Ed Hearn

AN INSPIRATIONAL CHAMPION ... STILL SWINGING FOR LIFE'S FENCES!

THE MAN

     In 1986, Ed Hearn fulfilled his childhood dream as a member of the World Champion New York Mets. The following year with the Kansas City Royals, he was set to make those big "million-dollar bank deposits" today's professional athletes are accustomed to when suddenly, a serious shoulder injury brought a premature end to a very promising and brilliant career.
     Less than six months after his baseball career ended, he was diagnosed with three potentially life-threatening health conditions. Once a strong, vibrant professional athlete, he was reduced to a man who could barely care for himself.
     Today, after 3 life-saving kidney transplants, dialysis, several bouts with cancer, radiation treatments, the aid of a breathing machine each night, a costly IV treatment once a month, and up to 40 pills per day, this 56-year-old former Major Leaguer has come back with a far greater purpose in life than just that of being a professional athlete.
     As the author of a book titled, Conquering Life's Curves – Baseball, Battles & Beyond, Ed has appeared on numerous national television programs including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The 700 Club, and Fox News. Recently, a Hollywood movie production company acquired the movie rights to Ed's story and a screenplay has been scripted.
     As the founder of The Bottom of the 9th (a KS 501c3 nonprofit corp.-1998), Ed continues to quietly impact countless lives. He challenges both individuals and organizations to embrace the bold challenge of rebuilding the spirit and character of our nation.
     In 2001, Ed was the first current or former professional athletes from our country's major league sports to be awarded the prestigious Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation from the National Speakers Association. 
     Ed resides in Shawnee, KS with his wife, Trish, and their son, Cody. As if the Hearn's haven't faced enough of life's curves, in November of 2011, during Cody's junior year of high school, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 Burkitt's Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Like his dad, he battled hard and today is in full remission.
     Ed is very active in various community activities, his church and spends countless hours of his time with the youth of Kansas City. In his spare time, Ed enjoys hunting, fishing, and golf.

"The real test of a man is not when he plays the role he wants for himself,
    but when he plays the role destiny has for him."    Vaclav Havel

THE SPEAKER

     Ed Hearn has stepped up to the plate countless times with the "game of life" on the line. He has lived that which most speakers can only talk about. When he speaks about becoming "a champion of life" and overcoming tremendous change and challenges, he speaks from experience.
     From the trenches of being a major league catcher to battling life-threatening health issues, Ed Hearn, Certified Speaking Professional (2001), has developed a mental toughness and a well-nurtured perspective that each of us must have to be effective in today's demanding climate of rapid change. Yes, he is very entertaining, captivating and motivating, but what makes him so uniquely special is his genuine desire to empower and uplift those around him in a very transparent and personal way. His speaking is simply an extension of his way of life.
     In the batter's box of life, Ed Hearn has lived an extreme range of life-changing experiences that make him a perfect fit as a speaker for a wide range of audiences, topics and meeting objectives. He is passionate about taking the nasty curves thrown his way and turning them into home runs of significance for himself and his fellow teammates in this journey called life. As he often says: 

"I could have played ten or fifteen years in the big leagues and never have made the impact I am called to have today – not through my strength or greatness, but rather through the humbling of adversities which seeded a perspective and focus on living a life of significance."

     Gleaming from a lifetime of reaching life's mountain tops, while experiencing the darkness of its deepest valleys, Ed Hearn is the antithesis of today's modern-day athletes. Certainly, his celebrity status of being a former Major League ballplayer often initially attracts many to ask him to speak, but be it young or old, executive or blue-collar worker, his audiences walk away remembering him not so much as an athlete, but more as a man who has had a dramatic effect on the way they view life – both personally and professionally. They rave about this entertaining, yet warm and very personal "hall of famer in the game of life" has challenged them to step up to plate and swing for the fences regardless of life's curves!

A Personal Note... from the desk of Ed Hearn

     Thank you for taking a brief moment to consider the possibility of allowing me to utilize the "gifts" I have been given to positively impact the lives of your group.
     In working with countless meeting coordinators over the past twenty-three years, I have long since come to realize that planning a group meeting is no small task. You have the unenviable job of pleasing not only your boss, but the hundreds or even thousands of different personalities that make up your group. I feel it is my job to make you look like a hero in everyone's eyes.
     As professional speakers, we are privileged to positively impact the lives of our fellow man. Many people cannot fathom the passion I have for the work I now do away from the ball park. The truth is, I look forward to speaking to a group of people more than I used to look forward to playing in a major league baseball game.
     Furthermore, because of my transcendent and open-hearted speaking style, I have found many audience members typically enjoy the opportunity to socialize and even spend personal one-on-one moments together after my programs. Therefore, I would like you to understand my personal philosophy is that of being more than just a speaker to the groups who book me.
     Whenever possible, I like to make myself readily available to share these special "up-close" moments. Whether it's taking photos with my new friends and the World Series trophy, personally autographing my book or even joining in on a round of golf with the group, I consider these to be all part of my job in helping to make your event one they will remember for a long time to come.
     I look forward to the possibility of working with you in the near future! Not only would we have a good time, but more importantly, I know we can have a positive impact on the lives of those in your group.

Ed Hearn