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Paralympian & crisis leadership expert

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.

Trusted by MeduPros, Chive Charities, Limbs for Life

Charlie Swearingen, Speaker | Reinvention Expert

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Miami, United States

Starting from

$6k–10k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

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Charlie Swearingen's biography

At a glance

  • Flight paramedic with over twenty years emergency medical experience
  • Paralympic athlete representing Team USA in sitting volleyball
  • Founder of MeduPros training critical care clinicians
Charlie Swearingen is a flight paramedic, Paralympian, and clinical educator who teaches others how to turn setbacks into forward momentum. 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.

Charlie's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Failure Unlocks The Roadmap To Your Success
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.
Oxygen And Reinvention: The Science Of Momentum
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.
Flight Medic To Paralympian: Doing It All And Surviving
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.

Why we recommend booking Charlie

Charlie Swearingen brings unique insight from his experiences as a flight paramedic, Paralympian, and educator, offering your team proven strategies for resilience and high performance under pressure. Book Charlie today to empower your organization with the motivation and tools to turn challenges into opportunities.

Check Charlie's availability

Trusted by MeduPros, Chive Charities, Limbs for Life

Featured Projects

MeduCast Podcast
Launch: An Air Medical Career Success Manual
The Critical Care Transport Handbook

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Charlie Swearingen for my next event?
Email charlie.swearingen@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Charlie Swearingen for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Charlie Swearingen's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Charlie Swearingen directly.
What is Charlie Swearingen's speaking style like?
Charlie delivers practical, engaging sessions that blend real-world experience with honest storytelling. He equips audiences with actionable strategies for resilience, teamwork, and decision-making under pressure, fostering growth and adaptability.
What topics does Charlie Swearingen specialise in?
Email charlie.swearingen@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Charlie Swearingen for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Charlie Swearingen's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Charlie Swearingen directly.
What does 'typical fee range' mean?

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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. Alongside direct talent, 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.

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How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

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