Make every curveball your competitive edge with the THRIVE Code.
Six plays. Measurable wins. Proven from the kitchen table to the C-suite.
Trusted by Global Leaders to Drive Resilience, Innovation, and Inclusion
Expertise That Matters
Expertise That Transforms Organizations & Families
Resilient Parenting
Guiding families from “devastation to dignity” while raising high-achieving champions. Practical strategies for parents facing unexpected challenges.
Blindness Advocacy & Accessibility
World-renowned leader changing how the world “sees” blindness. Transforming perceptions into possibilities through advocacy, education, and systemic change.
The THRIVE Code™ (Resilience)
A proprietary formula for moving from frustration to flourishing in any environment. Science-backed strategies for individuals and organizations.
Research & Entrepreneurship
A Global Leader in Rare Disease Innovation & Clinical Strategy
As the founder of the Curing Retinal Blindness Foundation (CRBF), Kristin is a clinical strategist who helped bring the first gene therapy for an inherited retinal disease to FDA approval.
She is currently bridging the gap between patient experience and medical breakthroughs through her upcoming published study and advocacy work at the highest levels of medical research.
The Framework
The THRIVE Code™: Your Blueprint for Resilience
Thriving is LESS about perfect circumstances and MORE about finding the perspective, purpose, and possibility in the situation you’re currently facing. This repeatable, scalable model is used by Fortune 500 companies and school districts to transform setbacks into breakthroughs.
T
Tenacity
H
Hope Mindset
R
Relationships
I
Innovation
V
Value
E
Extraordinary
Premium Speaking
Exceptional Speakers Don't Just Inspire; They Transform
Kristin turns your stage into a standing-ovation moment—leaving your audience equipped with science-backed insights and practical tools.
Specializing in Signature District Packages (up to $50,000) and Fortune 500 keynotes. Every presentation is customized to deliver maximum impact for your organization’s unique challenges and goals.
Featured Media & Testimonials
"Kristin's just changed my life."
“Kristin Smedley is built on a foundation of grit and a refusal to see challenges as losses. She is a remarkable person.”
Joe De Sena
Host, The Hard Way Podcast
“Kristin’s sons’ journeys are a true testament to the power of inclusion; their accomplishments came after their mom went to bat for them.”
Stephanie Stahl
CBS Philly
“Kristin Smedley’s story is a profound example of how a mother’s love can transform into a global mission.”
Producer
Jesus Calling Podcast
“Kristin’s participation in ACRP’s panel discussion opened the minds and hearts of our members and conference attendees. She helped to raise awareness for the critical topic of accessibility.”
Susan Landis
Executive Director, ACRP
TEDx Talk
Viewed on college campuses around the country
The Case for Curveball
A Story Showing a Different View of Blindness
The Book That Started It All
Thriving Blind
This book will transform your idea of what is possible for people who encounter a devastating life event and will catapult your motivation to set extraordinary expectations for your own life.
Stories of real people succeeding without sight—proving that thriving through life’s curveballs is NOT about waiting for perfect circumstances.
Meet Your Guide
Hi, I’m Kristin Smedley, and I didn’t read the playbook... I rewrote it.
The first blind people I ever met were my sons. What felt like a setback to me was simply life to them. That moment flipped everything I thought I knew about adversity, success, and leadership. Since then, I’ve helped teams, families, and organizations redefine what’s possible, on their terms.
If life has thrown you a curveball—personally or professionally—you’re in the right place. I’m not here with theories. I’m here with a code, a proven, practical set of plays I’ve used to raise extraordinary kids, influence global research, and coach others to thrive when it matters most. It’s called the THRIVE Code, and it works under pressure.
Because thriving isn’t about avoiding the hard stuff, it’s about learning how to lead through it.
Let’s build your comeback… stronger, faster, and clearer than you thought possible.
Stop Being Blind to YOUR Possibility
Sign up for Kristin’s THRIVE Code emails so you are consistently equipped to turn every curvveball into a comeback!