10.15.2014 Interview with Sean Swarner
What is the message you hope people take away from your presentations?
I’m different than most speakers. I don’t “do” anything for anyone. My goal is one of two things… to motivate you to inspire yourself, or inspire you to motivate yourself. True motivation, true desire must come from within and be self-motivated to last. I am the catalyst to make that change and desire happen. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve received emails from people saying I changed their lives… for the better of course!
How do you prepare for speaking engagements?
I meet the people involved, get a good feeling for who they are, know them on a personal level, get as involved as I can with the event and even participate personally with what they have happening.
How did you come up with your motto “keep climbing”?
Keep Climbing!! is a motto I’ve had for a very long time. It’s obviously my mantra while climbing the physical mountains, but it’s also a figurative encouragement for everyone else. Everyone on earth has difficulties they must overcome… mountains they must climb. The only way to achieve what you desire is to continue forward, to continue upwards. Often times people have to back off a little, but in doing so, they re-group, attack stronger and become successful. Those who achieve their goals are the ones who Keep Climbing!!
Who or what inspires you?
Everyone touched by cancer is my personal inspiration. Nearly everyone in the world knows someone battling the disease. I also get my motivation from people going through daily difficulties. If they can do what they’re doing, I can too.
How are your keynote presentations unique?
Do you know of another first cancer survivor to summit Everest? Another 2-time survivor to climb the highest mountain on every continent (7-summits)? Another person with one lung to compete and finish the Hawaii Ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 run)? How about those people being the same person? There’s one person in the world who’s accomplished what I’ve been able to. Most speakers use others’ (I’ve been a key ingredient in many many other speaker’s talks) stories and are great speakers. I AM that person and I’ve been told I’m a great speaker. It’s everything all in one package!
What is your biggest passion?
Helping others accomplish their goals. I don’t care about the money… I honestly want to help others.
What types of audiences gain the most from your motivational talks?
I’ve been told I have changed lives before, and have actually been told I SAVED lives because of the turmoil they have been going through. That hit me hard. Obviously those in the cancer industry are emotional talks, but every single presentation I give, I speak from the heart, and every single presentation is different… tailored for that exact audience. Everyone I’ve spoken to has always wanted extra time for a meet and greet as well.