Sep 23, 2019
For Ethan Zohn, winning CBS’s SURVIVOR: Africa was the
springboard to an exceptional young life of entrepreneurship,
social purpose and advocacy. It was also the prelude to an
incredible story, one of perseverance, accomplishment, and enduring
spirit in the face of once unthinkable challenges. By sharing that
story, Ethan inspires countless others around the globe. His
message for young people, academia and the corporate community
alike emphasizes character, resiliency, service, kindness and
turning challenges into strengths. A fit, active, 35-year-old
former professional soccer player who had traveled the world on
behalf of the international health community through his
foundation, Grassroot Soccer, Ethan became an unlikely face of
cancer. Diagnosed not once but twice with CD20+ Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
in the span of several years, Ethan endured years of aggressive
treatment, including two stem cell transplants. Never losing
optimism, spirit, or humor despite extraordinary rigors and
setbacks, Ethan used his journey and considerable platform to
connect with others – young adults in particular – and offer
much-needed inspiration, advice, and comfort. As demonstrated by
his charitable work with various global and domestic health and
wellness organizations, and community involvement, Ethan believes
that a better and healthier world can be achieved by living with
strong values. His inspiration to help heal the world stems from
being taught at an early age the importance of kindness, community
and a connection to social goodness. Ethan is a recognizable face
that delivers deeply felt, meaningful lessons on character,
kindess, personal strength, and giving back, all which he developed
long before his battles with cancer. With his remarkable
combination of humor and honesty, Ethan offers keynotes that
inspire others to answer life’s opportunities with strength and the
conviction to never let a crisis to go to waste. Programs &
Speaking Topics: Cancer Mental Health/Anxiety Sport for Social Good
Motivation & Inspiration Service Learning Character Development
Social Entrepreneurship Jewish Leadership and Values Preservation
of Israel HIV/AIDS.
We talk about how crises are also opportunities to do important
things, how making a difference can start with something simple,
and how character is the ultimate survival tool.