Jed Altschwager

About Jed

Jed Altschwager was a passionate surfer when a traumatic workplace accident forced the amputation of his left leg below the knee in 2015. Sport became central to his recovery, and he discovered Para-rowing — going on to win a silver medal on his international debut for Australia in the Men's PR3 Pair at the 2018 World Rowing Championships, and defending that result a year later. Partnering with Nikki Ayers in the PR3 Mixed Double, he won gold at the 2023 World Rowing Championships and was named Rowing Australia's Para Crew of the Year. At the Paris Paralympics, competing in the event's Olympic debut, the pair made history at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium — adding a Paralympic title to their World Championship and World Record, and securing Australia's first ever gold medal in Para-rowing.

What distinguishes Jed as a speaker is how honestly he draws a line between the physical achievement and the psychological journey behind it. He speaks openly about the emotional toll of trauma and recovery, the tools he has used to manage his mindset, and how identity — not just the body — has to be rebuilt after life-changing adversity. His perspective is grounded in lived experience rather than theory, and he frames adversity consistently as a catalyst for growth rather than simply a setback to be endured.

Jed's keynotes work especially well for audiences dealing with change, pressure and uncertainty. He connects naturally with corporate teams, sporting organisations and health and safety-focused industries, and his combination of elite athletic achievement and raw personal honesty makes him equally at home at gala dinners and leadership conferences. Audiences leave with a clearer sense of what resilience actually looks like — and what it demands.