Speaker Spotlight: Gary Montalvo

Each month, Blue Spark Event Design’s Speaker Spotlight series highlights the brilliant minds and magnetic personalities who bring corporate events to life. This month, we’re thrilled to feature Gary Montalvo—a leadership coach, transformational speaker, and unapologetic roller coaster enthusiast whose events are as energizing as they are emotionally resonant.

With a speaking style that blends humor, challenge, and connection, Gary has captivated audiences at companies like The New York Times and MasterCard, and impacted tens of thousands through his coaching and events. His secret? Showing up as his full self—funnel cake in hand and heart wide open.

Beyond the stage, Gary is an avid globetrotter with over 30 countries under his belt, a passionate dessert enthusiast, and an unapologetic adrenaline junkie who thrives on roller coasters and theme park adventures. This spirit of fun and genuine enthusiasm naturally weaves its way into his work, infusing his events with energy, connection, and unforgettable moments.

Gary didn’t start his career in leadership development. In fact, his leap into entrepreneurship came after years of working as an art director. Making that transition meant a total identity shift, one that took him five years to fully embrace. But when he discovered the power of events, everything changed.

He quickly realized that live experiences weren’t just engaging—they were exponentially more effective than traditional coaching. What might take six to eight weeks of one-on-one work could happen in a matter of hours on stage. The results were faster, deeper, and more powerful—for both his clients and himself.

“Events act as an amplifier,” he says. “They let people experience their own transformation in real-time. And as a speaker, I got to witness my own leadership and confidence come to life right alongside them.”

After speaking at some of the most respected organizations in the world, Gary’s biggest takeaway is this: authenticity wins.

Early in his speaking career, he made the mistake of molding himself into what he thought his audience expected—tailoring his appearance, speech, and demeanor to match corporate norms. But he quickly saw that by doing so, he was not only dimming his light but also missing the chance to create real connection.

Today, authenticity is a cornerstone of his work. But not just for the sake of “being real”—Gary is intentional about using authenticity with purpose. By modeling vulnerability and encouraging honest conversation, he creates a space where the audience can lower their guard, engage more deeply, and walk away with insights that stick.

Anyone who’s seen Gary on stage knows that laughter is a signature part of his approach. But it’s not just about getting a few chuckles—it’s a deliberate strategy.

Humor, he explains, is how he builds rapport and earns trust quickly. In emotionally intense sessions, it also serves as a “pressure valve,” helping people stay open to growth even when the content gets challenging.

“There’s this moment in every talk when you can feel the room tighten—someone has had a big realization, and the air gets heavy,” he explains. “That’s when I throw in a bit of levity. Not to deflect, but to create space for them to breathe and stay with me.”

This rhythmic interplay—of turning up the heat, releasing tension, and diving back in—is what makes his sessions both powerful and digestible.

After nearly two decades in coaching, Gary says the most common block he sees in people is judgment—especially self-judgment. Whether it’s beating ourselves up for not meeting impossible standards or projecting disempowering beliefs onto others, our internal critic runs the show more often than we think.

The key to breaking free, he says, is recognizing that judgments are not facts. They’re interpretations—often outdated ones based on childhood experiences or long-forgotten moments.

“When you realize you can rewrite those interpretations at any time, everything opens up,” he says. “That’s when real transformation begins.”

Gary recalls countless transformative moments on stage, but one in particular stands out: a digital marketing conference where a room full of process-driven tech entrepreneurs had a breakthrough they didn’t see coming.

After a series of exercises, one attendee—a towering man who’d barely spoken all day—broke down in tears, realizing how much he’d been neglecting his family. He left the session determined to reconnect. By the next day, he’d had a powerful conversation with his wife, booked regular date nights, and planned a family vacation.

“That’s a family that will never be the same,” Gary says. “And the version of that man who shows up in business now? He’s never going back.”

What sets Gary apart is his holistic approach to speaking. He doesn’t just deliver a presentation; he builds a container for change.

He begins by cultivating psychological safety—giving participants permission to show up exactly as they are. From there, he introduces interactive exercises, builds in moments for reflection, and creates ongoing opportunities for engagement both during and after the event.

“Too many speakers focus only on their time on stage,” he notes. “But real transformation happens in the spaces in between—during breaks, conversations, and the weeks that follow.”

By thinking beyond the keynote, Gary ensures that his messages don’t just resonate—they stick.

Despite his success, Gary is quick to acknowledge that challenges never go away. The illusion that we’ll one day arrive—fully healed, endlessly confident—is, in his words, “a trap.”

One of his most personal struggles was the initial leap into entrepreneurship. Leaving behind a decorated creative career and stepping into a world with no guarantees was terrifying. He remembers networking events that made him physically nauseous, yet he kept showing up until the fear faded.

“That first leap—letting go of who I was to become someone new—that’s the one that made all the others possible.”

Asked about a book that deeply influenced him, Gary points to The 3 Laws of Performance by Steve Zaffron and Dave Logan. The central premise—that language creates the context we live in—radically reshaped his approach to coaching and speaking.

“Once you understand the power of language, you can use it to create a world that actually supports the future you want,” he explains.

If Gary’s schedule is any indication, he’s just getting started. Here’s a preview of what’s ahead:

• Season 2 of his podcast, The Ownership Game
  A raw, insightful dive into leadership and personal accountability.
• A new coaching program for heart-led entrepreneurs
  Helping founders lead with emotion and structure.

Upcoming Events:

• Beyond Circumstances – a two-day personal development experience in NYC

• THRIVE 2025 – a one-day business clinic in Fort Lauderdale (September 6)

Gary Montalvo isn’t just a speaker—he’s a catalyst. With heart, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, he creates spaces where people feel safe enough to be real, brave enough to grow, and inspired enough to lead.

As far as impactful voices go, Gary doesn’t just talk the talk—he walks the transformation.

Want to learn more about bringing Gary to your next event? Reach out to our team. We’d love to help make it unforgettable.

Stay tuned for more Speaker Spotlights right here from Blue Spark Event Design—where bold ideas meet unforgettable events.