Entrepreneur. Ironman. Parkinson’s Fighter.
Motivational Speaker.
“Don’t wish for an easy life—wish for the strength to endure a hard one. The path without obstacles leads nowhere worth going. Face the storm, not to survive it, but to become something stronger because of it.”
Greg Schaefer
GREGORY SCHAEFER
CIC, CPIA, ACI – Chief Executive Officer, Schaefer Enterprises
Greg Schaefer has built a life where business, athletics, family, and resilience converge. As founder and president of Schaefer Enterprises, Inc., he grew a boutique Manhattan insurance agency into a nationally respected firm serving industries from healthcare to construction. In 2019, he sold the company to private equity, a milestone reflecting his vision, leadership, and client-first values. As a husband to Dr. Maryann Mikhail and father to sons James and Jax—both elite athletes in soccer and tennis—Greg’s deepest drive comes from setting an example of discipline and heart for his family, whom he calls his “why.”
Outside the boardroom, Greg has tested his limits as a 18-time Ironman competitor, including six full-distance races and two coveted starts at the Ironman World Championships in Kona. A former Division I basketball player, he carries lessons of endurance and mental toughness from the court to the marathon finish line, racing not just for himself but to inspire his boys and honor his wife’s unwavering support. Each race reinforces his belief that grit—not circumstance—defines success.
In 2023, Greg faced his toughest challenge: a diagnosis of Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease. Instead of retreating, he leaned into his “dog in the fight” mentality, bolstered by his family’s love—Maryann’s relentless pursuit of the best care and his sons’ reassuring hugs. Today, as a motivational speaker, he shares raw, optimistic stories of resilience, family, and facing adversity head-on. Whether in business, sport, or health, Greg’s message is clear: the race never ends, and we are stronger when we run it together.
Greg Schaefer
In Conversation
On March 24, 2023, Greg was diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease—a moment that redefined his life but not his mindset. Rather than retreat, Greg leaned into the endurance mentality that had defined his athletic and business career. A 1998 graduate of Loyola University’s Sellinger School of Business, he founded Schaefer Enterprises, Inc. in 2010, growing it into a respected boutique insurance firm before selling to private equity in 2019.
Patriot Fuels National Expansion with Addition of Schaefer Enterprises
“Our clients have always come first, and SEI’s long-term client relationships and history of growth have been fueled by our exceptional customer service and committed staff,” said Greg Schaefer, founder and President of SEI.
Why I Rise with JM Kenny and Vinny: Greg Schaefer embodies relentless perseverance. A 18-time Ironman competitor, with six full-distance races and two Kona World Championship qualifications, he’s set to conquer the 2025 Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Marbella, Spain. Beyond the finish line, Greg faced his toughest challenge: a 2023 Parkinson’s diagnosis. With his signature “dog in the fight” mentality, he transformed this obstacle into a mission to inspire. Greg’s raw, optimistic storytelling ignites audiences, proving that every step forward, no matter the odds, fuels a life of purpose.
Greg Schaefer
Lessons from the Long Run
Greg Schaefer
Turning Adversity Into Fuel
for Achievement
Greg Schaefer is not your typical keynote. He brings the raw honesty of someone who’s faced the unthinkable—and the discipline of an athlete who’s raced at the highest levels. His story bridges sports, business, and health, showing audiences how grit, adaptability, and perspective can transform adversity into fuel for achievement. Whether he’s sharing lessons from Kona, building a business from scratch, or confronting Parkinson’s with unwavering resolve, Greg delivers more than inspiration—he gives people tools to endure, to lead, and to keep racing forward when life doesn’t go as planned.
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