Paul Whelan

Sharing never-before-told anecdotes, Paul Whelan recounts his harrowing journey as a hostage in Putin’s Russia—enduring human rights abuses while fighting for freedom and justice from behind enemy lines.

On December 28, 2018, Paul Whelan was traveling in Russia for a friend’s wedding when he was framed for espionage and arrested in his hotel room. Thus began a harrowing journey of unwavering resilience, patriotism, and survival that spanned five years, seven months, and five days of unlawful imprisonment—before his emotional return home in the most historic prisoner swap since the Cold War. 

From torture by sleep deprivation in a filthy prison cell to harassment in a forced labor camp, the trauma Paul faced was substantial. But by forming crucial alliances and communicating with fellow prisoners, guards, and other Americans detained nearby, Paul was able to learn and share invaluable resources and information about the War in Ukraine and other global events—and was able to ultimately fight for his own release.

Drawing from his remarkable story, Paul inspires audiences to overcome their own most difficult obstacles, providing strategies for mental resilience and goal-setting. He also brings a wealth of experience in corporate security, expertly blending risk management with strategic insights to safeguard organizational integrity and enhance operational resilience. He applies the leadership and team-building principles he learned while detained to the corporate world—emphasizing that building strong alliances and learning to communicate mindfully with others is essential for success.