Mark Black

Mark Black

Keynote Speaker: Resilience Expert & Motivational Speaker; Author of "The Resilience Roadmap"; First Heart-Lung Transplant Recipient to Run a Marathon

Mark Black Biography

Mark Black is a resilience expert, keynote speaker, author, and coach known for his experience overcoming significant health challenges. Born with a life-threatening heart defect, Black underwent two open-heart surgeries before his first birthday and later received a rare heart and lung transplant at age 23. After being told his heart was failing and that he had less than two years to live, Black moved thousands of kilometers from home, was placed on the transplant waiting list, and spent six months in the hospital as his condition worsened.

Following a successful transplant, Black became the first person to run a marathon with a transplanted heart and lungs. He went on to complete three additional marathons, demonstrating the impact of resilience and determination. The motivation for his first marathon was personal, as just weeks before his transplant, he was unable to walk up a flight of stairs without becoming breathless.

Black is the author of "The Resilience Roadmap" and "Live Life from the Heart." He has traveled internationally as a speaker and coach, sharing evidence-based strategies for building resilience and overcoming adversity. His speaking career began when he was invited to share his experiences at local clubs and schools, which eventually led to a professional career in motivational speaking.

Black holds the Certified Speaking Professional designation, a credential held by fewer than 1,500 speakers worldwide. He has delivered more than 800 keynote programs globally, reaching over 175,000 people, with clients including major corporations such as ExxonMobil and Mercedes-Benz, as well as national and regional associations.

In addition to his physical and professional achievements, Black has spoken openly about his personal experiences with mental health, including anxiety and depressive episodes. Through his keynotes, books, and coaching, he provides organizations, associations, and teams with practical tools to navigate change and build resilience. Black’s story continues to resonate with audiences across industries, establishing him as a credible voice on resilience, change management, and personal growth.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Mark Black and other top speakers and celebrities.

Mark Black Speaking Topics

Break Through Your Limits: Level Up Your Life

Too often, we patronize teens with meaningless motivational messages. “You can do ANYTHING” is a phrase most teens have heard in some form or another; they immediately tune out because they know… it’s not true! That is unfortunate because what IS true is that they can do a lot more than they think.

Break Through Your Comfort Zone: Do Tough Stuff

We often tell students to do “the right thing, and so they should, but Mark has discovered the path to achieving anything of meaning is also to “do the hard thing.”

We live in a world where convenience and ease are valued more than determination and grit. When students believe that better means easier, they risk missing out on some of the best parts of life.

Break Through for Healthcare: Through Your Patients' Eyes

You care about your patients. You want to give them the best care possible. You can’t be expected to do that unless you know what really matters to them.

In this engaging presentation, Mark will share the incredible impact made on him by the medical professionals with who he “lived with” and cared for him as he faced the prospect of death. You will be inspired and affirmed in the value of your work.

Break Through Your Limitations: Live Today

Your organization has a vision for where you are headed, but the future has many unknowns, and the stakes are high. To realize your goals, you need to have everyone on board, but how do you get everyone from the front line to the head office to truly believe it can happen?

Your organization has a vision for where you are headed, but the future has many unknowns, and the stakes are high. To realize your goals, you need to have everyone on board, but how do you get everyone from the front line to the head office to truly believe it can happen?

Mark Black Videos

Mark Black - Resilience Expert, Author, Speaker
Stories That Sell Podcast Episode 1 | Mark Black
Mark Black (Speaker, transplant recipient) Live Today by Choosing ...

How do I book Mark Black to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Mark Black for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Mark Black, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Mark Black or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Mark Black for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Mark Black, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Mark Black are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Mark Black, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Mark Black speak about?

Mark Black is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Running, Motivational, Health & Wellness, Heart Health, Resilience, Overcoming Adversity, Inspirational, Personal Growth, Peak Performance, Men's Health, Non-Fiction Authors, Storytelling, Stress Management and Mental Health.

Where does Mark Black travel from?

Mark Black generally travels from Moncton, Canada and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Mark Black?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Mark Black 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 Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Mark Black for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Mark Black or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Mark Black is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Running, Motivational and Health & Wellness. The estimated speaking fee range to book Mark Black for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Mark Black generally travels from Moncton, Canada and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Allison Massari, Vince Papale and Dean Karnazes. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Mark Black for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 02/06/2026.

Mark Black Speaking Topics

  • Break Through Your Limits: Level Up Your Life

    Too often, we patronize teens with meaningless motivational messages. “You can do ANYTHING” is a phrase most teens have heard in some form or another; they immediately tune out because they know… it’s not true! That is unfortunate because what IS true is that they can do a lot more than they think.

  • Break Through Your Comfort Zone: Do Tough Stuff

    We often tell students to do “the right thing, and so they should, but Mark has discovered the path to achieving anything of meaning is also to “do the hard thing.”

    We live in a world where convenience and ease are valued more than determination and grit. When students believe that better means easier, they risk missing out on some of the best parts of life.

  • Break Through for Healthcare: Through Your Patients' Eyes

    You care about your patients. You want to give them the best care possible. You can’t be expected to do that unless you know what really matters to them.

    In this engaging presentation, Mark will share the incredible impact made on him by the medical professionals with who he “lived with” and cared for him as he faced the prospect of death. You will be inspired and affirmed in the value of your work.

  • Break Through Your Limitations: Live Today

    Your organization has a vision for where you are headed, but the future has many unknowns, and the stakes are high. To realize your goals, you need to have everyone on board, but how do you get everyone from the front line to the head office to truly believe it can happen?

    Your organization has a vision for where you are headed, but the future has many unknowns, and the stakes are high. To realize your goals, you need to have everyone on board, but how do you get everyone from the front line to the head office to truly believe it can happen?

Mark Black Videos

Mark Black - Resilience Expert, Author, Speaker
Stories That Sell Podcast Episode 1 | Mark Black
Mark Black (Speaker, transplant recipient) Live Today by Choosing ...
  • How do I book Mark Black to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Mark Black for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Mark Black, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Mark Black or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Mark Black for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Mark Black, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Mark Black are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Mark Black, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Mark Black speak about?

  • Where does Mark Black travel from?

    Mark Black generally travels from Moncton, Canada and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Mark Black?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Mark Black 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 Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Mark Black for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Mark Black or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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MARK BLACK

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