John Kriesel

The Keynote That Moves People — and Elevates Your Entire Event

John Kriesel’s story is one of the most powerful examples of resilience you’ll ever bring to your audience. On December 2, 2006, a 200‑pound IED in Iraq killed two of his closest friends and left him with life‑threatening injuries, including the loss of both legs. He died three times on the operating table before doctors revived him, and he woke up eight days later at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to begin a long, uncertain recovery.

Told he’d likely never walk again, John defied every expectation. Nine months later, he walked out of Walter Reed on prosthetic legs. His comeback—fueled by positivity, humor, and an unshakable support system—has inspired audiences across the country.

John Kriesel doesn’t just tell a story—he changes the way people see their own.