmer

  • Aron gave the best keynote speech I’ve ever heard.  He really connected with our audience and his talk made for a special celebration of overcoming life’s challenges.

    - Jack Laverty, Incoming Chairman of the Board

    Affordable Comfort, Inc.

  • I’ve been coming to YPO/WPO meetings for 40 years and, unequivocally, Aron was one of the best speakers I’ve ever seen.

    - Harvey Mackay, New York Times #1 Bestselling Author

    Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive

  • I have heard many speeches in my life, and Aron’s was the finest.  Only Bono’s speech at my own graduation ceremony from Penn comes even close.

    - Michael Murphy, Vice President of Campus Affairs

    Carnegie Mellon University

  • Aron had the entire audience in awe….An amazing story of the human spirit.

    - Paul LaPiana, Senior Vice-President

    MetLife

  • Aron’s presentation was awesome!  The attendees were just raving about him.

    - Michelle Frilow, Conference Director

    HDI

  • Start to finish, Aron was the most impactful speaker we’ve had.

    - Roge Yaffe, Chief Executive Officer, USLAW Network

    USLAW Network

  • I am a better man after listening to Aron, and I’ve found myself approaching challenges in a new way ever since.

    - Richard Stocking, President and COO

    Swift Transportation

News

  • 04.23.2015 Browns Canyon — Our Newest National Monument!

    Last week, President Obama used his authority under the Antiquities Act to designate Browns Canyon, Colorado as our nation's newest National … More

  • Aron Ralston Featured on Planeta Extremo

    The episode about Aron's return to Blue John Canyon will air in Brazil this coming Sunday, March 1st.  For the … More

  • 04.7.2015 Tickets on Sale for Event in Florida

    Tickets are now available for Aron's speech on April 15th in Ft. Myers, Florida at the Barbara Mann Performing Arts Hall. http://www.bbmannpah.com/performance.php?id=662 Certain compliment sort … More

Aron is not only an avid adventurer but also a committed advocate for environmental causes and wilderness conservation.

Advocacy

Get involved with Aron’s favorite organizations.

Wilderness Workshop

Protecting Wildlands in Colorado

The Wilderness Workshop’s mission is to protect and conserve the wilderness and natural resources of the Roaring Fork Watershed, the White River National Forest, and adjacent public lands. WW is a non-profit organization that engages in research, education, legal advocacy and grassroots organizing to protect the ecological integrity of local landscapes and public lands. We focus on the monitoring and conservation of air and water quality, wildlife species and habitat, natural communities and lands of wilderness quality.

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Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance

The mission of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) is the preservation of the outstanding wilderness at the heart of the Colorado Plateau, and the management of these lands in their natural state for the benefit of all Americans. SUWA promotes local and national recognition of the region’s unique character through research and public education; supports both administrative and legislative initiatives to permanently protect the Colorado Plateau wild places within the National Park and National Wilderness Preservation Systems, or by other protective designations where appropriate; builds support for such initiatives on both the local and national level; and provides leadership within the conservation movement through uncompromising advocacy for wilderness preservation.

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Conservation Colorado

Our mission is to educate and mobilize people to protect Colorado’s environment and quality of life.

On January 1st, 2013, Colorado Environmental Coalition and Colorado Conservation Voters, two of Colorado’s preeminent conservation advocacy organizations, joined forces to become Conservation Colorado – a new, powerful defender for Colorado’s environment. With this bold move, we combined over 60 years of political and advocacy expertise and set our sights on the continued work for Colorado’s precious land, air and water.

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Paradox Sports

Paradox Sports seeks to recognize and foster an individual’s potential and strength, defying the assumption that people with a physical disability can’t lead a life of excellence. We provide inspiration, opportunities and specialized adaptive equipment so that the physically disabled can be active participants in human-powered outdoor sports. This mission, coupled with an individualized mentorship program and a strong volunteer ethic, ensures success by providing opportunities for everyone to give back to the community.

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Adventure

Check out some of Aron’s latest adventures.

Skiing The Ecuador Volcanoes

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Muztagh Ata, China Expedition

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Grand Canyon River Rafting

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Skiing Mt. Elbrus

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Scuba Diving, April 2013

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Media

Watch highlights from Aron’s media appearances.

Mastermind Summit

Mastermind Summit Speech X

Episcopal Collegiate School

Episcopal Collegiate School Commencement Speech X

Dateline

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NY Times

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CBS Early Show

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Minute To Win It

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