All photos by Cory Richards

Tickets

• General Ticket: $15

• Members: $10

“In order to escape madness, I will live madly. I will risk my life in order to save it.” – Cory Richards

Join us in giving a warm welcome to Cory Richards, the man who summited Everest without supplemental oxygen, the only American to climb one of the highest peaks in the world, and 2012 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. The inspirational Renaissance man invites you to a deeply personal keynote that explores his most profound journey: navigating the depths of his own struggles with mental health. Following the talk, Cory will engage the audience in a thoughtful Q&A and host a book signing for his best-selling work.

Blending lived experience, hard-won insight, and breathtaking imagery and storytelling, Cory explores how depression, ADHD, anxiety, bipolar, and trauma –often labeled as disorders— can become the roots of creativity, grit, empathy, and innovation. He will unpack the myth of brokenness through the lens of mental health and neurodivergence, helping us see that the very real challenges of an unquiet mind can be transformed into the traits that drive bold exploration, artistic endeavors, and healing.

The best-selling author of The Color of Everything and BIPOLAR, welcomes you to an evening of hope, as we enter the mind and heart to receive a radical human perspective: “Our differences are not our downfall—they’re our design. And that design can become our most powerful gift. The goal isn’t to fix what’s broken. It’s to break the story that says we are.”

ABOUT CORY RICHARDS

Cory Richards is a world-renowned National Geographic photographer, professional athlete, best-selling author of The Color Of Everything and BIPOLAR, and mental health advocate who has spent his life pushing the boundaries of human potential—both in the extreme landscapes of our planet and in the deeply personal journey of self-discovery and transformation. Cory’s career has taken him to the most remote corners of the Earth, from summiting Everest without supplemental oxygen and being the only American to climb one of the world's highest peaks in winter to documenting the complexities of human conflict and culture. His work has earned him global recognition, including being named National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. However, beyond his achievements, Cory’s most profound journey has been navigating the depths of his own struggles with mental health, including PTSD, addiction, and bipolar.

Having survived a near-fatal avalanche and the ongoing battles of inner turmoil, Cory has transformed his personal experiences into a guiding philosophy of adaptation by reframing resilience not as an act of holding on but letting go. His raw and authentic storytelling—through photography, writing, and speaking—has inspired thousands to redefine their limits, embrace discomfort, and unlock impossible. By blending neuroscience, psychology, and hard-earned wisdom, he inspires and empowers others to turn adversity into opportunity, harness their potential, reframe mental health hurdles as a gift, and achieve lasting success in their personal and professional lives.

A trusted voice in behavior change, personal growth, and leadership development, Cory works with individuals and organizations to break through barriers, embrace vulnerability, and create meaningful transformation.