Then on Thanksgiving Day of 1979, Whittaker’s charmed life came to an abrupt end. On route to start a new job in Sun Valley, Idaho, an out-of-control vehicle swerved into his lane and smashed, head on, into his VW bus.

With shattered legs and two severely crushed feet, Whittaker refused pain medication in order to plead his case with the surgeon. His tenacity paid off. The original prognosis to amputate both legs was revised. He emerged from surgery with one of his feet intact!

Having led a life of extreme adventure Whittaker worked as an Outward Bound instructor, guided in mountains and on white water rivers. Now he faced a seemingly impossible task; to reinvent himself.

Determined to put himself back together in a new and better way, Whittaker overcame pain, anger, and thoughts of suicide, and embarked on an extraordinary life of service and adventure.

He earned another Masters degree and, in 1981, by harnessing the power of civic responsibility and volunteerism, he put the painful lessons he learned to work for others. This work led Newsweek magazine to name him as one of “America’s Unsung Heroes.” In the process, he realized although raised British he was born to be an American and in 1986 became a U.S. citizen.

After pursuing his Doctoral studies at Colorado State University he accepted a position at Prescott College in the nation’s premier wilderness leadership program, where he taught for nine years. He is a member of the prestigious North Face climbing team, and runs his foundation, The Wind Horse Legacy, dedicated to integrating people with disabilities into the world community.

In January of 2004, Whittaker, 53, plans to become the first amputee to complete the “grand slam” of mountaineering, the Seven Summits, climbing the highest peak on each of the world’s continents.

As a visionary, innovator, and leader, Whittaker encourages us to tap into the limitless resources we have as individuals. Ultimately, he illustrates how persistence and belief in a goal can lead to a life of remarkable achievement.

His story is a compelling and universal allegory for our times, one that reminds audiences of the infinite power we all possess to turn adversity into triumph. Whittaker reminds us not to confuse an easy life with a good life and never, ever give up on pursuing the vision.

Presentation Topics

Managing For Results In A Depressed Economy
"Making It Happen!"

Following his star, Tom Whittaker came to the United States to become a world famous mountaineer, until a drunk driver shattered his legs and crushed his dreams. The story of how he reinvented himself to become an agent of positive change is outstanding. Add to this, taking a ‘never walk again’ prognosis to the summit of Mount Everest; you have the caliber of this man and the potency of his message.

Whittaker uses three short video clips that transport his audience into the heart of the Himalayas and place them on the summit of the world’s tallest mountain. With the passion of a man deeply in love with life and humor that resonates from within, Whittaker takes us on an emotional roller coaster that makes any adversity we face seem like a bump in the road.

* Whittaker’s story is not about falling down but about getting back up and finishing the race, no matter how lofty the goal.
* His story is not about disability; it is about the ability. The ability we all possess to learn from experience and turn adversity into triumph.
* Whittaker’s story is about being part of a vision that is bigger than one’s self and making it happen.

Topics include: Overcoming obstacles; goal setting; teamwork; the surmounting of great physical and psychological challenges; and the triumph of the human spirit.

Motivating Your Sales Force
"How High Do You Want To Go?"

Using the same classic ingredients, combining a compelling life portfolio with award winning video, Whittaker takes his audience on a roller coaster journey to the roof of the world. Although your sales force may not experience bone chilling cold, crossing bottomless crevasses, and fighting gale force winds, they do face the challenge of consistently doing more and working smarter, and faster in the face of a severe economic climate. Under your leadership and direction, the motivation and confidence of your sales team play a critical role in your companies success.

Topics include: Articulating the vision; embracing the dream; belief in the outcome; passion; persistence; overcoming rejection; reaching the summit.

Especially Designed For Subsidiaries or Departments That Have Undergone Considerable Reorganization, Amalgamation or Downsizing
"Riding The Avalanche"

At 31, Whittaker was coaching a nationally ranked rugby team, climbing extreme rock and ice and redefining the possible in a kayak on whitewater rivers. In a matter of seconds, all this changed. With destroyed knees and broken legs and an amputated foot, Tom had to reinvent himself. Rather than focusing on what he had lost, he focused on what he had and was determined to rebuild himself as a more focused and potent individual than he had been before the accident. Whittaker's journey from a 'never walk again' prognosis to standing on the summit of one of the most unforgiving mountains on earth. Going to the mountain, Whittaker knew that one person perishes for every six successful summit bids. He also knew that for Westerners, the probability of success is one in thirty. In other words, you are five more times likely to perish that you are to succeed in your goal. However, rather than daunting him, he went to this mountain three times spending a total of six months in its icy clasp.

Topics include: Courage; accountability; confidence; discipline; teamwork; adding value to the vision; overcoming fear; creating an environment for success.