Don Mann Speaker Biography
Retired Member of SEAL Team Six, Competitive Athlete, TV Host of The Mission, Surviving Mann and Surviving Mann All Stars, Best-Selling Author, and Motivational Speaker
Motivational Speaker, New York Times Best Selling Author, World–Class Adventure Competitor and retired Navy SEAL Team SIX presents a compelling and extremely motivating presentation that has inspired business leaders, military and government personnel, professional athletes and people from all walks of life.
Navy SEAL Speaker
Don Mann’s unique story and the lessons he shares during his highly-accredited and very popular presentations come from his colorful and action-packed life as a Navy SEAL, of his experiences competing in some of the world’s most grueling competitions, his experience in the business world and as a New York Times Best Selling Author.
Books
Mann is the author of 22 books including the New York Times Best Selling autobiography Inside SEAL Team SIX: My Life and Missions with America’s Elite Warriors.
The Navy SEAL Playbook
In his latest book, The Navy SEAL Playbook: Principles, Practices & Strategies for Achieving Success, Don Mannhelps individuals develop the discipline, resilience, and mental toughness needed to excel in any endeavor. By embracing the SEAL mindset and strategies, readers will learn to stay focused under pressure, push past limitations, and pursue their goals with unwavering commitment.
Surviving Mann
Don is the host of Surviving Mann, a reality TV show where he along with MMA legend Randy Couture, and the infamous Sherriff Lamb, produced very challenging courses involving intense physical training, long gun, pistol and shot gun shooting, land navigation, diving, swimming, ropes courses and mission planning.
Osama bin Laden
When Osama bin Laden was assassinated, the entire world was fascinated by the men who had completed the seemingly impossible mission that had dogged the U.S. government for over a decade. SEAL Team SIX became synonymous with heroism, duty, and justice. Only a handful of the elite men who make up the SEALs, the U.S. Navy’s best and bravest, survive the legendary and grueling selection process that leads to SEAL Team SIX, a group so classified it technically does not even exist. There are no better warriors on earth.
Covert Operations
Mann knows what it takes to be a brother of these ultra-selective fraternities. As a member of SEAL Team SIX he worked in countless covert operations, operating from land, sea, and air, and facing shootings, decapitations, and stabbings. He was captured by the enemy and lived to tell the tale, and he participated in highly classified missions all over the globe, including Somalia, Panama, El Salvador, Colombia, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
SEAL Team SIX Trainer
As a training coordinator for several civilian SEAL training programs, and as a former Training Officer of SEAL Team SIX, he was directly responsible for shaping the bodies and minds of SEALs who carried out the assassination of Osama bin Laden as well as many other classified missions.
Keynote Speaker
But to become a SEAL, Mann had to overcome his own troubled childhood and push his body to its breaking point–and beyond. At the podium and in Inside SEAL Team SIX, he shares a high-octane narrative of physical and mental toughness, giving unprecedented insight to the inner workings of the training and secret missions of the world’s most respected and feared combat unit.
Competitive Athlete
Don Mann has over 40 years (1,000+ races) worth of competitive racing experience, completed 2 Ironman triathlons in a day and was once ranked 38th in the world as a triathlete.
Education
Mann received a Master’s in Management from Troy State University, in Troy, AL, a B.S. in International Relations & Criminal Justice, from Florida State University, in Tallahassee, FL, and a B.S. in Liberal Science, from State University of New York. He lives in Roseland, VA.
Don Mann Speaking Topics
THE NAVY SEAL PLAYBOOK: Think Like a SEAL. Perform Like a Champion. Win at Life.
What if you could train your mind and body like a Navy SEAL—not to prepare for combat, but to succeed in everyday life? In The Navy SEAL Playbook, former SEAL Team Six operator Don Mann delivers a powerful keynote based on his latest book, revealing how the principles, protocols, and mindset of the world’s most elite warriors can be applied to leadership, business, and personal performance. Drawing from decades of elite military service and personal transformation, Mann shows audiences how discipline, resilience, and unwavering commitment create extraordinary results—under pressure and over the long haul. Through gripping stories from real SEAL missions, practical exercises, and actionable strategies, Don Mann teaches individuals and organizations how to stay focused in chaos, push beyond perceived limits, and pursue goals with relentless drive. Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or striving to become the strongest version of yourself, The Navy SEAL Playbook is your operational blueprint for courage, clarity, and peak performance. Packed with unforgettable lessons and practical tools, The Navy SEAL Playbook is more than a presentation—it’s a mission plan for winning at life. Key Takeaways from The Navy SEAL Playbook: • Build Unshakable Discipline: Create structure, accountability, and daily habits that drive excellence. • Develop Mental Toughness: Train your mind to remain calm, focused, and resilient in high-pressure situations. • Master Team Dynamics: Foster trust, communication, and shared purpose to achieve more—together. • Push Beyond Limits: Embrace discomfort, overcome fear, and expand your capacity for growth and success.
ADVENTURE RACING
Don Mann is known for producing and directing more multi-day, multi-sport, adventure races, triathlons and other extreme sporting events than any other person in the world. Don Mann has over 20 years (1,000+ races) worth of competitive racing experience and was once ranked 38th in the world as a triathlete. Don Mann has been featured on: ABC, CBS, CBN, CNN, NBC, OLN, ESPN, MSNBC Morning Joe, Weather Channel, ABC/NBC affiliates, ABC 20/20, RUSH International, FOX Family network, Fox and Friends, Good Morning San Diego, The Daily Beast, The Ski Channel, the Lars Larsen Show, The Breakfast Buss, News Channel 3 Norfolk, News Channel 13 Norfolk, NPR, G. Gordon Liddy Radio Talk Show, Fox Radio, CNN radio and the Ostrolenk Radio show. Articles on Don can be found in: Sports Illustrated, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Washington Post, Men's Fitness, Runner's World, Triathlete, Trail Runner, National Geographic Adventure, Outside Magazine, Business Week, Fortune, Forbes, New York Times, Denver Post, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Rapid City Journal, Washington Post, Newsweek, Military Press ,Adventure Sports Magazine, Chicago Sun Times, American Thinker magazine, Boys Life, CNN.com, iTunes, Blackfive.net and Myshelf.com.as well as many more print and web based sources.
REACHING BEYOND BOUNDARIES (Live & Virtual)
Get inspired to reach your goals and push beyond your boundaries with Don Mann's Motivational Presentation: Reaching Beyond Boundaries. He shares insights into his personal philosophy of setting micro-goals to achieve macro-goals, while instructing organizations how to employ that same philosophy to achieve both personal and professional success. Don’s message includes equal doses of inspiration and strategy. As he likes to say, “Anybody with the proper mindset can achieve anything imaginable.” Setting macro goals is an important way for organizations to identify what it is they want to accomplish, although sometimes reaching those goals can be a daunting task. By breaking those macro goals down into micro goals, they become much more manageable and easier to handle. Shortly after the mission that left Osama bin Laden dead, Mann published the bestseller Inside Seal Team SIX: My Life and Missions with America’s Elite Warriors. He incorporates many of the same lessons and stories into his presentations, which often leave attendees inspired to change how they live. In his inspiring presentation “Reaching Beyond Boundaries” Mann reveals similar stories and personal anecdotes from his many years working with the SEAL teams and competing as a world-class athlete.He shares insights into his personal philosophy of setting micro-goals to achieve macro-goals while instructing organizations how to employ that same philosophy to achieve both personal and professional success. Don's message includes equal doses of inspiration and strategy. As he likes to say, "Anybody with the proper mindset can achieve anything imaginable." Setting macro goals is an important way for organizations to identify what it is they want to accomplish, although sometimes reaching those goals can be a daunting task. By breaking those macro goals down into micro goals, they become much more manageable and easier to handle. Shortly after the mission that left Osama bin Laden dead, Mann published the bestseller Inside Seal Team SIX: My Life and Missions with America's Elite Warriors. He incorporates many of the same lessons and stories into his presentations, which often leave attendees inspired to change how they live. In his inspiring presentation "Reaching Beyond Boundaries" Mann reveals similar stories and personal anecdotes from his many years working with the SEAL teams and competing as a world-class athlete.
Don Mann is an excellent choice for addressing the following topics within his programs
Developing a “combat mindset,” Goal development (micro and macro), Confronting challenges, Conflict aversion, Developing team synergy, Delegation of duties, Effective communication, Team dynamics, Observation skills, Working in a stressful environment, Iceland Team Building Event. These courses can be modified to meet the specific needs of the client
SEAL ADVENTURE CHALLENGE
As founder of the SEAL Adventure Challenge, SEAL Training Academy, SEAL Adventure Leadership Training, Odyssey Adventure Racing and Odyssey Adventure Leadership Training, Don Mann has been very successful since 1997 in providing adventure leadership opportunities for people of all athletic abilities and backgrounds. When not conducting world-class competitions, he conducts team building programs for business and government personnel through Don Mann Enterprises, Inc. (DME). DME's leadership programs are effective by modeling each program to fit the client's specific needs. The training provides activities that build individual and team strength and confidence. Participants are introduced to activities that bring them out of their "comfort zone". Various adventure sport and/or military training evolutions are implemented in which the strong must help team mates, such that all participants find their own individual strengths and weaknesses. DME programs are designed to meet individual or organizational goals and training objectives, and do it in a way that participants enjoy, and find life affirming.
Don Mann Books
The Navy SEAL Playbook: Principles, Practices & Strategies for Achieving Success
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Facing Your Fears: A Navy SEAL’s Guide to Coping With Fear and Anxiety
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Inside SEAL Team Six: My Life and Missions with America’s Elite Warriors
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Choosing Your Battles: Inspiration and Wisdom from a Navy SEAL on How to Win Your Battles and Ensure a Positive Outcome
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Reaching Beyond Boundaries: A Navy SEAL’s Guide to Achieving Everything You’ve Ever Imagined
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SEAL Team Six: Hunt the Fox
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SEAL Team Six: Hunt the Falcon
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SEAL Team Six: Hunt the Scorpion
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SEAL Team Six: Hunt the Wolf
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The U.S. Navy SEAL Survival Handbook
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Don Mann Articles
Don Mann Speaker Testimonials
Listening to Don Mann talk, to our world-wide team of over 500 employees and executives, about his experience climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was engaging, moving and inspiring. He went beyond the mere description of the expedition to make all listeners participate of the challenges encountered and the group’s drive to overcome obstacles. He is a speaker able to convey powerful, empowering messages that encourage others to reach higher.
- | IBM, Global Financing, Marketing and Strategy
I recently had the pleasure of arranging and attending a presentation by Don Mann. The group that Don addressed, the Mortgage Bankers Association of Georgia (MBAG), is comprised of mortgage bankers, attorneys, appraisers, executives, managers and sales professionals. The group, diverse in personality and interests, was united in their praise for Don’s message, delivery and absolutely unique perspective. Don Mann’s message of focus, determination and unwavering tenacity in the pursuit of any worthwhile goal has universal relevance. By wrapping the message in his “real life” stories he kept the audience riveted. Don’s story was not the normal hum and hype of many motivational speakers and sales trainers. Don’s presentation technique is understated, even quiet. The unassuming manner in which he delivers powerful principles is credible, very entertaining, and lasting. Once is not enough! I’m looking forward to Don’s encore presentation to my group later this year. I’ll be front row and center.
- | Synovus Mortgage Corp
Don Mann was the keynote speaker at our Regional Growth Program kickoff meeting in January of 2007. Don presented the “Combat Mindset” to our Financial Advisors, referencing his experiences during certain stages of his life – as a young athlete, as a professional athlete, as a Navy Seal, and as a Director of Adventure Races. Don’s message was clear and well delivered – it doesn’t matter how physically gifted you are, as long as you train your mind and develop a “combat mindset,” you can achieve anything you desire. Raising the bar and striving for the next level was consistently evident in every one of Don’s personal stories. The Financial Advisors were highly motivated and eager to learn more about Don’s approach after the presentation. Everyone in the room wanted to hear Don speak for additional time and we carried the presentation onto dinner. One thing I can say for certain – “motivational speakers” are a dime a dozen. It is truly moving when you hear Don speak because he is credible, legitimate, and honest. We were proud to have heard Don’s presentation and will continue to develop our relationship with him for future events. The cost for the presentation was lower than most other speakers we have hosted and Don delivered ten times the value. It was an outstanding way to start our 2007 Growth Program.
- | Merrill Lynch
Don’s presentation was entertaining but, most importantly, it really instilled in our group the principle that we are all capable of achieving personal greatness if we dare be proactive and step beyond the invisible boundaries we’ve set up around ourselves. Our company will often pay a fee, exceeding what we paid to Don, to send just one of our employees for training. I felt that our company received more than our money’s worth when I saw almost every person walk away enthused and talking about what they were going to do to ‘push their own boundaries’
- | Chysler
