At 17-Years-Old, Connor became the youngest rider to ever podium a BMX World Cup.
Olympic Gold Medalist, BMX Racing Legend, Near Fatal Crash Survivor
Connor Fields is a three-time Olympian, two-time World Champion, and the first American to win Olympic BMX Gold.
As one of the world’s all-time greatest BMX racers, Connor has represented the United States 50+ times in 25+ countries. At 17-Years-Old, Connor became the youngest rider to ever podium a BMX World Cup.
However, his racing career was not always marked by triumphs. At the 2021 Tokyo Games, as the number one seed in his semi-final and on pace to battle for another medal, Connor went down in one of the worst crashes in Summer Olympic history. Based on previous results, Connor still qualified for the 2021 Olympic BMX final, but instead of competing in that final race he fought for his life in an ambulance.
Connor sustained multiple injuries – broken ribs, a collapsed lung, torn shoulder and bicep ligaments, as well as brain swelling and four life-threatening brain hemorrhages.
The road to recovery took him through surgery, therapy, and intense physical and cognitive rehabilitation. Connor had to regain the energy to do simple tasks, strengthen short term memory, relearn vocabulary, and even how to speak properly.
He learned first-hand that Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivors go through physical, mental and emotional changes throughout their recovery. Not only did he face the agonizing pain of being denied the chance to defend his Gold Medal, Connor also has no memory of competing in his final Olympics – the moment he trained his entire life for.
Connor realized that just like in training, life is not about being perfect or getting everything 100% right. People focus on the last 1% when it’s actually the 99% that creates champions. It wasn’t the last 1% – a second Olympic Gold – that would make Connor a champion. It was the 99% of who he already was that made him a champion.
After 11 months he was officially fully recovered and cleared to ride again. Determined to not let his final race define 22 years of riding, on day-one he jumped on his bike and rode again to conquer the fear that threatened to keep him off the track. Understandably anxious to hit routine jumps, he took them on and beat the demons that chased him.
In his words: “Don’t let adversity define you.”
Connor continues to ride and coach BMX, no passion for the sport lost to the worst of Olympic scenarios.
His story has been featured by the Today Show, Sports Illustrated, and Vanity Fair Magazine. He was part of the Polo Ralph Lauren Sport campaign, has been a guest at the White House, and was nominated for a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award.
In his presentations, Connor opens the curtains to a rarely seen experience of what it takes to win sport’s greatest prize and overcome extreme adversity. He openly shares with audiences his journey of recovery and self-discovery, and the practical applications of hard-won lessons learned.
Through authentic and engaging storytelling, Connor provides real-world strategies for peak performance, inspires resiliency, and motivates audiences towards greater success.
“No matter who you are, no matter what you do, every single decision you make matters.” – Connor Fields
G.O.L.D.
G.O.L.D. is the story of the ups and downs that come along with setting the highest goals possible. From injuries, difficulties, failures, setbacks, and depression to the elation of winning National championships, World Cups, and an Olympic Gold Medal. From “choking” at the 2012 Olympics to being “clutch” in 2016. What changed? How did I shift my mindset? How did I believe in myself again? How do you get the best out of yourself each and every day? Those are all questions I answer in my signature keynote, G.O.L.D. Opening the curtains to a rarely seen experience of what it takes to win sport’s greatest prize, you will see behind the usually closed doors and enjoy a roller coaster of emotions while learning skills to improve performance in business, relationships, and life.
Your Attendees Will Learn:
CREATIVITY IS KEY
When you have been doing the same sport, practicing the same techniques, and trying to win the next race for 20 years straight, things can become a bit repetitive. How do you keep things interesting, fresh, and give yourself opportunity for breakthroughs? Creativity
When you think of sport, creativity may not be the first word that comes to mind, but when you break it down, sport is a medium in which to express yourself creatively. In addition to that, the modern landscape of social media has made creative branding and marketing strategy more important than ever for athletes, brands, and individuals.
Attendees will learn:
“Speakers need to connect. Connor connects. Speakers need a story of triumph. Connor has that in wealthy proportions. Speakers need to be someone who leads people to higher thought. Connor is this speaker. Want champions in your organization? Put a champion on stage. Connor will deliver champion results.”
Connor Fields was the keynote speaker for our 4th Annual CTE Leadership Summit for students grades 9-12th. He was phenomenal at holding the students attention via our virtual platform! Connor was a joy to work with and was able to connect our theme of a good leader being a difference maker to his story. We are hopeful to have him in person or as a virtual keynote again!
“Connor Fields is the consummate professional. Not only is this Olympic Gold Medal athlete a rock star on the track, he was respectful, easy to work with, prompt and super professional as the Grand Marshall of Downtown Summerlin’s 2016 Holiday Parade and tree-lighting ambassador. He comfortably spoke to a crowd of more than 20,000 onlookers and did a superb job. I would highly recommend him for any corporate or public facing opportunity.”