One More Thing, One More Time: Josh Sundquist on Resilience and Leadership

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Few keynote speakers can have an audience laughing every few minutes while also challenging them to rethink how they approach adversity. Paralympian, author, and speaker Josh Sundquist did exactly that at the AHRA 2026 Tuesday keynote, weaving together stories of childhood cancer, elite athletics, and personal reinvention into a message that will resonate far beyond the conference halls.

Sundquist described achievement as a journey through five stages: excitement, disappointment, commitment, betterment, and accomplishment. The critical turning point, he argued, is disappointment. When things don't go as planned, we face a choice: quit or commit.

How Quickly Do You Recover?

Drawing on his experience as a one-legged ski racer, Sundquist shared that only about 20% of his time on the slopes was spent skiing. The other 80% was spent getting back up after falls. Success wasn't about avoiding setbacks, it was about recovering from them faster.

For leaders in medical imaging, the parallel was clear. Whether navigating staffing shortages, technology transitions, workflow challenges, or organizational change, resilience often matters more than perfection.

How One Challenge Shapes Your Perspective

Sundquist’s story began long before competitive sports. Diagnosed with bone cancer at a young age, Sundquist endured chemotherapy and ultimately lost a leg. Years later, he reflected on losing his hair during treatment and how much at the time he wished someone could have assured him it would grow back. Today, jokingly pointing out the beginnings of a balding spot, he views signs of aging differently: they're reminders that we're alive. The perspective shift served as a powerful reminder that challenges often look different when viewed through a wider lens.

Sundquist also shared a personal story about support. When he needed to shave his head during treatment, his brother went first and his friends quickly followed. The question he posed to the audience was simple: Are you willing to be the first person to help? For anyone in a leadership position, that question rings true. Creating a culture of compassion starts with individuals who step forward before they're asked.

Imaging and Healthcare Professionals Left an Impact

His remarks held particular significance for imaging professionals. Sundquist spoke warmly about the technologists and imaging teams who cared for him throughout years of scans, tests, and follow-up appointments as doctors monitored for cancer recurrence.

What he remembers most isn't the equipment or procedures — it’s the people who eased his fears, offered reassurance, and made difficult moments more manageable. Those are exactly the professionals healthcare leaders strive to recruit, develop, and retain.

Finding Your ‘One More Thing’

Throughout the presentation, Sundquist returned to the idea of adaptation. When cancer prevented him from playing soccer, he found new ways to compete. When he felt boxed in, he learned to “flip the box over” and see possibilities from a different perspective.

His challenge to attendees was to identify their “one more thing” — the extra effort, new idea, or difficult challenge that could make the difference. As he noted, at some point in time a small shift moved him from No. 21 to No. 20 in the world rankings, ultimately earning him a place on the Paralympic team.

Lean In, Not Back

His final message was one of proactive transformation. In skiing, leaning back causes you to lose your edge. To navigate a turn, you must lean forward. The same is true in leadership. Change is inevitable, but leaders who embrace it early can shape the outcome rather than simply react to it.

For the packed house that day taking in Sundquist's story, the message was simple and profound: resilience, empathy, and the willingness to take one more step forward often make all the difference.