Robert Paylor Biography

Robert Paylor is an American inspirational speaker, author, and former collegiate rugby player who survived a catastrophic spinal cord injury in 2017 during a national championship game at UC Berkeley. A devastating illegal tackle broke his neck, leaving him quadriplegic and with a prognosis that he would never walk or use his hands again. Defying odds through relentless rehabilitation, Paylor regained partial mobility, walking 400 yards with a walker, standing to receive his diploma from the Haas School of Business in 2021, and dancing at his 2023 wedding. His book, “Paralyzed to Powerful: Lessons from a Quadriplegic’s Journey” (2025), co-authored with Jason Cole, details his recovery and offers tools for overcoming adversity. As a keynote speaker, he inspires audiences at Fortune 500 companies, schools, and events such as TEDxBerkeley, emphasizing the importance of resilience, gratitude, and mindset in overcoming personal challenges.

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