"EVERY DAY IS A GIFT;
AN OPPORTUNITY TO
KEEP MOVING FORWARD."
KENNY BARNWELL
MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER | AUTHOR | SURVIVOR
FEATURED TALKS
1) KEYNOTE/ASSEMBLY:
High school can sometimes feel like playing the same off-key song—students may have some of the right notes, but things just aren’t clicking. They’re often overwhelmed by the pressure to have it all figured out.
In this inspiring and educational talk, I draw from over 20 years touring with top music artists, using real-life stories and the metaphor of tuning a guitar to help students fine-tune their lives—both personally and academically. This talk addresses challenges like finding direction, building confidence, and staying true to core values.
Students will leave with practical strategies for aligning with their values, making confident decisions, and creating a life that’s in tune with who they are. When they're aligned, the right opportunities naturally follow.
Learning Objectives:
1) Discover the 6 Core Values that build confidence and clarity.
2) Learn the 8-Step Set-Up Process to fine-tune mindset and habits.
3) Know how to assess and adjust when life feels out of tune.
2) KEYNOTE/ASSEMBLY:
Keep Moving Forward
Life can change in an instant. Whether it's a sudden challenge, an unexpected obstacle, or even a worst-case scenario, HOW we respond can make all the difference—sometimes between life and death. In these critical moments, it's the ability to keep moving forward that shapes who we become and how fully we live our lives.
In this gripping and inspirational talk, I take students through my true story of surviving an attack by the cartel while on tour with a top music artist in Mexico. Faced with unimaginable circumstances, I found the strength, courage, and resilience to drag my broken body down a mountain to safety. I also share my journey through the intense mental and physical recovery process, including working to regain mobility and strength with a new hip.
Your students will hear firsthand what it means to truly meet yourself during your toughest struggles. They will learn how gratitude and purpose will fuel their fight, how setting goals can fend off overwhelm, and how resilience comes alive when it matters most. By the end, they’ll realize they are stronger than they think, no matter what life throws at them.
Learning Objectives:
1) Discover the #1 Action students must take when facing life’s toughest challenges.
2) Equip students with 5 Essential Tools to tackle the most unexpected and difficult situations head-on.
3) Empower students with 3 Keys to Resilience that will help them bounce back stronger than ever.
In this gripping and inspirational talk, I take students through my true story of surviving an attack by the cartel while on tour with a top music artist in Mexico. Faced with unimaginable circumstances, I found the strength, courage, and resilience to drag my broken body down a mountain to safety. I also share my journey through the intense mental and physical recovery process, including working to regain mobility and strength with a new hip.
Your students will hear firsthand what it means to truly meet yourself during your toughest struggles. They will learn how gratitude and purpose will fuel their fight, how setting goals can fend off overwhelm, and how resilience comes alive when it matters most. By the end, they’ll realize they are stronger than they think, no matter what life throws at them.
Learning Objectives:
1) Discover the #1 Action students must take when facing life’s toughest challenges.
2) Equip students with 5 Essential Tools to tackle the most unexpected and difficult situations head-on.
3) Empower students with 3 Keys to Resilience that will help them bounce back stronger than ever.
Breakouts & Workshops
In his breakout sessions, Kenny brings a hands-on, interactive approach, drawing from his own life experiences in the music industry and the challenges he's overcome.
He engages students by using relatable stories and metaphors, creating an environment where they feel comfortable discussing real-life issues like confidence, purpose, and alignment.
Kenny’s sessions are designed to be dynamic and inclusive. Through group activities, personal reflection exercises, and interactive discussions, students explore their own values and uncover what may be holding them back.
The setup encourages participation, allowing students to share, connect, and realize that they’re not alone in their struggles.
The goal of these sessions is to leave students with practical tools to build resilience, align their lives with their true selves, and gain the confidence to face the future with purpose.
Custom Talk
Whether your focus is on building confidence, aligning with purpose, or navigating life’s challenges, Kenny crafts each talk to resonate with your group.
Through storytelling, relatable analogies, and actionable strategies, he engages students in ways that encourage personal growth and inspire change.
Kenny's talks are designed to address the real issues students face, providing them with practical tools to handle setbacks, stay true to their values, and move forward with clarity.
From keynote presentations to more intimate breakout sessions, Kenny’s custom talks are built to empower and inspire.
Connect with Kenny today to discuss your needs!
"Kenny brings the heart of mentorship to our students every time he speaks. He is a dynamic and engaging speaker who brings a wealth of real-world experience."
Zach Runquist, Technical Track Director
The Contemporary Music Center, Nashville, TN
MEET KENNY!
MISSION
My mission is to inspire students to align with their true values, build confidence, and develop resilience in the face of life’s toughest challenges. Through authentic storytelling and actionable insights,
we help young people unlock their potential and keep moving forward.
Kenny Barnwell is a 20+ year touring veteran traveling the world with top artists and legacy acts such as the Jonas Brothers, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Bon Jovi to name a few.
He’s the author of two music industry books and the Founder of CREWspire, an inspirational brand that specializes in training and coaching event crew to win at life on and off the road.
Known to many as “the positive guy,” Kenny is also a personal development enthusiast and most recently, a survivor. He’s on a mission to inspire the youth to overcome life’s challenges and to keep moving forward one small step at a time.
Born and raised on a dirt road in Villa Rica, GA, the son of tenacious deaf parents, overcoming addiction and homelessness as a teenager, Kenny aims to be a beacon of optimism and possibility.
His keynote presentations are interactive, motivational, and will equip young people with practical strategies to build courage in the face of hardship. With a focus on connecting to your purpose, gratitude through the chaos, and building resilience to persevere through it all, Kenny’s passionate and encouraging energy will help your students believe they can tackle whatever life throws at them.
Outside of his professional life, Kenny is a proud husband and dad of 2, an adventure seeker, ocean lover, and often dreams of being a contestant on the hit show, Naked & Afraid.
He’s the author of two music industry books and the Founder of CREWspire, an inspirational brand that specializes in training and coaching event crew to win at life on and off the road.
Known to many as “the positive guy,” Kenny is also a personal development enthusiast and most recently, a survivor. He’s on a mission to inspire the youth to overcome life’s challenges and to keep moving forward one small step at a time.
Born and raised on a dirt road in Villa Rica, GA, the son of tenacious deaf parents, overcoming addiction and homelessness as a teenager, Kenny aims to be a beacon of optimism and possibility.
His keynote presentations are interactive, motivational, and will equip young people with practical strategies to build courage in the face of hardship. With a focus on connecting to your purpose, gratitude through the chaos, and building resilience to persevere through it all, Kenny’s passionate and encouraging energy will help your students believe they can tackle whatever life throws at them.
Outside of his professional life, Kenny is a proud husband and dad of 2, an adventure seeker, ocean lover, and often dreams of being a contestant on the hit show, Naked & Afraid.
