The Complete Guide to Booking Nancy Hogshead-Makar for Your Next Event
Nancy Hogshead-Makar is a rare kind of speaker. She won three gold medals at the 1984 Olympics, then built a second career as a civil rights lawyer who fights for girls and women in sports. Few people can talk about discipline, resilience, and fairness with the same authority. For event planners, that mix makes her a powerful Olympic motivational speaker and a trusted Title IX speaker.
The right speaker does more than fill a time slot. A great keynote gives your audience a story they remember and steps they can take the next day. Nancy offers both. She shows how to push through physical and professional setbacks, and she explains how organizations can build fair, respectful cultures.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know. You will learn about her Olympic achievements and background, her advocacy work, the keynote themes she can bring to your stage, how to book Nancy Hogshead-Makar for a speaking event, what to expect for her speaking fee, and how Athlete Speakers can help you finish the job.
Nancy Hogshead-Makar's Olympic Achievements and Background
What makes Nancy Hogshead-Makar's Olympic achievements so notable? In 1984, at the Los Angeles Games, she became a three-time Olympic gold medalist and added a silver medal as well. Here is the full list:
- Gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle
- Gold medal in the 4x100 meter freestyle relay
- Gold medal in the 4x100 meter medley relay
- Silver medal in the 200-meter individual medley
That is four medals at a single Games, and three of them were gold. Her record places her among the best swimmers of her era and earned her a place in the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Her story is not only about speed. After a bronchial spasm during a race, Nancy was diagnosed with asthma. Instead of walking away from the sport, she learned to manage her condition and kept competing at the highest level. She went on to become one of the leading asthma speakers in the world, spoke to hundreds of groups a year, and was named National Spokesperson by the American Lung Association.
This part of her background matters for your event. Audiences connect with someone who has faced a real physical challenge and still reached the top. It also shows how she thinks. The same focus, preparation, and grit that carried her through the pool carried her into law school and a legal career. That brings us to the next chapter of her life.
Advocacy and Impact: Title IX and Civil Rights Leadership
After her swimming career, Nancy earned a law degree from Georgetown University. She has practiced law since 1997 and became a specialist in cases involving Title IX, the federal law that bars sex discrimination in education programs. This is where her athletic story becomes a platform for change.
She serves as CEO of Champion Women, an organization that advocates for girls and women in sports. Her work covers a wide range of issues, including Title IX, sexual harassment prevention, and equal pay. She has also been tied to the Women's Sports Foundation for over 30 years, a long record of service that shows steady commitment rather than a passing cause.
Her efforts have been recognized by peers and the business community. In 2014, Women in Business gave her the Lifetime Achievement Award. For planners, this recognition signals that she is respected far beyond the swimming world.
It helps to keep her two careers clear in your mind. Her athletic background gives her a story of courage and performance. Her legal work gives her expertise in policy, rights, and workplace fairness. Together, they let her speak to both the heart and the head of your audience. Next, let us look at how those strengths translate into keynote topics.
Keynote Themes for Corporate and Educational Events
What does Nancy Hogshead-Makar speak about? She is available for keynote speeches, corporate events, and personal appearances, and her background supports several strong themes. Here are four ideas that fit many event types:
- Overcoming Adversity: Lessons from the Olympic pool to the courtroom. Nancy can show how she handled asthma, high-pressure races, and tough legal battles.
- Empowering Women in Leadership: Strategies for corporate environments. This theme suits women's leadership groups, HR teams, and company-wide celebrations.
- The Future of Title IX and Civil Rights in Sports: A natural fit for colleges, athletic departments, and sports organizations that want to understand their responsibilities and opportunities.
- Peak Performance: Translating athletic focus into business success. This works well for sales kickoffs, leadership retreats, and team-building events.
Because these topics overlap, you can shape the message around your goals. A university might focus on Title IX and student athletes. A corporation might focus on leadership, fairness, and performance. Contact the booking team to confirm exact topic details for your event.
Nancy is also available for virtual events, which gives planners flexibility when travel is hard. With themes in mind, the next step is the practical one: how booking works and what it costs.
Booking Process and Speaking Fees for Nancy Hogshead-Makar
How do you book Nancy Hogshead-Makar for a speaking event? The process is simple. Contact Athlete Speakers at 800-916-6008 or email contact@athletespeakers.com. You can also submit a booking request on the Athlete Speakers website. The team will check her availability and provide a customized quote within 24 hours.
What is the Nancy Hogshead-Makar speaking fee? Her fee typically falls within the $10,000 to $20,000 range. That is a common range for Olympic-caliber speakers with a strong professional platform. The final number depends on several factors:
- Event type, such as keynote, panel, or meet and greet
- Location and travel needs, since she is based in Jacksonville, Florida
- Event date and duration
- In-person or virtual format
To get the most accurate quote, have a few details ready before you call:
- Your event date and any backup dates
- Expected audience size
- Your budget range
- Event location and format
- The topic or theme you have in mind
Timing also matters. Top speakers book up, so start the conversation as early as you can. Reaching out several months ahead gives you the best chance of securing your preferred date and leaves room for contract details, travel plans, and promotion. If your event is closer, call anyway, because availability can change.
Securely Hire Nancy Hogshead-Makar via Athlete Speakers
Why hire Nancy Hogshead-Makar via Athlete Speakers? The Athlete Speakers agency has partnered with corporations for over 25 years and has booked more than 10,000 events since 1999. Direct relationships with athletes, coaches, sports agencies, and public relations firms help the team secure competitive talent fees and honest answers on availability.
A trusted agency also takes weight off your plate. The team handles logistics including travel, scheduling, and contracts. That means you are not negotiating terms alone or guessing what is fair. The agents work to secure the best rates for your preferred speaker and keep your event within budget.
Support continues from the first inquiry to the day of the event. You get a clear quote, help with agreements, and coordinators who work with you on the details. Whether you need a keynote, a virtual session, a VIP meet and greet, or a social media campaign, the process stays organized and stress-free.
Ready to inspire your audience? Call Athlete Speakers today at 800-916-6008 to hire Nancy Hogshead-Makar for your next corporate or educational event. You can also email contact@athletespeakers.com to check her availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book Nancy Hogshead-Makar for a speaking event?
Contact Athlete Speakers at 800-916-6008 or email contact@athletespeakers.com. You can also submit a booking request on the Athlete Speakers website. The team will check availability and provide a customized quote within 24 hours.
What is Nancy Hogshead-Makar's speaking fee?
Her speaking fee typically falls within the $10,000 to $20,000 range. Final pricing depends on event type, location, date, and duration. Call Athlete Speakers for an exact quote.
What are Nancy Hogshead-Makar's Olympic achievements?
At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, she won three gold medals and one silver medal. Her golds came in the 100-meter freestyle, the 4x100 meter freestyle relay, and the 4x100 meter medley relay. Her silver came in the 200-meter individual medley.
What does Nancy Hogshead-Makar do besides speaking?
She holds a law degree from Georgetown and has practiced since 1997, specializing in Title IX cases. She is also CEO of Champion Women, which advocates for girls and women in sports.
Is Nancy Hogshead-Makar available for corporate events?
Yes, she is available for corporate events, conferences, galas, fundraisers, and private appearances. She is also available for virtual events. Athlete Speakers handles travel, scheduling, and contracts.
Why should I hire Nancy Hogshead-Makar via Athlete Speakers?
Athlete Speakers has over 25 years of experience and has booked more than 10,000 events since 1999. The agency has direct relationships with athletes and talent agencies, helps secure competitive fees, and supports you from inquiry to event day.
About the Author
Carson Ingle
Senior Content Writer




