These are the top 15 best motivational speeches about life to help motivate and inspire you!
Every day our motivational levels will waiver but if you can figure out how to stay motivated you will set yourself for an incredible amount of success in life.
Tony Robbins talks about this as push vs. pull motivation. Push motivation is usually where you have to push yourself to do something and oftentimes include a lot of willpower. Pull motivation is much easier, more natural, and flows easily as you want to do the specific event.
In this Psychology Today article it says that “Pull-based motivation is about tapping the desire to achieve something. It’s about establishing a quest and taking action not to remove a current pain, but to bring yourself closer to a deeply desired end. Maybe it’s completing a marathon or learning to play guitar.”
Ultimately you want to find activities in life that have you being pulled to do them. That usually happens when you begin to align your life with your goals, values, and daily routines.
Motivation will determine how great your life ends up being. If you want to change your life you have to get moving, change your physiology, and create powerful habits. I listen to one of the videos as morning motivation every single day!
Here are the 15 best motivational speeches to help you get inspired!
Table of Contents
Top 15 Best Motivational Speeches
1.) Tony Robbins – Why We Do What We Do (TedX Speech)
Imagine speaking in front of the most wealthy and successful individuals in the world — what advice could you possibly give to billionaires and CEO’s? Tony Robbins is one of the few people that can motivate and inspire them as some of his top clients are those exact people. This TedX speech will help you understand why you do what you do.
2. Steve Jobs – 2005 Standford Commencement Speech
Steve Jobs Harvard commencement speech is one of the best motivational speeches of all time, not to mention the best commencement speech ever. While many of us admire Jobs and love his work, he was often very misunderstood by the masses. This rare and candid speech will show you how to follow your passion and create a life you love.
And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever that somehow the dots will connect in the future.” — Steve Jobs
3. Les Brown – Georgia Dome Speech
Les Brown has some of the best motivational speeches ever. He is a world renown speaker, author, and trainer that has accomplished amazing feats in his life.
While his list of accolades is impressive when you learn where he came from it’s even more so. Enjoy this amazing speech live from the Georgia Dome in front of 30,000 people!
This is one of my favorites of all time. When things aren’t working, I listen to this inspirational speech about success to overcome challenges.
4. David Goggins – Driven
David Goggins is arguably the most badass human being ever. He’s been a Navy Seal, Army Ranger, ultra-marathon runner, and holds the pull-up record for most pull-ups in a 24 hour period (4,030)! When I think of the best motivational speeches I can’t help but add David Goggins!
5. Arnold Schwarzenegger – 6 Rules of Success (Commencement Speech)
Regardless of your political views, it’s hard to admit that Arnold has not accomplished an incredible amount in his lifetime. From moving to Austria to America to becoming a bodybuilder, Mr. Olympia champion, top-grossing actor, and governor of California.
6. Tony Robbins – New Year, New You
This is probably the video that will get you to reshape your life and vision more than most. If you’ve ever set a resolution only to fail while it’s still January (who hasn’t done that?) this video is for you.
Most of all, Tony talks in-depth about how to make lasting changes in your life. Instead of focusing on resolutions or abstract goals, focus on what really matters to make the change you need!
This is one of the best motivational speeches about life I’ve ever heard. Anytime I’m in a rut or feeling stuck, I always play this and get super inspired.
7. Mel Robbins – Secret to Self-Motivation
Mel Robbins is a top speaker and best-selling author after creating “The 5-Second Rule” and sharing it with the world. After getting to meet her in person, I can say she is incredibly inspiring and loves to help people.
8. Terry Crews Motivational Speech
Terry Crews is well known by many but his backstory & route to success is even more impressive!
9. Denzel Washington – Commencement Speech at Dillard University
Who doesn’t love Denzel Washington? His acting is incredible but his speech about succeeding in life is one of his truly epic performances. If you feel lost or disappointed with your life, this is a great video to get you motivated!
10. Admiral William H. McRaven – University of Texas At Austin
Do you make your bed each morning?
Admiral William McRaven shows why making your bed as part of your morning routine will give you discipline and start the day winning.
Let’s be honest, there are way too many amazing motivational speeches about life to only include ten. Here are some other incredible speeches that can change your life!
More Motivational Speeches About Life
11. Extreme Ownership with Jocko Willink (TedX Speech)
Jocko Willink is a retired, ex-Navy Seal and also the best-selling author of “Extreme Ownership.” If you don’t follow him on Twitter I highly recommend it as he seems like one of the most disciplined human beings alive.
After seeing him at a “Success Live” seminar I can say his intensity his second to none. Jocko gives one of the best motivational speeches ever with this TEDx talk!
12. J.K. Rowling – Harvard Commencement Speech
J.K. Rowling has an incredible story. From a broke waitress barely able to survive turned into one of the best-selling authors of all time. She has gone on to publish the Harry Potter series that also turned into one of the most successful movie franchises ever.
I love this quote from her epic motivational speech:
We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.”
13. Inky Johnson – One of the Most Epic Speeches About Life
Inky Johnson gives one of the best speeches about life challenges ever. After working his entire life to make it to the NFL, a freak injury in college paralyzed his right arm entirely. But instead of letting this injury ruin his life he turned his pain into passion by becoming a motivational speaker.
14. Eric Thomas – Motivation Addicts Speech
Eric Thomas aka “ET the Hip Hop Preacher” is one of the world best motivational speakers of all time! In fact, if you type in motivational videos on Youtube his videos almost always come up first.
He is so passionate it’s hard to not love his message. His motivational speeches have taken over and this is one of my all-time favorites!
15. Jim Carrey Commencement Speech at Maharishi University of Management
Jim Carrey is often portrayed negatively in the media as of late but I think he’s incredible. He genuinely understands what’s important in life and wants to help others find the way to success. Jim used his vision to create an epic life and shares his gift with the world in this inspirational speech about life.
This might be the best motivational quote I’ve ever heard. Never forget, always follow your passion:
I learned many great lessons from my father — not the least of which is that you can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”
16. Ellen DeGeneres: Tulane University Commencement Speech
Ellen DeGeneres has overcome a lot of odds in her life and created a truly epic life. I love how much wisdom, inspiration, and humor is in this amazing speech about life. She is an incredible person who continues to inspire millions of people around the globe.
Really, when I look back on it, I wouldn’t change a thing. I mean, it was so important for me to lose everything because I found out what the most important thing is … to be true to yourself. Ultimately, that’s what’s gotten me to this place. I don’t live in fear. I’m free. I have no secrets and I know I’ll always be OK, because no matter what, I know who I am.”
17. Sheryl Sandberg Commencement Speech
Sheryl Sandberg is another amazing motivational speaker and COO of Facebook. Her speeches and words have helped inspire women worldwide.
18. Oprah Winfrey – Harvard Commencement Speech
Oprah is one of my favorite inspirational stories about perseverance of all-time. She had such a difficult childhood it’s nearly impossible for most people to even believe.
Yet she went on to become one of the most successful, wealthy, and influential people the world has ever seen. I love her message of positivity and fulfilling your dreams in life.
19. Will Smith Inspirational Speech – Pursuit of Happiness
This movie is phenomenal and really invokes a ton of emotion and feelings in this particular scene. Remember, never listen to anyone telling you what’s possible!
Don’t ever let somebody tell you … you can’t do something. Not even me. All right? You got a dream. You gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you can’t do it. If you want something, go get it. Period.”
Best Sports Motivational Speeches
Sports have created some of the best motivational speeches ever. Fake or real, these are some of the most popular motivational speeches from Hollywood!
20. Al Pacino – Any Given Sunday Speech
As a huge movie fan, I love this speech and consider it the best sports motivational speeches of all time. Al Pacino is an amazing actor and he delivers an incredible speech to motivate his team to victory.
“On this team, we fight for that inch. On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us to pieces for that inch. We CLAW with our fingernails for that inch. Cause we know when we add up all those inches that’s going to make the fucking difference. Between WINNING and LOSING…between LIVING and DYING.”
21. Herb Brooks – Miracle Speech
While the speech is great it’s even better because it’s based on a true story about the Olympic team in the 1980’s! This speech propelled the U.S. to beat the Soviet Union and become the gold meal champions!
As Herb said, “Great moments are born from great opportunity.”
22. Rocky Motivational Speech
Rocky might be the best motivational video ever. While the original is a little outdated there have been so many sequels it continues to stay relevant in mainstream culture.
If you learn about the story behind the movie it’s even more inspirational. At the time Sylvester Stallone was so broke he had to sell his dog and was sleeping on park benches. After watching a boxing match he got motivated and wrote the script that would change his life.
Check out my favorite quote from the Rocky motivational speech:
The world ain’t’ all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a mean and nasty place. And I don’t care how tough you are it’ll beat to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. It ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!“
23. Ray Lewis & Eric Thomas – “Beast” Motivational Speech
This inspirational speech is from two icons – Ray Lewis and Eric Thomas. Ray is a former hall of fame NFL player who knows how to generate hype, excitement, and enthusiasm from his teammates. This was a no-brainer when selecting the best sports motivational speeches.
Remember as Eric Thomas said, “Sleep, sleep is for people who are broke. I got an opportunity to make a dream become a reality.”
24. Best Motivational Sports Speech
The crazy thing about this inspirational speech is that it’s a true story! This epic speech was delivered to a group of high school football players.
25. Tom Brady – Best Motivational Video To Prove Haters Wrong
Tom Brady is the greatest player of all time. He was doubted from the moment he walked into the NFL combine. Yet, he is still playing the game 20+ years later and is arguably the best quarterback of all time.
He’s proven the haters wrong with his relentless work ethic, consistent performance, and longevity in a physically challenging sport. I love this motivational video!
Remember what Tom Brady said, “To me what separates good players from great players is to execute under pressure.”
Enjoy the best motivational speeches to give you the momentum to take the next step!
Are you ready to make this the year that will change your life forever? Quit waiting and start creating success today!
Never give up, this is your year to create success!
Do you think these are some of the best motivational speeches about life? Which one of them is your favorite?
Did I miss a motivational or commencement speech that you love? Let me know in the comments!
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Love these and wanted to add 1 more from Eric Thomas, literally one of the most motivational people to so many people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vuetQSwFW8
Damn great call I totally forgot about ET — he’s one of the best!
Glad you included Jocko. Highly recommended podcast.
Thanks Drew — Jocko is the man! After seeing him live I was ready to run through a wall haha inspiring guy!
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All are best speeches. Many i have listed but remaining i will listen soon. It is really motivational. Arnold speech is really motivational.
JK Rowling speech is my favorite. She is a wonderful author and worked very hard to get success. Remaining all are best.