Motivational speaker John Foley

John Foley

Former Blue Angel Lead Solo Pilot; Sloan Fellow at Stanford Graduate School of Business; Bestselling Author and ‘Gratitude Guru’

Speaker John Foley, a former lead solo pilot of the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels, is a globally recognized keynote speaker on high performance, teamwork, and leadership. A Sloan Fellow at Stanford, he founded John Foley Inc. and the Glad To Be Here® Foundation, which has donated over $2 million to charities worldwide. Through his speeches, workshops, and The High Performance Zone podcast, John empowers individuals and organizations to achieve excellence and fearless success.

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    John Foley biography

    John “Gucci” Foley, a distinguished former lead solo pilot of the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels, has dedicated nearly a decade to inspiring audiences worldwide with his keynotes on high performance and leadership. Renowned for his dynamic presentations, speaker John Foley addresses over 100 events annually, sharing his unique experiences and strategies for achieving excellence.

    During his tenure with the Blue Angels, John mastered the art of precision flying, performing complex maneuvers at speeds exceeding 500 miles per hour, with aircraft separated by as little as 18 inches. This experience honed his understanding of trust, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence under pressure. Beyond the cockpit, John’s expertise extended to Hollywood, where he piloted jets in the iconic film “Top Gun.”

    Following his military career, speaker John Foley became a Sloan Fellow at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he analyzed and deconstructed the Blue Angels’ culture of excellence and teamwork. He later founded John Foley Inc. and CenterPoint Companies, organizations dedicated to providing comprehensive training on achieving high performance. Through these platforms, John offers workshops and keynotes designed to elevate belief levels, foster innovation, and cultivate resilient, high-trust teams.

    Committed to philanthropy, John established the Glad To Be Here® Foundation. He donates 10% of his speaking fees to charitable organizations worldwide. This initiative has contributed over $2 million to more than 380 charities, reflecting John’s dedication to making a positive impact.

    To further disseminate his message of excellence and gratitude, John hosts “The High Performance Zone” podcast. John engages with thought leaders to explore strategies for achieving fearless success. His journey from elite pilot to influential speaker continues to inspire individuals and organizations to reach new heights in performance and leadership.

    John Foley Speaking Videos

    John Foley - Performance beyond the Blue Angels
    Top 10 Most in Demand Keynote Speaker John 'Gucci' Foley

    John Foley Keynote Topics

    John's Glad to Be Here philosophy goes beyond simple positivity—it’s about using gratitude as a powerful tool for accountability and growth, even in tough times. It encourages people to own their mistakes, learn from them, and commit to getting better while creating a supportive team environment. By making gratitude a driving force, this approach helps build resilience, strengthen relationships, and inspire teamwork that leads to real, lasting success.

    This session is more than just a talk—it’s an engaging experience that shifts how we see challenges and opportunities, offering practical insights for real growth. Attendees will walk away with powerful tools for personal and team innovation, ready to tackle industry challenges with fresh creativity and resilience. Designed for forward-thinking leaders, dynamic teams, and organizations ready for transformation, this keynote delivers inspiration and strategic clarity to drive lasting success.

    This session provides a clear path to building a culture of trust, where individuals and teams can perform at their best—even in high-pressure situations. By strengthening teamwork and communication, it empowers organizations to achieve exceptional success with confidence and precision. Perfect for leaders, managers, and teams in any industry, this experience is especially valuable for those looking to enhance collaboration and trust, ensuring every member operates at their highest potential.

    John Gucci Foley’s keynote, Inspiring Leadership, dives into what it takes to be a truly impactful leader—one who inspires action, drives continuous improvement, and empowers others to reach their full potential. This session explores how great leaders create a culture of growth and innovation, using inspiration as a powerful tool for motivation and progress.

    With practical strategies, Foley helps leaders develop a mindset that goes beyond just meeting goals—it’s about uplifting those around them and leaving a lasting legacy of success. Perfect for leaders, managers, and anyone looking to make a real impact, this keynote provides the tools to lead with confidence, purpose, and lasting influence.

    FAQs on Booking John Foley

    How to book John Foley as a keynote speaker?
    Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book John Foley as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about John Foley's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for John Foley or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
    How much is John Foley speaking fee?
    John Foley speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire John Foley to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book John Foley.
    How can I contact John Foley?
    We only work with John Foley on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking John Foley and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having John Foley speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact John Foley for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
    Can I book John Foley for a virtual keynote?
    Yes, John Foley is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book John Foley for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.