Philip Albenze

Ohio · Northeast Ohio · Akron

Motivational and addiction recovery speaker in Akron, Ohio

Alcoholics Anonymous counts June 10, 1935, in Akron, as its founding date. Phil found AA about a year after he quit drinking cold turkey, worked the twelve steps with a sponsor, and now recommends them for any addiction, from alcohol to food.

41 milesfrom Phil's home in Austintown to Akron
Summit County, OHAkron's county
189,691people in Akron (Census estimate, July 1, 2025, U.S. Census Bureau)
Up to an hourper keynote or talk, for audiences of 50 to 600

Book Phil in Akron, OH Call (330) 314-0228

Phil speaking on a stage in front of a screen that reads BELIEVE

Why Akron groups book Phil Albenze

Akron is also where Phil won three first places at the Reign of Fire bodybuilding show: Masters Over 50, Transformation and the Overall Poser award. For Akron audiences he is a recovering alcoholic who has already stood on a local stage.

Phil drank for twenty years, held a job the whole time, picked up three DUIs and was shot on New Year's Eve 2002. In 2009 he weighed 304 pounds. He quit drinking cold turkey, lost about 140 pounds in a year, and became a champion natural bodybuilder and a personal trainer. For a Akron audience the story is close to home: he lives 41 miles away, in Austintown, Ohio.

Talks for Akron audiences

Recovery centers in AkronFor treatment programs and recovery groups in Summit County: twenty years of drinking, three DUIs, quitting cold turkey, and the twelve steps a year later. Schools in AkronFor Akron middle and high school assemblies: the shy kid, the liquid courage, the DUIs, and five lessons from a jail cell to the stage. Colleges in AkronFor Akron campuses: Phil has spoken four times at Otterbein University, about 200 students each time. Veterans in AkronFor Akron veterans' groups: Army, 1987 to 1993, and the twenty years after it. Workplaces in AkronFor Akron HR and wellness events: the functional alcoholic who never lost his job. He spoke to 600 at HRACO. Conferences in AkronA keynote of up to an hour for a Akron conference or association meeting. His largest audience so far: 600 at HRACO. Fitness events in AkronFor Akron gyms and wellness days: 304 pounds to 4.5% body fat, and Masters boxing past 50.

The books behind the Akron talk

Every talk Phil gives in Akron comes from his memoir The Black Sword (2025) and its sequel, After the Sword (2026). Akron hosts can order copies on Amazon for their audience.

Hear Phil before you book him in Akron

Every episode of Phil's podcast has its full transcript on this site, so a Akron event planner can hear exactly how this motivational speaker talks before booking him.

22 minBattling Addiction and Taking Your Life Back11 minFrom Jail Cell to Stage: 5 Takeaways11 minSmall Habits, Big Change

Addiction and recovery in Akron and Summit County

In Summit County, public money for addiction and mental-health services runs through the County of Summit ADM Board.

In 2023, 216 Summit County residents died of unintentional drug overdoses, an age-adjusted rate of 40.9 per 100,000 (Ohio Department of Health, 2023 Unintentional Drug Overdose Report, Table 8). Phil drank for twenty years before he quit, and his message to people still inside it is the one he gives on his podcast: "If I could do this, anybody can."

What a Akron audience hears

Every talk is Phil's own story, the one in his memoir The Black Sword. The flyer for his 2019 evening at California Palms Addiction Recovery Campus described it as his story "of battling obesity and alcoholism to what motivated his transformation and commitment to helping others." Talks run up to an hour.

The turning point is the center of the story: his nine-year-old son crying at the doctor's office, and Phil pulling into a gym he had passed every day on his way to the liquor store and telling a stranger, "I need help." From there he talks about replacing one habit with another, cutting off the people who drag you back, and why asking for help was the hardest step for a man raised the way he was.

Phil on stage beside a projected photo of himself at his heaviest
Telling the story beside a photo of the man he used to be.

Where Phil has spoken

Phil has spoken at Otterbein University, the Human Resource Association of Central Ohio, California Palms Addiction & Recovery Center, the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center, Boardman Middle School, Hubbard High School, TCTC and the Rotary Club, to audiences from 50 to 600.

Akron schools, colleges and venues

Akron students are served by the Akron Public Schools; colleges in and around Akron include The University of Akron, Kent State University (Kent, OH), Stark State College (Akron location); Akron event venues include John S. Knight Center and Akron Civic Theatre. Phil speaks to every kind of audience on that list, from a classroom to a conference hall.

Alcoholics Anonymous dates its founding to Akron: Dr. Bob's Home marks Dr. Bob's last drink, on June 10, 1935, as the founding date of AA. (Dr. Bob's Home).

Booking a motivational speaker in Akron

Phil gives a conference keynote, a school assembly, a recovery-group talk or a workplace session, each up to an hour. Akron is about 41 miles from his home in Austintown, inside the 200-mile area around Youngstown he focuses on, and he travels farther when an event needs him. His fee isn't published: send your Akron date, audience size and venue to ask.

As a speaker he has addressed audiences from 50 people at a Rotary Club to 600 at the Human Resource Association of Central Ohio, and Otterbein University has had him back four times.

Phil Albenze in the press, for Akron planners

Before you book a speaker in Akron, check the record. TRAIN magazine put his before-and-after on its cover. The Tribune Chronicle profiled him and The Black Sword. 21 News and The Vindicator reported on the blind client he trains.

  • Tribune Chronicle
  • TRAIN magazine
  • 21 News (WFMJ)
  • The Vindicator
  • Business Journal Daily

Read the press coverage

Talk topics for Akron events

Questions from Akron event planners

Does Phil Albenze travel to Akron?

Yes. Akron is about 41 miles from his home in Austintown, Ohio, inside the 200-mile area around Youngstown he focuses on.

How long is a talk in Akron?

Up to an hour, for a Akron classroom, a recovery group or a conference hall.

What does Phil talk about in Akron?

His own story, told for Akron audiences: twenty years of drinking, three DUIs, a shooting, 304 pounds, and the day his son's tears sent him into a gym. Then quitting cold turkey, natural bodybuilding, and helping others.

Can schools in Akron book Phil?

Yes. Akron middle schools, high schools, career centers and colleges can book him. He has spoken at Boardman Middle School, Hubbard High School and four times at Otterbein University.

Can recovery programs in Akron book Phil?

Yes. Akron treatment centers, recovery groups and county programs can book him. California Palms Addiction Recovery Campus in Austintown has hosted him three times.

Does Phil speak to veterans' groups in Akron?

Yes. Phil served in the US Army from 1987 to 1993 and speaks to Akron veterans' posts and programs about the drinking that took over after he came home.

Can Phil give a keynote at a conference in Akron?

Yes. He spoke to 600 people at the Human Resource Association of Central Ohio, and Akron conferences can book a keynote of up to an hour.

Is there a book to go with a talk in Akron?

Yes. The Black Sword is the story the talk comes from, and After the Sword is the sequel. Akron hosts can order copies through Amazon.

How do I book Phil for an event in Akron?

Send a message through this site with your Akron date, audience and venue, or call Body by Phil at (330) 314-0228.

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Book Phil Albenze in Akron

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