Andrew Haley

Andrew Haley is a Paralympic Swimmer, World Champion, cancer survivor, and motivational speaker.

As a child, Haley had cancer twice and each time was given a 35% chance to pull through. Although he lost part of his right leg, and a small portion of his left lung, he never lost his fight. Leaving the hospital he was told it would take him a year to learn how to ride a bike, “take it easy” they said. It took him only a week. Obstacles have never stopped Haley. Nothing has stopped him from showing the world what he can do.

When Haley started to swim not much was really expected of him. He set out to show people if you truly believe in yourself and have passion you can accomplish anything you want. It’s all about positive attitude. Never giving up no matter what you may be facing. Today he is an accomplished businessman and elite sportsman. In the pool he is a three time World and Paralympic Champion and multiple World Record Holder. He is also a Hall of Fame Swimmer. Among others, he has won gold medals at the 1998 World Championships and the 2000 Paralympic games. He has served as his swim team’s captain and is a recognized leader in Paralympic sport. He continues to work with the best and brightest in the performance excellence field.

As a motivational speaker, Haley discusses his three decades of real-life in-the-trenches sport and personal experience. He appreciates and shares with his audience that being a champion and turning pressure into performance is a moment-to-moment choice and is able to relate and inspire each listener that success is more than title, tenure or position. Excellence is for everyone, every day. It’s how we should live our life. In his talk, Haley’s fusion of real-life stories and his conversational techniques connect with his audience at an intimate, intense and individual level.

Haley also finds time to give back to his community. He is involved with the charity RIGHT TO PLAY and also visits schools in Ontario and his native Nova Scotia. In addition, he volunteers his time working with AthletesCAN, a national group that supports athletes.