"Trust eliminates fear."
On September 11, 2001, a blind man led colleagues down 78 floors of the burning World Trade Center — calmly, with his guide dog Roselle — and emerged with a message that has reached audiences on every continent.
Michael Hingson was born blind in Chicago. His parents raised him with a single conviction: that blindness was a different way of experiencing the world, not a limitation within it. He rode a bike, studied physics at UC Irvine, and built a thirty-year career in high-tech management.
Then came the morning of September 11, 2001. Working on the 78th floor of One World Trade Center when the attacks began, Michael and his guide dog Roselle did not panic. They led a group of colleagues — and a stranger who had lost her sight in the smoke — down 78 flights of stairs to safety, moments before the tower collapsed.
That story became the foundation of his #1 New York Times bestseller Thunder Dog, which has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. It also became the heart of his speaking message: the partnership of trust between Michael and Roselle is a model for every team, every leader, and every organization that must perform under pressure.
Today Michael speaks to Fortune 500 companies, universities, and audiences worldwide on resilience, trust, and disability inclusion. He has appeared on Larry King Live five times and addressed audiences including former President George W. Bush.
Prejudice comes from being in the dark; sunlight disinfects it. The same can be said for web accessibility. When we build an inclusive web, we bring everyone into the light.
He is also the host of Unstoppable Mindset (440+ episodes), National Ambassador for the Braille Literacy Campaign, and Chief Vision Officer at accessiBe — leading the mission to make the entire internet accessible to everyone.
His eighth guide dog, Alamo, travels with him today. His partnership with Roselle ended when she passed away in 2011 — but her legacy carries forward in every message Michael delivers.
The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust
Michael's account of September 11, 2001 — the preparation, the calm, and the 78-floor descent with Roselle that changed everything. Co-authored with Susy Flory. Thomas Nelson, 2011. Over 2.5 million copies worldwide.
About Thunder Dog
How a Blind Boy and a Puppy Grew Up, Became Best Friends, and Together Survived One of America's Darkest Days
The companion middle-grade story: Michael and Roselle's partnership from puppyhood through September 11. The same message of trust and courage, written for every age.
About Running with Roselle
True Stories from a Blind Man and His Dogs about Being Brave, Overcoming Adversity, and Moving Forward in Faith
A practical leadership framework drawn from Michael's lifelong partnerships with guide dogs. Control fear, lead with calm, and trust the process — even when you cannot see the path ahead.
About Live Like a Guide DogConversations about resilience, overcoming obstacles, and unlocking human potential. Guests include leaders, athletes, scientists, advocates, and everyday people who have faced extraordinary circumstances — and found a way through.
Listen to the PodcastMichael recently delivered a general session address at our Luminate convention, where he captivated our audience with his compelling narrative on building trust and teamwork.
Your talk was about the most engaging one I have experienced. The stories you told about your life and the lessons about Safety, Trust, Teamwork, leadership and life in general resonated with me and everyone at the meeting. We will fondly remember you and your presentation for many years.
Michael's presence and contributions elevated our event in remarkable ways, leaving a profound and lasting impact on our members and guests.
Michael Hingson is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, international keynote speaker, and podcast host. Born blind, he survived the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks by leading 30 colleagues down 78 floors with his guide dog Roselle. His memoir Thunder Dog has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide.
Michael speaks on trust-based leadership, resilience and overcoming adversity, teamwork under pressure, disability inclusion in the workplace, and adaptive leadership through change — topics drawn directly from his 9/11 experience and his lifelong partnerships with guide dogs.
Submit a booking inquiry at michaelhingson.com/contact/, email speaker@michaelhingson.com, or call (415) 827-4084.
Thunder Dog is Michael Hingson's #1 New York Times bestselling memoir about September 11, 2001 — his calm evacuation of the World Trade Center's 78th floor with guide dog Roselle. Co-authored with Susy Flory and published by Thomas Nelson in 2011, the book has sold over 2.5 million copies and explores preparation, trust, and partnership under extreme conditions.
Unstoppable Mindset is Michael Hingson's podcast on resilience and human potential. With over 440 episodes, it features guests from business, sports, science, and public service discussing how they overcame obstacles and lead with purpose.
On September 11, 2001, Michael was working on the 78th floor of Tower 1 of the World Trade Center when the first plane struck. Staying calm, he and Roselle led 30 colleagues down the stairwell to the street — reaching the sidewalk just before the tower collapsed. Michael attributes their survival to years of preparation and the trust forged between a guide dog and handler.
Michael speaks to corporations, universities, healthcare organizations, and nonprofits on resilience, trust, and disability inclusion. To inquire about availability, fees, and customized program options:
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