Motivational Speaker Dick Beardsley
His story will sober you and inspire you. Dick’s life is that rare story that brings the listener to laughter, tears, the pinnacle, the bottom, and back up again. He’ll walk you through his dark valley of despair and through the anguish to that great light of hope and renewal.
Dick entered the 1982 Boston Marathon as a legitimate contender but certainly an underdog. On an unseasonably hot April day in Boston, after battling mile after mile, Dick reached the finish line, with a time of 2:08:53, only 1.6 seconds behind the winner. The most famous 2nd place finish to date.
Dick retired from competitive running after the 1988 Olympic marathon trials and returned to Minnesota where he poured his heart and soul into his dairy farm and his work as a fishing guide.
Beginning in 1989 Dick survives an incredible series of horrific accidents. To hear Dick recount these accidents you conclude he either has nine lives or God has kept him on the Earth for a greater purpose.
In a period covering just a little over three years Dick survives a farming accident with a leg entangled in an auger, a blind-sided automobile crash, being hit by a truck while out on a run, falling off of a cliff, and rolling his automobile multiple times in a fierce snow storm.
Dick undergoes his first back surgery in 1994. Multiple back and knee surgeries follow. Pain medications are prescribed with each hospital stay. To feed his body’s craving for the pain medications; Dick begins to forge prescriptions, obtaining 240 pills in one day. His forgeries are discovered in 1996, and by the time of the arrest, Dick was taking a cocktail of Vicodin, Percocet and Valium, 80 – 90 pills a day.
Dick has been sober since February 12, 1997. His recounting of the withdrawal and ultimate emergence from treatment free of drugs will raise the hair on your neck. Dick is still faced with the adversity of narcotics. Since January of 2009, Dick has had two total knee replacements. Dick is still doing what he loves… running competitively and living to tell about.
Motivational Speakers Directory > Motivational Speaker Programs
Staying the Course, Life's Obstacles: Roadblocks or Stepping Stones, Reaching for Excellence, Race for the Truth, Developing a Marathon Mentality in a Sprinting World
My life stories will sober you and inspire you. I will bring your listeners to laughter, tears, the pinnacle, the bottom, and back up again. I’ll..."Dick Beardsley's moving stories of his drive to become a world-class runner to his battle with Alberto Salazar in 1983 to his epic struggle to overcome drug addiction are almost beyond belief. You think to yourself "It's a wonder he's still alive. But then you're so thankful he is because his message -- delivered in his down-to-earth, easy-going style -- is heartfelt, pure and, above all, incredibly inspiring." - Drew Gruenburg, Chief Operating Officer, Society of American Florists
"I have heard Bill Clinton, Lance Armstrong, and even the Dalai Lama speak. None of them meant as much to me as hearing Dick speak." - Stewart Weepers, New Balance
"Washington County employees were enlightened and motivated by Dick's sparkling presentation. They unanimously agreed that Dick is perhaps the finest speaker they've ever had the pleasure to hear. His energy and enthusiasm will fill a room." - Chris Bohrer, Office of Administration, Washington County
"Dick's message received excellent evaluations and ranked as number one among the conference speakers. His easy-going, conversational style was very enjoyable. Few possess such talent." - Linda Gifford, Family Activities Coordinator, Minnesota Farm Bureau Association
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Dick Beardsley's areas of expertise include:
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Call 877-234-6086 or email info@nationallyspeaking.com today!