TESTIMONIALS

Meeting Debbi was one of the unexpected highlights from the TEDx experience for me. I met her at the speakers’ dinner, where I was attending as my husband’s plus-one, and within minutes I found myself completely drawn in by her passion, authenticity, and conviction. She doesn’t just tell a story, she lives it. Our conversation alone inspired me to buy her book on Audible before the evening had even ended.

What impressed me even more was seeing her deliver the same message to completely different audiences. I watched her speak to learners from underserved South African schools at a youth empowerment event, and then later to a room full of adults at TEDx. The response was the same: people were engaged, inspired, and left believing they were capable of more. Debbi has a rare gift for taking her own journey and turning it into practical wisdom that anyone can apply, regardless of where they come from or what goals they’re pursuing.

Her message stays with you long after she’s finished speaking, because it comes from a place of genuine belief and lived experience.

  • Davene Prinsloo

My introduction to Debbi DiMaggio was magical. From the first moment it felt as if we had known each other for many years. Despite the hectic schedule, Debbi was always talking to people, learning as much as she could about Port Elizabeth and South Africa at large and the diverse cultures.

I was drawn to Debbí’s story of how a family vacation in St Barth, became a moment of realisation for her when her son told her he was going to join the Marines. She explained how her life had changed as she tested her own resilience by challenging herself. She began running and entered several races including a full marathon, achieving much success in her life.

Watching her deliver her story with great passion, I witnessed a woman, addressing the audience with much brevity, educating them about challenging their own spaces. I saw a moment of vulnerability as she shed a quiet tear while delivering her speech, celebrating her birthday far away from home. The audience resonated with her experience and rewarded with a standing ovation.

I am proud of you, Debbi Dimaggio, and thank you for your friendship!

Regards

Selwyn Willis

“Your TEDx talk was one of the most memorable presentations of the day for one simple reason: your complete vulnerability. Your message about the power of mindset shows how achieving something you never thought was possible could become possible by simply believing your goal has already been achieved.

What stood out most was your willingness to be vulnerable. From sharing the emotional story of your son signing up for the O. C. S. and how it challenged the future you had imagined for him. To the ankle brace meant for your ankle that you held in your hand all the way from mile 18 to the finish at 26.2. My applause for putting it out there. These stories are the glimpses that showcase how challenges can be overcome and puts power to your message.

To anyone who has run a marathon, I am in awe. To you that ran a marathon without so many of the common practice routines that we adopt is, dare I say, mad! But you did it, and you proved it can be done. Your stories perfectly illustrates that our greatest limits are often the ones we place on ourselves.

As a fellow marathon runner and TEDx speaker, your talk resonated with me on many levels. Thank you for sharing your story with such honesty and courage. You didn't just talk about resilience - you demonstrated it.

- Neal Prinsloo

WHAT THEY SAY

Debbi doesn't just speak — she activates. Our entire leadership team left her keynote with a completely different understanding of what momentum means in business. The follow-through we saw in the months after was extraordinary.

Sarah M.
VP of People, Fortune 500 Company

We brought Debbi in for our women's leadership summit and she was the unanimous highlight. Her story, her presence, and her framework for reinvention gave our attendees tools they are still using. We've booked her twice more since.

Jennnifer L
Executive Director, Women's Leadership Forum