About Rachel


school assembly speaker

Rachel Degutz, a former middle school science teacher, has made a name for herself as a standout competitor on American Ninja Warrior. Merging her passion for science and athleticism, Rachel set out to tackle one of the most demanding obstacle courses. Her journey has not been without challenges; however, her resilience propelled her to become a top competitor and 4x national finalist. Through extensive training and unwavering commitment, Rachel has turned her dream into a reality.

sports speaker guest school assembly

Her story serves as a powerful source of inspiration, motivating others to pursue their aspirations with the same passion she displayed. Rachel's mission extends beyond her personal achievements; she is dedicated to empowering groups with the essential skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary for chasing their own dreams.

By booking Rachel to share her journey, your group will gain insights into coping with failure and other strategies required to overcome obstacles. Allow Rachel Degutz to inspire your audience to reach new heights in their personal and professional pursuits.

Rachel is local to Philadelphia. She travels around the country for ninja warrior and speaking!

Why does Rachel speak?

Rachel Degutz found motivation in hearing the stories of athletes who overcame challenges just like she did. She understands the power of community, encouragement, and having people who believe in you. That’s why she brings that same energy to every presentation—igniting a spark in your students or group, just like others once did for her. Rachel helps audiences feel seen, supported, and empowered to chase their dreams with confidence.

Rachel’s Ninja Warrior ACHIEVEMENTS

2025: Women’s Championship top 8 & Qualifiers 2nd place, Semifinals 3rd place, National Finalist

2024: Women’s Championship top 10

2023: Qualifiers 2nd place, Semifinals 1st place, race winner, Rachel’s first buzzer, National finalist top 10

2022: Women’s Championship competitor, Qualifiers top 5, Semifinals 3rd place, National finalist top 15

2021: Qualifiers top 5, Semifinals 1st place, National finalist top 15

What does Rachel speak about?

Rachel Degutz is a six-season competitor on American Ninja Warrior and a nationally recognized youth motivational speaker. She shares her powerful journey of perseverance, overcoming fear, and turning setbacks into comebacks. Through her personal story—from early failures to finally hitting the buzzer—Rachel inspires students to pursue their biggest dreams with confidence and grit.

In her dynamic school assemblies and youth presentations, Rachel teaches three transformational lessons: the power of mentorship, how to face fear with courage, and the life-changing impact of consistency. She also speaks candidly about common emotional struggles like frustration, comparison, and jealousy, offering practical strategies to navigate them with resilience. She bring real life Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to your school.

Rachel leaves every student with a powerful, actionable step they can take immediately—making her presentations not just inspiring, but life-changing.

athletes motivational speaker

Rachel hits her first buzzer, achieving her dream

Education

Rutgers University

- Master Degree in Education

- Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

- Speaker Training Series with Sandy Zimmerman & Co.

Rachel Degutz woooooo!!!

80 students were asked to describe Rachel, these were the most common words given:

Confident (14 times)

Loud (5 times)

Fun (8 times)

Energetic (4 times)

Inspiring (7 times)

Funny (4 times)

Good (6 times)

Well spoken (4 times)

Brave (6 times)

Encouraging (4 times)

Interesting (6 times)

How can I book Rachel to speak to my group?

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A smiling girl taking a selfie in front of an outdoor inflatable obstacle course, with a sign indicating she is Rachel Degutz, an American Ninja Warrior. The obstacle course is colorful with slides and bouncing elements, set up on grass under a blue sky.