About
Gabey S.
Abikzer
Executive Chef. Firefighter. Pilot. Father. Speaker. Professional Backgammon Player.
“It’s not about putting yourself in my shoes… because I don’t have any.”
Gabey’s life has always run on motion. A culinary journey took him to executive chef. He served as a firefighter. He flew as a pilot. Around all of it were his children — Nicole, Andrew and Joshua — sports, travel, cooking and a sense of humor that arrives before he does.
A tragic accident cost him both legs. Rehabilitation was long, and none of it was cinematic. What carried him through were the people who refused to let him disappear, a change in what he measured his days against, and a faith and gratitude he speaks about openly.
He went back to the things he loved: driving, jet skiing, parasailing, swimming with dolphins, travel, cooking. He supports charities. And he speaks — turning his own story into a message audiences can apply to whatever they are carrying. Away from the stage, he is a Professional Backgammon Player traveling the American tournament circuit.
I have a wheelchair, but everyone has a “wheelchair”… everyone has a challenge. Turn your wheelchair into a will-chair — access your will powers to overcome shortcomings.
Before & After
The lives inside one life
Executive Chef
A culinary journey and a career designing food for others.
Firefighter
Years spent running toward what most people run from.
Pilot
Time in the air — one of the loves he refused to give up.
Father
Nicole, Andrew and Joshua at the center of everything.
Professional Backgammon Player
Strategy, probability and the tournament trail across America.
The Framework
The 3 Powers
The Power of Others
Lean Into Connection
No one turns a wheelchair into a will-chair alone. Someone always hands you the first push. Recognizing who's shown up for you — and who needs you to show up for them — is where forward motion begins.
The Power of Comparison
Reframe What You See
Comparison can crush you, or it can clarify you. The difference is what you do with what you see in someone else. Release the comparisons that shrink you, and let the rest sharpen your purpose.
The Power of God
Trust What You Can't See
Willpower alone runs out. Faith in God is what keeps you moving when your own strength isn't enough. Trusting Him, even without seeing the whole staircase, is where real momentum begins.
Gabey's Passions
Professional Backgammon Player
The tournament trail
Away from the keynote stage, Gabey travels the American backgammon circuit, bringing the same resilience, focus and sense of humor to the board. His tournament journey has taken him to Madison, Wisconsin; Bloomington, Minnesota; and Nashville, Tennessee. Backgammon combines strategy, probability and the discipline to make the most of each roll — themes that connect naturally with his message of moving forward.
2026 verified highlights
- Nashville · Music City Backgammon Open
3rd in the 24-player Intermediate Jackpot and 2nd in the 16-player Zavoral Board Tournament in Nashville.
- Bloomington · Viking Classic Backgammon Championships
Tied 3rd–9th in the 30-player Players Cup Minnesota BMAB and tied 1st–2nd in Cash Money Pokergammon in Bloomington.
- Madison · Wisconsin State Backgammon Championships
1st place in the 32-player Quickies event at the Wisconsin State Championships in Madison.
Back in motion
The things he refused to give up
Driving, jet skiing, parasailing, swimming with dolphins, travel and cooking — after rehabilitation, Gabey went back to all of it, and added supporting charities to the list.
For Organizers & Press
Bios and headshots
Copy-and-paste bios, plus press-ready photography. No email gate.
50 words bio
Gabey S. Abikzer is a motivational and inspirational speaker and Professional Backgammon Player. An executive chef, firefighter and pilot before a tragic accident cost him both legs, he now delivers From Darkness to Brightness — From Wheelchair to Will-Chair, a keynote about resilience, perspective, gratitude and the will to move forward.
100 words bio
Gabey S. Abikzer is a motivational and inspirational speaker and Professional Backgammon Player whose keynote, From Darkness to Brightness — From Wheelchair to Will-Chair, is built on a simple idea: everyone has a “wheelchair.” Gabey’s is visible; most are not. His life before the accident spanned a culinary career as an executive chef, years as a firefighter and time in the air as a pilot, alongside family life with Nicole, Andrew and Joshua. After losing both legs, he rebuilt through rehabilitation, humor, faith and gratitude — returning to driving, jet skiing, parasailing, travel and cooking — and now speaks and supports charities.