Gregory Gadson

Colonel Gregory Gadson (Ret.) is a decorated 26-year U.S. Army veteran, bilateral above-the-knee amputee, motivational speaker, actor, and entrepreneur whose life is a portrait of courage in the face of extraordinary adversity. A West Point graduate and former Garrison Commander of Fort Belvoir, he served in every major U.S. conflict from Desert Storm to Operation Iraqi Freedom. His inspirational speech to the New York Giants during their 2007 season helped spark a 10-game road winning streak that culminated in their historic Super Bowl XLII victory.

A Warrior’s Resilience
In May 2007, while returning from a memorial service for fallen soldiers, Colonel Gadson lost both legs above the knees and severely injured his right arm when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Baghdad. Rather than allowing this devastating injury to define him, he drew upon the principles of “Pride, Poise, and Team” learned as a West Point linebacker under Coach Jim Young. He remained on active duty, became one of the first military personnel to use next-generation powered prosthetic technology, and continued to lead and inspire throughout his military career.

Beyond the Battlefield
Colonel Gadson made his silver screen debut in the 2012 blockbuster film Battleship and has appeared on CBS’s The Inspectors. He received the 2008 Reader’s Digest Hero of the Year Award, the 2010 NCAA Inspirational Award, and the 2017 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award. His military decorations include three Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart.

Colonel Gadson’s keynotes deliver powerful lessons on overcoming adversity, leadership under pressure, and the critical importance of teamwork – drawing from real-world experiences that few speakers can match.

Overcoming Organizational Adversity

Circumstances Don’t Define Us

Pride, Poise, And Team