Lance Armstrong
7x Tour de France Winner, Cancer Survivor, Podcast Host, Endurance Athlete, Managing Partner, Next Ventures (Venture Capital)
Biography
The seven-time consecutive winner of the Tour de France after surviving Stage 3 testicular cancer and the face of Livestrong. Armstrong is now managing director of Next Venture Capital, a venture capital fund that he founded to invest in health and wellness start-ups. Also known for his dramatic fall from grace for using performance enhancing drugs. Stripped of his titles and banned from professional cycling for life, he went on to become a successful early investor in companies such as Uber and DocuSign. An inspiring motivational speaker, he also leads WEDU, his global content and media platform and hosts two popular podcasts. Born and raised in Plano, Texas to a single mother, Lance Armstrong showed an early interest in sports. Going against the football culture of his hometown, he earned a spot on both the track and swim teams. Armstrong became a state champion swimmer, adding cycling to his repertoire and becoming a professional triathlete at age 15. With the dream of one day competing in the Olympics (triathlon was not yet an Olympic sport), Armstrong turned his focus to cycling. In 1992, Armstrong represented the U.S. at the Barcelona Olympic Games, turning professional immediately after. In 1993, he won cycling’s “Triple Crown,” the Thrift Drug Classic, the Kmart West Virginia Classic and the CoreStates Race (the U.S. Professional Championship), placed second in the Tour Dupont and competed in his first Tour de France, cycling’s most prestigious event. By 1996, he was an established international competitor, setting a record victory at the Tour DuPont and riding again for the U.S. at the Atlanta Olympics. Then, the unthinkable happened. After ignoring escalating symptoms, Armstrong, then age 25, was diagnosed with Stage 3 metastatic testicular cancer that had advanced to his lymph nodes, abdomen, lungs and brain. Given only a 40% chance of survival, he underwent surgeries and multiple rounds of chemotherapy. Turning his never-give-up drive to beating cancer, he vowed that he would one day return to cycling. Armstrong was declared cancer free in February of 1997. That same year, he founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation, later called Livestrong, known for its iconic yellow band bracelets. According to Armstrong, Livestrong has raised over a half a billion dollars to advocate for and support people with cancer. Despite his odds-defying victory over cancer, Armstrong’s $600k annual sponsorship had been pulled and companies were hesitant to sponsor him. He eventually signed a $200k annual deal with the United States Postal Service team. His return to professional cycling became one of sports’ most legendary comeback stories. In 1999, Armstrong became the second American to win the Tour de France, a victory he repeated the following year. He also won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Over the next five years, Armstrong dominated international cycling, winning the Tour de France a total of seven consecutive times before retiring from the sport in 2005 at the age of 34. In 2009, he came out of retirement to compete in the Tour once again, placing third. In 2010, he competed in what was to be his final Tour, coming in 23rd place, and permanently retiring. Through his peak years, Armstrong’s tremendous success was met with rumors of performance-enhancing drug (PED) use. The controversy first surfaced in 2001, when he was linked to an Italian doctor being investigated for supplying PEDs to cyclists. Amidst numerous allegations, Armstrong vehemently denied any drug use. In 2012, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced that Armstrong would be stripped of all of his Tour de France titles, his Olympic medal and all other honors earned between 1999-2005 and be banned from cycling for life. Armstrong later admitted to PED use during a notable national interview with Oprah Winfrey, attributing it to “a ruthless desire to win.” In addition to losing his titles, Armstrong also lost an estimated $111 million in endorsements along with legal costs. At his lowest point, with his career in shambles, he worried about how he would support his family. Fortuitously, his situation was turned around when he became an early investor in Uber, and later, DocuSign. Combining a talent for spotting winners with his lifelong interest in sports, health and wellness, Armstrong founded Next Ventures, a venture capital firm designed to maximize growth opportunities in the exploding sports, fitness, nutrition, and wellness markets. Armstrong credits much of his current comeback to his keen understanding of the power of digital media and influencers in brand building. He currently hosts THEMOVE, a podcast that provides analysis of the Tour de France and other cycling, triathlon and endurance races. THEMOVE has had millions of downloads and is one of Apple iTunes’ top 10 sports and recreation podcasts. Armstrong also hosts The Forward podcast, interviewing musicians, athletes, politicians and influencers from all walks of life. Past interviewees have included Matthew McConaughey, Tony Robbins, and Wolfgang Puck. These popular podcasts are the cornerstone of WEDU MEDIA and the WEDU brand, a content destination for a growing community of endurance athletes and those pursuing an endurance lifestyle. Armstrong also continues to be actively involved in philanthropy, most recently teaming with others to send a bike to every child in Uvalde, Texas as a way to help foster normalcy after the traumatic school shooting. Regretful about the past, but with eyes firmly fixed on the future, Armstrong shares a story of resiliency and hard-learned lessons that resonate with multiple audiences. Speaking with total candor and making no subject off-limits, he champions the power of mental endurance to overcome any failure, challenge or obstacle. “I’ve landed on my feet,” Armstrong says. “I have five beautiful kids and I’ve been given another chance. I’m extremely grateful for that.”
Speech Topics
Every Second Counts-Pursuing Innovation and Possibility It's Not About the Bike - Delivering Your BestBuilding a Champion From the Tour de France to the Boardroom Pushing Your Team to Victory
Fireside Chat With Lance Armstrong
In dynamic fireside chats, Lance Armstrong offers a no-holds-barred, no questions off-limits conversation – inspiring audiences to overcome their greatest obstacles, learn from failure and have the accountability and tenacity to recover from their mistakes. Interviewers delve into topics that include how Lance overcame cancer, his time as a professional cyclist, his experience with the Livestrong charity, his banishment from the sport, and his new activities as podcast host and as a successful advisor and investor in health care start-ups. Lance talks candidly about redemption and reinvention, embracing his past mistakes with an endurance athlete’s tenacious mindset of powering through pain, challenges and adversity.
Corporate Athlete
How do you become—and stay—resilient in your body and mind? Lance Armstrong became one of the best-known athletes in the world for his hard work and mental strength as a cyclist. He learned from the best coaches and athletes how to stay healthy and mentally strong. While today Lance no longer competes and is just happy to finish a race, he still practices what he learned as a professional athlete to stay fit. In this candid talk by Lance, audiences will come away with world-class coaching on how to train effectively, improve their health, stay mentally strong, and maintain their fitness throughout life.
Winning at All Costs is Not True Leadership
The key to leading a team is honesty. While Lance was doing all the right things to win as a team —working hard, good tactics, great teammates—he was doing the worst thing you can do as a leader: lying. He lied to himself, his team, and his supporters. His win-at-all-costs mentality eventually lost him his cycling titles and resulted in his banishment from the sport. He learned how the decisions you make as a leader can have an impact on everyone—from your team to your fans to your family. In this brutally honest talk, Lance shares what he learned about himself, winning, and leadership as he had to confront his wrongdoing. Audiences will come away with what it takes to lead and work as a team: communication, persistence, and most of all honesty.
From Here to Zero: How to Come Back From Your Biggest Mistakes
How do you come back from your biggest mistakes? When confronted with losing everything, some people give up—while others use those setbacks as inspiration to reach new goals. In cycling, Lance Armstrong was the “comeback king” when he overcame testicular cancer to win the Tour de France seven times. In the process, he became one of the most well-known athletes in the world. However, his biggest comeback was not athletic but personal when he came back from the doping scandal that stripped him of his Tour de France titles. After going from hero to zero, he worked hard to take responsibility for his mistakes, learn from them, and rise again with his new podcasts and organization WED?. In this revealing talk, Lance tells stories from his career and shares what it takes to come back from your mistakes. Audiences will learn that you need to be honest, vulnerable, and stay positive in order to come back even stronger than before.
Videos
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check Lance Armstrong's availability or request a quote?
You can inquire about Lance Armstrong's availability or get a customized quote by contacting Key Speakers directly. Our team will help you determine fit, logistics, and budget options for your upcoming event.What is Lance Armstrong's speaking fee?
The typical range for Lance Armstrong's speaking fee is $45,000–$75,000. The low end of the fee range represents their standard virtual fee. The high end of the fee range represents their standard fee for a US-based in-person speaking engagement. Appearances which require an extended schedule of activities or international travel will possibly exceed this fee range. Speaker fees update frequently. To receive a personalized quote for Lance Armstrong to speak at your event, please consult with a Key Speakers advisor for up to date information and assistance.What factors influence the speaker's fee?
Other factors that influence a keynote speaker's fee include their reputation, expertise, demand, experience, duration of the presentation, travel requirements for the event location, and any additional services, activities or customization options they offer.Are travel expenses included in the speaker's fee?
Travel expenses are typically not included in the listed speaker's fee and are quoted separately. If the speaker needs to travel internationally, fees will be higher. These expenses may include airfare, accommodation, ground transportation at home and in the event city, and meals. We can provide more detailed information about travel expenses and arrangements once you've selected a speaker.How do I book Lance Armstrong for my event?
The speaker booking process typically involves the following steps: contact Key Speakers to confirm Lance Armstrong's availability, fees, and any unique requirements (we can also help negotiate fees and terms); submit a firm offer to extend the invite to your speaker, with the details used to create an agreement once the speaker accepts; coordinate and finalize the terms of the booking, including contract terms and conditions; and confirm the booking by signing the contract and making the necessary payments.What types of events do keynote speakers typically speak at?
Keynote speakers can speak at a wide range of events, virtual or in person, including conferences, corporate meetings, industry conventions, seminars, workshops, fundraising galas, educational programs, and other special occasions where an inspirational or informative address is desired.How do I select the right keynote speaker for my event?
When selecting a keynote speaker, consider the following factors: the speaker's expertise and knowledge relevant to your event's theme or industry; their speaking style, ability to engage the audience, and deliver impactful messages; past client testimonials, reviews, or references; and the speaker's availability and fee within your budget.What are the payment terms and conditions?
A deposit is required upon signing the contract, with the remaining balance due 2–4 weeks before the event. If the event is taking place within 30 days, the full balance is due upon signing.How far in advance should I book a keynote speaker?
It is generally advisable to book a keynote speaker as early as possible, especially if you have a specific speaker in mind or if your event is during a peak season holiday. Ideally, booking a speaker three to six months in advance can increase the chances of securing your desired speaker.Can you help me with the logistics and technical requirements for the speaker's presentation?
Yes, we can assist you with the logistics and technical requirements for the speaker's presentation. We stay actively involved during pre-event planning to coordinate with you and ensure that the necessary audiovisual equipment, staging, lighting, and other technical aspects are in place for a successful presentation.Are there any special requirements or accommodations that need to be considered for the speaker?
Keynote speakers may have specific requirements or accommodations that need to be considered, such as travel arrangements, accommodation preferences, dietary restrictions, or accessibility needs. Some speakers have a performance rider we include in the contract, others have minimal requirements.Do keynote speakers offer customization options for their presentations?
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Some keynote speakers are open to participating in pre-event activities such as panel discussions, Q&A sessions, or meet-and-greet sessions. Please share your specific requirements with us during the firm offer phase, so we can work on getting you everything you need.How long is a typical keynote speech?
The duration of a standard keynote speech can vary depending on the speaker and the event's schedule. Typically, keynote speeches range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, including any Q&A sessions or interactive elements. Some speakers can accommodate half or full day sessions and extended keynotes. Discuss the desired duration with your representative to determine the appropriate length for participation.Can I provide feedback or reviews about the speaker's performance?
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Often, yes. It's worth inquiring about such possibilities with your Key Speakers representative to explore any available cost-savings options.Why book Lance Armstrong through Key Speakers?
We provide a comprehensive service that takes the guesswork out of hiring a speaker — from speaker selection to logistics to post-event feedback. We know you have lots of responsibilities on top of finding and coordinating event speakers, so having a committed and proactive partner on your side that is an expert with the talent booking process is crucial. Every time you book a speaker with Key, your dedicated events manager will support you throughout the entire planning process. We help you negotiate contractual details such as speaker fees and travel terms so that you end up with the most favorable deal. With our highly communicative booking and proposal model, you'll never be left in the dark with the status of your speaker. To put it simply, Key Speakers is your one-stop resource for finding, booking and managing speakers for your event.
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