BRADY MCDONALD
World-Record Ultramarathoner, CEO and Founder of Zero to 100 Wishes
About Brady McDonald
Brady McDonald doesn't just talk about doing hard things. He does them.
A few years ago, Brady was an overweight father of two who drank too much and had never run a race. The first thing he changed wasn't his fitness. He got sober. Within months he entered a 50-mile ultramarathon and won it, then spent three days in the hospital. Most people would have stopped there. Brady came back stronger, running a 100-miler that raised $93,000 for Easter Seals, then taking on some of the toughest endurance races in the world, including the Moab 240 and the Arizona Monster 300.
That sparked something bigger. Brady became the first person ever to run a 50K ultramarathon in all 50 U.S. states in 50 consecutive days, covering 1,553 miles and crossing the final finish line in Honolulu alongside his wife, two daughters and an incredible team. Together they raised more than $1.03 million for Make-A-Wish, helping grant 103 wishes to children battling critical illnesses. The greatest accomplishment wasn't the miles. It was what the miles made possible.
His story goes far beyond running. Brady is a husband, a father and the CEO of Barefoot Land Co., an eight-figure real estate development company, and the founder of Zero to 100 Wishes. He has navigated addiction and sobriety, economic downturns, devastating hurricanes and the everyday challenge of building businesses while raising a family. Through all of it he learned that success isn't measured only by what we accomplish, but by what we inspire and empower others to accomplish.
Today Brady shares that journey through his signature keynote, Your Greatest Gifts Aren't Just for You, at business masterminds, corporate events, sales kickoffs and leadership conferences. His message doesn't just move a room, it moves a room to action: at a Boardroom Mastermind event in Dallas, his keynote inspired roughly $200,000 in charitable contributions in just three minutes, the most the event had raised for a single cause in more than a decade.
- World record: a 50K ultramarathon in all 50 U.S. states in 50 consecutive days
- $1.03 million+ raised for Make-A-Wish, granting 103 wishes
- $93,000 raised for Easter Seals on his first 100-mile run
- Finisher of the Moab 240 and the Arizona Monster 300
- CEO, Barefoot Land Co., an eight-figure real estate development company, and Founder, Zero to 100 Wishes
By the Numbers
Watch Brady In Action
Speaking Topics
How purpose, resilience and ownership turn extraordinary challenges into extraordinary results • Best for: sales kickoffs, leadership conferences, real estate organizations, insurance and financial services, entrepreneur events and corporate retreats.
An emotional, story-driven keynote about overcoming adversity, redefining success and discovering what becomes possible when we use our talents, resources and opportunities for something bigger than ourselves. For corporate audiences, it connects directly to purpose-driven leadership, resilience, teamwork, accountability and building a culture where people are motivated by more than individual achievement. One signature message, tailored to the goals and challenges of each audience.
Your Audience Leaves With
- A bigger why: purpose that fuels performance beyond personal targets.
- Ownership over excuses: a focus on what they can control and responsibility for their next step.
- Resilience under pressure: how to respond to setbacks without losing momentum.
- Stronger teams: individual strengths turned into a shared mission that drives results.
- A commitment to action: one clear goal and practical steps to make it happen within 24 hours.
What Event Leaders Say
There wasn't a dry eye in the room. That's the most we've ever raised for a charity cause at a single event, $200,000, more than any other cause going back a decade plus.
Eddie Rosefield, President & COO, Boardroom MastermindBrady's keynote was so impactful that I pulled my credit card out right away and donated $10,000 to Make-A-Wish. One of the most powerful keynotes I've ever heard.
Brandon Brittingham, Entrepreneur & Best-Selling AuthorBrady asked the room what our gift is and who we could use it for in the next 30 days, and I left wanting to answer it. If you're looking for a speaker, book Brady. Your people will walk out differently, I promise you.
Jace Graham, CEO, Rising PhoenixWhere Brady Appears
Read the spotlight: He Got Sober Before He Ever Ran a Race. Then He Ran an Ultramarathon in All 50 States in 50 Days and Raised $1.03 Million for Make-A-Wish.
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