Solo Arts Heal with Gregory Burns

Gregory Burns is a Paralympic gold medalist, Olympic artist, and global speaker on resilience and creativity whose life demonstrates how limitations can become a catalyst for human potential.

After contracting polio as a child and growing up across multiple countries, Burns went on to win gold medals and set world records in swimming before completing Ironman competitions. Alongside his athletic career, he developed a parallel life as an artist whose work has been commissioned by the International Olympic Committee.

Through keynote presentations, paintings, and storytelling, Burns explores the intersection of sport, creativity, and the human spirit—showing how adversity can ignite innovation, perseverance, and possibility.

His work reflects the deeper ideals of the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games: courage, determination, and the belief that the pursuit of excellence can uplift not only individuals, but communities and organizations.