Inspirational Storyteller, Life Purpose Advocate, Disability & Inclusion Champion

Michael Kutcher

A catalyst for reframing mindsets, Michael Kutcher has overcome extraordinary challenges with resilience and unwavering positivity. Born in 1978 in Iowa as the unexpected twin of actor Ashton Kutcher, Michael faced his first battle at birth, arriving notably smaller and struggling to take his first breath. Defying the odds from the very start, he has since built a successful business career in finance while also serving as a disability and inclusion advocate and keynote speaker. Through his powerful story, living with Cerebral Palsy and undergoing a heart transplant, Michael inspires others to embrace perseverance and overcome even the most seemingly impossible obstacles.

Biography

A Catalyst for reframing mindsets, Michael Kutcher has overcome challenges and conquered obstacles that most people never even catch a glimpse of. Born in 1978 in Iowa, as the unexpected twin brother of actor Christopher “Ashton” Kutcher, Michael met his first of many challenges at delivery. Entering the world notably smaller than his twin at less than five pounds, Michael was hardly responsive and struggled to take his first breath.

Thanks to both outstanding medical care and his indomitable instinct to survive, Michael pulled through his first days and weeks, although not without lasting adverse effects. By age three, Michael was battling significant developmental delays, caused by irreversible neurological pathologies. He was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy before he entered Kindergarten.

Unfortunately, Michael’s uphill battle was only getting started. Diagnosed with heart failure at age 13, Michael was once again faced with an unthinkable challenge of survival. After being given a life expectancy of just three to four weeks, Michael again defeated the odds and successfully received a life saving heart transplant.

It was this second close brush with death that opened Michael’s eyes to the fragility of life and inspired him to take control of the future he once thought he wouldn’t have. Today, Michael is a successful Assistant Vice President for Transamerica Retirement Solutions and an inclusion and disability advocate and public keynote speaker.

Having overcome unthinkable challenges against extraordinary odds, Michael Kutcher is living proof that perseverance and unwavering positivity can surmount even the most seemingly impossible of obstacles.

Expertise

DEI
Inclusion
Inspirational Keynote Speaker
Resilience
Disability
Perspective Shifter
Overcoming Obstacles

Videos

Keynote Topics

Listen to the Music: Finding the Power of Perspective in Life and Leadership

In today’s fast-moving world, leadership isn’t just about driving results, it’s about how we see challenges, people, and purpose. Michael Kutcher takes audiences on an inspiring journey through the power of perspective, revealing how shifting the way we interpret adversity, difference, and failure can transform how we lead, collaborate, and thrive.

Through heartfelt storytelling, humor, and hard-won wisdom, Michael shares his extraordinary journey of overcoming near-death experiences and lifelong adversity. His message is simple yet profound: while we can’t always control what happens to us, we can always control how we choose to see it.

By reframing his story from victim to victor, Michael discovered that perspective isn’t just personal, it’s a professional advantage. When we change how we view our circumstances, we unlock creativity, innovation, and resilience.

AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS:

A renewed sense of gratitude and purpose.
Tools to turn setbacks into stepping stones for success.
A mindset shift that strengthens leadership, teamwork, and communication.

When people see differently, they act differently.

When teams think differently, they perform differently.

And when organizations lead differently, they thrive.

Michael’s message moves audiences beyond inspiration, it transforms how they see, think, and lead in business and life. Perfect for change management, team-building, and leadership development, his talk reminds us that perspective isn’t just what we see, it’s how we choose to see it.

Listen to the Music: Embracing Diffabilities, Inclusion, and Belonging

Find your purpose by shifting perspectives.
Discover your “song” — and learn to hear the “music” in every person’s story.

Every organization, and every individual, thrives when they can recognize, value, and integrate the full spectrum of human experiences. Yet in fast-moving environments, it’s easy to miss the “music”: the perspectives, strengths, and lived experiences that shape how people contribute, collaborate, and feel a sense of belonging.

In this keynote, Michael Kutcher invites audiences to listen more intentionally and broaden the lens through which they view differences. Drawing from his journey with Cerebral Palsy, multiple open-heart surgeries, and a life-saving transplant, Michael offers a compelling narrative that challenges traditional assumptions about disability. His Diffability Movement reframes disability not as a deficit, but as different abilities that strengthen collective performance, innovation, and perseverance.

This message isn’t just inspirational, it’s practical. Michael provides insights that help individuals and teams shift from limitation-focused thinking to a more open, curious, and inclusive mindset. His message centers on perspective, empowering audiences to move from a victim mindset to a victor mindset, and reminding them that their story, their song, has value, power, and purpose.

Michael’s national advocacy, including work with the United States Congress, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Office on Health, reflects his commitment to equitable messaging, inclusive policies, and representation for individuals of all abilities. He brings a voice to those who may feel unheard, including people managing visible or invisible challenges or those hesitant to speak up out of fear of judgment.

Through authenticity, professionalism, and heartfelt storytelling, Michael encourages audiences to “listen to the music” in themselves and others, to see the perseverance behind every challenge, the opportunity behind every difference, and the purpose within their own story.

AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS:

A modern, inclusive perspective on disability through the Diffability framework, recognizing diverse abilities as strategic strengths.
A mindset shift that strengthens belonging, equipping individuals and teams to identify hidden challenges, reduce bias, and create environments where everyone feels safe to contribute authentically.
Learn how to reframe adversity, moving from limitation-focused thinking to a victor-oriented, resilience-driven approach.
Improved inclusive listening skills, enabling a deeper understanding of lived experiences and the “music” that shapes individual and collective performance.

The Gift of Life: From Struggle to Strength and the Power of Organ Donation

A message of perseverance, gratitude, and the human spirit

Few experiences change a person’s perspective on life more profoundly than coming face-to-face with death, and being given a second chance. In this powerful and deeply moving keynote, Michael Kutcher shares his remarkable journey from life-threatening illness and a heart transplant to renewed purpose and appreciation for the gift of life.

Living with Cerebral Palsy and surviving multiple near-death experiences, Michael knows the challenges of uncertainty, fear, and resilience firsthand. Through humor, authenticity, and heartfelt storytelling, he takes audiences on an emotional journey that celebrates the strength of the human spirit, and the life-changing impact of organ donation.

Drawing on his own life experiences, Michael empowers audiences to shift from a victim mindset to one of strength and possibility. His story of courage leaves listeners inspired to overcome obstacles and pursue their goals.

His story not only honours the medical teams, caregivers, and donors who make miracles possible, but also reminds every listener that each day is an opportunity to lead with gratitude, empathy, and purpose.

AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS:

A renewed sense of gratitude for life and the people who make healing possible.
A deeper understanding of the life-changing power of organ donation and the legacy it creates.
Inspiration to face personal and professional challenges with resilience, compassion, and hope.

This keynote is a heartfelt tribute to perseverance, the generosity of donors, and the extraordinary power of medicine — a message that resonates deeply with anyone in healthcare or healing.

Testimonials

Thank you so much for bringing Michael to the site. I think we all have so much and are so fortunate in our lives that we need the reminder of how precious life is and how thankful we should be with each other.

Jim Carmichael, SVP, HR

Michael, that was an absolutely impactful session! Thank you for making it happen, and please extend the gratitude to your working team. Goosebumps throughout the session and multiple heavy breathings as I internalise the content generously shared by Michael. [read_more]

Thank you for hosting it live. What a wonderful speaker! Honestly a super inspiring session and I love the term Diffability. Personally, I have been reflecting on your messages each day since we spoke, and that won’t be stopping anytime soon! And I am focused on as many Kenvuers as possible hearing you speak. [/read_more]

Kenvue, Manager

Attending Michael Kutcher’s keynote at MPI the EVENT in September 2024 was truly inspiring. What struck me most was his captivating presence, his calm demeanor and crystal-clear message made every word resonate deeply. Michael has an incredible gift for storytelling, not only sharing his journey but also humanizing his well-known twin brother, Christopher “Ashton” Kutcher, in a way that felt relatable and heartfelt. [read_more] By coining the word and concept of “Diffability” was especially powerful. It redefined how we think about diversity, equity, and inclusion, reminding us that our perceived limitations, otherwise known as disabilities, don’t have to hold us back from pursuing new opportunities. Michael’s story and message left me reflecting on the strength of the human spirit and the importance of embracing every individual in all environments—both work and personal. What stood out even more was how approachable and genuine Michael was. Having had a visual connection from the stage, we met afterward and had an incredible chat. He’s not only an inspiring speaker but also someone who connects personally and meaningfully with his audience. [/read_more]