ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jerry Holl

Jerry Holl is an award winning author, professional speaker, independent business consultant, and weekend warrior. He holds an engineering degree, an MBA, and has over three decades of sales and leadership experience. Jerry resides in Minnesota with his wife and has three grown children. For more information, visit www.downhillsdontcomefree.com. For speaking events and bulk orders, please contact the author at 612 804-2420 or holljerry@gmail.com.

Get Jerry to Speak for Your Event

Jerry Holl is a professional storyteller highlighting the lessons learned from his solo and unsupported bicycle journey from Alaska to Mexico as a 57 year old novice distance cyclist. He is inspiring, entertaining, educational, and 100% authentic.

His numerous messages are summarized in the following three key themes:

  1. People  are so much more capable than they think,
  2. Although he pedaled alone, it took a team to get him there
  3. Find and inspire the best in others and you’ll unleash their full capabilities and performance

He is also the author of the award winning book, Downhills Don’t Come Free.

Six YouTube videos from a keynote given on January 23, 2018.
The video clips below vary in length from a mere twenty-one seconds to three minutes.

A recent KSTP TV ‘off the cuff’ interview of Jerry Holl conducted by Darren Wolfson, a reporter for KSTP TV, the ABC affiliate in the greater Minneapolis / St. Paul market area.  This interview took place February 12, 2018 following Jerry’s son, Justin, first 2 games debut in the NHL where he scored in both games. Darren Wolfson wanted to draw the ‘connections’ of Justin’s NHL performance and lessons he may have learned and the confidence he may have gained by Jerry’s solo cycling trip from Alaska to Mexico as told in Jerry’s award winning book, Downhills Don’t Come Free.

https://kstp.com/news/justin-holl-dad-jerry-minnetonka-gophers-maple-leafs/4798151/?cat=81

What They Say About Jerry's Speaking

Jerry – Loved your presentation at our event. You were amazing!  I so appreciate, enjoy & LOVE your story and authenticity.  Janice P.    October 2019

Hi Jerry,  It was great to hear you speak last week!  ….  Lily M.  October 2019

Jerry, I was disappointed I couldn’t make your [keynote] but heard you did fantastic!  J.I.   September 2019

I really enjoyed your inspirational talk today!   Gerry M.   August 2019

Hi Jerry,  Great presentation yesterday.  [Others] also enjoyed what you had to say…..  Doug M.  August 2019

Hi Jerry,   [She] just got back from the [       ] meeting and had nothing but raving reviews about you!  Mark G.  August 2019

Jerry, your presentation was wonderful. Possibly as great as the true story. Very Inspiring! Well done Jerry. Cheers!   John G

Hi Jerry,  It was great to hear you speak, I left feeling very motivated!   Lindy C

Jerry,  Thanks so much for attending and speaking at our annual meeting.  Your presentation was captivating, and we appreciate you sharing your journey.  We all enjoyed your presentation, and I continue to have people tell me how much they enjoyed listening to you.  I agree completely.  Many thanks for spending some time with us.  Sincerely,   David G.

Jerry,  Thank you for joining us at breakfast this morning.  That’s quite a tale you tell.  Very well presented; compelling and carrying a relevant message, too.  Tom W.

Thanks again!!! I was told you were my best speaker yet!   Cynthia K.

Jerry – Your message complimented our overall theme perfectly. I spoke with a number of employees after the meeting and, to a person, they said you came across as genuine and passionate about your message. I told them it’s because you truly believe in what you are saying – you lived it with your journey! A couple others approached me with ideas they have been formulating, but hadn’t brought them forward until now. They were inspired by your “put yourself out there” message.  Thank you for being a key part of our meeting!   Daniel L.

Hi Jerry – Thanks for taking your time to “work” last night with us. Best. [Meeting} Ever.  I woke up thinking about your messages!  Very grateful for your generosity. …You have a good message that will resonate with all sales teams and your engineering background makes it a little more compelling.  Jean M.

Feedback I got was all positive.  Nicely done!  Howard L.

Thanks for bringing Jerry in today – I loved his talk and his message. Really thought provoking!  John G.

Jerry:  Thank you so much for your presentation.  I received very positive response last night about it from the probably 20 people that I surveyed.  Great job.  Thanks for your contributions to our offsite and good luck with your book.    Chris H.

Jerry,  I’m hearing great feedback about your talk…  Thanks for being a part of our annual meeting!  John W.

 

Thanks Jerry.  You message was spot on and gives us a great springboard to promote future growth.  You are always welcome to stop in and chat when in the area.   Steve K

Great job today. Thank you very much!  Tim L

Hello Jerry!!!  Hope all is well…. l would love to Brainstorm with you…you have an amazing story I would love to share and have some ideas….  Jeanette B.

Thanks Jerry, it was great to meet you and you gave a fantastic and inspiring presentation.

I will forward this material and your book to R. and I will recommend you as a featured speaker for the fall conference. […]

All the best and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Ken F.  President & CEO   February 19, 2020

 

Jerry. I’m thankful to you.  You entertained and inspired us this morning.  Your stories are riveting and your passion is contagious. I am so glad that G-d winked and made us friends.  Bob C.  February 19, 2020)

Mr. Holl impacted me tremendously in such a short time.  His energy, his passion, his knowledge, and his ability to make you see yourself as successful resonated through and through.  It was such an honor to share the same room with such a down to earth, compassionate and successful professional!  JR L. – March 11, 2020

[Zoom Keynote]

Wow can I just say what a guest speaker!! I felt like the things he said awoke something in me to always pursue my passions and experiences.

Could you please introduce me to Jerry? I would love to have a conversation with him sometime.

Thank you!  Sikai Y.   October 7, 2020

[Zoom Keynote]

Jerry,

It was a pleasure having you with us. It was very inspirational.  If I could,  Id like to keep in touch with you… Chris B. – October 7, 2020

[Zoom keynote].

Jerry,

It worked out really well. Not only the story, lessons, advice etc., but the delivery was great too.  Very engaging and inspirational. Thank you!  Zain R. – October 31, 2020

December 2020 SHRM Zoom Keynote

Thank you! Awesome, really good, and very accommodating….

Christine S.  December 2020

Hi Jerry, I am the Vice President of [    ].   I’m a recent Downhills Don’t Come Free/Jerry Holl junkie!  I heard your presentation as part of the virtual National SHRM speaking engagement that you delivered in early December (2020), purchased the book for my retired parents for Christmas, and can hardly wait to hear you speak again!  I told my HR colleagues that I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation and thought our membership would also find it both engaging and inspiring…  A. B.      January 7, 2021