Lewis Pugh
Extreme adventurer, record-breaking swimmer and sustainability advocate Lewis Pugh puts businesses at every level through their paces; as a motivational and keynote speaker, he shares how they too can survive and thrive, having pushed his own body and mind through some intensely challenging conditions.
Each one of us will go home thinking about our responsibilities to future generations in a much more enlightened way.
Young President's Organization (International Chapter)
Endurance swimmer, maritime lawyer and the UN Patron of the Oceans, Lewis Push was the first person to complete a long-distance swim in every ocean in the world.
The first to swim across the North Pole, the length of the English Channel and around Martha’s Vineyard, Lewis has also swam 520km down the Hudson River from the Adirondack Mountains to New York.
A master storyteller, Lewis shares his experiences of these initially regarded ‘impossible’ swims, highlighting the importance of creating a clear vision, choosing the right team, preparation, resilience and adaptability.
In recognition of the impact of his swims, Lewis was appointed the UN Patron of the Oceans in 2013. This role has shaped much of his work over the past decade. Through his efforts, over 3.5 million km² of vulnerable ocean - an area larger than Western Europe - has been safeguarded.
Passionate about sustainability and conservation, in 2016 he helped negotiate the creation of the biggest protected area in the world in the Ross Sea off Antarctica. The negotiations required consensus among 25 countries, a number of which had long standing disputes with one another. The media dubbed his efforts as "Speedo diplomacy" after Lewis took on the challenge of swimming 5 swims in freezing Antarctic waters, wearing just speedos and a swim hat.
His book, Achieving the Impossible, became an international bestseller. In his speeches, Lewis encourages audiences to reconsider what they believe is possible, and to confront the doubts and limits that often hold us back.
Lewis has received a number of awards for his work, including being named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, recognised as one of the world’s leading change-makers by National Geographic, and honoured with South Africa’s highest award – the Order of Ikhamanga (Gold Class).
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Extreme adventurer Lewis Pugh certainly knows a thing or two about motivation.
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Check out or video for The Knowledge Guild 2016 'Going Above and Beyond in 2016' with Lewis Pugh, Sir Clive Woodward, Bonita Norris and host Mark Durdan-Smith!
Over a period of 2 decades Lewis has pioneered more swims around famous landmarks than any other swimmer in history and in the process has set 19 world records. During his expeditions he has witnessed substantial changes to the environment, many of which are as a result of climate change. Lewis talks on motivation, teamwork, leadership and protecting the environment.