Shawn Harper

Former NFL Player, Winning Mindset Architect & High Impact Speaker

Speaker fees:

In-person: ยฃ10k-ยฃ20k
Virtual: ยฃ5k-ยฃ10k

Topics:

Adversity & Resilience
2
Leadership & Peak Performance
2
Growth Mindset
2
Teamwork & Communication

With over 25 years of experience, Shawn Harper is renowned as one of the leading corporate motivational speakers.

Shawn Harper is a dynamic force in the world of personal and professional development. As a former NFL offensive lineman with the Rams, Colts, and NFL Europe, Shawn knows first-hand what it takes to play at the highest levelโ€”and now heโ€™s teaching teams, companies, and individuals how to do the same.

From flunking first grade and being labelled with multiple learning disabilities, to being voted โ€œMost likely to fail,โ€ Shawn refused to accept the script written over his life. Instead, he rewrote itโ€”earning Hall of Fame honours at North Iowa Area Community College, graduating from Indiana University, and reaching the NFL against all odds.

Today, heโ€™s the CEO of American Services and Protection, one of Ohioโ€™s largest minority-owned security firms, and an internationally recognised speaker trusted by brands like Procter & Gamble, FedEx, JPMorgan Chase, Dow, and Sonic. His life and leadership insights help organizations shift from survival to successโ€”and from success to winning.

Shawn delivers more than motivation. He brings a message of mental toughness, clarity, and momentum that activates change. Whether live or virtual, his events are immersive experiencesโ€”built around actionable frameworks like the P.L.A.Y. Formula and his signature Winning Edge principles.

He is the author of The Winning Edge: 8 Principles That Will Bring Out the Winner in You and The Winologist, a compelling look into the psychology of winning from the inside out. When Shawn steps on stage, he brings more than a storyโ€”he brings transformation. He doesnโ€™t just teach audiences how to win; he reminds them that they already have what it takes.

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Featured topics include

Too many organisations operate in defence modeโ€”protecting resources instead of pursuing opportunities. Shawn equips leaders and teams to embrace a growth mindset, adapt to challenges, and seize new possibilities.

Outcomes:

  • Leaders who confidently navigate change and uncertainty.
  • Teams that take ownership and deliver proactive solutions.
  • A culture that replaces fear with innovation and momentum.

Thriving companies are built on cultures where people feel valued, connected, and driven. Shawn shares practical steps for reducing burnout, boosting morale, and creating workplaces where employees want to stay and succeed.

Outcomes:

  • Reduced turnover through stronger employee engagement.
  • Greater team resilience in high-pressure environments.
  • Increased performance fuelled by connection and shared purpose.

In todayโ€™s competitive workplace, talent alone isnโ€™t enoughโ€”organisations need a strategic edge to perform at their best. Shawn draws from real-world experience, revealing how small shifts in mindset and daily choices create momentum.

Outcomes:ย 

  • Equip leaders and teams with strategies to consistently perform under pressure.
  • Build a culture that transforms setbacks into stepping stones for growth.
  • Empower employees with tools to create momentum.

Authentic leadership drives trust, and trust drives performance. Shawn introduces his Identity-Driven Leadership model, helping executives and managers align who they are with how they leadโ€”so they can inspire action at every level.

Outcomes:ย 

  • Leaders who influence through authenticity and clarity.
  • Stronger collaboration across teams and departments.
  • A leadership pipeline built on trust, accountability, and growth.

Winning in sports and winning in business share the same DNA: teamwork, strategy, and resilience. Shawn translates NFL-tested principles into actionable insights for organizations that want to win in todayโ€™s competitive landscape.

Outcomes:ย 

  • Teams that communicate and collaborate more effectively.
  • Leaders who balance short-term wins with long-term growth.
  • A resilient workforce prepared to perform under pressure.

What people say

What made Shawn stand out was his ability to be both real and relatable. He shared personal experiences from both in and out of the NFL, offering insight into the challenges he faced and the mindset that helped him overcome them. His message of resilience, self-worth, and determination was not only timely but deeply moving. Many families and attendees approached us afterward to express how impactful his words were and how much they appreciated his presence at the event.

APG Florida

If you are looking for a speaker that will inspire, motivate, challenge, empathize, encourage, engage and ignite, then look no further. Shawn Harper took us on a journey. From the first sentence, the audience was drawn into his natural storytelling style. We laughed, we paused to reflect, we learned, and at times the room went completely silent as we were on the edge of our seats โ€“ hanging on to every word. The wisdom he imparted was priceless. His message will resonate with all โ€“ from early childhood to the C-Suite. I appreciate the time he took to ask questions to get to know our organization and our audience. I highly recommend Shawn Harper for your next event. Fischer Homes will be glad to have him again in the future.

Fischer Homes

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