Adversity
Imagine being left alone to row the Atlantic like Debra Searle, losing your leg to a landmine explosion like Chris Moon, or having your world turned upside-down by blindness like Miles Hilton-Barber…
Adversity can appear in all forms – from experiencing the most hostile conditions on the planet and life-changing injuries to the challenges we face in our everyday lives. The stories of these extraordinary individuals who achieved their goals despite less-than-perfect circumstances illuminates the uncompromising need for personal strength and self-motivation in times of trouble.
Want to be more specific in your search? You can filter by topic (up to 3), gender, and fee band here!
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Ade Adepitan
Basketball Player
Ade Adepitan MBE is a British TV presenter and wheelchair basketball player. He presented Channel 4's coverage of the London 2012 Paralympics.
£5 - £10K -
Benedict Allen
Adventurer & Survival Expert
Benedict Allen's after dinner speeches are full of tales of exploration and adventure, as well as invaluable and inspirational business lessons.
£2.5 - £5K -
John Amaechi
Pro Basketball Player
John Amaechi is an accomplished motivational speaker who has inspired people throughout the world and appeared as a judge on the hit BBC show 'The Speaker'.
£2.5 - £5K -
Keith Antoine
Olympic Coach
Olympic & Paralympic athletics coach Keith Antoine’s focus is on performance improvement, of individuals and teams. He was a personal coach Paralympic gold and silver medalists in London 2012 and Rio 2016.
£2.5 - £5K -
Sally Becker
Angel of Mostar
The Angel of Mostar, Sally Becker saved the lives of hundreds of children in Bosnia in the 1990's. She was chosen to carry the flag at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.
< £2.5k -
David Bermingham
NatWest Three
David Bermingham is an author and accomplished speaker. Ex soldier and former banker who became embroiled in the infamous Enron scandal, his engaging story resonates with corporate audiences.
£2.5 - £5K -
Cath Bishop
Rower & Diplomat
An Olympic rower and a British diplomat, Cath Bishop is an inspiring keynote speaker who tells her story from a unique vantage point to show how a strong team makes for exceptional results.
< £2.5k -
Deirdre Bounds
Business Innovator
Deirdre Bounds is an entrepreneur in the purest sense - no commercial experience, no family history of enterprise, no money, just a great idea and a pile of passion.
£2.5 - £5K -
Mike Brace
Paralympian
Blinded by a firework at a young age, Mike has enjoyed unimaginable sporting success and ultimately received an OBE for services to disabled sport.
< £2.5k -
Thomas Bubendorfer
Solo Climber
Solo climber, Thomas Bubendorfer is the most experienced European adventure keynote speaker on the international circuit & talks of teamwork & self belief
£5 - £10K -
Darren Campbell
Olympic Medallist
Darren Campbell – Olympic gold medallist and a sprinter who always gave his all and retired having won medals at all four majors – is a motivational speaker of the highest calibre.
£2.5 - £5K -
Alan Chambers
Polar Explorer
As a Royal Marine, Alan Chambers spent 16 years exploring the world’s most hostile and thrilling environments, including jungles, deserts and frozen tundra.
£2.5 - £5K -
Bob Champion
Jockey
Champion jockey and winner of the Grand National, Bob's life and fight against cancer were portrayed in a book and a film starring John Hurt.
< £2.5k -
Michel Chikwanine
Child Soldier
A gifted and motivated speaker, Michel Chikwanine has experienced civil war, political upheaval & poverty having been forced to leave his home country at the age of 11 as a refugee.
£5 - £10K -
James Cracknell
Rowing Gold Medallist
Double Olympic rowing Gold medallist and world record holder. James Cracknell OBE has also achieved the epic feat of rowing the Atlantic with Ben Fogle.
£5 - £10K -
Danny Crates
Paralympic Champion
Amputee, Paralympic Champion, European Champion and World Champion, Danny Crates is one of the world’s most inspiring motivational speakers.
£2.5 - £5K -
Steve Cunningham
Blind Vision
When Steve Cunningham speaks at a conference or event, "even the most hard bitten of audiences find it tough to disguise a watery eye or lump in the throat".
< £2.5k -
Karen Darke
Paralympic Medalist
Paralympic cycling champion Karen Darke is an adventurer, author and motivational speaker.
£2.5 - £5K -
Martyn Dawes
Coffee Nation
Martyn Dawes, founder of Coffee Nation and entrepreneur was always destined to do things his own way. As a keynote speaker he is inspirational and charismatic.
£2.5 - £5K -
Tracy Edwards
International Sailor
Skipper of the first all-female crew to sail around the world, Tracy Edwards has vital leadership lessons to impart in her keynote speeches and training sessions.
£5 - £10K -
Tim Fitzhigham
Comedian Adventurer
Tim Fitzhigham's far-fetched exploits are recounted in hilarious manner and are ideally suited for any corporate event to leave the audience in stitches.
£2.5 - £5K -
Alex Flynn
Ultra Runner
How would most people react upon a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease? For keynote and motivational speaker, Alex Flynn, it meant establishing the 10MillionMetres Challenge.
£2.5 - £5K -
Jason Fox
After two decades in the British Special Forces and a subsequent career in private security, Jason Fox has gleaned powerful insights about leadership, motivation, and operating under high-pressure.
< £2.5k -
Evelyn Glennie
Motivational Percussionist
Evelyn Glennie is one of the world's most recognised percussionists. She perfomed at the London 2012 opening ceremony to enormous acclaim.
£2.5 - £5K -
Bear Grylls
Adventurer & TV Presenter
The youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest, keen environmentalist, survival specialist and TV star, Bear Grylls is a inspirational speaker for any event.
£15K & Over -
Ken Hames
Army to Business
Ken Hames, motivational and inspirational after dinner speaker, made the leap from an impressive military career to showcasing his adventuring skills in front of the camera.
£2.5 - £5K -
Devon Harris
Olympic Bobsledder
As an original Jamaican bobsled team member and 3-time Olympian, Devon Harris achieved his grand dream. One of the original 'Cool Runnings' team.
£5 - £10K -
Miles Hilton-Barber
Inspirational Blind Speaker
Charming, erudite, captivating... a well-stocked oxygen supply is needed to list the achievements of world record-breaking adventurer Miles Hilton-Barber.
£5 - £10K -
Kevin Ivison
Bomb Disposal Operator
Kevin Ivison is an ex bomb disposal expert who suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after a dramatic and traumatic ordeal in Iraq. His remarkable story of recovery is inspirational.
< £2.5k -
Liz Jackson
Great Guns Marketing
Being young and blind has not hindered business lady extraordinaire, Liz Jackson, achieving great success with her company Great Guns Marketing.
£2.5 - £5K -
Roxanne Joyal
CEO of Me to We
Trained in International Law & International Relations, French-Canadian Roxanne Joyal is an inspirational keynote speaker & an advocate for empowering women and social responsibility.
£5 - £10K -
James Ketchell
Adventurer & Explorer
Following a serious motorcycling accident in 2007 that nearly lost him the use of his legs, James Ketchell became the first British person to row single handed across the Atlantic and summit Everest.
< £2.5k -
Hyeonseo Lee
‘The Girl With Seven Names’, as she named her 2015 memoir, is a North Korean defector living in Seoul, South Korea. A powerful reminder of those who face constant danger, Hyeonseo’s tale of courage, survival and hope motivates and inspires spellbound audiences.
£10 - £15K -
Giles Long
Olympic Swimmer
Giles Long is a successful Paralympic swimmer whose journey to success is unusual and inspirational. He is an after dinner speaker and keynote speaker of the highest calibre.
£2.5 - £5K -
Francesca Martinez
Funny Girl
Francesca Martinez - stand-up comedian and actress - and UK’s Motivator of the year award nominee. Winner of the 2011 Fringe Media Network Award.
£2.5 - £5K -
Richard McCann
Motivational Author
Richard McCann is a Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling author. He is an expert on dealing with challenge, which makes him a truly inspirational and motivational speaker.
£2.5 - £5K -
Perry McCarthy (The Original Stig)
The Original Stig
From Formula One to the small screen; from sporting champion to TV legend - Perry McCarthy left the fast lane to become the original Stig on Top Gear.
£2.5 - £5K -
Jamie McDonald
The Flash
World-record breaking fundraising adventurer Jamie is best known for his world-first solo run across Canada, raising more than £250,000 for charity.
£2.5 - £5K -
Andy McNab
SAS Soldier
Andy has written about his experiences in the SAS. 'Bravo Two Zero' is the highest selling war book of all time and has sold 1.5 million copies in the UK alone.
£10 - £15K -
Chris Moon
Inspirational Cyclist
Despite serious adversity in his life, Chris Moon continues to astound as he goes one step beyond perceived limits.
£5 - £10K -
Bonita Norris
Youngest British woman to climb Everest
Reaching the top of Everest as an experienced mountaineer? That’s tough. Now, how about taking on that task without ever having climbed before? (Stairs don’t count.)
< £2.5k -
Cathy O'Dowd
Adventurer
Cathy O'Dowd has climbed Everest twice, she draws on her experiences to talk about issues of teamwork, risk assessment, self motivation and tackling overwhelming challenges.
£2.5 - £5K -
Sarah Outen
London2London
Sarah rowed across the Indian Ocean. Alone. With her little boat, Dippers. An inspirational after dinner speaker, Sarah talks about her journey of commitment to life and survival in the elements.
£2.5 - £5K -
Andy Pag
Sustainable Adventurer
Andy Pag is an adept and experienced keynote speaker on environmentalism and sustainability. He drove round the world powered by used cooking oil in an old school bus.
< £2.5k -
Nando Parrado
Plane Crash Survivor
Inspirational speaker, Nando Parrado is a survivor from the crash of the plane carrying the Uruguayan rugby team so vividly brought to life in the film 'Alive'.
£15K & Over -
John Peters
Former Soldier
Captured & tortured in the 1st Gulf War, John’s story is a powerful, moving & funny human story told by a master storyteller that still has particular relevance today.
£2.5 - £5K -
Katie Piper
Motivational Model
Katie Piper is a beautiful young woman rebuilding her life after surviving a brutal sulphuric acid attack in 2008.
£5 - £10K -
Derek Redmond
Best Olympic Moment
Eternally inspirational as an elite athlete, Derek Redmond's race in Barcelona when he crossed the finishing line with a mid-race injury is a highlight in Olympic history.
£2.5 - £5K -
Ken Robinson
Education & Innovation
Sir Ken Robinson PhD is an internationally recognised leader in the development of education, creativity and innovation.
£15K & Over -
Yves Rossy (Jetman)
Adventurer
With his head in the clouds and his feet on the ground, Yves Rossy (Jetman) is a unique and inspirational after dinner speaker.
£10 - £15K -
Roz Savage
Ocean Rower
Roz Savage lived the dream – and learnt that following your passion is not always plain sailing.
£2.5 - £5K -
Greg Searle
Olympic Rower
After winning an Olympic gold, aged 20, Greg’s journey to victory at the London 2012 games – 20 years later - is one of tenacity, honesty and determination.
£5 - £10K -
Joe Simpson
Touching the Void
With his famous exploits captured in the BAFTA award winning film - 'Touching the Void', Joe is an honest, charismatic and inspirational speaker.
£10 - £15K -
Ed Stafford
Adventurer
Ed Stafford walked the amazon - a feat perceived as insurmountable. Ed uses his experiences to inspire and motivate audiences to achieve their own personal goals.
£5 - £10K -
Jess Thom
Writer, artist, and co-founder of Touretteshero, Jess Thom is committed to increasing opportunities for those living with Tourette’s Syndrome; she characterises herself as a ‘superhero’ not a ‘sufferer'.
£2.5 - £5K -
Anna Watkins
Olympic Gold Medallist
Motivational speaker and Olympic gold medallist Anna Watkins holds the current Olympic record after her win at women’s double scull at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
£5 - £10K -
Spencer West
Climbed Kilimanjaro
An Inspirational keynote speaker and motivational speaker, Spencer West speaks about the struggles he overcame after losing his legs at the age of five.
£5 - £10K -
Simon Weston
Army Veteran
Falkland's War Veteran, author, public speaker & charity supporter and holder of a CBE he received in 2016 for his charity work.
£2.5 - £5K -
Simon Wheatcroft
Blind runner and technology pioneer
What would you do if you lost your sight at the age of 17? For Simon Wheatcroft, it meant adapting available technology to achieve the impossible.
< £2.5k -
Jonathan White
Military Leadership
Leadership Consultant and Executive Coach, Jon draws on his experiences as a 19 year old Commissioned Officer in the Royal Marines, leading men in the world's toughest environments.
£2.5 - £5K -
Marc Woods
Paralympic Swimmer
Following the amputation of his left leg, competitive swimmer Marc Woods got back in the pool and went on to win a raft of Paralympic, World and Euro Championships medals.
£2.5 - £5K -
Martine Wright
Paralympian & Motivational speaker
Martine Wright lost both legs in the 7/7 London bombings, yet she considers herself lucky. She was honoured with the BBC Helen Rollason Award Sports Personality of the Year 2012 award.
£5 - £10K -
Joey Zuber
Daring Diver
Joey Zuber is the man who’s bringing the extreme sport Cliff Diving into the mainstream international arena.
£2.5 - £5K
