Merril Hoge

Merril Hoge is a former NFL running back, 21-year ESPN football analyst, bestselling author, and cancer survivor whose life motto Find a Way — has guided him through adversity that would have broken most people. His eight-season NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears, his battle with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a career-ending concussion, and open-heart surgery have made him one of the most authentic voices on resilience in the speaking industry.

Find a Way: Three Words That Changed Everything

Hoge wrote the words “Find a Way” on his wall as a 12-year-old growing up in a small Idaho town with dreams of playing in the NFL. Those three words carried him through a childhood farming accident that nearly cost him his hand, an NFL career where he led the Steelers in rushing and receiving, a devastating post-concussion syndrome that forced his retirement, and a cancer diagnosis in 2003 that he defeated through six rounds of chemotherapy. His daughter Kori’s whispered words  “Dad, find a way” became the inspiration for his bestselling book Find a Way.

Inspiring Others to Find Their Way

Hoge served as chairman of the Highmark Caring Foundation board and has dedicated himself to children’s welfare and brain injury research through the Chuck Noll Foundation. His keynotes deliver deeply powerful presentations on overcoming adversity and finding a way through any challenge, building resilience and mental toughness, the power of self-reflection and personal accountability, and the mindset that turns obstacles into opportunities for growth.

Find a Way

A man who has spent a lifetime taking on and overcoming challenges on and off the football field, Merril Hoge helps and shows audiences how to ‘Find A Way” as he did, to achieve any goal in life or business. Using examples from his own experiences, Hoge inspires teams to continue moving the line forward in pursuit of their goals and dreams. Despite dealing with improper care of head trauma that ended his NFL career prematurely, fighting cancer (Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) and overcoming open heart surgery, Merril has found a way through these adversities in his life. He shares with audiences how to achieve success with a relentless everyday mindset that helps you plow through the tough days and overcome challenges. He also emphasizes the importance of building and surrounding yourself with a great team in the huddle to help widen your focus to be uncommon! He challenges leaders to coach and teach in the yardsticks of their years and not yours. It will give the leader patience, a new sense of perception and help build a bridge of success with every individual!