Thomas Bubendorfer Biography
Thomas Bubendorfer is one of the world’s foremost solo climbers. He is one of the most experienced and inspirational European adventure speakers. He speaks in French, Italian, his native German, and his preferred language is English.
There are few who live up to the extreme challenge of solo climbing. A free solo climber uses neither ropes nor any other protection. In overhanging rock and ice faces up to ten thousand feet high his life depends entirely on his dedication, focus, and his ability to think and make decisions under extreme pressure: the slightest mistake is lethal.
Background and career
Thomas started climbing mountains at the age of twelve. He had soon concquered the hardest rock climbing routes in Austria. Highly motivated, Thomas ran marathon distances several times a week and did 300 chin-ups daily to prepare for his extreme solo climbs.
At sixteen he became the youngest climber in history to solo climb the hard ice routes in Chamonix, and at seventeen he solo climbed ice routes to the summit of Montblanc. At 18 he climbed Peak Korshenewskij in the Himalayas.
Still a teenager, Thomas gained international fame by solo climbing the hardest free-climbing route in the Italian Dolomites, and achieving his first speed climbing record.
By the time Thomas was 20 he had first-solo-climbed a dozen hard severe rock routes, and had become the first climber to free solo the direct north spur of the Les Droites in the Montblanc region and the north face of the Grandes Jorasses. The following year he solo climbed both the north face of the Matterhorn and the Eiger, writing climbing history and setting speed records.
At the age of 23 Thomas completed the first one-day solo of famed Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia, one of the world’s most difficult mountains, on-sight and unsupported.
He set new standards in Alpine climbing with the unmatched free solo climb of five of the hardest faces in the Dolomites in one day.
After a crippling climbing accident during a photo session in 1988, Thomas completed the only unsupported solo expedition in history to one of the world’s hardest and highest mountain faces: the 3,000 meter south face of Aconcagua in the Andes. It was the first time this face was climbed in one day.
Thomas first-ascended a difficult, unnamed and unclimbed mountain in the Mount McKinley region, which he named after his first son, Mount Laurens.
Thomas’ motivation to climb was always fuelled by a curiosity to explore his own potential. He has introduced a new, very lean and audacious style into alpine climbing, and has attracted enormous media attention. In the Eighties he was a model for Versace.
At the age of 21 Thomas spoke to IBM about goal setting and self-motivation.This was his first management speech and it triggered a line of thought that he continues to ponder: What are the lessons that a solo mountain climber learns under extreme pressure and in danger of his life? Are these lessons applicable to the modern business world? The values and qualities a solo mountain climber must live up to – are they identical with those that lead to success and guarantee survival in an ever-changing business world?
“The answer is yes, there’s no doubt about that”, he knows today. “There is only one truth. The attitudes that help a solo climber overcome adversity, anxiety and solitude and to deal with ever increasing risk, decision taking under pressure, crisis and zillions of other de-motivating factors - cannot be false for people in any other profession”.
Speaking Topics
Thomas Bubendorfer is one of the world’s foremost solo climbers, and a charismatic and experienced motivational speaker.
- Adventure
- Inspirational
- Motivation
- Teamwork
For further information or to book Thomas Bubendorfer, call us at Speakers Corner on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Thomas Bubendorfer Video
Thomas Bubendorfer Speaker Showreel - Click play to watch a short sample video clip of Thomas Bubendorfer. For more information on Thomas Bubendorfer please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Thomas Bubendorfer News
A selection of relevant news related to Thomas Bubendorfer, Keynote Speakers, Adventure Speakers, International Speakers, Leadership Speakers and Teamwork Speakers stories. For more information on Thomas Bubendorfer or details as to how to book Thomas Bubendorfer for your corporate event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
‘Osama’, by Chris Ryan
15th February 2013
Author, corporate speaker and SAS hero, Chris Ryan, has published a book called ‘Osama’ – a gripping tale based around the raid of Osama Bin Laden’s hide-out.
Mary Perkins Wins Director of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award
2nd November 2011
Director Magazine has awarded Dame Mary Perkins, Specsavers queen, entrepreneur, and retail keynote speaker, the Director of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award.
Speakers Corner Celebrates Exciting New Site
21st March 2011
Speakers Corner takes centre stage with an innovative new website and an exciting new identity.
James Cracknell Introduces New Captain Scott Film
27th January 2011
Inspirational Olympic sportsman James Cracknell introduces a new film about Captain Scott’s ill-fated Expedition to the Antarctic of 1910, which ended with the death of Scott and four other crew members.
Motivational speakers Fred Haise, James Lovell & Gene Kranz come together to mark the 40th anniversary of Apollo 13 flight
4th February 2010
On April 11, 2010 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Apollo 13's astronauts & flight director, James Lovell, Fred Haise & Gene Kranz will come together to mark the 40th Anniversary of the mission. Guests will have the opportunity to hear from the astronauts themselves as well as from Gene 'failure in not an option' Kranz and do a tour of the actual launch pad.
The noughties - a decade of adventure
9th December 2009
As we near the end of the 1st decade of the 21st century, the Telegraph has taken a look at the daredevils, adventurers and explorers who have pushed themselves to the limits and beyond. People who have pushed themselves to the boundaries of human possibility include Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Ann Daniels, Pen Hadow, Jamie Andrew, Tom Avery, Dee Caffari, and celebrities, Ewan McGregor, David Walliams, James Cracknell and Ben Fogle.
Ronnie O’Sullivan Wins Fifth World Title
7th May 2013
Snooker player, Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Barry Hawkins to win the Betfair World Championships at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
Self-Help Books; A Billion Dollar Industry
30th April 2013
Self-help books are increasingly popular among the British public than ever before and an increased number of us are turning to self help books in the hope that they will solve lives problems.
Mike Forde Links Business to Football
18th April 2013
Business speaker and one of the UK’s leading sports executives, Mike Forde has compared the ideas and practices used in professional football to those used in business environments.
Anna Watkins Announces She is Pregnant
25th March 2013
Olympic double skulls champion and motivational speaker, Anna Watkins, has announced that she is pregnant.
Thomas Bubendorfer Reviews
Thomas Bubendorfer has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for Thomas Bubendorfer for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book Thomas Bubendorfer for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Your message on goal-setting and dealing with crisis and set-backs was perfect. Our colleagues in Austria and Germany were as fascinated as we are.
It was one of the rare speeches when my thoughts never drifted once. Didactically interesting, without appearing like a teacher.
Your words hit the right spot and left a lot of the guys thinking and (re)valuating some of their actions and objectives in life and business!
Very moving speech. You were authentic, passionate and we could all understand the meaning you give to your life.
It was a clear, logic, down-to-earth presentation. An impressive speaker, and impressive pictures.
I have rarely heard such a fascinating speech!
Excellent review from your talk. Use of photos was terrific. You really drive home the high performance message.
Great inspiration, you are a role model in terms of determination, motivation and calculated risktaking.
A charming and unique individual with ability to awe and inspire.
Q & A with Thomas Bubendorfer
Thomas Bubendorfer answered some probing questions for Speakers Corner. For speaking secrets revealed - read on! To book Thomas Bubendorfer for your event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Speakers Corner: Can you remember your first speaking engagement?
Thomas Bubendorfer: April 1984, Monaco. Speech for IBM, in English, 700 audience. I was not yet 22…
Speakers Corner: And your last event?
Thomas Bubendorfer: Tuesday, Vienna, leadership meeting of Wiener Stadtwerke (16 000 employes)
Speakers Corner: Which event has been your favourite and why?
Thomas Bubendorfer: I don’t have a favourite event. My favourite event is the next one, really, when I can try something new…
Speakers Corner: If you could speak at any event, past or future, what would it be?
Thomas Bubendorfer: Same as above. I care for the people, and I don’t care too much where they are from, who they work for and what there position within the company is.
Speakers Corner: Who would you most like to share a platform with?
Thomas Bubendorfer: People who like to challenge the status quo.
Speakers Corner: On average, how many times a year do you speak at corporate events?
Thomas Bubendorfer: 40-50 times per year in the last six or seven years.
Speakers Corner: Do you use powerpoint?
Thomas Bubendorfer: Yes
Speakers Corner: Are you as happy speaking to 50 as to 1,000 people?
Thomas Bubendorfer: I find that the interaction with smaller groups is better, but I don’t mind speaking to large groups as well.
Speakers Corner: How do you like to be introduced?
Thomas Bubendorfer: As a man who thinks about life, who has a great passion for performance, and who does not want to stand still but develop himself at all times.
Speakers Corner: Do you always like to do a briefing call before the event?
Thomas Bubendorfer: Yes. I insist on it.
Speakers Corner: What are the most asked for topics?
Thomas Bubendorfer: The interaction between the individual and the team; Performance and Passion; Conquering ones fears and moving away from risk aversion (prevailing in large companies); Overcoming crisis, set-back, defeat; Learning; Quality versus Quantity; Man’s search for meaning; Product or process – about goals and about the presence (kind of “Power of Now”).
Speakers Corner: Is your speech interactive with audience participation?
Thomas Bubendorfer: It can be, questions are always welcome, but mainly after my presentation.
Speakers Corner: Do you have any funny/embarrassing speaking anecdotes you care to share?
Thomas Bubendorfer: Yes: being Mr.Perfect on the mountain, all quality and focus and such, I fell off a stage once…
Speakers Corner: Your favourite film?
Thomas Bubendorfer: Amadeus and Love Actually
Speakers Corner: Favourite book?
Thomas Bubendorfer: All of Salman Rushdie, William Faulkner, T.C.Boyle
Speakers Corner: Favourite holiday destination?
Thomas Bubendorfer: St.Moritz
Speakers Corner: Country or townie?
Thomas Bubendorfer: Italy and almost any Italian town
For further information or to book Thomas Bubendorfer, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Other speakers you might like
Digby Jones
Former Director General of the CBI, Digby Jones has vast experience of business and finance is in ideally suited for a keynote speech at any conference
Michael Treacy
Michael Treacy is a bestselling Author, Researcher, Entrepreneur and Business Adviser, and President and founder of Treacy & Company.
Kjell Nordstrom
An unconventional, dynamic, highly effective speaker and best selling author, Kjell is definitely not your typical conservative business guru in a suit
