Penny Heyns: Olympic Champion

  • Olympic Gold Medalist and World Record Holder: 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.
    Inspiring Champion of Resilience and Determination: Penny’s story is one of relentless dedication, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.
  • Her journey from small-town South Africa to the Olympic podium inspires audiences to overcome obstacles, embrace discipline, and strive for their personal best.
  • Global Motivational Speaker: Penny has captivated audiences around the world with her dynamic and relatable style. She delivers keynotes and workshops tailored to inspire teams, leaders, and individuals to unlock their potential and embrace a winning attitude.

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 | Olympic Legend

The Champion’s Journey

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.

Recognition and Accolades

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.

Empowering Through Speaking

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.

Why Book Penny Heyns through Speakers Inc?

Event planners seeking a speaker who can inspire, motivate, and uplift their audience need look no further than Penny Heyns. With her remarkable journey from humble beginnings to Olympic glory, Heyns offers a unique perspective on achieving success in the face of adversity.

By booking Penny Heyns through Speakers Inc, event planners can expect:

  1. Inspiring Stories: Heyns shares personal anecdotes and insights from her journey, leaving audiences feeling inspired and empowered to overcome their own challenges.

  2. Expertise in Performance: As a former world-record holder and Olympic champion, Heyns brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her presentations, offering valuable lessons on peak performance and achieving excellence.

  3. Engaging Delivery: Heyns’ dynamic speaking style and passionate delivery ensure that audiences remain captivated and motivated throughout her presentation.

  4. Customized Content: Whether addressing corporate teams, students, or athletes, Heyns tailors her presentations to suit the specific needs and objectives of each audience, ensuring maximum impact and relevance.

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

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

  • (18)
Julie Austin

Julie Austin is an award-winning author, inventor, futurist, innovation speaker, and member of the World Future Society. She’s an internationally known thought leader on the topic of innovation, and CEO of the consulting firm Creative Innovation Group. She’s been an innovation keynote speaker for corporations such as Procter & Gamble, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Northrop Grumman, and […]

  • Travels from: Fort Worth. TX
  • Futurists Speakers
  • (+2)
  • (12)
Petra Velzeboer - Disrupting Wellbeing

Petra Velzeboer is a celebrated mental health expert, TEDx speaker, psychotherapist, and CEO of the renowned consultancy PVL. Her extraordinary personal journey from a challenging upbringing in a notorious cult to becoming a globally recognized advocate for mental well-being is both inspirational and empowering. Petra’s core message centers on cultivating psychologically safe workplaces and promoting […]

  • Travels from: Atlanta, GA
  • Mental Health
  • (+4)
  • (11)

Polly LaBarre helps leaders make sense of and creatively respond to the forces buffeting their organizations. A bestselling author, speaker, and thinker who’s advised top global organizations, Polly’s mission for the past 20 years has been to make every kind of organization fundamentally more resilient, innovative and inspiring. Her insights embolden and equip leaders at […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Communication Speakers
  • (+5)
  • (24)

A former leading anti-apartheid campaigner, Lord Peter Hain in 2017/18 used his parliamentary privilege to expose global corporate complicity during the Zuma/Gupta decade of corruption. In 2022 he persuaded the UK government to suspend Bain & Co from public contracts for three years after they were found to have acted unlawfully for former President Zuma […]

  • Travels from: London, UK
  • (+-2)
  • (19)
Jordan Campbell Atlanta Emcee

Born in his native Scotland,  Jordan Campbell excels in engaging audiences in a professional & interactive fashion – in Atlanta & across the USA. An award-winning Event & TV Host, Emcee & Auctioneer, Jordan loves to connect with guests in a professional & lively fashion. Having spoken in front of the British Royal Family & […]

  • Travels from: Atlanta, GA
  • Event Emcee
  • (+2)
  • (8)

Lili Gil Valletta is a distinguished authority in cultural intelligence and business transformation. As the co-founder and CEO of CIEN+, she has pioneered innovative strategies that help organizations harness the power of cultural diversity to drive growth and innovation. Her expertise and influence extend across various industries, making her a sought-after speaker for events focused […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • (+4)
  • (9)
Darryl Strawberry

Darryl Strawberry is more than a baseball legend; he embodies resilience, redemption, and the transformative power of faith. Revered for his formidable presence on the baseball diamond and his inspirational journey of personal redemption, Strawberry has transcended sports to become a beacon of hope and motivation for audiences worldwide. His impact extends beyond the game, […]

  • Travels from: St. Louis, MO
  • Religious Speakers
  • (+4)
  • (17)
Denise Lee Yohn

Denise Lee Yohn is a globally recognized expert in brand-building and organizational excellence, captivating audiences worldwide with her profound insights and practical strategies. As a keynote speaker, she seamlessly blends her extensive industry experience with a dynamic and engaging speaking style, making her a sought-after presence at major business conferences and events. Her unique ability […]

  • Travels from: San Francisco, CA
  • Branding Speakers
  • (+4)
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:

Our Mission:

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

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel