Public Speaking

"I am living my own diabetic American dream," said Joel Levy. It’s an amazing statement by a man who almost died at the age of 10 from complications caused by undiagnosed diabetes. "I have been hospitalized more times than I care to remember," Levy said. "I have been given every excuse to throw in the towel, but that is never going to happen. I know every day above ground is an opportunity for greatness."

Joel Levy is a professional speaker with a gift for connecting with his audience. His passion is helping people recognize their potential and inspiring them to live up to it.

With an attitude of positive relentlessness, he has overcome his struggles as an insulin dependent diabetic for more 31 years. His biggest struggle came at 27 years old when, at the height of his athletic ability, he became blind in his left eye. He has endured 21 surgeries on his eyes, as well as countless other operations and medical emergencies.

A top rated martial artist at the time of his diagnosis, Levy was told he could no longer participate in contact sports. The doctors were sure they could not save the vision in his eye. He was temporarily crushed by the news. But he turned his defeat into victory by changing his focus. If he could not be a great martial artist, he would become a great martial arts instructor, teacher, coach and mentor.

Today he is Shihan Joel Levy, a martial arts grandmaster, and member of the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He is also an educator, speaker, writer and entrepreneur. He, and his wife, Yvonne, own and operate the Family Martial Arts Academy, a successful school in Highland Park, N.J., and a full contact karate martial arts league.

Joel Levy has a master’s degree in education, and is a New Jersey state certified teacher. He was recently awarded a Ph.D. in Martial Arts philosophy and science. His mission is to empower others with the belief that every obstacle can become an opportunity.

"We all have our personal Goliaths to conquer," Levy said. "We begin to conquer them when we consciously decide to assign a meaning to our adversity that empowers us, and not a meaning that debilitates us." He said he believes we are able to discover our "true selves" only through adversity or challenge.

Levy sees life’s challenges as "spiritual resistance training" that will make us stronger. "Everyone will be challenged at some point in life," Levy said. "When this happens, embrace it. Only then will you find out who you really are!"