Victoria Arlen
ESPN Anchor & Reporter, Paralympic Gold Medalist & World Record Holder, Author, Millennial Social Media Influencer
Face it. Embrace it. Defy it. Conquer it!
Victoria Arlen’s life drastically changed in 2006 at the tender age of eleven when she developed two rare conditions known as Transverse Myelitis and Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis. This was an incredibly rare scenario and Victoria quickly lost the ability to speak, eat, walk and move. She slipped into a vegetative state in which doctors had written her off as a lost cause. Victoria spent nearly four years "locked” inside her own body completely aware of what was going on just unable to move or communicate. Doctors believed there was little hope of survival and recovery was unlikely. Victoria, however was not ready to give up. In- stead of writing her obituary, she wrote a bucket list of the things she would achieve when she survived. In 2010 after almost four years she began the nearly impossible fight back to life. Learning how to speak, eat and move all over again while checking things off her bucket list.
Victoria went on to exceedingly defy the odds and not only recovered but has since become an accomplished Motivational Speaker, Television Host, Philanthropist, Writer and Swimmer. Her swimming resume includes three Silvers and a Gold medal from the London 2012 Games as well as multiple World, American and Pan American Records.
In April 2015, Victoria made the transition from professional athlete to sportscaster and joined ESPN at the age of twenty, becoming one of the youngest on air talents hired by the company. She reports and hosts across all platforms including Sportscenter, First Take, X Games, Sportsnation, Sportscenter on Snapchat, Sportscenter Global, Frozen Four, Special Olympics and more.
In the Spring of 2016 Victoria defied yet another odd and after spending a decade in a wheelchair paralyzed from the waist down was able to learn how take one step after another and eventually not only did she learn how to walk but within a year and a half in the Fall of 2017 she learned to dance as a contestant on Season 25 of Dancing with the Stars placing in the top five.
Victoria is also the Founder and Co- Chair of Victoria's Victory Foundation, a nonprofit that assists those with mobility related disabilities. Since 2017, VVF over provided half a million dollars in scholarship funds to those who need it most.
Victoria!s book titled Locked In hit stores worldwide in August of 2018 as well as her 30 for 30 titled Locked In, that Victoria narrated and produced. Victoria continues to share her story on various speaking tours throughout the world.
In July of 2019 Victoria was announced as the new host of America Ninja Warrior jr, Season 3 premiered September 2021 on NBC and Peacock.
Victoria has lived by this motto since the day she fought back to live:
"Face It, Embrace It, Defy It, Conquer It“ ™
BREAKTHROUGH FORMULA
Through her own heart wrenching story, Victoria shares her BREAKTHROUGH FORMULA for overcoming even life’s darkest challenges.Since winning her gold medal in 2012, embarking on her broadcasting career with ESPN, and more recently, her time on Dancing With The Stars, Victoria has been invited to share her remarkable story across the country and has honed herself into a polished presenter.
She has been a featured TEDx speaker, shared the stage with Preacher Joel Osteen and delivered the keynote address for numerous Fortune 500s including Pfizer, Disney and Liberty Mutual Insurance.
Through her own heart wrenching story, Victoria shares her BREAKTHROUGH FORMULA for overcoming even life’s darkest challenges. She talks about finding gratitude, alternative perspective, creating hope, and the power of unrelenting effort. She shares her recipe for using the obstacles in life to create leverage for long lasting, meaningful change through a story the audience will never forget.
FACE IT. EMBRACE IT. DEFY IT. CONQUER IT
Through her own heart-wrenching story, Victoria shares her breakthrough formula for overcoming even life’s darkest challenges.
Through her own heart-wrenching story, Victoria shares her breakthrough formula for overcoming even life’s darkest challenges. In this presentation, she talks about finding gratitude, alternative perspective, creating hope, and the power of unrelenting effort. She shares her recipe for using the obstacles in life to create leverage for long lasting, meaningful change through a story your audience will never forget.
FANNING FLAMES OF HOPE
In this presentation Victoria focuses on the power of hope, how to find it when it appears lost forever, and once discovered how to use it to fuel change in our own life and the lives of others.
In this presentation Victoria focuses on the power of hope, how to find it when it appears lost forever, and once discovered how to use it to fuel change in our own life and the lives of others.
As the Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services and the CEO of HomeServices of America, over the years I’ve had to deliver countless presentations myself, and I’ve observed an endless array of professional speakers. I’ve learned the most important thing to do is connect…meaningfully, authentically and emotionally, in a way that leaves the audience with a lasting impression. Despite being one of the youngest speakers we’ve ever hosted, Victoria Arlen has mastered the art of creating this kind of true, powerful connection. Of all the great speakers we’ve hosted at our conferences, she was exceptional.
Gino Blefari
Everything went just beautifully! Both Victoria and Jacqueline are the most delightful people ever, and my audience absolutely LOVED them and all that they had to say! Amazing! They got a very long standing ovation, her books completely sold out, and we got great reviews on social media the next day! Unquestionably one of the best-ever our series has hosted.
Kathy Witkowicki
After our event on Friday, I received so many emails, calls and comments about Victoria’s speech. Many people said she was the best speaker of any of our luncheons (and we’ve had some amazing speakers!) Victoria truly exemplified the values of courage, confidence and character in her life’s journey so far and communicates that in such an inspiring way. She wowed our entire audience!
Personally, I read her book cover to cover this weekend and was once again, so inspired. Victoria is such a powerful soul to have endured what she did and to come out empowered – and empowering others.
Jennifer Bartkowski
