Jessica Buchanan

Teacher, Author, Humanitarian, Speaker, Survivor

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Jessica Buchanan Ted Talk

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Topics

Overcoming Adversity Storytelling Christian Speakers Religion & Spirituality Women Motivational Motivational Speakers Negotiation

Jessica Buchanan

Teacher, Author, Humanitarian, Speaker, Survivor

Add To My Favorites Check Fee/Availability

In-Person Fee Range:

$15,001 - $20,000

Fee Details

Virtual Fee Range:

$5,001 - $10,000

Fee Details

Traveling from:

District of Columbia

Why Book

Jessica has spent years working through her trauma and has figured out how to turn her mess into my message, inspiring thousands of people from the TEDx stage, in front of audiences that include Clint Eastwood, Admiral McRaven, Taya Kyle, Rebekah Gregory and countless other badasses that come from all walks of life.
Jessica spent years combing through her experiences, crafting her message, identifying the life lessons that have been the key to her survival, enabling her to recycle her pain into relatable talks that are accessible to any audience.

Biography

On October 25, 2011, while on a routine field mission in Somalia, working as the Education Advisor for her non-governmental organization, Jessica Buchanan was abducted at gunpoint and held for ransom by a group of Somali pirates for 93 days. Forced to live outdoors in deplorable conditions, starved, and terrorized by more than two dozen gangsters, Jessica’s health steadily deteriorated until, by order of President Obama, she was rescued by the elite SEAL Team VI on January 25, 2012.

Jessica’s ordeal is detailed in her New York Times bestselling book, Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six.

Jessica has been named one of the ‘150 Women Who will Shake the World’ by Newsweek, and her story was the most highly viewed 60 Minutes episode to air, to date. Jessica is a highly sought after inspirational speaker and her TEDx Pearl Street talk, ‘Change is Your Proof of Life’ has been the foundation for which she travels the world, inspiring audiences to access their resilience by identifying their own autonomy and chance in the middle of their own life-changing event.

Jessica also co-hosts the popular women’s conversational podcast, We Should Talk About That where she and Jessica Kidwell attempt to unpack the uncomfortable topics that nobody is talking about, but definitely should. As a podcast that ranks in the top 1% of the 2.6 million airing shows, Jessica has the privilege of working with women from all walks of life, experiences and gleaning from their expertise.

Jessica also works as a family liaison volunteer for the non-profit organization, Hostage US, supporting former hostages and their families during captivity and eventual return, and also continues to serve as a dedicated Ambassador for the Navy SEAL Foundation, which works to support families of fallen SEALs.

Jessica is currently working on her second book, Deserts to Mountaintops: Our Collective Journey to (re)Claiming our Voice – a collection of memoirs from Jessica and 21 other amazing women who have experienced hardship and are journeying from the desert of survival, back to finding themselves.

Programs

IMPOSSIBLE ODDS: A STORY OF STRENGTH AND SURVIVAL

Who is this for?

Audiences of all types looking to be inspired and motivated to face the everyday and extraordinary challenges of their lives with grace, tenacity and the ability to move forward.

The audience will leave with:
✔️ Feelings of inspiration and a renewed perspective showing them that they have what it takes to persevere through obstacles, no matter how impossible they may seem in the present
✔️ Specific tools Jessica used during captivity, that you can employ in your every day life, that inspire gratitude and a willingness
✔️ A poignant reminder that no matter how alone we may feel, we have not been forgotten

A Note from Jessica:
I have had the privilege of sharing my story with a variety of audiences, including high profile celebrities such as Clint Eastwood and Admiral McRaven. Every time I speak, I am reminded of what a fortunate thing it is to be alive to tell this miraculous story, and to share what I have learned about myself through navigating such impossible circumstances. I believe you will come away from my talk feeling empowered to take on whatever challenge you may be facing, with renewed strength to move forward, overcome your obstacles and move into a space of abundant growth.

CHANGE IS YOUR PROOF OF LIFE

Who is this for?

Audiences who may be facing corporate or personal life changes and the challenges that arise when change has been thrust upon you.

The Audience will leave with:
✔️ Renewed mindset on how to collaborate with change in their lives
✔️ Tools to empower them to make change work for them, not against them
✔️ Practical steps for reclaiming control in important areas of life when things feel like they are spinning out of control
✔️ A patriotic reminder of what it means to be an American

A note from Jessica:
Did you know you are SIX times more likely to demonstrate strong resilience in the middle of a life-changing event if you can identify your autonomy and choices within that change?

My unique perspective and experiences will empower you to discover your ‘WHY’ as you collaborate with change. Change is an inevitable part of life. Whether the change is something you have chosen or if the change has chosen you, the one thing you ALWAYS have is a CHOICE. Through sharing the dramatic story of my rescue by SEAL Team VI after being held hostage by Somali Pirates, I will show you how to become a collaborator with change and create the strategies you need to survive and thrive no matter what life has place in your path and launch you into a space of abundant growth and success.

DESERTS TO MOUNTAINTOPS: A Journey from Self-Abandonment to Self-Love

Who is this keynote for?

This keynote is geared specifically to those audiences looking to walk in greater alignment with themselves, and for those who are ready to start listening to their own voice and hone their intuition.

The audience will leave with:
✔️ Tools for honing their intuition in every area of their lives
✔️ Real life examples that drive home the life and death situation that not listening to their intuition can cause
✔️ Exercises that will bring them into greater self-awareness and alignment into what they want for their future
✔️ Feelings of Empowerment that will bring them to decisions more quickly, ultimately getting them to their next steps in an effective and efficient way

KIDNAPPINGS, RANSOMS, AND THE SECURITY SECTOR

Who is this keynote for?

This keynote is for the audience who works specifically in the security space. With Jessica’s unique background in the INGO (International Non-Governmental Organizational) space combined with her professional training as a teacher, Jessica shares lessons learned from before, during, and after her kidnapping experience to enable aid organizations and companies of all sizes and sectors to learn from her kidnapping experience as both a cautionary tale and a story of survival success.

The audience will leave with:
✔️ Practical takeaways and lessons learned from the unique perspective of a former hostage
✔️ An unforgettable illustration of the importance of an organization’s Duty of Care
✔️ A renewed sense of purpose as to their WHY supporting their mission
✔️ A commitment to their own personal security, and listening to their gut
✔️ An actual security checklist they may use prior to visiting project locations at home and abroad

A note from Jessica on this keynote:
Personal security is one of my greatest passions and a topic I never tire from speaking about. Because of my unique and firsthand experience as a hostage, and that I “lived to tell the tale” I offer organizaitons and security companies an extremely unique model that brings their security lessons to life. I can connect the concepts you teach in your classroom, to real life experiences that I endured, survived and now share- in a way that leaves an unforgettable impression on your staff, that inevitably will leave them feeling more empowered and safer, ultimately bringing greater success to your company on all levels.

Books

Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six

Deserts to Mountaintops: Our Collective Journey to (re)Claiming Our Voice

Topics

Overcoming Adversity, Storytelling, Christian Speakers, Religion & Spirituality, Women Motivational, Motivational Speakers, Negotiation,

Jessica Buchanan Reviews

Jessica Buchanan is a wonderful ambassador for our Navy SEAL Foundation. During her life and death struggle in an austere environment, she never quit. Like
the U.S. Navy SEALs who came to her rescue, Jessica’s faith in herself and her loved ones triumphed over evil in the most daunting of circumstances. She speaks from the heart, and offers an articulate, inspirational message of hope and courage. Jessica Buchanan’s humanitarian work, then and now, continues to make a positive difference in the world.

— U.S. Navy

“Jessica was a fantastic speaker, I know she touched so many in our audience yesterday. Many of our guests came up to me after her presentation and raved. It was an honor to have Jessica tell her story. I will be forever touched her courage and dignity.”

— Director, SIGINT Systems

“It was a wonderful day!! I hear nothing but great things from attendees yesterday about Jessica- Everyone loved having her here!!”

— WISE Conference, Houston

“Our audience of 100 senior leaders and their spouses were mesmerized. They could not stop talking about the emotional impact it had on them. Her story gave them pause to reflect on all they have and to cherish it, and not forget the fragility that may lie beneath it. So while we all feel for her and would never wish this to happen to anyone, by Jessica being willing to share her story she creates a beautiful example of what it means to send ripples outside of her community and favorably impact the lives of other human beings. Thank you Jessica.”

— WISDOM, DaVita

“Jessica was an EXCELLENT guest speaker for our spouse’s breakfast event at the Broadmoor. I was fortunate to meet with her personally before the event and she shared so much about her life, both before and after such a harrowing experience. I was moved to tears when I read her book “IMPOSSIBLE ODDS”, and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the ballroom as she shared her experience with all of us. She graciously allowed questions from the audience, and everyone i spoke to afterwards were very moved by her story and her ability to relive that nightmare. My only regret is that we did not think to have copies of her book available (many people were asking about it and would have loved to have her sign their copy)…”

— Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association

“Jessica Buchanan is a wonderful ambassador for our Navy SEAL Foundation. During her life and death struggle in an austere environment, she never quit. Like the U.S. Navy SEALs who came to her rescue, Jessica’s faith in herself and her loved ones triumphed over evil in the most daunting of circumstances. Jessica Buchanan’s inspirational work, then and now, continues to make a positive difference in the world.”

— Chairman, Board of Directors, Navy SEAL Foundation