What if the hardest moment of your life could become the most powerful chapter of your story?
Stephen Panus has walked that road — and learned that even when your darkest moments attempt to define your story, resilience can inspire you to rewrite it. When life knocked Stephen down, he discovered the strength to turn heartbreak into hope and to walk on — and you can too.
Stephen is a storyteller at heart — one driven by purpose, resilience, and the unwavering belief that we can turn pain into positive change. As the author of the best-selling book Walk On, Stephen shared his deeply personal journey following the tragic loss of his beloved 16-year-old son, Jake. Through this story, he hopes to inspire others to find strength, meaning, and hope even in life’s most difficult moments. Walk On was honored as a “Good Morning America” Book Club Buzz selection, and its impact extends far beyond the pages.
Through powerful storytelling and an authentic spirit, Stephen delivers an inspirational and personal story of overcoming tragedy, finding hope within the darkness, and turning pain into purpose. Stephen’s natural and candid testimony leaves his audiences transformed, hopeful, motivated to live in the present moment, and fully embracing the wholeness of life. Stephen deftly shares the importance of indispensable values and traits and, ultimately, reveals a pathway for becoming the best version of ourselves.
In confronting his own traumatic grief and tragedy, Stephen discovered the connectivity between agony and optimism, despair and self-awareness, forgiveness and accountability, and beauty and suffering. The line separating each is much finer than we may think. Stephen artfully carries forward and honors the legacy of his late son, Jake, and reveals that the answers towards leading a life filled with purpose and meaning reside within all of us. His convincing and engaging ability to relate to wide-ranging audiences and his uplifting nature will inspire you to not waste another day of your life. Ultimately, every challenge in our life comes to make or break us. The choice is ours whether we become a victim or the victor. What are you willing to risk to achieve what you want from life?
In addition to writing and speaking, Stephen is a passionate advocate for helping, healing, and resilience. Whether speaking to groups, appearing on TV, radio or podcast shows, connecting with readers and audiences, or working to help those in need move forward, Stephen's goal is to empower others to overcome challenges and walk on with purpose.
Stephen has been a publicist, sports agent, artist, attorney, sports marketing executive, author, and motivational speaker. He’s represented an NFL Pro Bowl player and Super Bowl champion, a multiple-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and a “Dancing with the Stars” champion, and international star tennis player. Yet, the only title that’s ever mattered to him has been being a father.
Speaking Topics -
- Overcoming Adversity
- Walk On: Turning Pain into Purpose
- Grief, Loss, & Life
- Becoming the best version of ourselves
- Resilience
Quotes from Stephen Panus:
“Our vulnerability is our strength.”
“We all suffer in some manner and no matter what happens or how it happens, we all must Walk On in our lives.”
“The closer you stand to death the more it makes you want to feel alive.”
“You must stand for something in this life. But if you lack integrity, I’m not sure you can stand for anything.”
“Don’t waste another day of your life. Don’t allow circumstances beyond your control to define you.”
“Nothing can be accomplished without hope.”
“We are each born with one obligation, to be authentically who we are.”
“Having gratitude won’t just turn your life around; it will guide you toward the meaningful and magical.”
“Be generous with your grace and gallant with your grit.”
“Savor the little things in your life. They matter the most.”
“The quality of your mindset ultimately architects the quality of your life.”
"Stephen Panus shares with shocking detail a father’s palpable sorrow in the aftermath of the tragic loss of a son. You feel the weight of the journey towards peace in every word.”
"Stephen Panus shares with shocking detail a father’s palpable sorrow in the aftermath of the tragic loss of a son. You feel the weight of the journey towards peace in every word.”