Charlie Swearingen
Sterngthen team performance and resilience with Charlie Swearingen, Paralympic athlete and crisis leadership expert. Charlie equips organizations with decision-making strategies and mental toughness frameworks developed through 20+ years in emergency medicine. 2016 Team USA Paralympian and bestselling author trusted by critical care professionals worldwide.
Florida, United States
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Born with bilateral limb differences, Charlie's career has been defined by action and adaptability. With over 20 years of experience in emergency medical services, he has flown high-risk medevac missions, including during Hurricane Katrina, competed for Team USA in sitting volleyball at the 2016 Paralympic Games, and founded MeduPros, a company dedicated to training critical care clinicians. He serves on the boards of Chive Charities, Limbs for Life, and EMS Success, and is the author of best-selling medical education books, including Vent Hero.
The years spent in high-pressure environments have shaped Charlie's practical approach to decision-making, resilience, and team performance. As a former corporate educator for one of the world’s largest air medical companies, he understands how to translate frontline experience into actionable strategies for business audiences. Charlie customizes his presentations to each organization's needs, drawing from real scenarios where split-second decisions and teamwork determine outcomes.
Audiences gain concrete tools for reframing failure, building mental toughness under pressure, and creating sustainable systems for balancing competing priorities. His approach combines medical science, athletic discipline, and honest storytelling about what works in changing situations which demand quick thinking.
Book Charlie to equip your team with the mindset, tools, and practical frameworks to turn pressure into progress.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
Charlie Swearingen challenges the idea that failure is something to avoid and reframes it as evidence of forward motion. Drawing on his journey from flight paramedic to 2016 U.S. Paralympian and author, Charlie explores how missteps, rejection, and setbacks can be compounded into growth. With humor and candor, he offers a practical roadmap for transforming mistakes into momentum and building long-term resilience.
Charlie Swearingen uses the science of oxygen metabolism as an unexpected lens for personal and professional growth. By unpacking oxygen’s role as the final electron acceptor and the barriers it must overcome, he draws sharp parallels to the obstacles people create for themselves. Blending physiology with wit, Charlie reveals how understanding process, friction, and flow can support continuous reinvention and meaningful progress.
Charlie Swearingen explores what it takes to balance high-stakes medicine, elite sport, entrepreneurship, authorship, and philanthropy without burning out. Through stories from medevac flights and the Paralympic stage, he examines discipline, boundaries, and the power of selective yes and strategic no. Audiences gain insight into aligning multiple ambitions while maintaining focus, integrity, and sustainable performance.
Looking for a custom keynote or workshop designed around your company’s goals and culture? The expert will create a tailored, interactive session that aligns with your objectives, values, and strategic priorities. From leadership and innovation to wellbeing and collaboration, each experience is built from the ground up to deliver measurable impact and lasting change.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about booking an expert speaker, facilitator, host or entertainment for your event.
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- If you already have someone in mind, that’s okay too; just let us know their name! Even if they aren't listed publicly on our website, we have a huge network and work with almost everyone.
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- Next, we'll send out contracts to confirm the booking. One of our experienced event producers will liase with both you and the talent on the finer details, and arrange travel if necessary, taking the stress off your plate.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
We do not accommodate requests for birthday messages or any other personal, non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.
We work with speakers across a variety of fee ranges, giving you the flexibility to choose someone who fits your event's needs. Virtual keynote fees in the UK and Europe typically start at £2,000, while in-person top-tier speakers can reach £25,000. In the US, virtual in-person fees range from $5,000 to over $100,000, depending on the speaker and format, such as after-dinner talks, conference keynotes, Q&As, or podcasts. Comedians generally start at £1,500 or $2,000 for a 20-minute set.
Our goal is to help you find the speaker who best matches your event’s goals and budget. We take the time to understand your event, objectives, and audience to recommend the right fit. The most expensive option isn’t always the best one, and our priority is finding the ideal speaker or expert for your needs; not the highest-priced one.
Reach out for personalised recommendations and detailed information on specific speaker fees. We’re here to offer a tailored service and are always happy to discuss your unique requirements!
There’s no additional cost for our services beyond the speaker fee — simply contact us to find the right speaker for your next business or team event. We can also work with your corporate procurement team to negotiate favourable long-term rates, simply email hello@getapeptalk.com for more information.
Partnering with PepTalk means elevating your events with our curated roster of top motivational speakers, industry experts, delivering punchy keynotes that leave a lasting impact. From talent selection, to contracts and logistics, we handle it all. We have global expert network, with over 3000 speakers from over 33 countries on our line-up.
We also provide a full range of talent, from event hosts and moderators to interviewers and corporate entertainment, ensuring your event’s success from start to finish.
PepTalk workshops are interactive learning experiences for leaders at all levels, blending theory with practical insights from industry experts. These programs, led by experienced facilitators, are designed to drive real mindset changes and equip participants with actionable skills. Workshops can be customised to meet your organisation's specific needs. Explore our workshop examples and contact us today to learn how your team can benefit.
If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, feel free to email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.