5 Incredible Adventure and Exploration Guest Speakers

Though most of us will never reach the peak of Mount Everest, the stories of the brave adventurers who have can be applied to ups and downs of our own personal journeys.

With expertise in physical and mental endurance, their tales of tackling some of the world’s most deadly and challenging terrains will provide audiences immense entertainment and inspiration, as well as a different perspective on personal hardships or adversity.

We’ve listed some of the most accomplished adventurers and explorers that have been able to translate their skills into guest speaking, and who are sure to keep your audience on the edge of their seat.

Mount Everest Expedition Leader and High Altitude Mountaineer James 'Jimmy' Smith has a wealth of knowledge in pushing personal limits.

In 2016, Smith was forced to abandon his climb of Mount Everest, which he had dedicated to his paralysed aunt. Persevering towards the summit, Smith reached the the 884m mark before being put on oxygen and taken back to base camp where his condition continued to deteriorate. In the face of this disappointment and trauma, Smith bounced back to develop a strong appreciation for life and being surrounded by the support of his family and the rescue party that came to his aid, despite not being able to make it to the top.

Today, Jimmy hopes to tell his story involving the rollercoaster of highs and lows that were endured during his climb, as well as his current responsibilities of being a leader for other climbers looking to take on Mount Everest.

Jimmy has found his calling in leading teams, guiding decision making in extreme situations. With his speaking skills, Jimmy has the ability to teach his audience the importance of gratitude and optimism when faced with personal or career setbacks.

Ossie Khan’s passion for extreme sports has led him on some incredible adventures, including skydiving over Mount Everest from a helicopter.

Ossie credits his like-minded team for helping make such remarkable experiences happen over his 26 years of skydiving and base jumping, highlighting the importance of teamwork.

One topic that Ossie’s explores in his speaking is the concept of a championship team versus a team of champions, and how this distinction can impact the likelihood of success. Additionally, Ossie speaks on distinguishing yourself from the crowd, offering wisdom to listeners in achieving their goals, as well as emphasising how an individual's success and a company’s success are intertwined.

Evidently, Ossie Khan makes for an incredibly insightful and inspiring guest speaker, possessing the special skill of personalising his experiences for listeners.

Multi-talented adventurer Justin Jones, or Jonesy, has also familiarised himself in the fields of presenting, documentary producing, and motivational speaking.

Having kayaked from Australia to New Zealand, completed the first ever unsupported and unassisted ski expedition from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole and back, as well as the first ever kayak expedition across the Tasman Sea - both of which won him two Guinness World Records - Justin has a number of stories to share with an audience, keeping them intrigued, inspired and entertained.

Jones has shared his action-packed life as an adventurer with people all over the world, with a speciality in moving his audience emotionally and leaving a long-lasting impression on listeners. Jones believes that anyone is capable of achieving great things, and with a mindset of determination, organisation, planning and foresight, we each have the potential to realise our strengths and accomplish personal goals, no matter how unlikely they seem.

After working twelve years in corporate banking, Michelle Lee was determined to achieve something greater for herself and test her limits, transforming her life to one full of adventure.

Having trekked 100km of the Kokoda Trail in 2012, Michelle developed a love for adventure, particularly due to its requirement for physical fitness, resilience, and self-discipline.

Michelle went on to complete a number of triathlons and fun-runs, however her greatest accomplishment lies in her record-breaking solo row, where she became the fastest woman to row one million metres on a Concept 2 rowing machine, as well as being Australia’s first woman to row any ocean solo.

Michelle has a passion for instilling resilience, gratitude and determination in listeners, including how to combat the insidious imposter syndrome. She cites her experience rowing across the ocean as a period in which she was forced to navigate and deal with life’s challenges, obstacles, and hardships, and how this forced her to tap into her full potential. With experience speaking to people in schools, at award nights, and on national TV, Michelle Lee knows how to move an audience.

Former Royal Marine Commando and explorer, Jason Fox, has led teams during a number of operations around the world in high-pressure and gruelling environments. Being tested both physically and mentally, Jason has had to demonstrate courage and resilience throughout his service, dealing with situations ranging from hostage rescues to counter-terrorism.

Jason was part of the Special Forces until 2012, after he was medically discharged due to mental health issues. He then moved into the TV and film industry, using his past experiences to direct production crews when working in dangerous environments, including in the jungle, the arctic, and the desert.

Having been awarded Keynote Speaker of the Year in 2016, Fox recounts his time working with the Special Forces and exploring the world alongside production crews to guide his presentations. Having spoken publicly on TV regarding his struggle with PTSD and depression, Jason is passionate about inspiring individuals to build emotional resilience and effectively execute strategies, as well as speaking up when facing struggles with mental health.

Fox's experiences have made him a popular and in-demand speaker, telling of often raw and confronting experiences that are strong enough to leave long-lasting effects on the audience, gifting them with profound insight into the nature of resilience and strength.

Looking for a guest speaker to inspire your audience? Browse the full catalogue of Pickstar's guest speakers and find the perfect speaker for you!