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My journey through adversity equips leaders with the tools to strengthen their mental health, build emotional resilience, and lead with purpose from the inside out.
leadership SPEAKER &
WORLD-CLASS ATHLETE
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leadership Speaker
Hey, I'm Charles Clark
I was once one of the fastest men in the world. But a career-ending injury forced me to rebuild everything— my body, my mind, and my purpose. That journey shaped a message that has now helped over 700,000 people build resilience and start thriving. Event planners don’t hire me just to motivate. They bring me in because I make people feel something and then give them the tools to do something about it.
For the past 12 years, I’ve worked with top-performing teams, Fortune 500 companies, and national conferences to unlock the mindset that delivers results. My keynotes are backed by science, built for real life pressure, and designed to meet the moment. Audiences leave uplifted with practical strategies they can apply immediately to reset, take bold action, and lead with confidence. Let’s create something epic for your next event.
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What people are saying about Charles:
HIRE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER THAT UPLIFTS AND CHANGES LIVES AT YOUR EVENT.
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Charles wowed an audience of hundreds of higher education professionals. He brings such energy and authenticity -- the audience was glued to his every word.
karen o.
He was able to engage with our group and hit our hearts and minds in an incredible way to help our organization THRIVE.
carl f.
He hit the ball out of the park! The way he energized the room and kept the crowd engaged, demonstrated why he was a world class athlete, and highlighted the lessons he brought to our group!
jonathan n.
From the very moment Charles stepped onto our town hall stage, I knew we were in for a transformative experience.
holly m.
Charles presented an interesting and engaging talk to our group tailoring his comments specifically to our group's profession and the challenges we face.
walter j.
He kept our employees engaged and truly made them feel heard, seen and valued!
krystal f.
Charles worked collaboratively with me to provide my program members with a specific and customized presentation that supported their growth in overcoming adversity.
ben c.
I have never worked with a speaker that was so attentive to details. Charles took the time to meet with us to ensure he was an excellent fit for the event.
derria f.
Your energy, authenticity and inspiring message set the stage for our annual conference.
stephanie s.
He shared his vulnerabilities and a pathway to wellness that inspired attendees to walk away with a plan to work on themselves.
chris a.
He is authentic and incredibly personable, and most of our attendees said he was their favorite part of the day. I would recommend Charles for any event!
jennifer l.
Unlike some speakers, Charles was 100% relatable, sincere and down to earth. He kept it real throughout his speech.
kristine g.
He was able to connect with our student-athletes on finding their inner drive and visualization of success.
renia e.
From our first phone meeting, I knew that Charles' story and approach to overall mental health would resonate with our group.
shannon m.
He was able to make a connection with our audience, support them in thinking deeply about how to thrive, offer words of encouragement and advice in bringing these ideas to fruition.
nick p.
He is very personable and easy to relate to! Charles offered many practical, motivational strategies for both personal and work related situations!
region 10 s.p.
The energy Charles brought to the event was amazing and contagious!
maria b.
All participants felt the presentation was right on the mark and exactly what we were looking for to rekindle energy within our company.
shannon s.
Charles' motivation and hype was contagious! Walking away from this experience feeling empowered and ready to THRIVE!
jennifer p.
Charles brought the energy we needed to boost up our event! I would definitely recommend him if you're looking to re-energize your events and really connect with your people!
lauren a.
HIGH ENERGY
He offers high energy delivery that actually keeps your audience engaged. Your audience will leave fired up, ready to create an impact internally and with those they come in contact with.
relevant
Charles crafts speeches specifically for your audience and the challenges they’re facing in life. He speaks to your audience with empathy, giving them the tools to break down barriers and create lasting change.
authentic
Charles speaks from his heart and shares messages that are relevant to himself and his audience. He peels back the curtain on his life, allowing the audience to get to know him authentically.
relatable
Charles uses his past of pain, fear and heartache to tell a story that’s relatable and impactful, challenging audiences to create change in their lives, just like Charles did.
ENGAGING
Charles’ messages are simple, impactful and engaging - the kind that keep your audience begging for more. As a part of Charles' audience, you're not just a number, you're an individual person that he connects to, making his events feel more like an intimate conversation rather than a speech.
BOOK CHARLES
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01. Send a Message
3 ways to book charles
Email us at events@thecharlesclark.com with a brief overview of your event needs. You can also message us using the video popup.
02. Fill Out a Form
Fill out the requested details on the form here, giving Charles’ team everything they need to know about your event.
03. Shoot a Text
Text "Thrive Experience" to 813-687-7560 and Charles' team will help you take next steps.
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Most Popular Speeches
Speaker Topics & Descriptions
The Mental Game Of Winners (MENTAL HEALTH)
The "I" in Team (LEADERSHIP)
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CHOOSE TO THRIVE (Resilience)
Please note: all keynotes are customizable to meet your event needs.
CHOOSE TO THRIVE (Resilience)
Audiences of all ages and backgrounds will discover that regardless of your season—be it personal, within their companies, or the collective challenges of our times—they are merely a choice away from thriving. Charles will illuminate how making the right choices, even in the face of uncertainty, is the cornerstone of living a life that not only pursues dreams but achieves them.
In this keynote attendees will be able to:
- Emphasize the significance of thriving by focusing on controllable factors.
- Encourage investing in personal growth to cultivate a winning mindset.
- Highlight the necessity of taking responsibility for setbacks to drive positive change.
- Explore the impact of decision-making and how strategic choices can accelerate goal achievement.
- Uncover the science behind behaviors and methods to reprogram your mindset.
- Share strategies for living a thriving life and becoming your best self.
- Offer techniques for maintaining consistent habits to lead a fulfilling life and build momentum toward your goals.
"Choosing to Thrive" is more than a message based on his latest book Guide to Thrive; it's a journey that encourages individuals to rise above their circumstances, embrace the power of resilience, and make choices that are best for them. It's a call to action for everyone to not only dream but to be an active participant in fulfilling those dreams, ensuring that we live lives that make us proud.
Who this topic is for: Anyone looking to develop leadership and top performers.
Formats: Virtual events, Sports Teams, Sales Teams, Conferences, Kick-off Events, Associations, Colleges,
Corporate Events
BACK TO Topics
How To Navigating Your Mental State During Times of Extreme Change
The Mental Game Of Winners (MENTAL HEALTH)
How To Get Unstuck, Out Of Your Head, And Thrive
BACK TO TOPICS
do about it. Charles knows the highs of success and the lows of defeat. As an experienced and decorated athlete, he was familiar with the challenges life throws at us and had mastered control of his mind as well as his physical body—or so he thought!
When a devastating injury took away his future in track, this life-altering event sent him into a downward
spiral of anxiety and depression that manifested in panic attacks and a new kind of struggle, unlike
anything he had ever experienced. Understanding the stigma of mental health, he knew how important it was to change this narrative for himself and others. His relentlessness took a new turn as he dove into learning the importance of self-care and wellness practices and creating a mindset shift.
Charles has committed himself not only to becoming the best version of himself but helping others to do
the same through mental health awareness and coping skills to experience more resilience, post-traumatic growth, and well-being.
In this session on mental health, Charles will:
- Identify what mental health is and what it isn’t
- Provide tools and resources to recognize mental well-being
- Share several self-therapy techniques to lead, take control, and win in life after anxiety, overwhelm,
- and uncertainty
- Provide practical coping skills/tactics to help manage stress and optimize your performance
- Discuss the importance of self-care and its impact on your future and well-being
- Provide guidance and effective strategies for taking ownership of your mental health and wellness
- Share ways to become mentally tough and engage in a mental “tune-up”
- Explain how to change the view and stigma about mental health
- Provide ways to incorporate mental health awareness with team members, coworkers, and staff
Who this topic is for: Anyone looking to take control of their life and win.
Formats: Virtual events, Sports Teams, Sales Teams, Conferences, Kick-off Events, Associations, Colleges, Corporate Events
The "I" in Team (LEADERSHIP)
The Playbook To Create A Winning Culture And Thriving Business
BACK TO TOPICS
Winning teams know it takes individuals doing their part to contribute to the team's success. Charles refers to this leadership concept from his best-selling book as the "I in Team." Charles Clark uses his experience as an entrepreneur, NCAA 3x National Champion, and sixth fastest man in the world to help organizations and leaders develop the winning play that elevates people's performance, buy-in, and communication to a championship level. With his work with elite athletes, Olympians, MLB teams, NFL teams, and Fortune 500 companies such as Kellogg's, Pepsico, Amazon, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Johnson & Johnson—and more than 600,000 people—Charles understands most people fail and do not achieve their desired goals because they don’t view themselves as a key player in the game, so they struggle to take control of their life and the position they are entrusted with.
The “I” in Team session is a playbook for becoming an All-Star, creating a winning culture, and thriving business. As an authority on overcoming adversity, taking control, and winning, Charles shares concepts from his “I” in Team playbook that demonstrate how to:
- Invest in yourself to develop a winning mindset.
- Automate your life to increase productivity and free up your time to get faster results.
- Build impactful relationships among your team and create a lasting legacy.
- Take ownership when things don’t go as planned to create positive change.
- Identify the gaps that are stopping you from creating momentum and building on your success.
- Be coachable to become a top performer, foster a high-achieving culture, and become part of a winning team.
Discover the best follow-through strategies that create change in the workplace and position you to live the life you want professionally and personally.
Who this topic is for: Anyone looking to develop leadership and top performers.
Formats: Virtual events, Sports Teams, Sales Teams, Conferences, Kick-off Events, Associations, Colleges, Corporate Events.
Does Charles speak on adaptability and leading through uncertainty?
What is the format of Charles’s Leadership keynote?
What is Charles’ core message about leadership?
Clarity for your next event.
Why should we book Charles as our leadership speaker?
What Type of Groups Does Charles Not Speak To?
What does Charles’s leadership keynote include?
What does a leadership speaker do?
What is Charles’ core message about leadership?
Charles’s core message as a leadership speaker centers on the science of thriving and the responsibility of the individual leader. Thriving is both a decision and a condition. In leadership, it becomes the discipline of aligning mindset, character, and action with the standard you want your team to follow. Leadership is not a title. It is a daily choice to model clarity, accountability, and courage under pressure. At its core, Charles teaches that strong cultures are built by strong individuals. The “I in Team” philosophy emphasizes that organizational excellence begins with personal ownership. When leaders elevate the quality of their thinking, they elevate the quality of their decisions. When they elevate their decisions, they elevate the outcomes of the entire team. Through practical mental performance strategies, Charles equips leaders to lead with conviction, communicate with clarity, and create environments where accountability and belief coexist. His message strengthens leadership identity so growth becomes intentional, performance becomes consistent, and impact becomes measurable. Leadership is not about control. It is about influence rooted in integrity.
Does Charles speak on adaptability and leading through uncertainty?
What is the format of Charles’s leadership keynote?
Why should we book Charles as our leadership speaker?
What Type of Groups Does Charles Not Speak To?
What does Charles’s leadership keynote include?
What does a leadership speaker do?
Does Charles speak on adaptability and leading through uncertainty?
That same framework now guides his leadership message.
In today’s business environment, uncertainty is constant. Markets change. Teams evolve. Expectations increase. Charles teaches leaders how to regulate their mindset during disruption, focus on controllable actions, and guide teams with composure rather than reaction. He emphasizes that teams do not rise above the mindset of their leaders. When leaders maintain clarity under pressure, the organization stabilizes. When leaders operate with fear or confusion, it spreads just as quickly.
From elite athletics to building a global speaking brand, Charles models that adaptability is a leadership skill, not a personality trait. His keynote equips leaders to navigate change, protect culture, and move their teams forward even when the path is unclear.
What is the format of Charles’s leadership keynote?
What is Charles’ core message about leadership?
Why should we book Charles as our leadership speaker?
What Type of Groups Does Charles Not Speak To?
What does Charles’s leadership keynote include?
What does a leadership speaker do?
What is the format of Charles’s leadership keynote?
Charles’s standard keynote format is a 45-minute session followed by a 15-minute Q&A.
However, this is not limiting. He adapts to the needs of the client, whether that includes extended sessions, breakouts, workshops, or additional engagement touchpoints. His goal is simple. Deliver the format that creates the most impact for your event's mission and vision.
Does Charles speak on adaptability and leading through uncertainty?
What is Charles’ core message about leadership?
Why should we book Charles as our leadership speaker?
What Type of Groups Does Charles Not Speak To?
What does Charles’s leadership keynote include?
What does a leadership speaker do?
What does Charles’s leadership keynote include?
- Unlimited pre-event calls to ensure complete clarity and alignment. These conversations allow Charles to understand your brand, language, leadership priorities, and event objectives so the message supports your bigger vision.
- A customized keynote created specifically for your organization, not a recycled presentation.
- A box of signed copies of Charles’s books for your attendees.
Does Charles speak on adaptability and leading through uncertainty?
What is the format of Charles’s leadership keynote?
What is Charles’ core message about leadership?
Why should we book Charles as our leadership speaker?
What Type of Groups Does Charles Not Speak To?
What does a leadership speaker do?
Why should we book Charles as our leadership speaker?
When you bring Charles to your stage, you can expect:
- High energy and commanding presence that engages leaders immediately
- Customized leadership keynotes aligned with your company vision
- Practical tools for accountability, communication, and culture-building
- Mental performance strategies leaders can apply immediately
- A relatable style that connects from executive leadership to emerging managers
- Inspiration that strengthens ownership and drives execution
Charles turns leaders into culture carriers. If your event is about strengthening accountability, elevating standards, and building leaders who influence beyond their title, Charles is not just a leadership speaker. He is a strategic partner in helping your organization thrive from the inside out.
Does Charles speak on adaptability and leading through uncertainty?
What is the format of Charles’s leadership keynote?
What is Charles’ core message about leadership?
What does Charles’s leadership keynote include?
What type of groups does Charles not speak to?
What does a leadership speaker do?
What type of groups does Charles not speak to?
Charles primarily works with universities, corporations, leadership teams, athletic organizations, and mission-driven companies that are serious about growth and performance.
He does not speak at elementary or middle school events. High school engagements are rare and considered only for very special causes within the Florida area.
His focus is young adults and above. Organizations that are on fire to make a difference. Teams that are not satisfied with average. Leaders who want to grow beyond current success and reclaim their competitive edge.
Charles thrives in environments where there is a real need to get better. To elevate culture. To sharpen mindset. To compete at a higher level. He gets most energized when there is mutual hunger in the room. When inspiration, innovation, and growth are not just buzzwords, but expectations. That is where transformation happens.
Does Charles speak on adaptability and leading through uncertainty?
What is the format of Charles’s leadership keynote?
What is Charles’ core message about leadership?
Why should we book Charles as our leadership speaker?
What does Charles’s leadership keynote include?
What does a leadership speaker do?
What does a leadership speaker do?
A leadership speaker helps organizations strengthen influence, accountability, and culture. The right leadership speaker does more than motivate. They challenge leaders to examine their standards, refine their decision-making, and take responsibility for the culture they create.
Charles Clark teaches leadership as a discipline rooted in mindset and action. His keynotes help leaders communicate with clarity, model resilience, and drive performance through intentional ownership.
Leadership is not about authority. It is about responsibility. And responsibility, when embraced, changes everything.
Does Charles speak on adaptability and leading through uncertainty?
What is the format of Charles’s leadership keynote?
What is Charles’ core message about leadership?
Why should we book Charles as our wellness speaker?
What type of groups does Charles not speak to?
What does Charles’s leadership keynote include?
Clarity for your next event.
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Complete the form below, and Charles's booking manager will provide you with my pricing, availability, and a personalized roadmap to craft your custom keynote experience within 24 hours!
