Hanli Prinsloo: Ocean Conservation
Hanli Prinsloo is a Record-breaking freediver, ocean conservationist, and keynote storyteller inspiring courage, connection, and purposeful leadership.
- Highlights:
- Record-breaking freediver with multiple South African national records
- Founder of I AM WATER, empowering youth and driving marine conservation
- Expert in resilience, fear management, and human potential under extreme pressure
- Blends adventure storytelling with leadership and environmental advocacy
- Acclaimed speaker at global conferences, corporate summits, and conservation events
- Formats:
Keynote presentations (30–60 minutes), leadership workshops, environmental advocacy talks
- Audiences:
Corporate leaders, sustainability advocates, conservation organizations, and teams seeking inspiration rooted in resilience and purposeful action
- Outcomes:
- Tools for reframing fear and uncertainty into growth opportunities
- Practical lessons on resilience, adaptability, and mindful leadership
- Renewed awareness of environmental responsibility and human connection
- Travels from: Cape Town, SA
- **Fee range: $10,001 - $20,000
Keynote Topics
Topics Covered
Topics covered (or a selection) in a keynote speech, told through anecdotes with spellbinding visual elements:
- The human connection to the ocean / nature
- Competitive career, failure vs. success
- Overcoming limiting assumptions but respecting limitations
- Fear and our relationship with it
- Mental strength – we are not our thoughts
- Near death experience underwater
- Finding purpose and meaning (and what is that?)
- The importance of the ocean on human life on earth
- Our effect on the ocean (and no, it’s not just about plastic!)
- Finding hope in what seems like desperate times
Talent Short Bio
Hanli Prinsloo is a globally recognized storyteller, conservationist, and record-breaking freediver whose work explores the intersections of freedom, fear, and purposeful living. Known for her breathtaking underwater experiences with sharks, manta rays, and whales, Hanli translates these encounters into powerful lessons on courage, resilience, and environmental responsibility.
Holding multiple South African national freediving records, Hanli has spent her career pushing human boundaries while advocating for the planet. She founded the I AM WATER project, dedicated to ocean conservation and youth education, demonstrating her commitment to sustainability and community impact.
Hanli’s speaking engagements combine captivating visuals with deeply personal storytelling, leaving audiences with actionable insights into fear management, connection, and mindful leadership. Her presentations resonate across corporate, leadership, and environmental platforms, inspiring attendees to embrace uncertainty, harness inner potential, and lead with purpose.
Read Full Bio
Hanli Prinsloo is not just a speaker; she is a storyteller, a conservationist, and a record-breaking freediver whose life’s work resonates with the core of human experience freedom, fear, and purposeful living. Her compelling narratives are not merely tales but life lessons drawn from the deep, where she swims alongside some of the ocean’s most magnificent creatures.
As a speaker, Hanli captivates her audiences, taking them on a vivid journey from record-breaking dives to intimate encounters with great sharks and graceful manta rays. Her presentations are a blend of breathtaking imagery, heart-stopping moments, and profound insights into the connection between human potential and the natural world.
With a background that spans competitive freediving, where she holds multiple South African national records, Hanli’s expertise extends beyond the sport into the realms of ocean conservation and mindfulness. Her initiatives, such as the ‘I AM WATER’ project, underscore her commitment to protecting marine environments and educating underserved youth about ocean conservation.
Hanli’s unique blend of adventure and advocacy brings a fresh perspective to environmental issues, making her a sought-after speaker at global conservation and corporate leadership events. Her ability to connect with her audience on a personal level, sharing stories of vulnerability and triumph, cements her status as a luminary in both the environmental and motivational speaking circuits.
Moreover, Hanli’s speeches are tailored to inspire action. Each talk concludes with actionable insights that encourage audiences to take definitive steps towards personal growth and environmental stewardship. Her global recognition and credibility, built through years of advocacy and record-setting achievements, add an unmatched level of authenticity and inspiration to your event.
Hanli Prinsloo is more than just a freediver; she is a visionary who dives into the fundamental questions of life, offering her audiences a unique perspective on what it means to live purposefully and fearlessly. Her talks are not only about the depths of the oceans but also about diving deep into the human spirit to explore what truly drives us.
Hanli Prinsloo speaks with animation & passion…… about freedom, fear, risk and PURPOSEFUL living.
Stories of swimming alongside tiger sharks, to what it takes to communicate with a sperm whale or the grace of giant manta rays adds to the journey the audience is taken on. Hanli Prinsloo visual material from the underwater realm combined with her vibrant storytelling captures the imagination and inspires audiences of all ages and walks of life.’
View All Speakers and follow us on Twitter
Talent Videos
Hanli Prinsloo – Learning to Trust Yourself Through Freediving
In this 1-minute keynote clip, Hanli Prinsloo shares how freediving taught her the hardest lesson of all: trusting herself and her body’s innate wisdom.
Read Summary & Key Moments
Summary
Hanli Prinsloo introduces herself not by listing achievements, but by demonstrating what’s possible: diving to 65 meters on one breath and holding her breath for six minutes. She clarifies that she shares this not to impress but to inspire, highlighting freediving as a sport of pushing human limits with nothing more than a single breath.
She then shifts to the theme of trust. While most people think of trust as something external—trusting others or grappling with betrayal—Hanli reflects that the hardest lesson she has learned is to trust herself. Freediving, she explains, required her to place confidence in her own body, to believe that she was “born to do this” and that her body knew what to do underwater.
Hanli closes with a reminder that our bodies carry deep memory, including the “little swimmer” still within us. By trusting that memory and reconnecting with it, we can return to water, to flow, and to our true potential.
Key Moments
00:00 Introduction: 65m dive on one breath and 6-minute static breath-hold
00:15 Freediving as inspiration, not just achievement
00:30 Redefining trust: from external reliance to internal self-belief
00:50 Freediving’s hardest lesson—trusting her own body and instincts
01:05 Closing insight: reconnecting with the “little swimmer” within us
Ocean Guardians – Inspiring Coastal Youth Through Conservation and Confidence
In this 1-minute feature, the Ocean Guardians program empowers grade seven students from coastal communities to connect with the ocean, overcome fear, and build confidence.
Read Summary & Key Moments
Summary
This short video highlights the Ocean Guardians workshops, an initiative inspired by the vision to connect coastal communities with the ocean so they can fall in love with it and protect it. The program is designed to give underserved youth direct, positive experiences with the marine environment, helping them overcome fear and discover new confidence.
The workshops bring grade seven students from local schools to the beach for two days. On the first day, participants visit a tidal pool to explore in a safe, contained environment. On the second day, they are introduced to one of South Africa’s pristine marine protected areas, where they learn the value of conservation through hands-on experiences.
Workshops include three stations: rocky shore exploration, a beach cleanup, and snorkeling. Many of the children have never been in the ocean, and some cannot swim, but through supportive mentorship they learn to float, snorkel, and engage with the ocean. By stepping out of their comfort zones, participants leave with not only new skills but also the belief that they can achieve more than they thought possible.
The video closes with testimonials from children who describe their excitement at snorkeling for the first time, their appreciation for the experience, and their newfound love for the ocean. The ultimate goal of the program is to turn fear into love, and love into long-term stewardship.
Key Moments
00:00 Program vision: connecting coastal communities with the ocean
00:10 Students express nervousness and fear of water
00:20 Ocean Guardians workshops explained: two days, tidal pool and marine protected area
00:35 Three activity stations: rocky shores, beach cleanup, snorkeling
00:50 Outcomes: overcoming fear, building confidence, inspiring love for the ocean
00:55 Student testimonials: first-time snorkeling, floating, and gratitude
Dolphin Teaser - Hanli Prinsloo
In this 1-minute cinematic teaser, Hanli Prinsloo captures the essence of freediving through serene visuals with dolphins—an immersive metaphor for trust, presence, and connection with the deep.
Read Summary & Key Moments
Summary
Although the full transcript isn’t available, this video serves as a visual and emotional introduction to Hanli’s message: freediving isn’t just a physical feat, it’s a practice in trust, flow, and immersion.
The footage, showing Hanli diving with dolphins, symbolizes harmony, presence, and the deep bonds between humans and the ocean. The imagery alone conveys themes of courage, connection, and mindfulness under pressure.
Key Moments
00:00–00:15 Opening visuals: underwater entry and graceful movements
00:15–00:45 Encounter with dolphins: elegant, flowing interactions
00:45–01:00 Transition to deeper underwater shots: Hanli in motion, calm and centered
01:00–01:14 Closing frame: stillness, reflection, and an invitation to dive deeper—figuratively and literally
Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry
**Overview of User Reviews for Hanli Prinsloo's Keynote Presentation**
Hanli Prinsloo's keynote presentations have garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, highlighting her exceptional storytelling ability and profound impact on audience engagement. Reviewers praise her infectious passion for environmental issues, which enhances the awareness of sustainability among participants. Her skill in connecting with diverse audiences is noted as a significant strength, effectively transforming perceptions of risk and inspiring personal reflection.
Key strengths include:
– Engaging storytelling that intertwines personal experiences with business insights.
– A transformative approach that resonates deeply with leaders and professionals.
– The ability to foster a sense of presence and purpose among attendees.
While the reviews are predominantly positive, a common theme is the emotional intensity of her presentations, which may leave some attendees feeling overwhelmed. However, the overall consensus is that Hanli's sessions are powerful and thought-provoking, making them a worthwhile experience for any corporate event.
Talent FAQ's
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses and other costs
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Deposits and securing a booking
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
Additional tips and takeaways
- Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
- There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
- Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
- When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
- Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
- Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
- Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.
Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!
View further speakers
- (81)
Sarah Schauer is a force of unfiltered humor and raw authenticity in the world of comedy. With a straightforward demeanor and a penchant for calling it like she sees it, Sarah has carved out a unique niche for herself in the digital realm as a self-proclaimed “Youtuber when I feel like it, Ex-Viner, and all […]
- Travels from: Greenville, SC
- Social Influencer
- (37)
Kien Vuu, MD, popularly known as Doctor V is an assistant professor of Health Sciences at UCLA, speaker, media expert, founder of VuuMD Performance and Longevity, and best-selling author of Thrive State: Your Blueprint for Optimal Health, Longevity, and Peak Performance. Dr. V has been practicing medicine for over 14 years and combines his knowledge […]
- Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
- Healthcare Speakers
- (5)
Julie Smolyansky is the dynamic President and CEO of Lifeway Foods, a pioneering company in the production of kefir and probiotic-rich foods. At just 27 years old, she became the youngest female CEO of a publicly traded company, transforming Lifeway into a leader in the health and wellness industry. With her vision and leadership, the […]
- Travels from: Chicago, IL
- Entrepreneurship
- (49)
Maria Marin is the leading motivational icon among Hispanics worldwide. Her message of motivation, personal growth and success reaches millions through her newspaper columns, best-selling books, international seminars and radio show. As a “life coach” she now reaches thousands of listeners with her national syndicated radio show, “El Show de Maria” on Univision Radio Network. […]
- Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
- Motivational Speakers
- (58)
Dr. Michio Kaku is one of the most widely recognized and respected figures in science today. A world-renowned theoretical physicist, futurist, and bestselling author, Dr. Kaku has dedicated his life to making the mysteries of the universe accessible and inspiring to people across the globe. He is internationally recognized as an authority on Einstein’s unified […]
- Travels from: New York, NY
- Futurists Speakers
- (32)
- (4)
JJ DiGeronimo, President of Tech Savvy Women, a powerhouse in the realm of empowering professional women in the tech industry. With a trajectory marked by remarkable achievements and a passion for driving change, JJ stands as one of the most esteemed speakers, authors, and executive strategists dedicated to advancing women in the technology sector. JJ […]
- Travels from: Cleveland, OH
- Motivational Speakers
- (14)
Alyssa Milano is a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry, known for her dynamic presence both on and off the screen. With a career spanning over three decades, Milano has captivated audiences worldwide through her diverse acting roles and engaging persona. Beyond her impressive acting credentials, she has established herself as a sought-after event host, […]
- Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
- Celebrity Emcees
- (56)
Erica Dhawan stands at the forefront of 21st-century leadership, recognized globally as an authority on teamwork, collaboration, and innovation. With a remarkable blend of insight, expertise, and practical strategies, she guides organizations through the challenges and opportunities of our digital age. Named among the top 50 management thinkers in the world by Thinkers50, Erica Dhawan […]
- Travels from: Tampa, FL
- Communication Speakers
Disclaimer
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
Fee Range Information
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
