Peter van Kets: Motivational Speaker

Keynote speaker and professional adventurer Peter van Kets inspires resilience, leadership and teamwork through solo Atlantic rowing, Antarctic expeditions and conservation driven purpose.

  • Highlights:
    • Solo row across the Atlantic Ocean
    • Antarctic expedition experience in extreme polar conditions
    • International keynote speaker on resilience and leadership
    • Entrepreneurial and business background
  • Formats:

    Keynote Speaker and Professional Adventurer

  • Audiences:

    Corporate leadership teams, executive retreats, strategy offsite, sales organizations and conferences focused on resilience, teamwork and performance under pressure.

  • Outcomes:
    1. Practical frameworks for resilience in uncertain environments
    2. Actionable strategies for leadership and team alignment
    3. Renewed clarity of purpose and long term perspective
Reading time: 2 min
Reviews: (1 reviews)
Rated 5 out of 5
  • Travels from: East London, SA
  • **Fee range: $5,001 - $10,000

Keynote Topics

Harnessing the passion for success

RESOLVE, takes a new look at how to foster passion, then harness that passion to create discipline and to construct a process, which will drive passion and discipline towards significant success.nnWe conduct both our professional (and personal) lives in a turbulent, dynamic, fiercely competitive and often harsh world.

And so, starting a business, meeting an insane sales target, turning a floundering venture around, these are all challenges that are infinitely comparable to trekking to a Pole or rowing an ocean.

The Business world is the new frontier, it is a place of extraordinary adventure, presenting an arena for uniquely challenging expeditions every day.

For the past decade of my life I have taken part in and led many expeditions to some of the most remote desolate and beautiful parts of the planet, and the lessons I have learned are astonishingly transferable to the world of business/sales/marketing/finance Vision, passion, grit, calculated risk taking, survival, collaboration, discipline, leadership, precise planning are as important in the boardroom as they are in the wilderness….although of course an error in the boardroom may not result in your death.

Of all of the attributes I have mentioned, resolve/vasbyt/Nyamezela is the one quality most likely to guarantee success. However, resolve isn’t created in a vacuum, it cannot and does not stand alone.

It grows out of PASSION.nnThis presentation, RESOLVE, takes a new look at how to foster passion, then harness that passion to create discipline and to construct a process which will drive passion and discipline towards significant success.

“If one is resolute about the journey ahead and passionate about achieving one’s vision, then with the right processes in place we can achieve that which has been considered to be impossible before.”

But it will take RESOLVE!

Every venture you embark on, both in a professional and personal capacity, will demand clear vision, dynamic strategy, precise planning and preparation, absolute honesty, integrity, discipline and fearlessness, but above all it will demand GRIT, perseverance!!

We currently conduct our ventures in a turbulent, dynamic , competitive and often harsh world. So how do we adapt and then thrive in this environment? How do we achieve and sustain true success and fulfill our purpose.

My presentation “GRIT” answers these fundamental questions with profound universal principles learned during some of my expeditions.

So if we put the right processes in place and we persevere we will absolutely be able to achieve those things we have considered ‘impossible’ before.

“Every venture in life is going to demand clear vision, dynamic strategy, precise planning and preparation, absolute honesty and integrity, uprightness of character and self discipline, but above all it will take perseverance, nyamazela, GRIT.

If we put the right processes in place, we persevere and never give up on our vision, we absolutely will not fail.”

This presentation is pure motivation and focuses on the 888km unsupported Scott-Amundsen Race to the South Pole with a few anecdotes from the rows across the Atlantic.

Target audience: PURE MOTIVATION!

  • Leadership, sales, teams etc
  • Vision
  • Having a winning attitude
  • Collaboration
  • Surrounding yourself with the best possible team
  • Identifying partners who share your vision and passion
  • Knowing that with the right resources, there is a solution to every problem!
  • Setting clear and achievable goals
  • Being properly prepared
  • Execution – Not being paralysed by the fear of failure
  • Perfect delivery
  • Having a clear, but flexible strategy
  • Being decisive
  • Making the move from external discipline to self-discipline.
  • Persevering
  • Innovation – always look for areas to improve upon
  • Understand the benefit of helping others succeed
  • Focus on the small things and the big things fall into place

“Peter’s talk was definitely one of the very best I have heard – and I have heard many! His description of the expeditions he has undertaken are a fantastic example of the vision, planning, courage and discipline required to succeed in any venture.

The talk is filled with insights of leadership, teamwork, focus and the ability to endure almost unbelievable stress and hardship. He is an outstanding example of a truly authentic and humble hero.”

Peter van Kets’ story encompasses a myriad of compelling themes that resonate deeply with audiences:

  • Survival: Through tales of navigating treacherous terrain and enduring harsh conditions, Peter illuminates the essence of survival and the primal instincts required to overcome formidable obstacles.
  • Courage: With every step towards the South Pole, Peter exemplifies courage in its purest form, inspiring others to confront their fears and pursue their aspirations with unwavering determination.
  • Perseverance: Against all odds, Peter’s relentless pursuit of his goals underscores the power of perseverance, urging audiences to persist in the face of setbacks and challenges.
  • Passion: A passionate advocate for the environment, Peter’s commitment to conservation serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving our planet for future generations.
  • Loneliness: Amidst the vast solitude of Antarctica, Peter confronts the depths of loneliness, offering profound insights into the human psyche and the resilience required to endure solitude.
  • Tenacity: With an unyielding spirit and unwavering focus, Peter demonstrates the importance of tenacity in overcoming obstacles and achieving extraordinary feats.
  • Teamwork: Throughout his expeditions, Peter emphasizes the crucial role of teamwork, highlighting the power of collaboration and camaraderie in accomplishing shared objectives.
  • Will to Win: Driven by an insatiable desire to succeed, Peter’s story embodies the relentless pursuit of victory, inspiring audiences to harness their inner strength and strive for greatness.

Talent Short Bio

Peter van Kets is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, professional adventurer and conservation advocate from South Africa. Recognized for pushing the limits of human endurance, he has completed world class expeditions across some of the planet’s most unforgiving environments, including solo rowing across the Atlantic Ocean and navigating the frozen extremes of Antarctica.

These high stakes journeys required meticulous planning, disciplined execution and unwavering mental resilience. Through them, Peter developed a powerful framework for leadership, teamwork and decision making under pressure. His lived experience in isolation, uncertainty and risk forms the foundation of his compelling keynote presentations.

Peter translates expedition tested principles into practical strategies for corporate teams and executives facing rapid change and competitive pressure. His presentations combine gripping storytelling with actionable insights on goal setting, risk management, adaptability and sustained performance. With a strong business and entrepreneurial background, he connects adventure lessons directly to organizational realities, making his message highly relevant to modern leadership challenges.

Peter van Kets is an internationally recognized motivational adventure speaker, whose exploits across the most extreme environments on Earth have provided him with unique insights into the power of resilience, teamwork, and leadership. An established figure in the realm of extreme adventure, Peter has not only survived but thrived in conditions that most would find unimaginable. His engaging keynotes inspire audiences to push their limits and redefine their boundaries of possibility.

Peter van Kets has established himself as a beacon of endurance and determination in the world of extreme adventure. His notable achievements include rowing unassisted across the Atlantic Ocean, a grueling endeavor that demands mental fortitude as much as physical strength. This epic journey not only tested his limits but also showcased his capability to manage and overcome extreme challenges, making him a compelling figure in motivational speaking.

Beyond the oceans, Peter’s adventures span continents. He has competed in the arduous Arctic race, traversing the polar ice caps under some of the harshest conditions on the planet. His experiences in these extreme environments have equipped him with invaluable lessons in perseverance and strategic thinking, themes that resonate deeply in his motivational speeches.

Peter is also an accomplished author and educator. His books and workshops focus on the psychological aspects of endurance and survival, drawing parallels between his adventures and business challenges in the corporate world. His ability to link the lessons learned in the wilderness to everyday life and professional environments makes his insights particularly relevant and impactful.

His role as a speaker is not just about recounting tales of adventure but about imparting practical strategies for overcoming adversity. Peter’s presentations are enriched with narratives that not only entertain but also provide real-world applications, helping individuals and teams to cultivate a mindset geared towards high performance and continuous improvement.

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Overview of User Reviews for Peter Van Kets – Inspirational Motivational Speaker

Peter Van Kets is highly praised for his powerful and inspiring presentations, which resonate deeply with audiences. Reviewers highlight his ability to connect real-life success stories to critical business concepts, making his talks both relatable and impactful. His passion for motivating and inspiring change in people's lives is evident, as he tackles essential topics such as vision, planning, teamwork, strategy, conflict management, and perseverance.

Strengths:

  • Engaging and inspiring presentation style
  • Relatable real-life examples
  • Focus on critical success factors in business
  • Deep commitment to motivating others

Weaknesses:

  • No specific weaknesses mentioned in the reviews.

Overall, Peter Van Kets is recommended for anyone seeking an uplifting and informative experience that can lead to personal and professional growth.

Was this profile helpful?

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