FROM SETBACK TO OPPORTUNITY
Leadership lessons on resilience, accountability, preparation, and high performance.
Former USA Eagle and Clemson Rugby Head Coach Troy Hall shares honest lessons from international sport, adversity, leadership, and building resilient young men through challenge and setbacks.
Keynote Speaker | Leadership Events | Sports Teams - High School, College, or High Performance Level
ABOUT TROY
Raised in a small town in New Zealand after losing his father at six years old, Troy Hall learned early that adversity is part of life.
Without a traditional roadmap, he left home at 19 and built a life through rugby, travel, uncertainty, and opportunity across New Zealand, Australia, England, and the United States.
Troy went on to represent the USA Eagles in both 7s and 15s rugby for seven years while balancing full-time work, injuries, setbacks, and the realities of chasing high performance.
His journey included:
Neck surgery in 2010
Being cut from the 2011 Rugby World Cup squad
Missing the opportunity to face the All Blacks in 2014
Being cut again from the 2015 Rugby World Cup squad
Building businesses and moving his family during uncertain times
Leading Clemson Rugby through growth during and after COVID
Today, Troy serves as Head Coach of Clemson Rugby, where he focuses on developing disciplined, resilient young men both on and off the field.
WHY I SPEAK
Over the course of my rugby career, I experienced incredible opportunities.
But the moments that shaped me most were the setbacks.
At the time, those moments were difficult to process.
Looking back now, they taught me lessons around preparation, accountability, resilience, and perspective that shape how I coach, lead, parent, and live today.
I speak because I believe too many people give up on themselves too early.
The first setback arrives. The first rejection comes. Things don’t go according to plan.
And they stop.
My goal is not to motivate people for one day.
It’s to help athletes, teams, leaders, and young people build habits, resilience, and perspective that last far longer than motivation ever will.
LESSONS THAT SHAPED ME
2011 — PREPARATION
Getting cut from the Rugby World Cup taught me that hard work without structure isn’t enough.
I was relying too heavily on toughness instead of disciplined preparation, recovery, and routine.
That lesson changed how I approach coaching and leadership today.
2014 — ACCOUNTABILITY
In 2014, I was ruled out of facing the All Blacks the night before the match due to a paperwork issue after briefly retiring.
It was devastating.
But it taught me one of the biggest lessons of my career:
At the highest level, small details matter.
Ownership matters. Accountability matters. Preparation off the field matters just as much as preparation on it.
2015 — RESILIENCE
Being cut from another Rugby World Cup squad forced me to reflect deeply on who I was becoming.
That experience taught me that resilience isn’t pretending things don’t hurt.
It’s learning how to respond, grow, and continue moving forward without losing belief in yourself.
Those lessons continue to shape me today as a coach, husband, and father.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Resilience Through Adversity
Lessons from elite sport, setbacks, injuries, and learning how to bounce back stronger.
Audience Takeaways
Responding to setbacks
Building mental resilience
Managing adversity
Maintaining perspective under pressure
Leadership & Accountability
Why habits, ownership, and discipline shape high-performing teams and individuals.
Audience Takeaways
Building accountability
Developing trust and culture
Leading through uncertainty
The importance of details and consistency
Preparation Under Pressure
How elite preparation creates confidence, performance, and long-term growth.
Audience Takeaways
Building sustainable habits
Managing pressure
Discipline over motivation
Developing routines that hold up under stress
Developing Resilient Young Athletes
Helping athletes navigate confidence, setbacks, pressure, failure, and growth.
Audience Takeaways
Perspective through adversity
Confidence and identity
Navigating failure
Long-term athlete development
WHO I SPEAK TO
Leadership Conferences
Schools & Universities
Coaches & Teams
Community Organizations
BOOK TROY
Available for:
Leadership events
Team talks
Workshops
Virtual presentations
To enquire about availability, speaking topics, or upcoming events, please complete the contact form below!
