Tim Dehnhoff is a man who has turned tragedy into triumph. From a thirty foot fall, paralysis, and using a wheelchair to a several thousand foot climb up a steep glacier peak using crutches, ankle braces, and sheer determination, Tim Dehnhoff is an ordinary man who has dared to attempt—and has clearly accomplished—extraordinary things.  

After a 30 foot fall that caused his body to become paralyzed, Tim refused to allow his disability to become an excuse for not living life to its fullest. In fact, what Tim lost in his body’s ability to function, he gained in his appreciation for life and in his understanding of what it takes for any ordinary person to experience the very best that his/her life has to offer. 

The important lessons that came through Tim’s hard-ache and pain, he now communicates to hundreds at a time as a motivational speaker, inspiring his audiences to reach for their dreams. The standing ovations he receives are as much in recognition for his accomplishments as they are for the audience’s realization that they too being “ordinary” can begin to experience their deepest and most heartfelt dreams. 

As the coordinator for the Think First Program, I have had the privilege of Tim working as one of our program’s premiere speakers. As a Think First speaker, he has challenged thousands of children and youth with a message that has helped to protect them from traumatic injury, permanent disability, and death. What’s more, where the ThinkFirst message leaves off is where Tim’s OptimizeU2 message begins.

Having spoken to many large audiences with Tim, his OptimizeU2 message does more than make his audience feel good after hearing it. Tim equips his audience with both the principles they need to experience the extraordinary, as well as the mindset they need to begin apply those principles. While he is speaking, his audiences will laugh, and they will cry. And when he is finished they will stand to their feet not only to applaud, but—more importantly—to begin walking in and experiencing the extraordinary. 

Tim is a highly skilled and effective public speaker. Whether challenging students through an assembly presentation, motivating employees through a keynote address or motivational seminar, or equipping business people through leadership and team building workshops, I highly recommend Tim Dehnhoff!

Mike Corsini

Program Coordinator

ThinkFirst of Washington

St Joseph Medical Center

May 15, 2006