Spencer West
Keynote Speaker: Inspirational Adventurist; Social Activist; Expert on Overcoming Stereotyping & Bullying
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Spencer West Biography
Spencer West is a visionary activist and motivational speaker who faced numerous challenges early in his life. Born with sacral agenesis, he underwent a double amputation at the age of five, entering a world often unfriendly towards those with disabilities. Undeterred, he confronted these challenges head-on, learning to navigate this world and accomplishing things that many thought impossible. His journey has equipped him with techniques that professionals, educators, and young people can utilize to redefine their own potential.
West, a graduate of Westminster College with a degree in communications, is known for his advocacy in the disability justice movement and the LGBT community. His accomplishments include summiting Mount Kilimanjaro on his hands and wheelchair, a feat that raised over $500,000 for the Free the Children charity. He has also opened for Demi Lovato on a World Tour, and starred in the documentary Redefine Possible: The Story of Spencer West, which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival. As an author, he penned the best-selling book "Standing Tall: My Journey," and has developed a significant following on social media platforms like TikTok, where he posts about the disability justice movement and his personal experiences as a gay amputee. West also had a stint as an operations manager at a salon and spa in Phoenix, Arizona, and volunteered at a TV newsroom before becoming an ambassador for ME to WE.
West's influence spreads far beyond social media. He has appeared in numerous media outlets, including ABC News, Buzz Feed, 60 Minutes, CTV, BBC News, TMZ, CNN, Forbes, and The Globe & Mail, CBS This Morning, Bloomberg and was a featured guest on Season 2 of "Karamo The Podcast," hosted by Karamo Brown. He has also spoken alongside notable figures such as former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore, Mia Farrow, Martin Luther King III, Jennifer Hudson, and Natalie Portman, amongst others.
Spencer West's inspiring words have echoed around the world, reaching millions of listeners virtually and in-person. His speaking engagements have included audiences from Virgin Atlantic, KPMG, Staples, Financial Institutions, Insurance, Microsoft, Universal McCann, Ministry of Education, Colleges & Universities, YPO/WPO, SickKids Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs, Healthcare Sector, Financial Institutions, and more.
Whether at corporate conferences, universities, non-profit organizations, or in 20,000-seat stadiums, West's charisma and dynamism captivate all. His words and actions have propelled millions to confront their challenges, embrace change, and instill hope. His speeches offer valuable lessons on finding opportunity in every challenge and motivating others to create positive change.
Now residing in Toronto and in the process of applying for Canadian citizenship, West continues to use his experiences, imbued with humor and humility, to enlighten others on how to face adversity. His life-lessons stimulate hope and empower leaders to motivate others to effect positive change.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Spencer West and other top speakers and celebrities.
Spencer West Speaking Topics
Spencer invites audiences to experience the transformation that can occur when we “redefine possible.” With his trademark humor and humility, Spencer spins a spellbinding story of the challenges he faced after losing his legs from the pelvis down at age five and the journey of discovery that ultimately enabled him to summit Mount Kilimanjaro using his hands and wheelchair.
Spencer applies the insights gleaned from a lifetime of overcoming obstacles to help leaders and employees identify their own roadblocks and push past them. His inspiring message and tangible life lessons motivate business audiences to believe they can tackle any goal, whether personal or professional.
Spencer will cover:
- Key lessons he has learned throughout his life and how they can be applied both personally & professionally
- The importance of obstacles and how they are an integral part of our growth as individuals and as employees
- The importance of asking for help and why it is such an important skill for all leaders to practice and demonstrate
- How we all have the capacity to create value both at home, in our communities, and the workplace
The life of visionary and activist Spencer West has been marked by both obstacles and triumphs. After losing both legs from the pelvis down at the age of five, he entered a world that might have easily defeated him. Instead, he tackled challenge after challenge, learning to navigate in a world set against those with disabilities.
From climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to climbing the workforce ladder, Spencer shares his insights on how bringing in talent with disabilities can have a very positive impact on your employees and customers.
Spencer will cover:
- His own journey as someone with a disability and the challenges he has faced in the workforce
- What is ableism, and what does it look like?
- The myths and stereotypes that keep employers from hiring folks with disabilities
- Tangible takeaways that employers and businesses can implement to start leveraging talent with disabilities
Join Spencer West in this thought-provoking and genuinely enlightening presentation, where he will discuss the importance of leveraging talent with disabilities as well as the queer community and how both identities are necessary in the workforce.
The life of visionary and activist Spencer West has been marked by both obstacles and triumphs. After losing both legs from the pelvis down at the age of five and coming out as gay at the age of 21, he entered a world that might have easily defeated him. Instead, he tackled challenge after challenge, learning to navigate in a world set against the queer community and those with disabilities.
From climbing the workforce ladder to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Spencer shares his insights on how bringing in talent with disabilities and the queer community can have a positive impact on your employees and clients.
Spencer will cover:
- His own journey as someone who identifies as gay and disabled and the challenges he has faced in the workforce
- What is ableism, and what does it look like?
- The myths and stereotypes that keep employers from hiring folks with disabilities and the 2SLGBTQ+ community
- Tangible takeaways that employers and businesses can implement to start leveraging talent with disabilities & the 2SLGBTQ+ community
Spencer West Videos
How do I book Spencer West to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Spencer West 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 Spencer West, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Spencer West or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Spencer West for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Spencer West, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Spencer West are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Spencer West, click the Check Schedule 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 Spencer West speak about?
Spencer West is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Inspirational, Overcoming Adversity, Disability, Adventure, Social Activism, Generational Issues, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Anti-Bullying, Motivational, Diversity, Digital Business, Social Media, Empowerment, Mental Health, Health, Outdoor Sports & Recreation and Travel.
Where does Spencer West travel from?
Spencer West generally travels from Toronto, Canada and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Spencer West?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Spencer West 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 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Spencer West 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 Spencer West 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.
Spencer West is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Inspirational, Overcoming Adversity and Disability. The estimated speaking fee range to book Spencer West for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Spencer West generally travels from Toronto, Canada and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Rudy Ruettiger, Wesley Hamilton and Jim Davidson. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Spencer West for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Spencer West Speaking Topics
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Redefine Possible: Lessons for Tackling Mountains in Your Personal and Professional World
Spencer invites audiences to experience the transformation that can occur when we “redefine possible.” With his trademark humor and humility, Spencer spins a spellbinding story of the challenges he faced after losing his legs from the pelvis down at age five and the journey of discovery that ultimately enabled him to summit Mount Kilimanjaro using his hands and wheelchair.
Spencer applies the insights gleaned from a lifetime of overcoming obstacles to help leaders and employees identify their own roadblocks and push past them. His inspiring message and tangible life lessons motivate business audiences to believe they can tackle any goal, whether personal or professional.
Spencer will cover:
- Key lessons he has learned throughout his life and how they can be applied both personally & professionally
- The importance of obstacles and how they are an integral part of our growth as individuals and as employees
- The importance of asking for help and why it is such an important skill for all leaders to practice and demonstrate
- How we all have the capacity to create value both at home, in our communities, and the workplace
-
Leveraging Talent with Disabilities (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility)
The life of visionary and activist Spencer West has been marked by both obstacles and triumphs. After losing both legs from the pelvis down at the age of five, he entered a world that might have easily defeated him. Instead, he tackled challenge after challenge, learning to navigate in a world set against those with disabilities.
From climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to climbing the workforce ladder, Spencer shares his insights on how bringing in talent with disabilities can have a very positive impact on your employees and customers.
Spencer will cover:
- His own journey as someone with a disability and the challenges he has faced in the workforce
- What is ableism, and what does it look like?
- The myths and stereotypes that keep employers from hiring folks with disabilities
- Tangible takeaways that employers and businesses can implement to start leveraging talent with disabilities
-
Leveraging Disabled & 2SLGBTQ+ Talent (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility)
Join Spencer West in this thought-provoking and genuinely enlightening presentation, where he will discuss the importance of leveraging talent with disabilities as well as the queer community and how both identities are necessary in the workforce.
The life of visionary and activist Spencer West has been marked by both obstacles and triumphs. After losing both legs from the pelvis down at the age of five and coming out as gay at the age of 21, he entered a world that might have easily defeated him. Instead, he tackled challenge after challenge, learning to navigate in a world set against the queer community and those with disabilities.
From climbing the workforce ladder to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Spencer shares his insights on how bringing in talent with disabilities and the queer community can have a positive impact on your employees and clients.
Spencer will cover:
- His own journey as someone who identifies as gay and disabled and the challenges he has faced in the workforce
- What is ableism, and what does it look like?
- The myths and stereotypes that keep employers from hiring folks with disabilities and the 2SLGBTQ+ community
- Tangible takeaways that employers and businesses can implement to start leveraging talent with disabilities & the 2SLGBTQ+ community
VIDEO
Spencer West Videos
REVIEWS
Spencer West Reviews
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Spencer's presentation was so motivating. I laughed, I cried and left the session feeling empowered and hopeful. Truly an amazing experience.
Declan Weir Productions o/b/o/ TD Bank - Sep 27 2022 -
The AAE Team was very professional, proactive, responsive, etc. Also, we appreciated how they helped arrange everything we wanted from Spencer West as our keynote speaker, e.g., phone interview and logistics call well ahead of our conference and VIP photo line. Spencer West was warm, personable, and relatable, and our audience found him very inspiring. He even made some of them cry (though granted, ours is an audience more sensitive than others).
Association of Fundraising Professionals - Apr 15 2019
NEWS
Spencer West News
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Why Asking For Help Is A Sign Of Courage With Spencer West
Spencer West, who doesn't have legs, climbed nearly 20000 feet to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to provide clean water to over 12000 people in East Africa.
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Spencer West, man with no legs, making 300-km journey through ...
Spencer West, who lost all of his lower body as a child to a congenital defect, has been using his narrow wheelchair and walking on his glove-covered hands.
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