Victoria Arlen Keynote Speaker

Victoria Arlen’s life drastically changed in 2006 at the tender age of eleven when she developed two rare conditions known as Transverse Myelitis and Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis. This was an incredibly rare scenario and Victoria quickly lost the ability to speak, eat, walk and move. She slipped into a vegetative state in which doctors had written her off as a lost cause. Victoria spent nearly four years “locked” inside her own body completely aware of what was going on just unable to move or communicate. Doctors believed there was little hope of survival and recovery was unlikely. Victoria, however was not ready to give up. Instead of writing her obituary, she wrote a bucket list of the things she would achieve when she survived. In 2010 after almost four years she began the nearly impossible fight back to life. Learning how to speak, eat and move all over again while checking things off her bucket list.

Victoria went on to exceedingly defy the odds and not only recovered but has since become an accomplished Motivational Speaker, Television Host, Philanthropist, Writer and Swimmer. Her swimming resume includes three Silvers and a Gold medal from the London 2012 Games as well as multiple World, American and Pan American Records.

In April 2015, Victoria made the transition from professional athlete to sportscaster and joined ESPN at the age of twenty, becoming one of the youngest on-air talents hired by the company. She reports and hosts across all platforms including Sportscenter, First Take, X Games, Sportsnation, Sportscenter on Snapchat, Sportscenter Global, Frozen Four, Special Olympics and more.

In the Spring of 2016 Victoria defied yet another odd and after spending a decade in a wheelchair paralyzed from the waist down was able to learn how take one step after another and eventually not only did she learn how to walk but within a year and a half in the Fall of 2017 she learned to dance as a contestant on Season 25 of Dancing with the Stars placing in the top five.

Victoria is also the Founder and Co-Chair of Victoria’s Victory Foundation, a nonprofit that assists those with mobility-related disabilities. Since 2017, VVF over provided half a million dollars in scholarship funds to those who need it most.

Victoria’s book titled Locked In hit stores worldwide in August of 2018 as well as her 30 for 30 titled Locked In, that Victoria narrated and produced. Victoria continues to share her story on various speaking tours throughout the world.

In July of 2019 Victoria was announced as the new host of America Ninja Warrior jr, Season 3 premiered September 2021 on NBC and Peacock.

Victoria has lived by this motto since the day she fought back to live:

“Face It, Embrace It, Defy It, Conquer It“ ™