Aspiring to Greatness: What It Takes to Win

There are bound to be disappointments in life. Aspiration, the power to bounce back, the ability to persevere in the face of adversity is what carries you through. A world-class champion whose performances have been called “the gold standard for future generations of figure skaters,” Michelle Kwan shares with her audience the planning, practice and preparation it takes to reach the heights of success. Kwan uses her athletic and diplomatic experience as a parallel to individual and organizational performance, showing that the top finishers are not always the ones who come in first but are instead the ones with the will, courage and determination to get up when they fall and keep going. Whatever the challenge, staying focused on a mission and always having high standards can put anyone on the path to success—whether on or off the ice.

Michelle Kwan – Figure Skating Legend

The most decorated figure skater in U.S. history and one of the world’s most admired athletes, Michelle Kwan shows how passion, focus and commitment have made her a success—both on and off the ice.

From a very young age, figure skater Michelle Kwan displayed remarkable drive, determination and passion in the pursuit of her competitive goals, all of which propelled her to the very pinnacle of her sport. For over a decade Kwan dominated figure skating like no other skater in history, winning an unprecedented 43 championships, including five World Championships, nine U.S. National Championships and two Olympic medals. Her off-ice accomplishments have been equally impressive, being named America’s first Public Diplomacy Envoy by the Secretary of State and appointed by President Obama to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. Through her unique perspective as a world class athlete and global spokesperson, Kwan shares with her audience the passion, perseverance and plain old hard work needed to succeed in even the most complicated and difficult situations. She is a true winner and leader who lives by the skating maxim that one must first learn how to fall and pull themselves back up before they can learn to succeed. Kwan has been named Sportswoman of the Year by both the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Women’s Sports Foundation, has won the Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in America, and was selected one of People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People in the World”.