Penny Heyns: Olympic Champion

  • Penny Heyns is celebrated as one of the most accomplished swimmers in Olympic history.
  • She is the first woman to win gold medals in both the 100m and 200m breaststroke at the same Olympic Games (Atlanta 1996).
  • Her legacy includes breaking 14 world records during her illustrious career.
  • Penny’s story is one of relentless dedication, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: Johannesburg, South Africa
  • **Fee range: $500 - $5,000
  • Southern Africa: $1,500
  • North America: $7,500
  • Europe: $4,000
5/5
5/5 (2 reviews)

Keynote Topics

Swimming is an individual and very often, lonely sport. Much like life, it requires certain key elements in order to attain success – elements such as sacrifice, perseverance and single-minded focus.

This presentation will shed light on what it takes to make it to the top of one of the world’s toughest sporting disciplines, how to stay there and how those same principles relate and apply to business and life in general.

It will inspire the listener to believe in his or her own potential, show them how to turn disappointment into victory and most importantly, how to live a life in pursuit of personal excellence.

Penny Heyns also offers a high impact workshop called Mental Power to inspire individuals and to empower people to discover their potential, find their purpose and to learn how to think like an Olympic Champion! 

 

  • Better self-understanding
  • Accurately understand their unique neurological design and how it will influence their ability to out-think, out-learn and out-create their competition.
  • More clarity on individual purpose.
  • Motivated to pursue their life’s purpose.
  • Identify how they are smart.
  • Identify unique potential.
  • Program minds for increased success.
  • Identifying and replacing mind sets that may be limiting future success.
  • Applying 8 mind sets of champions for successful living.
  • Living a more positive and constructive life by improving self-motivation.

Penny Heyns is not just a name; she is a symbol of perseverance, excellence, and triumph in the world of swimming. Hailing from South Africa, Penny Heyns has etched her name in the annals of history as the greatest female breaststroker of the 20th century. Her accolades speak volumes about her prowess in the pool, […]

Penny Heyns is not just a name; she is a symbol of perseverance, excellence, and triumph in the world of swimming. Hailing from South Africa, Penny Heyns has etched her name in the annals of history as the greatest female breaststroker of the 20th century. Her accolades speak volumes about her prowess in the pool, as she stands as the only woman in Olympic history to clinch gold in both the 100 and 200-meter breaststroke events at Atlanta 1996, along with a bronze in Sydney 2000. With a total of 14 individual world records under her belt, Penny Heyns has left an indelible mark on the sport of swimming.

Penny Heyns

Penny Heyns’ journey to greatness was not without its challenges. Born on November 8, 1974, in Springs, South Africa, she discovered her passion for swimming at a young age. Despite facing numerous hurdles along the way, including financial constraints and limited resources, Heyns remained undeterred in her pursuit of excellence.

Her breakthrough moment came at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, where she stunned the world by clinching gold medals in both the 100 and 200-meter breaststroke events. This remarkable feat not only cemented her status as a sporting icon but also made her the first woman in Olympic history to achieve such a remarkable double.

Heyns’ dominance in the pool extended beyond the Olympic Games, as she went on to set a total of 14 individual world records during her illustrious career. What sets her apart from her peers is her unique achievement of holding world records in all three possible distances in breaststroke: the 50m, 100m, and 200m. This unparalleled feat solidifies her position as one of the greatest swimmers of all time.

Heyns’ exceptional achievements have not gone unnoticed, as she has been honored with numerous accolades and inductions into prestigious halls of fame. In 2006, she was inducted as an inaugural member of the South African Sport Hall of Fame, recognizing her contributions to the nation’s sporting legacy.

The pinnacle of Heyns’ career came in 2007 when she was enshrined in the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. This prestigious honor placed her among the likes of swimming legends such as Johnny Weissmuller and Mark Spitz, further solidifying her status as an icon of the sport.

In 2012, Heyns achieved yet another milestone when she became the first non-track and female athlete to be inducted into the Africa Sports Hall of Fame. This recognition not only celebrates her sporting achievements but also acknowledges her role as a trailblazer for athletes across the African continent.

Beyond her remarkable achievements in the pool, Penny Heyns is also a compelling and inspirational speaker. Drawing from her own experiences of overcoming adversity and achieving success against all odds, Heyns delivers powerful messages of determination, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.

As an international speaker, Heyns captivates audiences with her engaging storytelling and motivational insights. Whether addressing corporate events, educational institutions, or sporting organizations, Heyns leaves a lasting impression on her audience, inspiring them to push beyond their limitations and strive for greatness.

In conclusion, Penny Heyns stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for individuals around the world. Her remarkable achievements in the pool, coupled with her compelling speaking abilities, make her a sought-after speaker for events of all kinds. By booking Penny Heyns through Speakers Inc, event planners can offer their audience an unforgettable experience filled with motivation, empowerment, and the promise of reaching new heights of success.

This profile provides a comprehensive overview of Penny Heyns’ achievements, recognition, speaking capabilities, and the reasons why event planners should consider booking her through Speakers Inc.

Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter

Videos

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speaker Contact Form

Enquiry Form

Talent resources available for download

In order to view the below you must be logged in.

  • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
  • Gallery Images
  • High Resolution Images
  • PDF Files
  • Books and Magazine Links
  • Music List
  • Podcast Shows
  • Courses
  • + more

View further speakers

  • (33)
Kay Firth-Butterfield

Kay Firth-Butterfield is an expert in artificial intelligence (AI) ethics and governance, championing the responsible development and deployment of technology. As the CEO of Good Tech Advisory LLC, she leverages her extensive legal and academic background to guide organizations toward ethical AI practices. Her leadership in this domain earned her a spot among TIME’s 100 […]

  • Travels from: Various Cities
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • (24)
  • (1)
Dana Leong

Dana Leong is a revolutionary musician, composer, and entertainer, known for his extraordinary fusion of jazz, classical, electronic, and hip-hop music. Leong’s expertise spans across multiple genres, transforming the way music is experienced by incorporating elements of technology and innovation. With an extensive background in both performance and composition, he is a two-time Grammy Award-winning […]

  • Travels from: San Francisco, CA
  • Event Entertainers
  • (53)
  • (8)

Imagine a scenario where a room full of non-musicians seamlessly transforms into a harmonious orchestra, each member playing their part naturally and effortlessly. Now, envision Steve Barnett at the helm, orchestrating this symphony without uttering a single word, yet conveying volumes about leadership, communication, cooperation, and synergy. Steve Barnett is not just a motivational speaker; […]

  • Travels from: Johannesburg, SA
  • Motivational Speakers
  • (51)
  • (2)
Hoan Do

Hoan Do is an award-winning inspirational speaker, author, and a city finalist on NBC’s hit show, American Ninja Warrior. Known for his engaging and impactful presentations, Hoan has dedicated his career to empowering young people to overcome obstacles, embrace challenges, and create momentum in their lives. His book, Creating Momentum in Your Life, has inspired […]

  • Travels from: Seattle, WA
  • College Speakers
  • (38)
Jim Carroll - acceleration of risk

Jim Carroll is the world’s leading global futurists, trends, and innovation experts, with a massive global blue-chip client list. Over the last 25 years, more than 2 million people have shared his insight at his events. Jim’s global client list gives him a front-row seat to the high-velocity change that is occurring as disruption comes […]

  • Travels from: Guelph, ON
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • (21)
Anthony Trucks

Anthony Trucks is not your average motivational speaker. With a remarkable journey that encapsulates resilience, determination, and the power of identity transformation, he has captivated audiences worldwide. From his humble beginnings in the foster care system to the pinnacle of professional football and beyond, Trucks’ story is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to […]

  • Travels from: Antioch, CA
  • Motivational Speakers
  • (23)
  • (3)
James Beck

In a world where workplace culture is increasingly recognized as a critical component of organizational success, James Beck emerges as a beacon of transformative change. With a passion for neuroscience and a commitment to fostering happiness and unity in the workplace, James is not just a speaker; he is a catalyst for profound cultural shifts. […]

  • Travels from: Redondo Beach, CA
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (27)
Jess Todtfeld

Electrifying speaker Jess Todtfeld has an incredible talent for inspiring audiences: his magnetic speeches are entertaining and teach audiences how to gain more results in various fields. With more than 20 years of experience in the media industry, Todtfeld helps CEOs, spokespeople, authors, experts and public relations representatives with achieving real results. From the beginning of his career, […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Business Speakers
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel