Linda Armstrong Kelly is not as well known as her son; seven-time Tour de France winning bicyclist Lance Armstrong. Yet the son credits his mother for his success, both on the race course and in his successful fight against cancer. In her speeches, Linda reveals how she became that role model for her son - how, as a teenage mother living in poverty, she set goals and worked hard to achieve them; and how she demanded accountability and responsibility in making decisions and carrying them out. This is what she talks to audiences about now, saying how parents need to better support each other in raising children and how corporations can be more nurturing of the families of their employees. Both, she says, are essential to a successful personal life and to a successful business. In recognition of her role as a motivational speaker, Ladies Home Journal named Linda Armstrong Kelly as one of “America’s Most Fascinating Women.”

Linda Armstrong Kelly’s life story is captivating audiences everywhere. Her son, seven-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong, credits her as the unsung hero who assisted him in reaching his spectacular cycling victories – and in his triumph over cancer. Lance says his mother is his role model.

Linda Armstrong Kelly’s life story is captivating audiences everywhere. Her son, seven-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong, credits her as the unsung hero who assisted him in reaching his spectacular cycling victories – and in his triumph over cancer. Lance says his mother is his role model.

Kelly’s mission is to inspire, motivate, challenge and entertain others. In her book, No Mountain High Enough, she writes about her early life as a teenage mother, living in poverty, trying her best do the right thing while raising an unstoppable ten pound baby boy. Her early life experiences helped form the values and positive attitudes that both she and Lance carried forward into adulthood. Her life is a lesson in self-determination and the far-reaching impact of a parent’s positive involvement with a child.

Kelly fills her speeches with insight, wisdom, and warmth. She speaks about the philosophy that helped her meet life's obstacles and overcome them. A tireless advocate for children and survivors, she tells powerful and humorous stories about how children become who they are; what parents can do to inspire, support and challenge their children; what it really means to kids to set goals and achieve them; and, why accountability is so important. She can also speak powerfully to timely and tough issues like teen pregnancy, single motherhood, domestic abuse and substance abuse. She often challenges working parents to better support each other and work toward a corporate environment that better nurtures families. Kelly believes that living with love and joy, maintaining focus, and risk-taking are at the heart of every successful endeavor – and that these things are the foundation for a life well lived.

After spending 15 years with Ericsson Microelectronics as a global account manager, Kelly is now dedicating her time to writing, public speaking, assisting nonprofit organizations, and fundraising. In 1999, she was the recipient of Ericsson’s Mother of the Year Award and was recognized as one of “America’s most fascinating women” by Ladies Home Journal magazine. Her recent television appearances include The Dr. Phil Show, CNN, and ESPN. She’s been featured in national magazines such as People, The New Yorker, USA Today, Us Weekly, as well as many local newspaper, radio programs, and television news shows.