John “Gucci” Foley

Worldwide Keynote Speaker • TEDx Speaker •Bestselling Author • Corporate Trainer • Former Lead Solo Pilot for the Elite Blue Angels • Stanford Fellow • “Mindset Master” • Podcast Host
Fee Range:
$25,000 - $100,000
Travels From Sun Valley, Idaho
Remarkable Speakers Bureau John “Gucci” Foley thanks for being here

Build a Team That Performs at the Highest Level — Like the Blue Angels

John “Gucci” Foley doesn’t just talk about teamwork—he lived it at the highest level as the Lead Solo Pilot for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Flying at over 500 miles per hour, just 18 inches apart, his success depended on flawless execution, unshakable trust, and a commitment to continuous improvement—the same principles that fuel the best teams in the world.

For over 20 years, he has delivered his extraordinary message at over 2,000 events to over 1 million people, to help build elite teams that don’t just meet expectations but exceed them—every single time. He teaches teams how to embrace a Glad To Be Here® mindset, where passion meets purpose and individuals take ownership of excellence.

His keynotes aren’t just motivational—they are immersive experiences that transform the way teams connect, align, and commit. Through his signature methodologies, he shares actionable insights on sustaining peak performance under pressure, navigating change with precision, and creating a culture that attracts and retains top talent—just like the Blue Angels.

John’s insights don’t come from theory—they come from real-world, high-stakes execution. A Top Ten Carrier Pilot Award winner (nine times over), a Sloan Fellow at Stanford School of Business, and a featured pilot in the iconic Top Gun movie, John brings a rare combination of experience and storytelling that elevates teams to new heights.

As the founder of the Glad To Be Here® Foundation, John walks the talk—donating 10% of all speaking fees to charities around the world, impacting thousands of lives globally. His commitment to service extends far beyond the cockpit and the boardroom.

Ready to Take Your Team to the Next Level?

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Achievements and Accomplishments of John “Gucci” Foley Include:

  • Special Cameo appearance in the NEW Documentary: THE BLUE ANGELS IMAX film – Two of his company Team Members are the Executive Producers of this Box Office hit
  • Bestselling Author of "Fearless Success"
  • Known as the “Gratitude Guru”
  • Creator of the "Glad to Be Here® Mindset" Movement
  • Created The Diamond Performance® Framework
  • Graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy-BSME- Engineering
  • Defensive Back for the Midshipmen playing in two bowl games, helping the Navy to one of the best four-year records in football history
  • Top 0.001% of US military pilots
  • Lead Solo Pilot for the Elite Navy Blue Angels – his Call Sign is "Gucci"
  • Commander U.S. Navy - Ret.
  • Pilot in the First TOP GUN Movie
  • Graduate of the U.S. Naval War College-National Security and Strategic Studies- Leadership
  • Master in Management, Sloan Fellow- Stanford Graduate School of Business
  • Has Delivered his extraordinary message at over 2,000 events to over 1 million people
  • Special Cameo appearance in the NEW Documentary: THE BLUE ANGELS IMAX film – Two of his company Team Members are the Executive Producers of this Box Office hit
  • Bestselling Author of "Fearless Success"
  • Known as the “Gratitude Guru”
  • Creator of the "Glad to Be Here® Mindset" Movement
  • Created The Diamond Performance® Framework
  • Graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy-BSME- Engineering
  • Defensive Back for the Midshipmen playing in two bowl games, helping the Navy to one of the best four-year records in football history
  • Top 0.001% of US military pilots
  • Lead Solo Pilot for the Elite Navy Blue Angels – his Call Sign is "Gucci"
  • Commander U.S. Navy - Ret.
  • Pilot in the First TOP GUN Movie
  • Graduate of the U.S. Naval War College-National Security and Strategic Studies- Leadership
  • Master in Management, Sloan Fellow- Stanford Graduate School of Business

John is the BEST SPEAKER I HAVE EVER HIRED and SEEN! He prepared himself so well and wove in our needs at Transamerica like he has been here for 20 years. John put back the missing energy into our organization!  Glad To be Here!!

~ Kent Callahan, President & CEO at Transamerica, Investments & Retirement Division

Most Requested Keynote Experiences From John “Gucci” Foley Include:

Elevating Mindset

Harness the power of gratitude to build self-accountability and strengthen team dynamics, cultivating a culture of continuous improvement.

Through his Glad to Be Here® philosophy, John offers a compelling solution that goes beyond mere positivity, diving into gratitude as a form of self-accountability and ownership, even when facing adversity. It’s about acknowledging mistakes, committing to improvement, and fostering a supportive team environment.

This approach builds a resilient culture where gratitude is a catalyst for growth, collaboration, and the betterment of the team as a whole, offering a profound way to strengthen bonds and drive collective success.

Audience will leave empowered with:

🔹Techniques to strengthen team bonds through shared gratitude practices.

🔹 Ways to encourage vulnerability and openness within teams, enhancing trust.

🔹 Strategies for maintaining a grateful outlook even in challenging situations, fostering resilience and positive change.

🔹 Understanding of gratitude’s neuroscience and its benefits.

🔹 A blueprint for creating a positive, gratitude-infused organizational culture, leading to increased engagement and productivity.

🔹 Insights on how gratitude fosters a culture of self accountability and leadership.

Creating A Culture of Excellence

Dive into the Blue Angels’ approach to elevating belief levels to enhance performance and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

This session isn’t just about listening; it’s an immersive journey into reshaping how we perceive challenges and opportunities, marked by actionable insights for breakthrough growth.

Attendees will emerge with a vibrant toolkit for personal and collective innovation, ready to navigate the complexities of their industries with newfound resilience and creativity. Perfect for forward-thinking leaders, dynamic teams, and organizations poised for transformative success, this keynote promises to be a pivotal moment of inspiration and strategic empowerment.

High Trust, High Execution

Explore how establishing deep trust and clear communication empowers individuals to perform with unmatched precision and reliability in high-stakes environments.

This session offers a roadmap for cultivating an environment where trust is the foundation, empowering individuals and teams to execute their tasks flawlessly, even in high-stakes situations, thereby driving unparalleled success and cohesion.

Ideal for leaders, managers, and teams across all sectors looking to enhance their performance in high-stakes environments. It’s particularly valuable for organizations striving to improve teamwork, communication, and trust within their ranks, ensuring every member operates at their peak with confidence and precision.

Inspiring Leadership

Discover the 3 elements of dynamic leadership: power of inspiration, the drive for continuous improvement, and the art of creating opportunities.

The keynote offers practical insights into cultivating a leadership style that not only achieves goals but also inspires everyone around to rise and meet their highest potential, thereby creating a legacy of positive change and success.

This presentation is ideal for leaders, managers, and anyone aspiring to make a significant impact through dynamic leadership.

Mastering Teamwork

Master the Blue Angels’ centerpoint strategy for team alignment and decision-making, enhancing collaboration in all aspects of teamwork.

It weaves riveting cliffhangers from his tenure with the Blue Angels, exploring moments that tested their limits and required adaptability and unity. These stories demonstrate resilience and the transformative growth that emerges from facing the unknown together.

Ideal for teams aiming for high performance, this session offers tools for seamless cooperation and a profound understanding of what it takes to achieve excellence collectively.

Embracing Change with Innovation

Learn from the Blue Angels how to harness adaptability and collaboration, transforming challenges into avenues for innovative growth and success.

Gucci illustrates how adaptability, collaboration, and a unified response to challenges can drive innovation and success. He emphasizes the importance of building a resilient culture that leverages these principles to foster growth, enhance competitive edge, and navigate the complexities of change.

This engaging session offers a roadmap for leveraging unforeseen challenges as opportunities for transformative growth, making it a vital resource for leaders and teams committed to excellence in an ever-evolving marketplace.

 

Clients Include:

  • Google
  • Microsoft
  • Intel
  • Cisco
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • BMW
  • Goodyear
  • Chevron
  • Coca-Cola
  • GE
  • Lowe’s
  • Marriott
  • Hilton
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • MLS
  • NCAA
  • Penske Racing
  • Sprint
  • Motorola
  • Merrill Lynch
  • Mass Mutual
  • AMC Theatres
  • Norton Lifelock
  • Capital Group
  • Bank of America
  • Wells Fargo
  • American Hospital Association
  • Mayo
  • Merck
  • Palo Alto Networks
  • Sunovion
  • General Dynamics
  • Gillette
  • McDonald’s
  • Stanford Business School
  • Global Sports Summit
  • Million Dollar Round Table
  • Numerous CEO Summits
  • And many more!

Why Hire John “Gucci” Foley?

Former Blue Angels Lead Solo Pilot turned Mindset Master. John “Gucci” Foley brings combat-tested mental toughness to your stage, teaching teams the Glad to Be Here® philosophy that separates peak performers from everyone else. Book now for “An Experience of a Lifetime” – plus 10% of his speaking fee goes to charity.

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