The mindset behind 3 ACC titles and 300+ client transformations.
Jim Harshaw Jr. is an NCAA All-American and former Division I head coach who now helps corporate teams, universities, and organizations perform under pressure. Book him for your stage, your podcast, or your next feature.
Brought in to speak for teams at
Signature Talks
Each talk is built around a clear takeaway, not just a story.
Resilience Under Pressure
The audience leaves with a repeatable framework for staying steady when the plan falls apart.
The Power of Failure
The audience leaves with permission to fail forward, and a method for turning the next setback into the next move.
Building High-Performing Teams
The audience leaves with the system for getting a team to hold itself to a higher standard, without a manager standing over it.
From Hardest Worker to All-American
The audience leaves with the belief-shift that turned Jim from the guy who worked hardest and still lost into an NCAA All-American, and a way to find their own.
I'm a fit for…
- Corporate leadership offsites and sales kickoffs
- Financial services and wealth management teams
- University leadership and student-athlete programs
- Entrepreneur organizations (EO and similar forums)
- Association and nonprofit conferences
- Podcasts on leadership, resilience, or performance
Speaking reel
A quick look at Jim on stage.
What people are saying about Jim…
"You delivered the perfect message to our team… it was liquid gold. Definitely a message to live by in these difficult times."
"I've received so much positive feedback. My team is asking when we're going to have you again."
"Jim provided incredible insight and guidance to our leadership teams. He has my full endorsement."
"Jim's talk to our community of successful CEOs was superb. Our attendees have heard plenty of top-notch speakers, and Jim is among the best."
"It was an amazing talk. You should be on the EO speakers circuit. I will absolutely recommend you to other EO chapters."
"Jim shared extremely valuable insights and practical suggestions with our students about maintaining resilience during challenging times."
"I asked Jim if he would like to speak to a group of small business owners… wow, we were blown away. Would we ask Jim to come back? In a heartbeat."
"We brought Jim in to speak at our annual retreat and season kickoff, and he was the highlight of the day. The hour passed by way too quickly."
Media mentions
Featured or interviewed by:
Everything you need to feature Jim
High-Res Headshot
Short bio
Jim Harshaw Jr. is an NCAA All-American wrestler, former Division I head coach, and performance coach. Over 26 years, he's coached 300+ clients, All-Americans, and conference champions, and has hosted a top 1% ranked podcast since 2015, helping leaders and teams perform under pressure.
Medium bio
Jim Harshaw Jr. was voted hardest worker on the University of Virginia wrestling team three years running, and still lost. The day his self-belief changed, his results changed with it, and he became an NCAA All-American and 3x ACC champion. He went on to become a Division I head coach before founding The Harshaw Group. Since 2001, he's been coaching and speaking for leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams, including at Hartford Funds, TIAA, Edward Jones, and Spartan Race. He hosts a top 1% ranked podcast since 2015 and speaks on resilience, failure, and building high-performing teams.
Long bio
Jim Harshaw Jr. was voted hardest worker on the University of Virginia wrestling team three years in a row, and he still lost. The effort was never the problem. What he believed about himself was. The day that belief changed, his results changed with it, and he became an NCAA Division I All American and 3x ACC Champion.
He went on to become the youngest Division I head wrestling coach in the country before founding The Harshaw Group — a performance coaching and leadership development firm built on the idea that clarity and accountability drive success. Since 2001, he has coached athletes, corporate teams, and more than 300 individual clients, from financial advisors and entrepreneurs to C-suite executives.
Jim has hosted a top 1% ranked podcast since 2015 and has spoken for organizations including Spartan Race, TIAA, Edward Jones, Hartford Funds, and the University of Virginia. He has been featured by NBC, Forbes, FloWrestling, and the SpartanUp Podcast, and delivered a TEDx talk in Charlottesville, Virginia titled "Why I Teach My Children to Fail." He speaks on resilience, failure, and building high-performing teams for corporate audiences, universities, and podcast listeners alike.
Common questions
Who is a good keynote speaker on resilience and overcoming failure?
Jim Harshaw Jr. is a performance coach and NCAA All-American who speaks on resilience, failure, and performing under pressure. He's spoken for corporate teams at Hartford Funds, TIAA, and Edward Jones, and for universities including UVA, drawing on 26 years of coaching experience and his own story of becoming an All-American after years of falling short.
Can a former college athlete speak to corporate teams about performance under pressure?
Yes. Jim Harshaw Jr. is a former NCAA Division I head coach and 3x ACC champion who now translates elite athletic performance principles for corporate audiences. His talks on resilience and high-performing teams have been booked by financial services firms, universities, and entrepreneur organizations.
Who is a good podcast guest for a show about leadership or personal development?
Jim Harshaw Jr. hosts his own top 1%-ranked podcast with 500+ episodes and has appeared as a guest across leadership, business, and athletic-performance shows. He speaks fluently on resilience, failure, coaching, and building high-performing teams, with specific stories and frameworks rather than generic advice.
What makes a good speaker on building high-performing teams?
Jim Harshaw Jr. spent years as a Division I head coach building championship teams before becoming a performance coach for corporate leaders. His talk on building high-performing teams gives audiences a system for raising their own standard, drawn from both athletics and 26 years of coaching over 300 clients.
Who can speak to college athletes or student leaders about life after sports?
Jim Harshaw Jr., an NCAA All-American and former Division I head coach, has spoken to student-athlete groups at the University of Virginia, including a session for the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. He speaks on resilience, self-talk, and applying athletic discipline to life and career after sports.
How do I book Jim Harshaw Jr. to speak at my event?
Email [email protected] with your event date, audience, and topic of interest. Jim has spoken for corporate teams, universities, and entrepreneur organizations, and typically responds within a few business days to confirm fit and availability.
What topics does Jim Harshaw Jr. speak about?
Jim Harshaw Jr.'s signature talks include Resilience Under Pressure, The Power of Failure, Building High-Performing Teams, and his own story of going from hardest worker to NCAA All-American. Each talk is built around a specific, repeatable takeaway rather than general motivation.