Molly Bloom
Top Booked Inspirational Speaker, Subject of the Oscar-nominated film, “Molly’s Game”, Bestselling Author, U.S. Ski Team Alum, and Host of Award-Winning Podcast, “Torched”
A luminary in the world of inspirational keynote speakers, Molly Bloom is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, former member of the U.S. Ski Team, one of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women, and host of the two-time Gold Signal award-winning podcast, “Torched,” featuring the inspiring stories of world-class competitive athletes. She achieved fame as the subject of Aaron Sorkin’s Oscar-nominated film, Molly’s Game, based on her bestselling memoir. Molly’s Game chronicles Bloom’s journey from college student and former Olympic skiing hopeful to LA waitress to head of the most exclusive high-stakes poker game in the world. With no-limit stakes that could top $100 million and celebrity players such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck, A-Rod and Tobey Maguire, “Molly’s Game,” was a Hollywood-worthy achievement for a 25-year-old small town Colorado girl.
Bloom’s first career was as a world-class skier, an achievement that defied the dire prognosis of medical experts. At age 12, she had been diagnosed with severe scoliosis, undergoing spinal fusion surgery that doctors said would prevent her from ever competing again. Defiant and determined, Bloom was back on the slopes in a year. At 19, she made the U.S. Ski Team. At 20, she was ranked #3 in North America in the moguls. At 21, Bloom was firmly on the path to the Olympics. In her qualifying run, a frozen pine bough caused one of her skis to release, leading to a devastating crash and a forced retirement from the sport she loved.
Bloom finished her political science degree at the University of Colorado and was applying to elite law schools when she decided to take a year-long sabbatical and move to LA. She found work as a waitress and personal assistant to a man who ran a high-stakes poker game frequented by celebrities. Teaching herself the business and forging important relationships, Bloom took the risk of going out on her own. “Molly’s Game” was born. Over the next six years, she went from running a multi-million-dollar business to being raided by the FBI. Even in the face of extreme adversity, she always maintained her integrity.
With her millions gone and life in ruins, Bloom set her mind to writing a book. Publishers were interested, but only if she named names. Keeping to her promise to never again compromise her integrity or lower her moral standards, Bloom persevered until she found a publisher that would work with her on her terms. Molly’s Game became a bestselling memoir, one that she convinced Oscar-winning screenwriter and director, Aaron Sorkin, to turn into an Academy Award-winning movie.
Today, Molly Bloom is a top-booked speaker, podcast host, mother, mentor to other women, and advocate. She has appeared on Ellen, Vice, NPR, Vulture and in The Los Angeles Times and Forbes. In 2020, at the height of the COVID pandemic, she founded the One World Group with her husband, neuroscientist Devin Effinger. The online group seeks to connect people around the world, especially women facing challenges. In 2022, Bloom launched, “Torched,” a podcast exploring Olympic controversies and the heat of competition. As host, she shares stories about the cost of greatness, both on and off the Olympic stage—from the Tour de France to Title IX to the World Cup.
MOLLY'S GAME: THE TRUE STORY OF THE WOMAN BEHIND THE MOST EXCLUSIVE, HIGH-STAKES UNDERGROUND POKER GAME IN THE WORLD
What’s it like to run an exclusive poker game for the rich and famous? Molly Bloom went from Olympic-level skier who didn’t know a thing about poker or Hollywood to building and operating the largest and most notorious private poker game in the world. In this motivational talk, Bloom will show the sales and marketing skills she used to attract hundreds of millions of dollars to the game and spark the interest of players like Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, A-Rod, and Ben Affleck. Audiences will get the inside story not shown in the film as Bloom shares true-life tales of her experience.
ENGAGE, CONNECT AND LEVEL UP WITH AFFECTIVE PRESENCE
In an age where technology often overshadows genuine connection, it’s increasingly more important to connect and engage effectively with people for work, family and in everyday life. Affective Presence is a groundbreaking science that has the power to transform our interactions. This isn’t about mastering complex social cues or changing your personality. It’s about leveraging a measurable aspect of how we affect others emotionally to enhance our professional and personal lives. Affective Presence demystifies the art of connection, revealing simple behaviors that foster positive impacts, making it accessible to everyone. It’s a tool that simplifies the complex web of human interaction, focusing on what truly matters.
As someone who has navigated paths with slim odds of success, Molly Bloom attributes her achievements significantly to practicing Affective Presence–not only shaping her professional journey but also deepening her personal connections in a world craving authenticity. This science isn’t just about thriving in the business or personal realms; it’s about combating the epidemic of loneliness by fostering genuine connections.
Join Molly in exploring how Affective Presence can revolutionize our approach to interaction, making the art of genuine connection not just an aspiration but a reality for all. Let’s unlock the potential to not only succeed but to foster a world rich in meaningful, positive connections.
DEFYING THE ODDS: MOLLY BLOOM'S ODYSSEY OF ADVERSITY, REINVENTION, AND TRIUMPH
Molly Bloom is a testament to unwavering resilience and transformative reinvention. From her early days as a competitive skier facing a life-altering diagnosis at age 12, to her defiance of medical advice to pursue her Olympic dreams, Molly’s journey embodies the essence of overcoming adversity.
Venturing into uncharted territory during a gap year in Los Angeles, Molly stumbled into the clandestine world of high-stakes poker, where she ascended to become at age 25, the mastermind of the most exclusive games frequented by A-list celebrities, politicians, and elite figures. However, her trajectory was not without its pitfalls, as she grappled with the dark underbelly of greed and deception, leading to a fateful encounter with the FBI and a pivotal decision that would redefine her legacy.
Through the lens of Molly’s extraordinary life, uncover the essential pillars of success amidst insurmountable odds. Drawing on principles of growth mindset and fear mastery, delve into the science-backed strategies that empowered Molly to navigate uncharted waters with courage and conviction. From cultivating resilience and accountability to forging meaningful connections and honing problem-solving skills, Molly’s saga offers invaluable insights for personal and professional growth.
Join Molly on a transformative journey of self-discovery and redemption, as she navigates setbacks and challenges with unwavering tenacity and moral clarity. Through her example, discover the profound impact of self-belief, emotional intelligence, and ethical fortitude in shaping a life of purpose and fulfillment.
Embark on a narrative rich with wisdom, inspiration, and practical takeaways, as Molly Bloom’s indomitable spirit serves as a guiding light for those striving to surmount obstacles, embrace change, and forge their own path to success against all odds.
MAKE EVERY CUSTOMER FEEL LIKE A HIGH ROLLER
Molly Bloom didn’t know a thing about running a poker business when she was asked to set up the most exclusive high stakes poker game in Hollywood. She was faced with the daunting question: how do you create an experience that will keep the rich and famous coming back when they can go anywhere to play poker? Molly found if she built a unique customer culture, not only would players come back, the game would become so exclusive that everyone would want to be a part of it. In this exciting and informative talk, Bloom shows how she created an experience like no other for her players and how you can apply the same principles for creating an exclusive experience for your customers.
Please thank Molly for generously sharing her time, wisdom, and experiences with us. Her presentation was not only informative but also engaging, creating a lasting impression that will undoubtedly influence our guests. We appreciate the dedication and effort she put into delivering such a memorable talk. Molly's insights have sparked new ideas and perspectives within me and every guest of the event.
Event Team Lead, CPA.Club International Forum
Molly is absolutely unreal. I was obsessed with her before but am even more obsessed with her now – and so are every single one of our attendees. She is so kind, hilarious and engaging. I got to spend some one on one time with her and it was amazing. I cannot say enough good things about her. She will be the top keynote – mark my word! And, I was a bit nervous about our 85% male audience that all have really high expectations and let me tell you they LOVED her.
Event Marketing Manager, IQmetrix
Molly Bloom was FANTASTIC. Great story, message and delivery. And on a personal level, she's wonderful to work with. A great experience all around.
Ron, NetOne
In my 15 years here, she’s one of the best speakers we’ve ever had. Her authenticity and connection made all the difference.
Kevin, Pharmaceutical Company
Molly hit every note. She held the attention of the entire room for the whole hour as our players were in complete silence and full attention.
Meg, PhD , Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club
Molly is awesome! Period. I have heard many private speakers and she set the bar very high for future events. Our event exceeded expectations on every level. The only negative: no one wanted to leave. Every single attendee, without exception, called or emailed me the next day with sincere and genuine praise for Molly. Her insights from how to deal with adversity to optimizing risk management blew everyone away.
Ron, CEO, Teramo Advisors
Molly's Game: The True Story of the 26-Year-Old Woman Behind the Most Exclusive, High-Stakes Underground Poker Game in the World
