Speaker

An Average Man Takes a Not-So-Average Run Across America for Veterans.

On July 6, 2012, Marine Corps veteran Jamie Summerlin dipped his feet into the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware after running 3,452 miles in 100 days. While Summerlin?s inspiring transcontinental journey to honor U.S. veterans is finished and documented in his book ?Freedom Run?, his mission to honor veterans is not. Today, Summerlin works through Operation Welcome Home and other nonprofit organizations to provide support for veterans. Jamie also presents his journey through motivational speaking engagements at conventions, corporate team-building and goal-setting sessions, and student-athlete programs from middle schools to university level.. Providing the keynote address for military ceremonies and supporting organizations gives this US Marine Corps Veteran the opportunity to give back and inspire others through his passion for not only running, but the veteran community as a whole.

Running for a Cause: Jamie Summerlin set out on his cross-country journey to generate awareness and raise funds for veterans. Through the help of his family and countless others, Summerlin ran the equivalent of 132 marathons in 100 days. In his new book Freedom Run, Summerlin collected heartfelt stories of courage and pride from many veterans he met along the way. Freedom Run captures those stories and the true giving spirit of America! He has a message that is applicable for runners, businesses, veterans and the organizations that serve our veterans. Contact Jamie today to discuss any opportunities you may have for him to share his story and inspire others to Dream Big!

Speaking Topics

Freedom Run: Dreaming Big, Going Further, Making Impact – 
In 2012 at the age of 39, Jamie Summerlin ran across the United States, completing the  equivalent of 132 back-to-back marathons in 100 days, running an average of more than 240 miles a week. Jamie?s Freedom Run speaking message and the imagery of the run are universal, whether you?re an athlete or not. It?s about realizing a dream that less than 2 1/2 years prior to his mind-blowing run seemed impossible, and working as a team to understand the strengths and weaknesses that would help make that dream a reality. It?s about not allowing bumps in the road to slow you down, or the hills ahead tempting you to give up hope. It?s about finding inspiration through others to help you achieve personal goals that otherwise seemed insurmountable. Ultimately, it?s about staring fear in the face, digging deep from within, overcoming physical and mental hurdles, and inspiring others to Dream Big!

Veterans On Call – Community & Veteran, Supporting One Another – Inspiration for Communities, Community Organizations, and Businesses. During Jamie?s run across America, one thing became very apparent; communities wanted to support our veterans, but they just didn’t know how to do it most effectively. Taking what Jamie learned from the community he lives in that provides support to our veterans through Operation Welcome Home, programs such as Veterans on Call and CamoToCap were born to provide necessary services to our veteran community. Not only are the veterans who are in need of assistance receiving the help they need, but the communities are enjoying a sense of pride and responsibility for taking care of those who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms. From success stories of veterans who have benefited from the programs, to communities celebrating the pride they have in supporting our heroes, this presentation inspires audiences to find ways to utilize their own resources to serve their own veterans.

What Will You Do With What You’ve Been Given – 
Inspiration for Student Athletes and Professionals. With images from his amazing Run Across America in 2012, including movie clips and dynamic photo transitions set to music, Jamie speaks about his accomplishments in ultrarunning and his journey across America. While presenting the audience with beautiful imagery through stories and media, Jamie also pushes the audience to think about their own dreams and utilizing the abilities they?ve been blessed with; then taking those talents to do great things for themselves and others. Jamie?s vision of honoring and inspiring the veterans of the US Military through his run begs the question of each participant in the presentation: “What will I do with what I?ve been given?”

Partnerships With Purpose – Inspiration for Schools, Businesses and Organizations looking to hire veterans. Through partnerships with higher education and businesses, Jamie presents ways that organizations can work together to provide the necessary support services and understanding required by our veteran community today. Faced with the current economic climate, the challenge for non-traditional students who are veterans returning or starting college after the military, and the ever-increasing physical and mental challenges faced by our veterans, Jamie brings to your organization or educational facility open discussions on how you can help our veterans overcome these challenges to be successful. Personal stories from his own family struggling with the non-traditional student status, to the excitement of seeing those veterans become a contributing member of a business or organization when given the tools to succeed. You will walk away with a better understanding of how your company or educational facility can better equip our veterans to succeed in today?s job market, allowing your organization to grow in more ways than you could have ever imagined.