Lonnie Bedwell

Blind Navy Veteran & Mountain-Climber, Expert Snow Skier and White-Water Kayaker & Author of "226: How I Became the First Blind Person to Kayak the Grand Canyon"

Travels From Travels From:
Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Lonnie Bedwell Biography

Extreme-sports athlete Lonnie Bedwell, a blind military veteran, has been named National Geographic Adventurer of the Year for 2015. Bedwell, who travels from Indiana, continues to inspire many as he undertakes the quest to climb the highest peaks on all 7 continents. To date, he has successfully summited Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Denali, and Mount Everest, marking him as the 4th blind person to conquer Everest. During his Everest ascent, Bedwell faced numerous challenges, including equipment failures, frostbite affecting one of his guides, and water shortages, making his achievement notable during one of the deadliest seasons on the mountain. His adventurous spirit extends to kayaking, having completed the first blind descents of Africa’s Zambezi River and West Virginia’s Gauley River. Bedwell also achieved a groundbreaking blind descent of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in 2013.

A former Navy Petty Officer, Bedwell lost his sight in a hunting accident in 1997 but continued to lead a life full of challenges and achievements. As a single father, he raised three daughters, instilling in them the skills of hunting, fishing, and even driving. Following his daughters' graduation, he fully embraced extreme sports. Bedwell has also demonstrated his commitment by leading teams of disabled veterans down the Colorado River, helping them to confront and overcome adversity. Additionally, he enjoys rock climbing and downhill skiing during his leisure time.

Bedwell's dedication extends beyond personal achievements; he actively seeks to motivate and inspire others through his speaking engagements, focusing on themes of overcoming adversity, teamwork, leadership, and extreme adventure. He has marked his experiences in the award-winning book "226", which details his iconic Colorado River journey. Bedwell has been featured on "The Today Show", "Steve Harvey", and in the films "Feel of Vision", "Dreamline Blind", and "Long River Home". Through these platforms, Bedwell shares his relentless pursuit of adventure and his enduring message of resilience and empowerment, particularly to those facing disabilities.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/04/2024.

Lonnie Bedwell Speaking Topics

  • INSPIRATIONAL, RELATABLE, PRACTICAL

    Lonnie’s mission is to inspire others to approach adversity with courage and confidence to live their life to the fullest. He is an active volunteer for veterans and people with disabilities but is dedicated to helping anyone take their first steps to living an inspired life.

    Lonnie’s talks are customizable. Some of his most popular speaking topics are:

    • Overcoming Adversity.
    • Teamwork.
    • Leadership.
    • Trust and Vulnerability.
    • Kayaking and other Extreme Adventure Stories.

Lonnie Bedwell Videos

  • Lonnie Bedwell: Surviving the Accident
    Full Episode: https://youtu.be/09n_pFnXuNY Blind veteran Lonnie Bedwell talks about how he has no anger towards the man that accidently shot him...
  • From the Farm to Mt. Everest with Blind Adventurer Lonnie Bedwell Part 1
    In this powerful two-part interview, we sit down with Lonnie Bedwell, a remarkable individual whose life took an unexpected turn after a hunting...
  • Blind adventurer Lonnie Bedwell
    Blind adventurer Lonnie Bedwell

Lonnie Bedwell Books

  • 226: How I Became the First Blind Person to Kayak the Grand Canyon
    226: How I Became the First Blind Person to Kayak the Grand Canyon

FAQs on booking Lonnie Bedwell

  • How do I book Lonnie Bedwell to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Lonnie Bedwell

    Speaking fees for Lonnie Bedwell, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Lonnie Bedwell are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Lonnie Bedwell, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Lonnie Bedwell speak about?

  • Where does Lonnie Bedwell travel from?

    Lonnie Bedwell generally travels from Indianapolis, IN, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Lonnie Bedwell for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Lonnie Bedwell for your next private or corporate function.
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Lonnie Bedwell is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as INSPIRATIONAL, RELATABLE, PRACTICAL. The estimated speaking fee range to book Lonnie Bedwell for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Lonnie Bedwell generally travels from Indianapolis, IN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Scotty Smiley, Brent Gleeson, Brad Snyder, Rocky Bleier and Marc Koehler. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Lonnie Bedwell for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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