John Tartaglio
Marathon History Made
Professional motivational speaker John Tartaglio has continued to inspire people with his positive attitude and continuous courage.
In 2004, John was 17 years old and diagnosed with a rare bacterial infection that only affected 35 people in medical history. To save his life doctors had no choice but to amputate his legs and left bicep that night. John survived while only given a 20% chance to live. He went from being told he would never walk again to becoming the first and only person in history to run a marathon without legs.
Through rigorous workouts John is able to compete in triathlons, road races, and cycling events. Currently, John is enrolled in the University of Connecticut’s MBA program, class of 2014, and is a cum laude graduate from Fairfield University. During John’s time at Fairfield University, he became the first person in history to run and complete a 5k and 10k road race without legs. After graduating college, John ran the 26.2 mile New York City marathon.
Still competing in various endurance events, furthering his education, and professionally speaking John has shown that “How far you fall doesn’t determine who you are, it’s how hard you work to get back up.”
John's Mission
John's mission is to pursue what he values in life and empower his audiences to do the same. Inspiring audiences with his real life experiences to overcome daily challenges and meet their goals.
Testimonials
"John you are such an inspiration!"
-Oprah Winfrey
"John, I wanted to say thank you for speaking at the National Disability Mentoring Day at Highmark. Your story is truly inspiring! It is a great gift that you give to others by sharing your story and experiences."
-Michael A. Wiegand, Executive Communications Blue Cross Blue Shield
"“John, thank you so much for your inspirational message. We had supplied the students with a survey asking them about their favorite part of the event - in the majority of instances they indicated you and your message!!!Thank you again and we look forward to recommending you for future events both at and outside of Highmark!!"
-Melissa Ferraro, Compliance & Accessibility Manager Corporate Diversity and Work Life Highmark
"John you are truly an inspiration and I know you touched many lives at our banquet."
-Robert J. Oris, Jr.President Oris Inc.
"We were really thrilled to have John here today, he did a fantastic job. His message was so clear and concise, it really applied to our business. We are always trying to drive our people to work hard and be inspired. More importantly, he showed us what can happen when we drive ourselves to do more. John is an inspiration to all of us."
-Jeffrey Dalaba, Aflac NY state Sales Coordinator
"John was the Special Guest Speaker for our Team's 7th Annual Awards Event. He is an incredible speaker and an equally incredible guy. People still comment how great he was! Thanks John."
-Clinton Tebbetts, President of Shoreline Sharks Triathlon Team
"Here's a man who cannot spell the word surrender, and John is my new personal hero"
-Kirk Wesley, college student
"John helped make our event really special. I want to say thank you."
-Jeanine Santilli, event director
"Thank you. You're an inspiration, you've touched many lives"
-Gina Corella, college student
"Sometimes people face challenges, and Tartaglio has shown that you can't let that keep you down."
-Kenny Gracia, college student
"Tartaglio's talk was amazing. He doesn't feel sorry for himself, he acts normal. He does things that a lot of us think are out of reach for us. He's an inspiration. He doesn't make me feel bad that I haven't done anything (like he has)."
- Kimberly Nania, college student
"If you are considering having John Tartaglio as a speaker, stop considering and book him, now! John's message, that you can accomplish great things by working hard, is one that has stayed with us."
-Pam Benedict, Monroe, CT school teacher
"Just wanted to reach out again and thank you visiting TMS this past Friday. Your inspirational story touched not only the children, but the adults in the room as well. You and your courage are the talk of the school. Thank you for inspiring me to live my life to the fullest."
- Shawn Simpson, Assistant Principal of Tyrrell Middle School
Marathon History Made
Professional motivational speaker John Tartaglio has continued to inspire people with his positive attitude and continuous courage.
In 2004, John was 17 years old and diagnosed with a rare bacterial infection that only affected 35 people in medical history. To save his life doctors had no choice but to amputate his legs and left bicep that night. John survived while only given a 20% chance to live. He went from being told he would never walk again to becoming the first and only person in history to run a marathon without legs.
Through rigorous workouts John is able to compete in triathlons, road races, and cycling events. Currently, John is enrolled in the University of Connecticut’s MBA program, class of 2014, and is a cum laude graduate from Fairfield University. During John’s time at Fairfield University, he became the first person in history to run and complete a 5k and 10k road race without legs. After graduating college, John ran the 26.2 mile New York City marathon.
Still competing in various endurance events, furthering his education, and professionally speaking John has shown that “How far you fall doesn’t determine who you are, it’s how hard you work to get back up.”
John's Mission
John's mission is to pursue what he values in life and empower his audiences to do the same. Inspiring audiences with his real life experiences to overcome daily challenges and meet their goals.
Testimonials
"John you are such an inspiration!"
-Oprah Winfrey
"John, I wanted to say thank you for speaking at the National Disability Mentoring Day at Highmark. Your story is truly inspiring! It is a great gift that you give to others by sharing your story and experiences."
-Michael A. Wiegand, Executive Communications Blue Cross Blue Shield
"“John, thank you so much for your inspirational message. We had supplied the students with a survey asking them about their favorite part of the event - in the majority of instances they indicated you and your message!!!Thank you again and we look forward to recommending you for future events both at and outside of Highmark!!"
-Melissa Ferraro, Compliance & Accessibility Manager Corporate Diversity and Work Life Highmark
"John you are truly an inspiration and I know you touched many lives at our banquet."
-Robert J. Oris, Jr.President Oris Inc.
"We were really thrilled to have John here today, he did a fantastic job. His message was so clear and concise, it really applied to our business. We are always trying to drive our people to work hard and be inspired. More importantly, he showed us what can happen when we drive ourselves to do more. John is an inspiration to all of us."
-Jeffrey Dalaba, Aflac NY state Sales Coordinator
"John was the Special Guest Speaker for our Team's 7th Annual Awards Event. He is an incredible speaker and an equally incredible guy. People still comment how great he was! Thanks John."
-Clinton Tebbetts, President of Shoreline Sharks Triathlon Team
"Here's a man who cannot spell the word surrender, and John is my new personal hero"
-Kirk Wesley, college student
"John helped make our event really special. I want to say thank you."
-Jeanine Santilli, event director
"Thank you. You're an inspiration, you've touched many lives"
-Gina Corella, college student
"Sometimes people face challenges, and Tartaglio has shown that you can't let that keep you down."
-Kenny Gracia, college student
"Tartaglio's talk was amazing. He doesn't feel sorry for himself, he acts normal. He does things that a lot of us think are out of reach for us. He's an inspiration. He doesn't make me feel bad that I haven't done anything (like he has)."
- Kimberly Nania, college student
"If you are considering having John Tartaglio as a speaker, stop considering and book him, now! John's message, that you can accomplish great things by working hard, is one that has stayed with us."
-Pam Benedict, Monroe, CT school teacher
"Just wanted to reach out again and thank you visiting TMS this past Friday. Your inspirational story touched not only the children, but the adults in the room as well. You and your courage are the talk of the school. Thank you for inspiring me to live my life to the fullest."
- Shawn Simpson, Assistant Principal of Tyrrell Middle School
From Tragedy To Triumph
John will tailor his signature story and the vital lessons he has learned from his life experiences to fit the needs of you and your audience. John speaks from his heart about his life from the day he was told he would never walk again to becoming the first and only person in history to run a marathon without legs. Through storytelling, a power-point presentation and movie clips your audience will be captivated by John’s presentation.
