Carly Patterson

Carly Patterson empowers individuals and organizations to conquer limiting beliefs and cultivate employee engagement to create history-making teams that redefine what's possible.

She is a singer, songwriter and former Olympic gymnast. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, Patterson became the first American woman in 20 years to win the all-around Olympic gold medal in gymnastics since 1984. She also won silver medals for balance beam, and the women’s team competition. Her achievements made her the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal at a fully attended Olympic Games, leading to her induction into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame, and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

After her Olympic success, Patterson was diagnosed with several bulging discs in her lower back. She announced her intention to take time off from the sport to rehabilitate her back, but eventually retired due to the risk of paralysis if she continued competing. Transitioning from sports, Patterson co-wrote her autobiography, "Be Strong," sharing the strength and perseverance that led to her Olympic victory. She also appeared in the movie “Stick It” and pursued a career in vocal performance, songwriting, and production.

In her authentic, humorous, and down-to-earth presentations, Patterson shares insights on resilience and success, drawing from her experiences as a championship-level gymnast and the challenges she faced thereafter. Her keynotes, such as "From Best to Better" and "Tenacity, Grace & Grit," focus on managing change, overcoming adversity, and continuous personal growth. Carly customizes her presentations to suit the audience, often incorporating personal anecdotes, including those about faith and overcoming infertility. Carly and her husband, after facing years of fertility challenges, are now parents to two children.