By definition, inspiration sparks creative thoughts and ideas. Do you need more of those? Perhaps. But my years in the corporate world have shown me that what people truly need is motivation—tangible steps to turn ideas into action. Every talk I give is rooted in this principle: it's not just about innovation but about execution.
Through life stories of breaking through barriers—a reputation I've built and one you likely sense if you're here— I engage audiences, urging them to not just listen but actively join the conversation.
I’m what some might call a multi-hyphenate. My resume reads like this: advertising and marketing executive, competitive race car driver, the world's only quadriplegic rescue scuba diver, multiple-time marathoner, charity founder, ex-comedian, husband, dog dad, and a person who refuses to accept the limitations others have placed on those who are C6 quadriplegics.
At 15, I dove into the ocean, broke my neck (C6), drowned, and was clinically dead for 2.5 minutes. You might gasp at this, but I see that moment as one of the most pivotal—and possibly best—days of my life.
/ My mission is simple:
to help you discover the “loopholes” in life that empower you to rise above the limitations others impose.
The truth is, we all have our own “wheelchairs.” Mine happens to be visible, but yours might be depression, PTSD, being on the spectrum, relationship struggles, or something else entirely. On the surface, these challenges may hold you back. But they also hold the key to your superpowers.
Let’s uncover yours together.

Public Speaking
BREAKING Through walls
/ THEMES
Making Your Weakness Your Superpower
Some say your biggest strength is your biggest weakness. I believe it’s the opposite: your biggest weakness is your biggest strength. Everything good in life comes from using this superpower. You just have to be willing to embrace it.
Everyone Has a Wheelchair
I believe we all have our own “wheelchairs.” Mine happens to be visible. But whether you have depression, PTSD, are on the spectrum, face relationship issues or anything else, we all have something which holds us back and makes us feel underrated. But once we find that, we have found our superpower!
Setting Goals Before You Know How
How many times have you had an idea, followed by all the reasons it wouldn’t work? That’s because we are conditioned to mitigate failure. What if we saw failure as a good thing? What if you embraced inevitable failure and used it to fuel success? I talk about my personal failures, all of which have launched every aspect of my success.
Asking the Tough Questions
Our society has conditioned us to temper our questions. But we use questions to learn, relate, define, and include. When we don’t ask questions, we assume. That leads to bigger issues.
It’s Not HOW You Do Something, It’s the End Result
Schools teach process. Process managers live by process. But those who understand process, and know when and how to flex process structure, are set up to win.
How to Bring Others Into Your Journey
Everyone wants to help. I used to see help as bothersome because everyone wants to help “the wheelchair guy.” Now I accepts the help because I know I will help others at every point in my journey. However, I had to learn how to accept people helping and more importantly, how to ask for it.
Book Torsten For your Next Event
Whether you're looking to inspire innovation, build resilient teams, or ignite transformative change, my talks go beyond inspiration to deliver actionable strategies that your audience can implement immediately.