Sophie - Anne Onland

Sophie-Anne Onland was born with a shorter left leg and has worn a prosthesis all her life.

For years, she did everything she could to hide it. She wore long trousers, chose the most lifelike prosthesis she could find, and made herself as inconspicuous as possible. Not because her prosthesis held her back, but because she was afraid of how others would see her.

Everything changed when she realized how exhausting it is to hide a part of who you are.

She traded her camouflage prosthesis for a bold carbon-and-titanium prosthesis covered in gold glitter. What had once been her greatest insecurity became her greatest source of confidence and strength.

In 2021, Sophie-Anne took the stage for a TEDx Talk, “How My Biggest Secret Became My Biggest Power,” sharing the story of how she stopped hiding and started embracing what makes her different.

Today, Sophie-Anne is a speaker, presenter, content creator, and expert in diversity and inclusion.

With openness, energy, and humor, she challenges audiences to rethink the way we look at difference, disability, representation, and ourselves. Her talks explore themes such as self-acceptance, resilience, breaking through limiting beliefs, and having the courage to take up space.

Sophie-Anne is also the co-founder of NinetyNine Agency, the first Dutch talent agency dedicated entirely to disability representation. Through NinetyNine, she connects brands and media with creators, models, and speakers with disabilities, while helping organizations make representation a meaningful, authentic, and lasting part of their work.

Her message is simple but powerful:

We all have differences — some visible, others invisible. Instead of hiding them, we should have the courage to show them, embrace them, and recognize the strength they can bring.

Sophie-Anne inspires people to identify their own “camouflage,” challenge the beliefs that hold them back, and stop shrinking themselves to fit someone else’s idea of who they should be.

Because the thing you once tried hardest to hide might just become the thing that makes you most powerful.

Sophie-Anne, through Jspyre, is an exceptional keynote and day speaker who will make your event truly unforgettable. With her powerful story, infectious energy, and sharp sense of humor.

She inspires audiences to rethink disability, diversity, and the power of being unapologetically yourself.