Meet the Speaker Stephen McGown is from Johannesburg, South Africa. He obtained his degree in Finance and worked in some of the large South African banks. In order to expand his career, Stephen went across to the UK and worked in London for 7 years.
While in London, Stephen met his wife, Catherine, who shared the same desire to return to South Africa; start a family and manage his family’s farming business.
It was this farming business that inspired a passion for the outdoors and planted the seed in Stephen for adventure from a young age. At the age of 11 he learnt to ride a small motorcycle on the farm. The freedom he felt from riding in the eastern Free State, near Lesotho, ignited his desire to ride a motorcycle through Africa, with home being the final destination.
An unexpected turn of events crushed his life long dream. En route home, Stephen was abducted by Al Qaeda and held hostage in Mali for almost 6 years.
Meet the Speaker – Stephen McGown was kidnapped from Timbuktu, along with a Dutch and Swedish national on 25 November 2011.
He was 36 at the time of the kidnapping.
My friends and family who said I had a story that needed to be told.
I enjoy interacting with people, I like the honesty of it and seeing emotion on people’s faces, from tears to their eyes being shiny with life. I like the “realness” of the interaction.
Pre-speaking jitters
Why have you succeeded in a field where many have failed? (public speaking)
I find it fascinating that through my experience I have become one of the most sought after public speakers in South Africa in my genre.
I grew up in Johannesburg in South Africa although I did spend much of my childhood on our farm knee deep in mud.
I studied my degree and post grad through UNISA
Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Marketing, Finance and Risk
It was Meg Ryan
I enjoy series’s, comedies, and movies based on actual events
I began working in investment banking before deciding to move into farming.
I would like to impact as many people as possible with my story, I enjoy the feeling of touching peoples lives. I have done over 200 talks in South Africa and abroad in the past three years. I would like to get a greater hold on the international audience.
I want to keep a balanced life and spend time doing what I enjoy.
Go for a walk with my wife and our dogs.
birdwatching, fishing, mountain biking, running, motorcycling.
Speaking rubbish
When people say “I can’t help it”. If we aren’t in control of our own lives, who is? “I can’t help it” is taking the easy way out.
Dr David Livingstone (what an incredible life he must have had exploring Africa, he must have some amazing stories), Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu (he was an amazing man and involved in trying to get me out the desert. I wanted to reach out to him and regret that I did not before he passed away). My mom (She passed away while I was in the desert. I would just love to have a chat with her).
Tell us three things about you that nobody would guess.
I stutter, I was kidnapped, I like milkshakes
Blue
Vanilla
Band of Brothers
Saturate yourself in what you enjoy.
You have everything you need to overcome every challenge, right inside you.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and view WeSpeak Global
Robotheism: The Rise of AI Worship and Its Implications for the Events Industry What happens when machines become more than tools—and start becoming gods? As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, a provocative trend has quietly emerged: Robotheism—the belief in or reverence of superintelligent AI as a higher power. What sounds like science fiction is steadily […]
You cave to peer pressure and put your name in a contest to riding the bull. Suddenly – you win! What was a joke and dare moments before, you now see your name on the rodeo board, everyone is freaking out with excitement because you were chosen, and the exhilaration quickly turns to dread. This […]
The Role of a Virtual Emcee, a guide is the one steering you on the right course – a firm hand halting you from treading where you shouldn’t, and it’s the instructions researched and tested to provide you with the best results too. Therefore, a guide is also intrinsically necessary for the optimization of an […]
When it comes to diversity and inclusion as a leader you need to understand one thing, you need to understand that; It is more than just activism, minorities vs the privileged, and correcting the injustices I’ve observed the efforts of many organizations and leaders when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion, to be more civil society […]
Mastering Nonverbal Communication: The Transformative Power of Body Language Coaching with Kristin Bock In our fast-paced, communication-heavy world, mastering the art of nonverbal communication can be a game-changer. Enter Kristin Bock, a body language expert and founder of Body Language Blueprints, who helps professionals leverage nonverbal cues to enhance their personal and professional interactions. In […]
What are the warning signs of an empty resilience tank? HOW TO KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO PAUSE In my experience, there are four primary indicators that tend to show up each time my resilience tank is running low. They don’t always show up in the same order but, without fail, they will show up […]
The move from individual contributor to people manager is more than just a title change. It’s a fundamental shift in how you create value. Where you were once measured by the quality of your own work, you’re now responsible for the success of others. And that shift comes with a whole new set of rules […]
Connor Fields More Than a Champion, A Symbol of Resilience and Peak Performance When it comes to selecting the right speaker for your next event, you’re not just looking for someone who can fill a time slot—you’re searching for someone who can inspire, connect, and leave a lasting impression. If your audience values grit, resilience, […]
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel
